Mamamos

Late Diagnosis & Emotional Landscape

Motherhood is inherently complex and challenging for any woman, but for many women with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), it becomes even more demanding, intensified by misunderstanding and societal expectations.

Many women receive their diagnosis only in their thirties. Until then, they often struggle without support or an understanding of why they are feeling overwhelmed. Combined with their difficulties being treated as an illness, this can lead to traumatic experiences and the belief that something is fundamentally wrong with them. As a result, many women, and therefore mothers, live in constant fear and regret that they weren’t able to accept their diagnosis sooner.

They carry this tension into adulthood, which leads to the frequent crossing of personal boundaries and the suppression or masking of emotions. This inner conflict is intensified by a society built around neurotypical norms and by the high expectations of what it means to be a “good” mother. The result is a distorted self-image and a lack of recognition and support.

Inspiration

In this project, I’ve compared this lack of support for mothers with ASD to the growth and characteristics of moss. Without a supportive system to hold it up, moss remains small. But when placed in the right environment, close to water that can carry its weight, it is able to flourish into lush, deep green mosses.

Mamamos offers, metaphorically the river, a support system that allows mothers with ASD to grow.

Mamamos

The platform creates a space to share experiences while offering support, recognition, and connection, just as the river helps moss thrive. It introduces a tactile game, specially designed to foster connection among mothers on the spectrum in an accessible and sensory-friendly way.

Connecting with like-minded individuals helps these mothers accept themselves without the pressure to pretend or constantly explain their experience. The game is structured to provide clarity and predictability, without requiring constant eye contact. Participants are free to stim during gameplay and can share recognition or understanding without the need for words.

It provides a safe, sensory-friendly environment where mothers can come together without feeling overwhelmed. Within this space, mothers with ASD are given the chance to pause, (re)connect with themselves and others, and find moments of rest and reflection. Like docking at the river’s edge, it becomes a place where new and valuable insights can gently emerge.