We’re back after a messy week. We headed to London for the Fight for Ordinary rally in Parliament Square, stood with hundreds of parents and carers, and heard a few politicians actually sound like they get it. Ed Davey included. Met loads of you too which was class.Then we get into the headline everyone’s shouting about. Trump and RFK Jr linking Tylenol in pregnancy to autism. We unpack the claims, the weak evidence, the fallout for mums, and why the whole “cure autism” thing hits very differently across the spectrum.We finish with your Q&As on fitness and self care. How to find time when you’re wrecked, why steps beat excuses, and Andy’s big weight loss update.Heads up on the video. It’s only on Andy this week because Gaz’s camera SD card got corrupted. Tech gremlins had us. Audio’s all good.Raw, a bit funny, a bit heavy. Standard Dadcast.
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Autism Dadcast: Episode 17 — “Telepathy Tapes & Dickheads in the Park”
In this episode, Gaz and Andy dive into the Telepathy Tapes — the podcast that claims some non-verbal autistic kids can communicate telepathically. Sounds mad, but could there be something in it? The lads weigh up the hype, the hope, and the science.They also share a shocking story from the park when Andy’s daughter Lydia was cruelly targeted by strangers — and how that ties into the toxic rhetoric creeping into politics and SEND reform. On top of that, they talk EHCP battles, the Fight for Ordinary rally in London, and what all this means for families like ours.It’s raw, emotional, and unfiltered — with a bit of Joe Rogan, aliens, and quantum physics thrown in too.
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Autism Dadcast: Episode 16 — “Back to School, Non-Verbal Moments & Awkward Questions From Strangers”
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.
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Autism Dadcast: Episode 15 — “From AFL to Autism Dad: Michael & Sunday’s Story”
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.
Ireland