Parenting Archives - The Autism Dad

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Chicago Travel: Sensory-Friendly Spots and Quiet Places

Chicago is a great travel destination for families with children of all ages. It’s a vibrant city, positively bursting with iconic landmarks, experiences, and natural beauty that everyone will love. But as a bustling city, it’s a place that can become quickly overwhelming due to crowds, traffic, and noise, factors which might make the visit a little more intense for little ones with sensory issues or for those who are neurodiverse. But don’t let these facts put you off visiting the Second City with your children. Chicago might be a hive of activity, but it also offers quieter and more sensory-friendly activities than you might think. In this guide, we’ll highlight how everyone can enjoy the calmer side of Chicago, from quieter hotels and peaceful parks to relaxed museum spaces…

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September 26, 2025

Read more about the article Teaching Life Skills Through Coding: A Guide for Autism Parents

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Autism / Contributed

Teaching Life Skills Through Coding: A Guide for Autism Parents

Raising a child is always both a challenge and a joy. However, parenting a child with autism presents a completely different set of challenges (and unique joys), that many people don’t initially expect. Finding the right way to reach out to a child with autism is often the first as well as the most difficult step for many parents, and there unfortunately isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution, as every child is different. However, people have discovered certain patterns and principles about what often works for children with autism and is worth trying out, and what doesn’t usually yield positive results. To that end, here is one idea I started implementing with my child that turned out to be completely life-changing – coding. This may sound surprising at first, as coding is…

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July 31, 2025

Live

Autism and Neuroinflammation: Live with Dr. Theoharides

This is my Instagram Live with Dr. Theoharides from the other day. What This Video Is About: In this powerful Q&A, I sit down with Dr. Theoharis Theoharides—an internationally recognized expert in mast cells, neuroinflammation, and autism—to answer questions directly from parents. We talk about how inflammation in the brain may contribute to autism-related challenges, the role of allergies and stress, how to identify and address comorbidities, and what families can do to support their child’s health naturally and effectively. https://youtu.be/xmAXVWzjCwU?sub_confirmation=1 ⸻ Questions and Answers from the Video: What’s the connection between autism, allergies, and inflammation?Mast cells can disrupt the blood-brain barrier and release inflammatory molecules. This neuroinflammation can affect areas of the brain tied to behavior, like the amygdala. Many autistic kids or their parents also experience allergic conditions…

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July 20, 2025

Divorce / Podcast

Navigating Divorce with Neurodivergent Kids pt 1 (S8E05)

Divorce is never easy, and when neurodivergent children are involved, the challenges can be even more complex. In this episode, I open up about my own divorce for the first time and discuss how it has affected me as a parent. My kids will also be sharing their experiences in future episodes because they deserve a voice in this conversation. Joining me today is Dr. Mikki Lee, a licensed psychologist and certified school psychologist with extensive experience working with neurodivergent children and their families. Together, we explore the unique challenges of co-parenting neurodivergent kids, the importance of routine and consistency, and strategies to help families navigate transitions with less trauma and more stability. https://youtu.be/KTDC3ef9yOo This is Part 1 of a two-part series. Next week, we’ll be answering your questions about…

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March 8, 2025

Link / My thoughts

My Self-Care Journey: Managing Pain, Fighting Burnout, and Prioritizing My Health

Today was a big day for me. I finally went to see a spinal surgeon for a consult about my back—something I probably should have done a long time ago. For those who don’t know, I’ve been living with a major back injury for the last 25 years. It’s something I’ve carried with me since my time as a fire/medic, and I’ve been living in pain ever since, doing my best to avoid surgery. But lately, things have been getting harder. The pain has been worse, I’ve been struggling with burnout, and I’ve regained some of the weight I had worked so hard to lose. Kelly and the boys have been encouraging me to get checked out and figure out my options. Kelly reminded me—again—that self-care isn’t just something I…

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February 28, 2025

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Seasonal Home Maintenance: What You Need to Know for a Healthy Living Space

Maintaining a healthy living space plays a critical role in leading a quality lifestyle. At each change of the season, different components of your house may be at a higher or lower risk of suffering from functional or structural damage. The best way to keep your house in optimal condition is by conducting regular seasonal home maintenance. Seasonal home maintenance involves reasonable and achievable tasks that will keep your house safe, increase its value, and lower the costs of expensive renovations or repairs. Seasonal Pest Control: Keeping Your Home Critter-Free In each season – Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter – there are different things to consider for maintenance at home. For example, in Spring, most people focus on cleanup and revival after the Winter. Services like Riverside pest control become…

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February 26, 2025

My thoughts

You’re Not a Bad Parent: Frustration is Normal

To all the parents out there feeling the weight of the world on their shoulders: you are not alone. We all have moments where we feel like running away and joining the circus. But remember, you are strong, you are capable, and you are making a difference in your child's life.

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January 9, 2025

5 Things / Autism / Autism 101 / My thoughts

5 Early Signs Your Child May Need an Autism Evaluation

As parents, we spend so much time observing and nurturing our kids, hoping to give them the best foundation in life. It’s normal to wonder if what we’re noticing is just a phase or something more. If you’ve ever felt that little nudge in your gut telling you that something feels “off,” you’re not alone. That feeling doesn’t mean anything is wrong—it simply means you care deeply and are tuned into your child’s development. Today, I want to share some early signs that might indicate it’s time to consider an autism evaluation. This isn’t about labeling your child or jumping to conclusions; it’s about understanding their unique needs and getting support as early as possible. 1. Delayed or Absent Speech Development Every child develops at their own pace, but there…

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December 27, 2024