Hi Pod! I'm Dad.

Don’t hate, appreciate. James Guttman is here with a packed edition of Hi Pod looking at Autism Awareness Month, why he says “person with autism” rather than “autistic”, the importance of not building walls around loved ones with autism, what “autism awareness” was like in the 1980s, the Twilight Zone episode that proves autism isn’t new, what Jake The Snake vs. Rick Rude taught him about defending his family’s honor, and more. Plus, appreciation for what we’re all going through right now, those who divide the world up into groups, how insane that it is at a time like this, and more. Then, a Moment of Sanity that looks at the importance of grandparents, including some stories of how his late father-in-law showed him what it meant to be a father figure, and how both he and his wife embraced both their grandchildren – on and off the spectrum.

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This Week's Referenced Posts -

Parenting a child with autism during COVID 19 (Autism Speaks): https://www.autismspeaks.org/blog/parenting-child-autism-during-covid-19

Mutual Awareness, Mutual Acceptance: https://hiblogimdad.com/2020/03/30/mutual-awareness-mutual-acceptance/

No Offense For Autism Awareness: https://hiblogimdad.com/2020/04/01/no-offense-for-autism-awareness/

It's Here! Get the book – “Hi World, I’m Dad: How Fathers Can Journey to Autism Awareness, Acceptance, and Appreciation” on audio, digital, or print.

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We’re living in the part of the story they skip in the zombie movies. Rick Grimes slept through it. These times “when everything changed” is retold later in the post-apocalyptic world by warriors wearing bones as hats. Anyway, how are you? Good? Good. James Guttman looks at our new normal, roller coaster moods over a quarantined life, his memories as a New Yorker on September 11th, and more Twilight Zone references than he really should. Plus, a welcome Moment of Sanity talking about how our children may grow up before our eyes, but they stay the same – for better or worse.

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This Week's Referenced Posts -

We’re Going To Miss These Chaos Days: https://hiblogimdad.com/2020/03/23/were-going-to-miss-these-chaos-days/

Positively Fed-Up: https://hiblogimdad.com/2020/03/25/positively-fed-up/

It's Here! Get the book – “Hi World, I’m Dad: How Fathers Can Journey to Autism Awareness, Acceptance, and Appreciation” on audio, digital, or print.

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So...what's new this week? Oh yeah. Armageddon. James Guttman is locked in his house as Coronamania sweeps the world. It's a look at how to talk to your kids about pressing times, homeschoolin' with sock puppets, stealing cookies, and more. Plus a Moment of Sanity that praises the teachers, teaching aids, and all educators of the world while also going over the time the aggressively pleasant Dad on the microphone almost started a high school brawl on the way to his son's class party.

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This Week's Referenced Posts -

Calmly Talking To Your Kids About The End Of The World: https://hiblogimdad.com/2020/03/16/calmly-talking-to-your-kids-about-the-end-of-the-world/

The Social Distance Of An Autism Parent: https://hiblogimdad.com/2020/03/18/the-social-distance-of-an-autism-parent/

Click, Click, Boom: https://hiblogimdad.com/2019/05/20/click-click-boom/

It's Here! Get the book – “Hi World, I’m Dad: How Fathers Can Journey to Autism Awareness, Acceptance, and Appreciation” on audio, digital, or print.

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With his non-verbal son's birthday around the corner, James Guttman looks at how the annual celebration has changed (for the better) through the years. Plus, the importance of both his children supporting each other, thoughts on meeting your child's friends when your child can't tell you who they are, a random act of kindness from a stranger on a plane, writing for Autism Speaks, thoughts for those who forget that autism might mean something different for different people, and more. Plus, a Moment of Sanity from long time friends, a story that can finally be told without anonymity, a well-deserved trip up a bouncy ladder, and the Mandisa song that has been changing mornings since preschool.


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Lucas Featured on Autism Speaks Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/autismspeaks/photos/a.125846087496/10158011959872497/?type=3

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This Week's Posts -

Autism Speaks - A moment of unexpected kindness towards my son: https://www.autismspeaks.org/blog/moment-unexpected-kindness-towards-my-son

Autism Support Goes Both Ways: https://hiblogimdad.com/2020/03/09/autism-support-goes-both-ways/

A Perfect Nonverbal Birthday: https://hiblogimdad.com/2020/03/11/a-perfect-non-verbal-birthday/


Posts Mentioned On This Week's Episode:

It's His Favorite Song: https://hiblogimdad.com/2019/07/01/its-his-favorite-song/

Hi Pod! Episode 3 - Because I'm The Daddy, That's Not Why: http://hipodimdad.com.buzzsprout.com/659650/2018796-because-i-m-the-daddy-that-s-not-why

It's Here! Get the book – “Hi World, I’m Dad: How Fathers Can Journey to Autism Awareness, Acceptance, and Appreciation” on audio, digital, or print.

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Also, be sure to read the blog that started it all - Hi Blog! I'm Dad.

In, what has been a whirlwind week James Guttman discusses his debut blog post for Autism Speaks. JG talks about how this piece of the puzzle fits perfectly in his life and the pride he has bringing stories of his children to AutismSpeaks.org just as he has for HiBlogImDad.com. Plus, a look back at showing his daughter the importance of being a friend, how his own grief made the lesson so important, focusing on milestones your child reaches rather than misses, and more. Then, it's a Moment of Sanity on learning about his non-verbal son's life at school including friends, goals, and achievements, and how that can sometimes take some extra work to find out.

Autism Speaks Debut: "My Son May Be Different, But We're All Different": https://www.autismspeaks.org/blog/my-son-may-be-different-were-all-different

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James and Lucas featured on The Autism Speaks Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/p/B9VLnaBFFFY/
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This Week's Posts -

Raising Her To Be The Friend I Wasn't: https://hiblogimdad.com/2020/03/02/raising-her-to-be-the-friend-i-wasnt/

Autism Isn't About Impossibilities: https://hiblogimdad.com/2020/03/04/autism-isnt-about-impossibilities/

It's Here! Get the book – “Hi World, I’m Dad: How Fathers Can Journey to Autism Awareness, Acceptance, and Appreciation” on audio, digital, or print.

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Also, be sure to read the blog that started it all - Hi Blog! I'm Dad.

It's been a big week for James Guttman and, as he prepares for some exciting news, he looks back on the posts that dealt with raising kids in a world where it's sometimes hard to face another day, defining what he meant by calling out the people who judge those with autism in a harsh way online, what those people don't understand, and more. Then, after a Moment of Sanity intro from Maureen of the Autism at the Parks, JG goes back to Disney for a life lesson he taught his daughter in the face of a rude interaction and the impromptu sociological experiment that played out before their eyes.

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Actual Video From The Waiting Room Incident: https://www.instagram.com/p/B9HNNgABdCo/
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Check Out The Awesome "Autism At The Parks" Story: http://www.autismattheparks.com/index.html

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This Week's Posts -

If Not For These Kids: https://hiblogimdad.com/2020/02/24/if-not-for-these-kids/

For Those Who Judge My Child's Autism From Afar: https://hiblogimdad.com/2020/02/26/for-those-who-judge-my-childs-autism-from-afar/

It's Here! Get the book – “Hi World, I’m Dad: How Fathers Can Journey to Autism Awareness, Acceptance, and Appreciation” on audio, digital, or print.

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Also, be sure to read the blog that started it all - Hi Blog! I'm Dad.

Haters gonna hate. That doesn't make it any less infuriating. James Guttman talks about how that one tormenter can drown out the positives, but why you shouldn't beat yourself up for letting that happen. Plus, the plight of teaching his son not to steal your food, not being a parenting cliche to his children, and more. Then, in a Moment of Sanity, he's joined by his daughter Olivia to talk about middle school issues ranging from puke on the school bus pickles and cheese on a sleepover and Creeped Out on Netlfix.

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This Week's Posts -

You Don’t Have To Be A Parenting Cliché: https://hiblogimdad.com/2020/02/17/you-dont-have-to-be-a-parenting-cliche/

Teaching My Son To Not Steal Your French Fries: https://hiblogimdad.com/2020/02/19/teaching-my-son-to-not-steal-your-french-fries/

It's Here! Get the book – “Hi World, I’m Dad: How Fathers Can Journey to Autism Awareness, Acceptance, and Appreciation” on audio, digital, or print.

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Let’s head back to the 1990s with James Guttman, The Simpsons, Girl Scout Cookies, and Playstation One. Including the stories from his fraternity that he’s legally allowed to share, Boys 2 Men, plus brothers he’s lost and memories he’s ready to remember again. So, come on. Let’s go back to Hofstra. It’ll be funny. People will be like, “wha-a-a?”

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Frat Boyz II Men on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/B8jA16nBFIE/

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This Week's Posts -

My Family Deals Girl Scout Cookies: https://hiblogimdad.com/2020/02/10/my-family-deals-girl-scout-cookies/

I Want To Give My Non-Verbal Son Everything...But Shouldn't: https://hiblogimdad.com/2020/02/12/i-want-to-give-my-non-verbal-son-everything-but-shouldnt/

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Moment of Sanity Posts -

Survivor's Guilt: https://hiblogimdad.com/2018/09/24/survivors-guilt/

Empty, Tired, and Sick To My Stomach: https://hiblogimdad.com/2019/05/06/empty-tired-and-sick-to-my-stomach/

It's Here! Get the book – “Hi World, I’m Dad: How Fathers Can Journey to Autism Awareness, Acceptance, and Appreciation” on audio, digital, or print.

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It's the three year anniversary of Hi Blog! I'm Dad and James Guttman looks back on the main reason why he began writing about his family to begin with. Plus, a look at trips to Walt Disney World, the accommodations they offer to guests with special needs, the Michael Jackson Snow White, and the time Grandpa beat up Alice in Wonderland. Plus, a reminder that our kids aren't as cute to the outside world as they are to us.

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Check out Derek Burgan on TouringPlans.com: https://touringplans.com/

The Disney World Pictures JG Mentioned on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/p/B8RBS16h9--/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

It's Here! Get the book – “Hi World, I’m Dad: How Fathers Can Journey to Autism Awareness, Acceptance, and Appreciation” on audio, digital, or print.

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Autism Acceptance? Great. Autism Appreciation? Even better. Autism Awareness? Well...not so much. James Guttman looks at why this hashtag, often looked down upon in some circles, can be important for those who aren't exposed to Autism on a daily basis with real-life examples of terrible plane rides that weren't so terrible because of it. Plus, some stories about the ways in which his non-verbal son's Autism has affected his family's life including delicious chalk, sneezy sushi, and birds that don't exist (no matter what the cable guy says). 

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Donate To Emily's NYC Half-Marathon Run For QSAC: https://charity.gofundme.com/o/en/campaign/teamqsac2020/emilykeesling

It's Here! Get the book – “Hi World, I’m Dad: How Fathers Can Journey to Autism Awareness, Acceptance, and Appreciation” on audio, digital, or print.

Follow Us On TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

Also, be sure to read the blog that started it all - Hi Blog! I'm Dad.