The Autism Dadvocate Podcast

Yep, we’re going there, going deep into the pure messiness of being the father of an autistic child.  In this solo podcast, Paul goes deep and vulnerably into all the areas where fathers are challenged, particularly with all the different roles that these amazing Dads play every day.

 

Paul discusses the following roles:

• Surprise, surprise!  you’re a human being first before your role as a Dad

• Okay, let’s now discuss your role as a father

• Your role as spouse / partner

• Your role as a friend (and supportive Dadvocate)

In this podcast, Paul interviews Susanna Lovell, Life Coach and author of the recently-released book  - Your True Self Is Enough: Lessons Learned on My Journey Parenting a Child with Autism".   Susanna shares her journey of navigating through the worry and heartbreak of raising a special needs child.  She ultimately finds her true life calling: to help other parents find and realize joy and passion in their own lives. Episode outline:  Paul and Susanna discuss the following:

• Susanna's journey as a single mom
• Susanna's struggle with postpartum depression and anxiety
• Her daughter's autism diagnosis and co-morbidities
• How our culture treats families with disabilities
• Susanna's life lessons on self-care as a parent

In thisepisode, Paul interviews Manisha Lad, who is the Founder of The Sensory Pathway Center in New Jersey.  Just in time for Mother's Day, Manisha shares her journey as the mother of an autistic son, and how it propelled her to found her own non-profit to help other moms (and Dads) on their autism journeys.

 

Paul and Manisha discuss the following:

• Akhil' s diagnosis at a very young age

• What Manisha learned about Akhil and his autism

• Akhil’s broken silence: a new journey begins

• Managing emotions and remaining positive during difficult times

• How Akhil's insights helped Manisha find even more interventions 

• Akhil's journey to college

Within the autism community, parents often navigate the complex comorbidities associated with autism, including mental health issues.

 

The latest Autism Dadvocate podcast shares one father’s journey with autism, love and ultimately - grief.  My guest is this episode is Robert Hubbard, whose latest book - Scenes with my Son - shares his courageous story.

 

Paul and Robert discuss the following:

• Robert's journey as a father with his son's autism diagnosis

• How Auggie's autism progressed as a child and as a teenager

• Auggie's comorbidity with mental health

• Robert's personal journey with faith

Burnout...........we hear this term everywhere…….office workers, nurses, teachers, police officers, working Moms…  but is the phenomena of burnout different for parents with autistic kids?

The answer may surprise you (and it’s a resounding yes).

 

Within the autism community, parents navigate therapy appointments, IEP meetings, endless calls with health insurance companies, meltdowns, special diet needs, and creating a sensory-safe environment for their kids.

 

In this episode, Paul discusses burnout with Christopher MacLellan, CEO of the Whole Care Network – an organization dedicated to promoting care and support to families or anyone in a caregiving role.

 

Paul & Christopher discuss the following

 

-Why addressing burnout matters

-The impacts of burnout if not addressed

-Strategies and tips for minimizing burnout

-Manageable self-care tips that don’t take lot of time or money

Our current US Surgeon General – Vivek Murthy – recently stated that loneliness in the U.S  has become epidemic, and is as detrimental to your health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

 

Within the autism community, this isolation is particularly pervasive amongst fathers of children on the spectrum……

 

In this episode, Paul and Andrew Horn, CEO of Tribute and Executive Men’s Coach, discuss the following:

• Why isolation, disconnectedness and loneliness is so prevalent amongst men in our society

• Why addressing isolation and seeking a community matters…..

• Strategies and tips for addressing isolation and loneliness

• 3 steps to making deeper connections

• “Go first”

• “Authenticity & vulnerability”

• Persistence and tenacity - meaningful connections do take time

As Dads, we want the best for our kids, right?  However, when we as Dads set neurotypical standards for our neurodiverse kids, we are not being good Dads.  In fact, we’re doing just the opposite.

 

In this podcast, Paul interviews Jude Morrow, CEO of Neurodiversity Training International, author, and TedX speaker.   They discuss the unique dynamics between neurotypical Dads and neurodiverse kids

 

Paul and Jude discuss the following:

• Jude’s own journey and diagnosis

• Parenting practices that derailed Jude’s adolescence

• Common assumptions Dads make about their autistic kids

• When Dads should intervene, and when Dads need to back off

• Top Three Mistakes that Dads typically make with their kids

What if you were the father of two autistic children, only to be diagnosed with autism yourself at the age of 41?   This is the compelling story of Jeremy Rochford. 

 

In the latest Autism Dadvocate podcast, I interview Jeremy Rochard.  Jeremy is an author, TedX speaker, weight loss coach, standup comedian, and all-around amazing (and funny!) guy. 

 

We discuss his fascinating journey with autism, which includes:

• His weight loss journey - 200 lbs!

• His foray into stand-up comedy

• His children’s diagnosis

• His own autism diagnosis

• His advice and insights to other autism dads

 

Please join us for an organic (and very humorous) conversation between these two Dads.

80-85% of young autistic adults are unemployed and underemployed………………………………………

 

It doesn’t have to be this way. …..

 

Many organizations are now incorporating neurodiversity as a part of their broader DEI efforts.  Furthermore, there is deeper awareness and support for neurodiverse employees in the workplace.

  

Nonetheless, young autistic adults face immense challenges as they enter the workforce.  Please join Paul as he engages in an animated discussion with Becca Lory Hector on this topic.  Becca is not only the Founder of Truly Inclusive Leadership, an organization dedicated to supporting and integrating disabled employees in the workplace, but she herself was diagnosed with autism at the age of thirty-six.

 

Paul and Becca discuss the following:

· Common challenges autistic employees face in the workforce

· What autistic employees can do to self-advocate in the workplace

· Reasonable accommodations that organizations can make that benefit of their neurodiverse workers

· How Dads can effectively prepare their autistic kids to transition into the workforce

For children with autism, masking is a social survival strategy.

 

There is often pressure on autistic children to perform social behaviors that are considered “normal “ or neurotypical. Some children hide their neurodiverse behaviors in order to fit in.

 

Regardless of its positive intentions, masking can lead to serious health consequences, such as depression, anxiety, autistic “burnout”, and even suicidal ideation.

 

In this podcast, Paul is joined by Shane Sale, Neurodivergent Specialist and father of an autistic daughter.  They enter into an animated discussion on this critical topic.

 

Paul & Shane discuss the following:

• How our autistic children typically “mask” their behavior
• What the progressive stages of masking are
• The differences between girls and boys when it comes to masking (and why it is so pervasive amongst autistic girls)
• The long-term impacts of masking on our kids’ health
• How Dads can support their kids in this area