Gaz and Andy sit down for one of the most open chats they’ve ever had. It’s been a long few weeks, and with Christmas creeping up, the lads talk about the heavy stuff that comes when things finally go quiet — the late-night fears about the future, the weight of responsibility, and that nagging thought every SEND parent has but never says out loud: what happens when we’re gone?
They dive into what it really means to be “strong” as an autism dad — not in the gym sense (though that comes up), but mentally and emotionally. How patience has replaced pride, how autism strips away ego, and how much you change when your world revolves around a child who needs you in ways you can’t explain to anyone else.
There’s reflection on how far their kids have come, what progress actually looks like, and why the little moments — eye contact, a word, a shared laugh — feel bigger than any milestone the world measures.
They also talk about physical health, mental fatigue, and the quiet importance of keeping your body strong enough to handle what’s ahead. Because being a SEND parent isn’t a sprint — it’s a marathon you didn’t sign up for, and you can’t afford to sit it out.
Heavy, hopeful, and funny in all the right places. Exactly what Dadcast does best.
#AutismDadcast #AutismAwareness #SENDParenting #AutismParents #AutismDads #Neurodiversity #AutismAcceptance #SpecialNeedsParenting #AutismCommunity #AutismJourney #MentalHealth #FuturePlanning #Resilience #DadLife #ParentingPodcast
It’s been a few weeks, but Gaz and Andy are back — catching up on life, work, and the chaos of raising autistic kids through the madness of Q4.
Andy shares a massive update on Lydia’s first term at her new specialist school — the highs, the progress, and the tough bit where safeguarding got real. From the shock of being asked about a bruise to understanding how vital those systems actually are, the lads unpack what every SEND parent eventually learns the hard way.
Then it’s on to a “SEND-friendly” soft play that went completely off the rails — a supposed quiet session that turned into total chaos. They talk honestly about how these things should work, the frustration of token “inclusive” marketing, and how one bad experience sparked an idea: a not-for-profit, parent-run SEND centre in Shropshire where every family actually feels understood.
Plus, Thomas’s new AAC device, the “Grid” app, and how tech is transforming communication for non-verbal kids. It’s funny, raw, emotional — classic Dadcast.
#AutismDadcast #AutismAwareness #SENDParenting #AutismParents #Neurodiversity #SpecialNeedsParenting #AutismAcceptance #AutismJourney #NonVerbalAutism #ParentingPodcast #AutismCommunity #AutismDads #Safeguarding #SENDSupport #Shropshire
Gaz and Andy sit down with Jamie Jewitt, a dad of three navigating life in the public eye while raising his autistic daughter, Nora.
Jamie opens up about spotting the early signs, getting the diagnosis, and how it completely changed how he sees life, parenting, and success. He talks about the pressure of being in the public eye, dealing with trolls, the emotional rollercoaster of acceptance, and why he’s stopped worrying about milestones and started celebrating the little wins.
The lads dive deep into the raw stuff, guilt, fear, self-preservation, and those late-night “what if we’re not here one day” thoughts that every autism parent quietly wrestles with. But there’s plenty of laughter too, from Baby Shark sing-alongs to spelling “car” on the bedroom floor.
This one’s heavy, funny, and properly real. Exactly what Dadcast’s all about.
#AutismDadcast #AutismAwareness #AutisticChildren #ParentingInPublic #Neurodiversity #AutismAcceptance #Dadcast #AutismCommunity #ParentingPodcast #AutismDads #SEND #SpecialNeedsParenting #JamieJewitt #AutismJourney
This week we’ve got another dad on the mic — Daniel, a Shrewsbury local with two kids, one of whom is nonverbal and highly autistic. He takes us through their journey: spotting the signs early, navigating endless assessments, fighting councils for schooling, and the daily realities of sleep battles, food quirks, stims, and meltdowns.
We talk about the little wins that keep you going, why applying early for support is crucial, and how families juggle siblings, relationships, and money when the system drags its feet. Daniel shares brutally honest stories — from crayons, makeup, and deodorant snacks, to the joy of Disney films, hammocks, and Saturday-night dips.
There’s a lot in here for parents on the same road: the entitlements you might not know exist, how communication devices are changing lives, and why no two autistic kids — or families — look the same.
Raw, funny, heavy, and hopeful. Exactly what you’d expect from Dadcast.
We’re back after a messy week. We headed to London for the Fight for Ordinary rally in Parliament Square, stood with hundreds of parents and carers, and heard a few politicians actually sound like they get it. Ed Davey included. Met loads of you too which was class.
Then we get into the headline everyone’s shouting about. Trump and RFK Jr linking Tylenol in pregnancy to autism. We unpack the claims, the weak evidence, the fallout for mums, and why the whole “cure autism” thing hits very differently across the spectrum.
We finish with your Q&As on fitness and self care. How to find time when you’re wrecked, why steps beat excuses, and Andy’s big weight loss update.
Heads up on the video. It’s only on Andy this week because Gaz’s camera SD card got corrupted. Tech gremlins had us. Audio’s all good.
Raw, a bit funny, a bit heavy. Standard Dadcast.
In this episode, Gaz and Andy dive into the Telepathy Tapes — the podcast that claims some non-verbal autistic kids can communicate telepathically. Sounds mad, but could there be something in it? The lads weigh up the hype, the hope, and the science.They also share a shocking story from the park when Andy’s daughter Lydia was cruelly targeted by strangers — and how that ties into the toxic rhetoric creeping into politics and SEND reform. On top of that, they talk EHCP battles, the Fight for Ordinary rally in London, and what all this means for families like ours.It’s raw, emotional, and unfiltered — with a bit of Joe Rogan, aliens, and quantum physics thrown in too.
In this episode, Gaz and Andy talk about the chaos and emotions of the new school term. Andy’s daughter Lydia is starting school for the first time, while Gaz’s son Thomas faces the rollercoaster of returning after six weeks off. From anxious mornings to unexpected meltdowns, the lads share what these transitions really look like at home.
They also dive into your listener questions — from how to handle strangers talking to your non-verbal child, to navigating EHCPs, therapy pressures, and the ever-controversial screen time debate.
There’s honesty, plenty of laughs, and even a few tangents about aliens, telepathy, and Trump’s autism claims.If you’ve ever felt the sting of judgement in public or the weight of education battles, this one’s for you.
In Episode 15 of Autism Dadcast, we’re joined by Michael Hibberd — former AFL premiership player turned firefighter — as he opens up for the first time about life as a dad to Sunday, his four-year-old daughter with profound autism.
We chat about the early red flags, diagnosis, meltdowns in public, the emotional gut-punch of milestone checklists, and the unexpected joy in small wins (like hearing “Mum” for the first time).
Michael shares how nothing — not pro sport, not firefighting — prepared him for the relentlessness of autism parenting. But he also talks about humour, resilience, and the importance of getting on the same page as your partner early on.
This one’s raw, relatable, and full of the stuff most people don’t say out loud.
Timestamps
0:00 – Meet Michael
1:22 – From footy to firefighting
3:00 – Finding the podcast
4:45 – About Sunday
10:00 – Early signs & missed milestones
13:00 – Diagnosis & the toll of the system
18:00 – Early intervention & therapy
21:00 – Public meltdowns & anxiety
26:00 – Small wins that hit different
30:00 – Food issues & sensory quirks
33:00 – Routine, sleep & locks on doors
36:00 – Funding, NDIS & red tape
40:00 – Why nothing prepares you
44:00 – Friends, family & being understood
49:00 – Advice for other dads
55:00 – The good, the bad & the [literal] ugly
🧠 New episodes drop every Thursday at 6pm
🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple & all major platforms
📲 Guest application via Linktree in our Instagram bio
#AutismDadcast #AFL #MichaelHibberd #AutismParenting #Neurodiversity #SEND #ParentingUnfiltered #AutismDad #RealTalk
This week we’re joined by Sean, dad to six-year-old twin girls Lily and Isla, who were both diagnosed as autistic last September. Sean opens up about the early signs — from their tunnel vision focus and delayed speech to sensory sensitivities and hearing loss — and how he first dismissed the idea that anything was “wrong.”
He talks about the nursery teacher who first raised concerns, the emotional struggle of taking it personally, and the turning point when a speech therapist helped him accept the diagnosis and map out a plan for their development. We get into EHCP battles, the fight for one-to-one support to keep Isa safe, and the small changes that made a huge difference — like using routines, reducing meltdowns through communication, and putting toys in Tupperware so the girls had to ask for them.
It’s an honest look at the mix of guilt, learning, and pride that comes with raising autistic children — plus the moments that make it all worth it, like Lily’s incredible number skills and Isla’s growing sentences.
Jessie Hewitson joins us for a deep, honest convo about ADHD — what it really is, what it isn’t, and why so many kids are being let down. Jessie’s an autistic journalist, mum, and author of How to Raise a Happy Autistic Child and How to Raise a Happy ADHD Child. She’s also ADHD herself, so everything she shares is lived.
We talk about executive dysfunction, rejection sensitivity, what ADHD medication actually feels like, and how to support kids with Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA). Jessie also breaks down why EHCPs are so bloody hard to get, and how to stand your ground with the local authority without losing your mind.
One of the most informative and relatable episodes we’ve recorded so far. If you’ve ever felt gaslit by the system or doubted yourself as a parent — this one’s for you.
This week Gaz and Andy finally sit down with fellow autism-dad Chris—the guest who famously got stuck in Cardiff last month. He’s juggling three children under five, a 5-year-old son (Kit) with profound autism and mosaic Patau syndrome (mosaic trisomy 13), and the kind of sleep schedule that would scare a Navy SEAL. Expect honesty, gallows humour and a ton of practical hacks.
This week we dive head-first into the internet’s most stubborn rumour: “Do childhood vaccines cause autism?” Spoiler… they don’t — but the guilt, fear and rabbit-holes are real.In this honest, no-filter chat we cover:
0:00 – Intro & why this feels risky
2:00 – The Google spiral: how new parents meet the myth5:00 – Andrew Wakefield’s infamous 12-kid “study” (and the hidden money trail)
10:00 – Massive follow-up research (500k to 14 million children = no link)
18:00 – Parental guilt, regression stories & the search for someone to blame
26:00 – Genes, environment, plastics, pollution — what might be happening
34:00 – Trust issues: Big Pharma, politics & COVID fallout
47:00 – Would you press the “remove autism” button? A raw debate
52:00 – Take-aways: ditch the blame, back the science, support the kidsPlus: 1960s archive footage that proves autism existed pre-MMR, a shout-out to NeuroSpicy Apparel, and plans for next week’s guest dad.
👍 Like, comment, subscribe, and share with anyone still worried about the jab.🔔 New episodes every week — because autistic families need real talk, not click-bait.
Double digits, baby! Episode 10 is here – just the two of us this time, back to basics and diving deep into the absolute mess that's unfolding with EHCP reforms.
We’re unpacking:
The rumours (and real fears) around scrapping EHCPs in mainstream schools
SEND units replacing legal protection for autistic kids
How the government and media are playing divide and conquer
MPs doing photo ops while families panic
And the dark history we really don’t want to go back to…
But it’s not all doom. There’s hope and joy too – like Thomas counting to 100 (yes, really!) and Lydia smashing new milestones. We talk about those small moments that hit you like a freight train and why screen time and spoons can be a big deal.
This one's raw, funny, furious, and emotional – exactly what this podcast is all about.
👇 Drop us a comment, share your thoughts, and join the community. We're all in this together.
#AutismDadcast #EHCPReform #SENDCrisis #AutismParenting #Neurodiversity #DadsOfAutisticKids #SpecialNeedsParenting
Welcome to Episode 9.5 of the Autism Dadcast. Yeah, 9.5. Because Gaz forgot to hit record the first time.
Luckily, second time was even better.
This week we’ve got Ben on — pro wrestler, cancer survivor, autism dad.
Ben shares:
How being diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma at 30 changed his whole outlook on life
His “miracle” son Ethan, born against the odds during COVID
The brutal reality of feeling useless when Ethan was in hospital as a newborn
Navigating EHCP chaos (wrong names and all)
Choosing special school over mainstream
The constant fight to get Ethan the right support
Meltdowns in Tesco vs getting body-slammed in the ring
Honest chats about denial, guilt, and learning what works
His wife being “like a dog with a bone” when fighting the local authority
It’s raw. It’s real. It’s proper dad stuff — the stress, the laughs, the wins that keep you going.
If you're a parent of an autistic child, you’ll get it.
If you're not, you’ll learn a lot.
Hit subscribe and join us every Thursday at 6pm for new episodes.
Autism Dadcast: Honest, vulnerable, sometimes funny conversations about fatherhood, autism, and everything in between.
Listen on Spotify, Apple, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.
#AutismDadcast #AutismParenting #Neurodiversity #SEND #Fatherhood #Podcast
-Jason joins us this week to talk about fighting for his daughter's autism diagnosis – and ending up with one himself.We talk about:- The EHCP process and being that parent who won't stop calling- Navigating mainstream school with selective mutism- Figuring out what's autism and what's learned behaviour in siblings- Meltdowns at the school gate- Trying (and failing) at gymnastics, then finding joy in swimming- Getting an adult autism diagnosis and looking back at childhood- Why dads need something just for them to copeHonest, raw, funny in places, and very real.Watch the full episode and don't forget to subscribe for more real talk about autism parenting.#AutismDadcast #AutismParenting #SEND
In our first ever guest episode, Allan told us about his lad’s Mario Kart obsession.He’s not just watching it — he’s directing it.From character selection to track choice, he’s there whacking the corner of the telly like it’s a touchscreen.Shouting out names. Repeating catchphrases. Telling Allan exactly what to press and when.It’s not a game to him.It’s a system. A world he understands.And he’s in control.It’s moments like this where you really see how our kids engage with the world — their own way, their own rules.And it’s bloody brilliant.#AutismDadcast #MarioKartMagic #AutismParenting #FirstGuestEpisode #NeurodivergentJoy #SENDParenting #AutisticVoices #ParentingWins
This week, Gaz and Andy get into the chaos behind what most people call "a nice day out."
Whether it’s a quick trip to the park or the dream of a family holiday, when you’ve got an autistic child, it’s never just that simple.
From public toilet refusals and changing nappies in the middle of Telford Town Park, to weighing up whether a flight to Dubai is worth the stress — they talk through it all.
The meltdowns, the judgment, the moments that break you — and the small wins that make it just about worth it.
If you’ve ever planned five backup options for one day out, or said “not yet” to a holiday because you know how hard it’ll be — this one’s for you.
This one’s all about you lot. We put the call out for your questions on Instagram and bloody hell… you delivered.
From meltdowns and non-verbal communication to EHCP struggles, relationships, public judgment, and trying to keep a spark alive when you’re both exhausted — we answer it all. Raw, unfiltered, and from two dads who’ve lived it.
We get into the hard stuff like feeling isolated, grieving the life you thought you’d have, and what it’s like when one of you wants to push and the other plays it safe. We also share some wins: Crocs as communication, surprise curries, and how sometimes the tiniest moments hit the hardest.
Massive thanks to everyone who sent something in — these episodes only work because of you.
Keep ’em coming. We’ve got your back.
This one’s raw. We talk about what it really means when your autistic kid doesn’t sleep — not for a few weeks, but for years. From the dread of bedtime to the chaos of 3am wake-ups, we open up about the brutal toll it takes on us as dads, as partners, and as people just trying to survive the next day.Andy shares how sleep deprivation has nearly broken him and his wife, how melatonin has been a mixed bag, and how some nights feel like torture. Gaz opens up about the sleep training routines that helped Thomas — blackout blinds, smart lights, and a bit of dog trainer stubbornness. It worked for them, but it wasn’t easy.We talk about resentment in relationships, that horrible feeling of never catching up, and the desperate things you try when you’re running on empty (yes, we bought the £150 diffuser — no, it didn’t work).It’s not all heavy. There’s laughs, there’s stories about getting smacked in the face with a toy, and there’s even a good bit about grapes.But most importantly, it’s honest. If you’re there now — awake at 2am, scrolling for answers — we see you.
This week, we’re talking official diagnoses – the moment it becomes real on paper. Andy shares Lydia’s recent confirmation, and Gaz reflects on his emotional response when Thomas got his.But that’s just the start…We dive deep into the broken EHCP system – the hoops, the heartbreak, and the absolute madness behind 98% of tribunals being won by parents. Why are we forcing families through years of stress for something the system knows they need?Expect raw honesty, some very personal stories (including setting our kids up to fail just to prove they need help), and hard truths about trusting the system.If you’re battling for support, feeling lost, or just need to know you’re not alone – this one’s for you.👉 Drop your story in the comments or messages. We’re building this together.#EHCP #AutismDiagnosis #SENDCrisis #ParentingAutism #AutismDadcast #NeurodivergentFamilies #RealTalk