In the premiere episode of Confessions of an Autism Dad, host Tony Danna offers a raw and vulnerable "peek behind the curtain" of life as a parent to a child with severe, non-verbal autism. Tony introduces his son, Dante, and discusses the heart-wrenching transition of moving him into a residential living facility.
With startling honesty, Tony explores the complex emotions behind the phrase "I hate visiting Dante," detailing the "fridge horror" of witnessing a loved one in a difficult environment and the overwhelming guilt of feeling like he has let his son down. From the frustrations of "the underwear monster" and holding facilities accountable to the emotional "masking" required to stay positive for his son, this episode is a mission statement for a community that often feels invisible. Join Tony as he begins sharing Dante’s Journey, reminding fellow parents and advocates that they are never alone in the chaos.