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
In Episode 2 of the Autism Dadcast, Gaz and Andy open up in the rawest way yet. What started as a place to vent and find sanity has quickly become a lifeline for other dads—and mums—navigating the world of autism parenting.This episode explores:
• The moment of acceptance—and the emotional fallout that comes with it
• How grief shows up in unexpected ways when parenting an autistic child
• The emotional toll on relationships and the tough conversations couples face
• That feeling of isolation… and why dads especially struggle to talk • The power of the comments section and how strangers helped shift their perspective
• Practical advice on gathering evidence early and preparing for the EHCP process
• A heartfelt look at the recent EHCP reforms and the fear it’s causing in the SEND communityExpect tears, laughter, F-bombs, and honest truths.
This isn’t a podcast about having the answers. It’s about finally asking the questions out loud—and finding out you’re not the only one thinking them.
Watch. Reflect. Share. Comment.
Let’s keep the conversation going.
#AutismDadcast #AutismParenting #SEND #EHCP #MentalLoad #ParentingUnfiltered
In the very first episode of Autism Dadcast, Gaz and Andy introduce themselves and share their personal stories as fathers of autistic children. They discuss how their kids were diagnosed, the struggles and breakthroughs they’ve experienced, and the raw, unfiltered emotions that come with navigating life as autism dads.
From the shock of the initial diagnosis to the confusion of navigating educational choices, Gaz and Andy explore the unexpected challenges of parenting autistic children. They talk about the myths they’ve encountered, the misguided advice they’ve been given, and the difficult but necessary process of acceptance.
But it’s not all heavy – with their natural sense of humour, they bring laughter even to the toughest stories. Whether it’s dealing with a messy house, figuring out how to communicate with non-verbal children, or surviving a chaotic Christmas, Gaz and Andy keep it real.
This episode is a mix of relatable stories, honest confessions, and heartfelt advice for anyone walking the same path. If you’re a parent of an autistic child, you’ll find a place where you’re not alone. And if you’re just curious, this is a raw, insightful look into the world of autism parenting from a dad’s perspective.
Tune in for an honest, heartfelt, and sometimes hilarious conversation about what it really means to be an autism dad.
