Autism Dadcast

On this episode, we're joined by Sean for our first ever live Christmas special recorded in front of our community. We talk about what Christmas actually looks like with autistic kids — the pressure to make it magical, the year we realised they didn't care about presents, and why one parent picks up McDonald's on Christmas Eve to reheat the next day. Sean shares the moment his girls st...

This week we're talking about the stuff that keeps you up at night. Gaz shares the story of Thomas falling out of a window and the absolute terror of those few seconds. Andy talks about Lydia choking on a Remembrance Day pin and the chaos of trying to keep these kids safe when danger comes out of nowhere. We get into the freezing weather, the battle to get hats and gloves on kids who hate anything...

Gaz and Andy sit down for one of the most open chats they’ve ever had. It’s been a long few weeks, and with Christmas creeping up, the lads talk about the heavy stuff that comes when things finally go quiet — the late-night fears about the future, the weight of responsibility, and that nagging thought every SEND parent has but never says out loud: what happens when we’re gone? They dive into what...

It’s been a few weeks, but Gaz and Andy are back — catching up on life, work, and the chaos of raising autistic kids through the madness of Q4. Andy shares a massive update on Lydia’s first term at her new specialist school — the highs, the progress, and the tough bit where safeguarding got real . From the shock of being asked about a bruise to understanding how vital those systems actually are, t...

Gaz and Andy sit down with Jamie Jewitt, a dad of three navigating life in the public eye while raising his autistic daughter, Nora. Jamie opens up about spotting the early signs, getting the diagnosis, and how it completely changed how he sees life, parenting, and success. He talks about the pressure of being in the public eye, dealing with trolls, the emotional rollercoaster of acceptance, and w...

This week we’ve got another dad on the mic — Daniel, a Shrewsbury local with two kids, one of whom is nonverbal and highly autistic. He takes us through their journey: spotting the signs early, navigating endless assessments, fighting councils for schooling, and the daily realities of sleep battles, food quirks, stims, and meltdowns. We talk about the little wins that keep you going, why applying...

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 claim...

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 rhetor...

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 h...

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 “...

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...

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 medica...

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 risky 2:00 – The Google spiral: how new parents meet the myth5:00 – Andrew Wakefield’s infamous 12-kid “study” (and the hidden money trail) 10:00 –...

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 schools SEND units replacing legal protection for autistic kids How the government and media are playing divide and conquer MPs doing photo ops while famil...

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 life His “miracle” son Ethan, born against the odds during COVID The brutal reality of feeling...

-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 jo...

In our first ever guest episode, Allan told us about his lad’s Mario Kart obsession. He’s not just watching it — he’s directing it. From character selection to track choice, he’s there whacking the corner of the telly like it’s a touchscreen. Shouting out names. Repeating catchphrases. Telling Allan exactly what to press and when. It’s not a game to him. It’s a system. A world he understands. And...

This week, Gaz and Andy get into the chaos behind what most people call "a nice day out." Whether it’s a quick trip to the park or the dream of a family holiday, when you’ve got an autistic child, it’s never just that simple. From public toilet refusals and changing nappies in the middle of Telford Town Park, to weighing up whether a flight to Dubai is worth the stress — they talk throug...

This one’s all about you lot. We put the call out for your questions on Instagram and bloody hell… you delivered. From meltdowns and non-verbal communication to EHCP struggles, relationships, public judgment, and trying to keep a spark alive when you’re both exhausted — we answer it all. Raw, unfiltered, and from two dads who’ve lived it. We get into the hard stuff like feeling isolated, grieving...

This one’s raw. We talk about what it really means when your autistic kid doesn’t sleep — not for a few weeks, but for years. From the dread of bedtime to the chaos of 3am wake-ups, we open up about the brutal toll it takes on us as dads, as partners, and as people just trying to survive the next day. Andy shares how sleep deprivation has nearly broken him and his wife, how melatonin has been a mi...

This week, we’re talking official diagnoses – the moment it becomes real on paper. Andy shares Lydia’s recent confirmation, and Gaz reflects on his emotional response when Thomas got his. But that’s just the start…We dive deep into the broken EHCP system – the hoops, the heartbreak, and the absolute madness behind 98% of tribunals being won by parents. Why are we forcing families through years of...

In Episode 2 of the Autism Dadcast, Gaz and Andy open up in the rawest way yet. What started as a place to vent and find sanity has quickly become a lifeline for other dads—and mums—navigating the world of autism parenting. This episode explores: • The moment of acceptance—and the emotional fallout that comes with it • How grief shows up in unexpected ways when parenting an autistic child • The em...

In the very first episode of Autism Dadcast, Gaz and Andy introduce themselves and share their personal stories as fathers of autistic children. They discuss how their kids were diagnosed, the struggles and breakthroughs they’ve experienced, and the raw, unfiltered emotions that come with navigating life as autism dads. From the shock of the initial diagnosis to the confusion of navigating educati...