In this episode, Mike Carr shares why he remains optimistic about the future for his severely autistic son despite the many challenges parents face, including the loss of school-based supports after age 21, difficulty accessing adult services, navigating benefits like SSI and special needs trusts, establishing legal guardianship, and planning for long-term care. He highlights reasons for hope: greater awareness of severe autism, stronger parent-led advocacy through organizations like the NCSA and Profound Autism Alliance, advancing research that identifies distinct types of autism, emerging care alternatives such as pairing severely autistic individuals with higher-functioning “buddies,” and technology-driven solutions including AI and wearable devices that monitor biometrics and behavior to prevent crises. While raising a profoundly autistic child is undeniably demanding, these developments provide practical pathways for safer, more stable, and fulfilling lives, showing that the future can be shaped by progress, innovation, and informed planning rather than fear.

See the links below:

• Jill Escher - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jill-escher-8b676443/ 
  • NCSA - http://ncsautism.org 
• Judith Ursitti - https://www.linkedin.com/in/judith-ursitti-cpa-21b5005/ 
  • Profound Autism Alliance - https://www.profoundautism.org/ 
• New Science Points to Four Distinct Types of Autism - https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/12/26/autism-research-diagnosis-subtypes/ 
• Natalie Sauerwald - https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-sauerwald-a442b894/ 
• Nature Genetics, identified four distinct types of autism - https://www.nature.com/articles/s41588-025-02224-z