When Tracey Jewel’s son was diagnosed as neurodivergent, her world turned upside down. “Of course I understood what autism was,” she said, “but when it’s your own child, everything comes to a halt.”

Tracey is the founder of the Inclusive Mamas Club, a support network for mothers of neurodivergent children and for neurodivergent mothers themselves. The initiative offers connection, encouragement, and community for mums who often feel forgotten in the conversation.

A New Reality After Diagnosis

“When my son was diagnosed last year, it felt like a lifetime ago,” Tracey said. “My self-care went out the window.”

She threw herself into researching therapies and changing schools and work schedules. But the effort took a toll.

“I got extremely burnt out staying up late just trying to navigate everything,” she said. “Even catching up with friends or going to the shops became impossible.”

The sensory needs of her son made community events overwhelming. Social life shrunk. Everything revolved around supporting him.

Finding Others on the Same Journey

As her world got smaller, Tracy started reaching out to other mums.

“I realised they were going through the exact same thing,” she said. “They’d lost friendships, stopped working. I thought, let’s do something about this.”

That’s how the Inclusive Mamas Club was born.

Drawing on her background in youth and community development, Tracy created something new, a space for mums to feel seen and supported.

“I love how God works through us,” she said. “All the work I’ve done before with young people led me to this.”

The Stress is Real

Studies show the stress levels for mums of neurodivergent kids are equivalent to those of combat soldiers.

“Because the world isn’t designed for our kids,” Tracey explained. “So it’s fight, flight or freeze all the time.”

She also shared that in surveys, 70% of mums reported being isolated from their communities and no longer participating in social groups or churches.

To address that, the Inclusive Mamas Club runs:

  • Coffee catch-ups (children welcome)
  • Support groups
  • Virtual Zoom sessions
  • Social events
  • Plans for respite retreats

And yes, they make space for fun. “Mums need fun,” Tracy said. “It’s part of the healing process.”

Low Sensory, High Connection

Their coffee catch-ups are intentionally inclusive.

“We’ve partnered with cafes that provide quiet sections, low lighting, even turn off the music,” she said. “It’s important for the mums who are neurodivergent themselves.”

The goal is a welcoming space where mums can relax, share stories, and support each other without judgment.

“You can laugh about the fact it took you two hours to get out of the house and everyone gets it.”

Isolation and the Impact on Daily Life

So what does that 70% isolation statistic look like in everyday life?

It’s complex. Some mums leave the workforce. Others give up social activities. Weekends are filled with therapy appointments, not sport or BBQs.

“Sometimes it’s just easier to stay home,” Tracey admitted.

Even among friends, there can be emotional distance. “You’re happy for your friends whose kids hit milestones,” she said, “but it’s hard when yours isn’t.”

Instead, the Inclusive Mamas Club offers spaces where those small wins are celebrated.

The Strain on Relationships

Relationships also feel the pressure. According to Tracey, 63% of couples with neurodivergent children end up separated or divorced. “Burnout is real,” she said. “And when you’re not on the same page with parenting, it gets more obvious.”

Tracy credits her supportive husband with helping her cope, but she knows not everyone has that.

“Mums often carry the mental load,” she said. “Appointments, school needs, the whole checklist. It’s exhausting.”

Why ‘Inclusive’ Matters

The name says it all, Inclusive Mamas Club.

“We want a space where everyone feels welcome,” Tracey said. “Especially those who often feel like outsiders.”

Whether in person or online, the club is about creating a village. A place where the challenges are understood and the victories, no matter how small, are shared.

Listen to Tracey’s full conversation with Doug on Table Talk below.