Hi Pod! I'm Dad.

James Gutman explores the evolution from autism awareness to acceptance to appreciation as a father raising his nonverbal son, Lucas. He shares personal stories about appreciating his son's unique perspective on life, including the refreshing honesty that comes with autism even during challenging moments.

• The differences between autism awareness, acceptance, and appreciation from both a parent's and society's perspective
• How public understanding of autism has improved significantly since 2011
• The refreshing honesty and authenticity that comes with autism, even during mischievous moments
• Why James appreciates rather than wants to "cure" his son's autism
• Personal stories about Lucas knowingly breaking the rules while maintaining direct eye contact
• The journey of learning to appreciate autism as an integral part of who his son is

James's new book "Hi World, I'm Dad: How Fathers Can Journey from Autism Awareness to Acceptance to Appreciation" will be available June 19th. Pre-order now on Amazon, and follow James on social media at @HiJamesGutman or read his blog at hiblogimdad.com for more stories and updates.

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.

What does it really mean to love your child unconditionally? In this raw, heartfelt episode, James Gutman tackles the controversial topic of "curing" autism, sharing why he celebrates rather than seeks to change his 14-year-old non-verbal son Lucas.

After his recent HuffPost article went viral, James found himself at the center of an intense debate. Many readers assumed his son must be "high-functioning" simply because he writes positively about him. The reality? Lucas faces significant daily challenges, yet James still wouldn't change who his son fundamentally is. "My son is just a pure person who is so in touch with his feelings and emotions," he explains. "When he's sad, he cries. When he's happy, he screams for joy."

The podcast explores the dangerous assumption that parents of children with more significant support needs should want different kids. James pushes back against this narrative, highlighting the beautiful qualities often overlooked in discussions about autism – authenticity, emotional honesty, and lack of cruelty or deception. He shares his journey from making desperate bargains with God when Lucas was young to reaching a place of genuine appreciation for who his son is. 

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.

Ever wondered what pure, unfiltered humanity looks like? My son Lucas shows me every day. Through the lens of raising a nonverbal child with autism, I've discovered something remarkable about human connection that I never expected to find.

Most people see limitations when they look at someone like Lucas. Politicians make sweeping statements about what autism is, focusing on what's missing rather than what's present. But they're missing the extraordinary gifts hiding in plain sight. Lucas communicates his desires more clearly without words than many people do with thousands of them. There's no social game-playing, no hidden agendas—just pure, authentic expression.

What makes Lucas truly exceptional isn't just how he communicates, but who he is at his core. When he discovers joy in something—even a YouTube video he's watched hundreds of times—his excitement eclipses nearly anything I experience. And what does he do with that joy? He shares it with everyone around him, tapping strangers on the shoulder to include them in his happiness. He feels emotions deeply, loves unconditionally, and lives without the burden of caring what others think about him. He'll never bully anyone. He'll never be intentionally cruel. In many ways, he embodies exactly what I'd hope for in any child.

The journey from hearing "autism" for the first time to where we are today has transformed me completely. The "worst-case scenarios" I feared have come true, yet here we are, living our best life together. That's why I wrote "Hi World, I'm Dad"—to show others that the autism journey holds unexpected treasures for those willing to see beyond society's narrow understanding. Pre-order my book now on Amazon, follow me on social media @HiJamesGutman, and join me every Friday for new podcast episodes where we continue exploring this extraordinary journey together.

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.

James Gutman explores the journey of raising his nonverbal son Lucas, challenging societal expectations about fatherhood and special needs parenting. Through this experience, he's discovered that the future he once feared has become the life he now cherishes, finding unexpected beauty in raising a child who reflects his purest values.

• Raising a nonverbal child means gradual adaptation rather than sudden change
• Society often sets low expectations for fathers, especially special needs dads
• Growing alongside Lucas has taught James to worry less about everything in life
• The fears we have about future challenges often dissolve when we actually face them
• Character and kindness matter more than developmental milestones or achievements
• Lucas reflects James's values through his kindness, pure heart, and genuine nature

Pre-order James's upcoming book "Hi World I'm Dad: How Fathers Can Journey from Autism Awareness to Acceptance, to Appreciation" to join us on this journey.

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.

James Gutman reflects on Autism Awareness, Acceptance, and Appreciation Month, sharing personal insights as the father of Lucas, his 14-year-old nonverbal son with autism. He explores how language creates conflict even among those advocating for people with autism, while emphasizing that his son's non-verbal communication has shown him how "overrated" words can be.

• Terminology matters but creates division—"child with autism" vs "autistic"
• Autism Awareness helps others understand behaviors like unexpected loud noises or clapping
• Autism Acceptance benefits those seeking inclusion in workplaces, schools and social settings
• Autism Appreciation recognizes beautiful qualities like honesty and authenticity across the spectrum
• Lucas demonstrates refreshing directness—wanting only what he truly wants without social pretense
• Avoiding both superhero narratives and disability-focused labels helps see the whole person

Pre-order James' new book "Hi World, I'm Dad: A Journey from Autism Awareness to Acceptance to Appreciation" now on Amazon, available in stores this June.

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.

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.

James Gutman shares his journey raising his nonverbal son with autism, Lucas, who is about to turn 14, reflecting on how initial fears have transformed into deep appreciation for their perfectly imperfect life together. He describes the breakthrough moment when he joined Lucas in play rather than trying to correct him, leading to a connection that showed him his son understood more than he realized.

• Discussion of James' new book "Hi World, I'm Dad: How Fathers Can Journey to Autism Awareness, Acceptance and Appreciation" coming June 19th and the big news still to come.
• Reflections on Lucas turning 14 and how reality has defied early fears about the future
• The joy of having a loving, affectionate teenage son who still wants to spend time with his dad
• The pivotal "toy phone" moment that changed their relationship
• Learning that children don't need to be "fixed" to have a wonderful life
• Understanding that love isn't about getting something in return
• Recent blog posts about sitting with Lucas during meltdowns and learning to hear him without words

Pre-order "Hi World, I'm Dad" now on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Jessica Kingsley Publishing's website, and follow James on social media @HiJamesGutman and at HiPodImDad.com and HiBlogImDad.com for new content every Monday and Wednesday.

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.

James Gutman announces his upcoming book "Hi World, I'm Dad: How Fathers Can Journey to Autism Awareness, Acceptance and Appreciation," now available for pre-order and due in stores June 19th. This deeply personal work chronicles his journey with his 14-year-old nonverbal son Lucas, moving beyond society's fear-based narrative about autism to discover the pure joy and genuine connection that comes from appreciating autism.

• Book explores the journey from fear and confusion to genuine appreciation of autism
• Available for pre-order on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Jessica Kingsley Publishing's website
• Written in the same storytelling style as James's blog and podcast
• Shares both challenging moments and beautiful revelations about raising Lucas
• Describes how the "worst case scenario" became a perfect life
• Highlights the refreshing honesty and purity that autism brings to Lucas's personality
• Intended for new parents, experienced parents, grandparents, and anyone wanting to understand autism
• Contains funny, emotional, and thought-provoking stories from their lives together
• Moves beyond awareness and acceptance to true appreciation

Preorder Today - https://amzn.to/4itLPPL -  Let's spread the word about autism appreciation together—it's long overdue and will make the world a better place.

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.

"Lucas is straightforward. There's no manipulation with him. He doesn't lie... If Lucas loves you, Lucas loves you." 

James Gutman reflects on the unexpected joys and profound lessons of raising his nonverbal son Lucas, who has autism. He challenges common misconceptions about special needs parenting and explains his concept of "autism appreciation" – recognizing his son's unique qualities as strengths rather than deficits.

• Distinguishing between wanting certain capabilities for Lucas versus needing him to achieve specific milestones
• Finding beauty in Lucas's authenticity – his inability to manipulate, lie, or be arrogant
• Appreciating the purity of Lucas's emotional expressions, especially his unfiltered joy
• Challenging the imaginary scenarios people create when thinking about special needs parenting
• Writing about Lucas through his blog to share these perspectives with others
• Balancing acknowledgment of real challenges with celebration of unexpected blessings

Visit HiBlogI'mDad.com on Monday for a big announcement! Follow James on Instagram at HiJamesGutman.

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.

This episode delves into the journey of watching my son Lucas grow up and the emotional complexities that accompany it. As he approaches his 14th birthday, I reflect on our experiences, navigating life as a father of a child on the autism spectrum. Every milestone reminds us that time is fleeting, and the transformation from child to young adult can be jarring yet beautiful.

Join me as I recount our recent supermarket adventure where Lucas demonstrated newfound independence, showcasing the progress he has made along his path to adulthood.

Don’t forget to subscribe and share your thoughts with us—what’s a cherished memory from your parenting journey?

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.