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
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