This third episode in the series on transitioning to adulthood explores the role of a “fail safe” culture in autism transition programs—creating psychological safety by normalizing small, low-risk failures as learning opportunities. Mike recounts a bowling outing where a participant became aggressive, prompting a blame-free review that revealed environmental triggers and delayed return of the participant’s iPad. Instead of punishment, the program focused on transparency with parents, better training, and improved situational awareness. Drawing from Amy Edmondson’s The Right Kind of Wrong, Mike highlights that the best programs replace blame with curiosity, growth, and fun for both participants and staff.

When profoundly autistic individuals age out of the school system at 22, many families are left without support or options. In this episode of Autism Labs, Mike Carr shares how he and his wife faced this challenge with their nonverbal son, who has seizures and aggressive behaviors. After being told their son was "unemployable" and turned away by programs, they created J13—a program for adults with severe autism and complex needs. J13 offers structured outings, peer connections, and trained staff who manage behaviors without exclusion. The result: reduced aggression, increased social engagement, and even part-time jobs. For many families, J13 offers hope and a future once thought out of reach.

In this episode of Autism Labs, Mike Carr begins a series on transitioning to adulthood for those with profound autism, sharing research-based strategies and personal stories from raising his 35-year-old son, Michael. He stresses early planning—starting at age 14 with the IEP—and teaches independent living skills like hygiene, dressing, and communication using tools like visual aids, adaptive clothing, and the TouchChat app. Mike also tackles employment challenges, showing how combining work with activities like climbing brought joy and purpose to Michael’s life. His core message: with the right mindset and planning, even the most profound diagnoses can lead to fulfilling adulthood.

In this episode of Autism Labs, Mike Carr highlights the vital role of fun for those with profound autism. Sharing his son Michael’s love for boating, he shows how joyful, sensory-rich activities can foster deep connection—even for nonverbal individuals. Despite challenges, Mike stresses the value of creating joyful moments. Through his nonprofit John 13 and the R2R program, he champions experiences that prioritize joy, bonding, and meaningful connection.

In this episode of Autism Labs, Mike Carr shares a milestone: he and his wife are traveling to Italy while their profoundly autistic adult son stays at Denmar House for the first time. Mike reflects on the years of preparation that made this possible and the value of introducing variety into his son's life. From boat rides and movies with peers to theme park struggles and family gatherings, he shows how new experiences—successful or not—can lead to growth, joy, and stronger family connections.

In this episode of the Autism Labs podcast, Mike Carr shares his journey with his 35-year-old nonverbal, profoundly autistic son, Michael. He discusses how Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), when used with empathy and consistency, has helped manage aggressive behavior. Mike explains core ABA principles—like antecedents, behaviors, and consequences—and stresses the importance of not reinforcing negative actions, especially in public. Highlighting the success of J13’s program, he shows that real progress is possible with time, patience, and a trained, unified team. His message to caregivers: the journey is tough, but meaningful change is achievable.

In this episode of Autism Labs, Mike Carr shares insights on the challenges and lessons learned from decades of hiring staff to support adults with profound autism. He emphasizes the importance of finding team members who are not only reliable and coachable but who also have a genuine calling to serve this community. Beyond experience, traits like optimism, trustworthiness, and a strong spiritual foundation often set the best caregivers apart. Mike introduces the current John 13 team—a diverse group including behavior analysts, teachers, climbers, therapists, tech professionals, and students—each bringing unique strengths and deep commitment to the mission. Together, they create a culture of trust, compassion, and purpose that families can look to as a model when hiring for their own loved ones.

In this episode of Autism Labs, Mike Carr shares his journey raising a profoundly autistic, nonverbal son with complex needs. Lacking support, he and his wife founded John13.org, a nonprofit in Austin offering inclusive programs for adults with severe autism. Their summer program and respite care focus on joy, structure, and community integration, showing how thoughtful planning and support can help families thrive.

Mike Carr shares seven practical autism parenting hacks focused on supporting severely or profoundly autistic individuals. He emphasizes the power of frequently expressing genuine thanks to caregivers and staff, reducing anxiety through improved communication like visual schedules and observing nonverbal cues, and promoting positive behavior with enthusiastic praise. He advises ignoring negative behaviors to avoid reinforcing them, giving undivided attention during shared activities, offering choices to empower the child, and prioritizing building a strong, supportive team culture around the child rather than making the child the sole priority, which helps reduce staff turnover and ensures consistent care.

This Autism Labs episode highlights how real-world, community-based experiences can drive meaningful progress for individuals with autism. Mike Carr previews the J13 summer camp, reflecting on last year’s success with activities like rock climbing, horse therapy, and visits to inclusive places like Morgan’s Wonderland. These engaging, social, and novel environments fostered growth, joy, and resilience—especially for those with profound autism—showing that consistent exposure to the real world can spark breakthroughs beyond what science alone can predict.