Autism Dadcast

The hosts dive into the intriguing idea that non-verbal autistic children might communicate telepathically, sparked by a controversial podcast. They share a shocking personal experience of bullying that highlights societal ignorance and its connection to current political debates. Alongside discussions about EHCP battles and a rally for better treatment of special needs kids, they explore the chaotic blend of quantum physics, psychic phenomena, and parenting challenges. The conversation is both raw and humorous, capturing the essence of advocacy and connection.

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.Timestamps0:00 – Meet Michael1:22 – From footy to firefighting3:00 – Finding the podcast4:45 – About Sunday10:00 – Early signs & missed milestones13:00 – Diagnosis & the toll of the system18:00 – Early intervention & therapy21:00 – Public meltdowns & anxiety26:00 – Small wins that hit different30:00 – Food issues & sensory quirks33:00 – Routine, sleep & locks on doors36:00 – Funding, NDIS & red tape40:00 – Why nothing prepares you44:00 – Friends, family & being understood49:00 – Advice for other dads55:00 – 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 risky2:00 – 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 blame26:00 – Genes, environment, plastics, pollution — what might be happening34:00 – Trust issues: Big Pharma, politics & COVID fallout47:00 – Would you press the “remove autism” button? A raw debate52:00 – 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 schoolsSEND units replacing legal protection for autistic kidsHow the government and media are playing divide and conquerMPs doing photo ops while families panicAnd 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 lifeHis “miracle” son Ethan, born against the odds during COVIDThe brutal reality of feeling useless when Ethan was in hospital as a newbornNavigating EHCP chaos (wrong names and all)Choosing special school over mainstreamThe constant fight to get Ethan the right supportMeltdowns in Tesco vs getting body-slammed in the ringHonest chats about denial, guilt, and learning what worksHis wife being “like a dog with a bone” when fighting the local authorityIt’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