Kelly Marques
Mother, writer, and autism advocate. Kelly lived firsthand the journey of discovering that her daughter is on the autism spectrum — and transformed that experience into a book that embraces thousands of mothers.
"Did I do something wrong?"
That was the question that echoed in Kelly's mind for months. Like so many mothers, she noticed early on that something was different with her daughter. The extreme sensitivity, the constant crying, the difficulty eating — signs that others minimized by saying 'every child has their own timing'.
But Kelly knew. And the search for answers led her on a journey of self-discovery, acceptance, and ultimately, transformation.
Kelly's Journey
In Kelly's daughter's case, the sensitivity in her head was extreme. Any stimulus — a sound, a light, a touch — caused intense discomfort. There were days when she could barely eat. Kelly, like many mothers, tried to believe it was just a phase.
Until the professionals advised something that seemed impossible: gradually increase the stimuli, play the music louder, allow the crises so that, little by little, her daughter could learn to deal with the world around her. It was emotionally devastating.
What Kelly learned — and now shares in her book — is that seeking help early makes all the difference. The sooner a mother finds guidance, the less she wears herself out physically and psychologically. Waiting, trying to believe that everything will pass on its own, only makes the journey heavier.
But perhaps the most important lesson is this: for the child to be well, the mother needs to be well first. Taking care of your own emotional health is not selfishness — it's a fundamental part of caring for your child.
It was from this experience that 'Before I Understood' was born. A book written from the heart, for every mother who needs to hear: you are not alone. You did nothing wrong. And there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Today, Kelly is an active voice in the community of atypical mothers, helping other women find strength, support, and hope on the autism journey.