Read more about the article We don’t stop being parents when they become adults
My thoughts

We don’t stop being parents when they become adults

This is Gavin. Gavin is my 24 year old autistic son who has recently begun building his own adult life. This past week Gavin called me from the break room at work and was incredibly upset. He was not making a great deal of sense and only after calming him down could I really understand what was going on. After a few minutes, I was able to figure out that his phone wasn’t working correctly and he was freaking out because he liked watching YouTube on his lunch break. He was frustrated because this disrupted his routine and he doesn’t like that. He was currently calling me from his watch because his phone battery had died and he didn’t know what to do. He had a few minutes before he…

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March 24, 2024
Read more about the article Navigating haircuts with my autistic kids
My thoughts

Navigating haircuts with my autistic kids

The question has been asked. How do I navigate haircuts with my 3 autistic kids. I thought since Elliott literally just walked out from getting one, we’d talk about it. In general, haircuts are easy now but it wasn’t always that way. When the boys were little, it was a sensory nightmare. I’d put off haircuts for as long as I could because I knew how difficult it would be for the kids and everyone else involved. There were times that I would have their hair cut really short just so it would take a little longer before we needed to return. The boys struggled with sitting still. The noise from the electric clippers freaked them out and the little hairs that were left behind made them itch and drove…

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March 13, 2024
Read more about the article What #Selfcare Looks Like in My Life
Kelly / My thoughts

What #Selfcare Looks Like in My Life

As a father to three incredible children on the autism spectrum, my journey has been filled with unique challenges and profound learning experiences. One of the most valuable lessons I've learned is the critical importance of self-care. It's not just a luxury; it's an absolute necessity for both myself and, by extension, my family. Embracing Self-Care as a Priority Self-care for me goes beyond the occasional break; it's about consistently recognizing and addressing my own physical, emotional, and mental health needs. The demanding nature of parenting, coupled with the specific needs of raising children with autism, means that without a solid self-care routine, burnout is not just a possibility; it's likely. I’ve tangled with burnout too many times over the last 23 year. My Approach to Self-Care For the longest…

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January 25, 2024
Read more about the article A Parents Guide to Autism and Sensory Eating (S6E53)
Podcast / Season 6 / The Autism Dad

A Parents Guide to Autism and Sensory Eating (S6E53)

Sensory eating is something so many autism families struggle with daily, mine included. My guest this week is Brittyn Coleman, aka The Autism Dietitian. Brittyn is one of only a handful of dietitians across the country specializing in autistic kids. She’s here to help us better understand what sensory eating is and how it differs from picky eating. We also talk about how we can help ensure proper nutrition in our kids, and expand their menus in creative ways.

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December 8, 2023
Read more about the article So yeah, that happened
My thoughts

So yeah, that happened

For the last few days, the boys and I were in Tennessee, on vacation with my entire family. We all had a really good time but two days before we were supposed to leave to come home, Emmett broke his arm in a tubing accident. I posted the video below on IG briefly explaining what happened. https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cxi8qBPRe-N/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== The whole event was pretty awful. Emmett was miserable and on overload from everything that was going on. Long story short, he was so brave and handled himself so well. I couldn’t be prouder of him. Emmett’s okay and managed to avoid surgery. I felt it was best to get him home ASAP, so we left a day early. Emmett and I made a few stops on the way home. Elliott and Gavin…

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September 24, 2023
Read more about the article Laurie Cramer On Autism Parenting and The Autism Society of Greater Akron (S1E03)
Podcast / Season 1 / The Autism Dad Ohio

Laurie Cramer On Autism Parenting and The Autism Society of Greater Akron (S1E03)

**Episode Description:** This week, join us as we dive deep with Laurie Cramer, Executive Director of The Autism Society of Greater Akron. From her heartfelt experiences as a parent to an autistic child, to the pivotal changes needed to uplift the autism community, this conversation is both enlightening and inspiring. Learn about the incredible ways the Autism Society is making a difference locally. Don’t miss out!

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August 18, 2023