April 08, 2026

This Is What Level 1 Autism Parenting Can Look Like | Brandon Shaw (S9E02)

15 minutes

What does it really feel like to fight for your child's autism diagnosis, navigate school battles, and find joy in a glove and a game of catch? In this episode of Seen and Heard, I'm joined by Brandon Shaw, an autism dad from Orlando, Florida, who shares a candid, unfiltered look at life with his seven-year-old son Mason, who is diagnosed level one but often teeters between one and two. Brandon opens up about the moment everything changed, the silence that followed diagnosis, and the small victories that keep his family moving forward.

What you will hear in this episode:

How Brandon and his wife Alyssa fought for Mason's autism diagnosis after being turned away by two pediatricians

Why there was no roadmap after diagnosis and how the family built one on their own

The everyday reality of raising two brothers, one neurotypical and one autistic, under the same roof

How Mason went from an autism-specific pre-K unit to a mainstream first-grade classroom with an IEP

Why small wins, like answering how his school day went or grabbing a baseball glove, mean everything

What Brandon wishes the outside world understood about Mason and the autism community

Why Brandon believes advocacy is a team sport and how community support changes everything

ABOUT THE GUEST

Brandon Shaw is an autism dad living in Orlando, Florida with his wife Alyssa and their two sons, Mason, age seven, and Hunter, who is nearly three. Mason was diagnosed as autistic around age three and a half after his family fought to be heard by multiple doctors. Since diagnosis, Brandon and Alyssa have dedicated themselves to learning, advocating, and celebrating every step of Mason's journey. Brandon is passionate about breaking autism stigmas, building community, and reminding other parents that they are not alone.

ABOUT YOUR HOST

Rob Gorski is the founder of The Autism Dad, a blog and podcast dedicated to supporting parents raising kids on the autism spectrum. As a dad of three autistic sons with over 25 years of experience, Rob brings lived experience, honesty, and heart to every conversation.

THIS EPISODE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY

VizyPlan — If your mornings feel like a battle before the day even starts, check out VizyPlan. Built by a dad who gets it, VizyPlan uses AI to create visual routines with photos of your actual child. Visit VizyPlan.com/app and use code theautismdad to get your first month free.

If you found this episode helpful, please follow The Autism Dad Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. Visit listen.theautismdad.com for past episodes, resources, and ways to support the show.

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