Dr. Dilip Karnik, a pioneering pediatric neurologist with over four decades of experience, joined Autism Labs to introduce POD Health, a free, AI-powered digital platform designed to revolutionize autism care for families worldwide. Standing for Parent of Determination, POD Health centralizes medical, therapy, and educational records into a single smartphone app, making it easier for parents to coordinate care and access trusted resources. The platform features Open Mind Search, an AI engine that delivers evidence-based answers from thousands of scientific papers, and Piper, a virtual assistant that guides parents through daily challenges, retrieves medical data, and provides empathetic support during crises. Future innovations include genetic testing to personalize medication plans and wearable technology that monitors heart rate, anxiety, and seizure activity to predict meltdowns before they occur. Together, these tools bring precision, accessibility, and hope to autism care—empowering families to make informed, proactive decisions wherever they are in the world.

Mike Carr and Ann Hart discuss housing and independence for adults with autism, stressing that options depend on each person’s support needs. They note SSLCs have improved, recommend visiting programs and evaluating staff, and suggest starting early (short stays, camps, new caregivers) to build independence. They also mention that some states have more flexible waivers or housing models (relocation can help) and point families to Texas resources—Autism Society, Texas Parent to Parent, and local LIDDAs—urging networking and ongoing learning.

See the resources here: https://www.canva.com/design/DAG3xsizYVI/JMajuKwp64s8xGz_rRI7EQ/view?utm_content=DAG3xsizYVI&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=h8254d3d9ea

In this episode, Mike Carr discusses how the right technology—paired with strong support—can transform life for families of children with special needs. He highlights tools like the Kindle Scribe for caregiver productivity, and AI home assistants like Alexa Plus and Google Gemini, which offer safety through smart cameras and real-time alerts. Amazon’s upcoming “Search Party” feature may even help locate missing individuals. Mike also introduces OpenAI’s Sora 2, a text-to-video tool that creates realistic therapy aids by showing children performing skills they’re still learning. Together, these innovations promise more independence, safety, and peace of mind.

In this episode, Mike Carr discusses how the right technology—paired with strong support—can transform life for families of children with special needs. He highlights tools like the Kindle Scribe for caregiver productivity, and AI home assistants like Alexa Plus and Google Gemini, which offer safety through smart cameras and real-time alerts. Amazon’s upcoming “Search Party” feature may even help locate missing individuals. Mike also introduces OpenAI’s Sora 2, a text-to-video tool that creates realistic therapy aids by showing children performing skills they’re still learning. Together, these innovations promise more independence, safety, and peace of mind.

Autism is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition that ranges from full independence to requiring 24/7 care, as with Mike and Kay’s son Michael. Research has disproven the myth that vaccines cause autism; while acetaminophen use in pregnancy has shown weak associations, experts point to underlying illness as the real risk, and it remains medically recommended. Treatments like leucovorin help only a small subset, though folic acid sometimes calms Michael. After 35 years, Mike stresses that progress comes not from chasing “cures” but through steady, practical strategies—early intervention, managing seizures and sleep, building structure and communication supports, respite care, and a reliable professional team. For families, hope lives in small victories, meaningful connections, and the resilience fueled by love.

Adding structure to daily routines helps reduce stress, build independence, and prepare individuals with autism for respite or residential care. Unstructured time can lead to boredom and problem behaviors, but visual supports like Picto Selector, TouchChat, and apps such as ChoiceWorks, First Then Visual Schedule HD, Visual Schedule Planner by Good Karma or Lil Planner: Visual Schedule create predictability and choice. These tools turn downtime into skill-building, support decision-making, and provide consistency for families and caregivers. Starting with one simple routine builds early wins, which grow into confidence, self-advocacy, and smoother transitions over time.

Mike Carr shares his family’s experience raising their 35-year-old son, Michael, who is profoundly autistic, mostly nonverbal, and lives with seizures and pica. He asks the urgent question of who will care for children like Michael when parents can’t, and outlines essentials for a true residential “forever home”: near one-to-one staffing, awake overnight staff, communication-first over restraint, medical readiness, transparent data, community and work opportunities, and a culture of dignity and stability. After reviewing programs nationwide, he highlights five promising models—the Center for Discovery, Bittersweet Farms, Grafton, Woods Services, and the May Institute—stressing the need to look beyond polished websites to real practices and visits. He closes with J13’s vision to grow from respite care to full residential homes in Austin, prioritizing compassion, low staff ratios, and meaningful lives where adults with profound autism can thrive.

Respite care often fails adults with profound autism or multiple IDDs, who need 1:1 support, medical readiness, and structure. At J13 Community in Austin, respite looks different: no one is expelled for behavior, belonging is guaranteed, and programs build on each person’s strengths with dignity and safety. Starting with day programs—climbing gyms, parks, equine therapy—participants gradually transition to overnight stays. Success relies on skilled staff, safe homes, reliable transportation, and parent partnership. The result: adults who are engaged and thriving, and parents who can finally breathe with peace of mind.

This episode examines housing options for adults with autism and IDD, noting that 86% still live at home or in group settings, raising concerns about long-term care. Drawing on his family’s experience with a profoundly autistic 35-year-old son, the host reviews five East Coast facilities—Thrive Red Bank (NJ), Melmark Community (MA), Oak Tree Farms (SC), Haven Jakes Place (FL), and Patuxent Commons (MD). Features include sensory-friendly design, private bathrooms, vocational training, intergenerational living, and “aging in place” models, though costs and staffing vary. Families are encouraged to look for purpose-built, community-integrated facilities, consider university partnerships, and explore intergenerational or campus-style models that adapt to changing needs.

- Thrive Red Bank (NJ): https://www.autismhousingnetwork.org/community/thrive-red-bank/
- Melmark Community (MA): https://www.melmark.org/planned-tewksbury-adult-community/
- Oak Tree Farms (SC): https://www.autismhousingnetwork.org/community/oak-tree-farm/
- Haven Jakes Place (FL): https://baynews9.com/fl/tampa/news/2025/03/26/increased-need-for-housing-for-those-with-disabilities-in-manatee---sarasota-
- Patuxent Commons (MD): https://autismsocietymd.org/resources/housing-initiative/

Transitioning to adulthood for people with profound autism often feels like falling off a cliff once school services end. In this episode, Mike Carr shares his wake-up call and the need for early planning, especially with Texas’ 20-year Medicaid waiver waitlist. He stresses teaching daily living skills—like hygiene, dressing, and laundry—and calls for day programs that offer real community integration. Mike highlights Austin’s recreational and vocational options, from sensory-friendly parks to adaptive gyms and supported jobs, and explains why his family founded the J13 program: a mix of outings, skill-building, and work that helps severely autistic adults live purposeful, joyful lives.