Dads in Autismland

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Dads in Autismland

A heartfelt and candid podcast dedicated to fathers raising children on the autism spectrum.

Hosted by Mark de Grasse, a proud dad navigating life in the world of autism. Join us weekly as we explore the ups, downs, and everything in between.

21/07/2025

Ever feel like you're the only dad navigating meltdowns, missed milestones, and major life changes? You're not alone—and this episode proves it.

🎙️ In our latest Dads In Autismland episode, Mark de Grasse talks with professor and podcaster David Lee about raising his nonverbal autistic son, Eddie.

From moments of shame to unexpected triumphs (like finally wearing shoes after a year!), David opens up about the real emotional and spiritual challenges—and the power of acceptance.

🛠️ This episode dives into:
✔️ Moving states for better care
✔️ Finding faith during dark seasons
✔️ Celebrating the smallest victories
✔️ Why sharing your story helps others too

Whether you're in the thick of it or just starting out—this is the real talk every autism dad needs to hear.

👉 Listen now: https://dadsinautismland.com/autism-challenges-christian-values-david-lee/

17/07/2025

"Don't call me a hero for being a dad. I signed up for challenges when I became a father - this is just my particular adventure."

We've all heard it - that well-meaning praise for simply doing what any loving father would do. But here's the thing: we didn't become dads expecting an easy ride.

Every father faces challenges, whether it's sleepless nights, teenage attitudes, or navigating life in Autism Land.

What makes us uncomfortable about the "hero" label? It implies that other parents would walk away - and that's just not true. We're not heroes; we're fathers doing what fathers do: showing up, adapting, and loving our kids unconditionally.

Our adventure might look different - it might include door alarms, visual schedules, and learning to communicate without words. But it's still just fatherhood. Raw, real, and absolutely worth it.

To every dad out there navigating their own particular adventure: You're not a hero for staying. You're a father for loving. And that's exactly what your child needs.

25/06/2025

Autism Dads! We're about to start a workshop with the creator of "Autism Fitness" where he'll be answering questions about the benefits of fitness for autism families/children. If you're interested, please join us! Link in comment

19/06/2025

We did it Dads! 5,000 downloads of the Dads in Autismland Podcast 🙂 I'm very proud and honored that the show has garnered so much attention (we've also had 23,000 views on youtube).

Big THANK YOU to all the dads that have come on the show to talk about their experience and provide tips and encouragement for other dads. Big thanks to Steve Levine, Davon House, Neal Tricarico, Corey Michael, Scott Bisbee, Patrick Hurley, Mark L. Olson, Tim Huck, Jason Vance, Graeme Wright, Mark Kendall, and all the rest for coming on the show!

That said... I NEED MORE GUESTS!

If you know an autism dad, please send them info about the show! The press release about our 5,000 downloads is in the comments.

15/06/2025

Father's Day isn't about perfect dads with perfect kids—it's about REAL dads doing the hardest job on earth with hearts wide open.

This one's for the autism dads who know what REAL fatherhood looks like.

Today isn't just about ties and grilling tips (though we'll take those too!). It's about celebrating the fathers who've learned that "typical" milestones aren't the only ones worth celebrating. The dads who've become fluent in sensory needs, IEP meetings, and finding joy in the smallest victories.

You're the fathers who've discovered that patience isn't just a virtue—it's a superpower. Who've learned that sometimes the best conversations happen without words, and that your child's unique way of seeing the world has taught you more about love than you ever imagined.

Whether you're dealing with meltdowns in the grocery store, celebrating a breakthrough moment, or just trying to figure out what tomorrow will bring—you're not alone in this. Every challenge you face, every victory you celebrate, every moment of uncertainty... we get it.

To the dads listening to our podcast in the car after a long day, to those sharing their stories with our community, and to every father out there doing his best—you're exactly the dad your child needs.

Keep going, keep learning, keep loving. You're doing better than you think.

13/06/2025

💪 NEW EPISODE ALERT! 💪

What if fitness could change your autistic child's future?

In this inspiring episode of Dads in Autismland, host Mark de Grasse sits down with Eric Chessen, founder of Autism Fitness, to explore the life-changing power of physical health for autistic teens and adults.

From managing meltdowns to building motivation and long-term independence, Eric shares practical strategies every autism dad needs to hear. Whether your child is non-verbal or heading to adulthood, this episode will challenge and encourage you.

🎧 Listen now and discover how movement can mean so much more:

➡️ https://dadsinautismland.com/autism-fitness-blueprint-a-new-approach-to-autism-exercise-with-eric-chessen-season-2-episode-25/

06/06/2025

Ever felt the pressure of navigating public spaces with your autistic child? You’re not alone.

In our latest Dads in Autismland episode, host Mark de Grasse sits down with fellow autism dad Mark Kendall to talk about real-life strategies for handling public outings—from safety tips to managing stares and everything in between.

This one’s for every dad who’s packed the go-bag, braced for meltdowns, and still showed up. 💪

Tune in now and share with a dad who needs to hear this!

03/06/2025

Your kid ate three bites of something new? Fist pump.

They made eye contact during a conversation? Fist pump.

You successfully navigated a meltdown without losing your cool?
Double fist pump.

They used a new word, tried something different, or had a good day at school? That's fist pump territory, dad.

The world might not understand why you're celebrating what seems ordinary to them, but you know the truth—these moments are anything but ordinary. They're hard-fought victories that represent hours of patience, creativity, and love. They're proof that progress doesn't always come with fanfare or ribbons.

Other dads celebrate touchdowns. You celebrate breakthroughs.

Other dads cheer for report cards. You cheer for courage.

Other dads high-five home runs. You high-five small steps forward.

And that's exactly as it should be.

Every parent in Autismland knows that victories come in all sizes, and the smallest ones often mean the most. So throw up that fist pump with pride. You've earned it. Your kid has earned it. And anyone who doesn't get it simply hasn't walked in your shoes.
Keep celebrating those wins, dad. They're building something beautiful.

30/05/2025

“We needed help too.” In this episode, Allan Young shares how raising three sons with autism inspired him and his wife to build a place of peace, play, and purpose for special needs families. Tune in for a heartfelt story of faith, fatherhood, and community.

Listen now: https://dadsinautismland.com/dads-in-autismland-allan-young/

29/05/2025

Last week, I hosted a workshop with Dr. Aarti Thakore from Central Texas Autism Center - and the insights were game-changing for autism dads considering ABA therapy.

After 6 years of ABA with my severely autistic son, I finally got REAL answers to the questions we're all asking:
❓ How do you know if it's working?
❓ What should you actually expect?
❓ How involved should you be as a dad?
❓ Is the controversy justified?

The truth nobody talks about: Some kids "graduate" in 2 years. My son is still going strong after 6 years. Both are completely normal.

What shocked me most: It's not about making kids "normal" - it's specialized teaching that unlocks their potential to communicate and connect.

This isn't another "expert opinion" - it's dad-to-dad real talk combined with 20+ years of professional expertise about navigating one of the biggest decisions you'll make for your child.

Based on our workshop discussion, I've compiled all the essential tips every autism dad needs before starting (or continuing) ABA therapy.

👇 What questions do YOU have about ABA therapy? Drop them below - let's help each other figure this out.

21/05/2025

My son Damien has been in daily ABA therapy at Central Texas Autism Center (CTAC) for years, and we attribute a lot of his progress to the work that they've done. Damien is much more independent and aware than he used to be, and our ability to travel and include him in a number of activities was made possible thanks to the therapy.

On Thursday we'll be hosting a workshop with one of the therapists from CTAC named Dr. Aarti Thakore, and she'll be on hand to answer any question you might have about this form of therapy.

Join us if you have questions 🙂 Thursday 12pm cst 🙂

19/05/2025

What is ABA Therapy, and should you consider it for your autistic child? We're holding a workshop on Friday so you can ask all of your questions! Don't miss it! Link in comments.

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http://www.DadsinAutismland.com/

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