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PODCAST

Autism Dadcast

An unfiltered, unflinching, and occasionally inappropriate deep dive into the world of autism parenting, from a dad"s perspective. Gaz and Andy are two dads doing this in real time, not experts with a script. Honest conversations about autism and ADHD, diagnosis and assessment, EHCPs and school, meltdowns and sensory overload, and the parts of SEN parenting nobody warns you about. Support the show at bit.ly/dadcast-support

kids & family parenting

All Episodes

01:05:31

Autism Dadcast: Episode 15 — “From AFL to Autism Dad:...

Autism Dadcast ·

2025/08/28

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

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01:13:46

Autism Dadcast: Episode 14 — “From Denial to...

Autism Dadcast ·

2025/08/14

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

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01:18:11

Autism Dadcast: Episode 13 — “ADHD, Executive...

Autism Dadcast ·

2025/08/07

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

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00:57:26

Autism Dadcast: Ep 12 — “Three Kids, Two Hours’ Sleep...

Autism Dadcast ·

2025/07/31

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.

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00:57:00

Autism Dadcast Ep. 11 — “Jabs, Myths & Meltdowns:...

Autism Dadcast ·

2025/07/24

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

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01:10:30

Autism Dadcast Ep. 10 – EHCP Chaos, SEND Unit Fears &...

Autism Dadcast ·

2025/07/17

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

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00:53:46

Autism Dadcast Ep. 9 - Fighting for Your Kid: Ben's...

Autism Dadcast ·

2025/07/10

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

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01:00:48

Autism Dadcast Ep. 8: "Diagnosing the Kids... and the...

Autism Dadcast ·

2025/07/03

-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

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01:32:00

Autism Dadcast Ep. 7 – Mario Kart, Meltdowns &...

Autism Dadcast ·

2025/06/26

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 he’s in control.It’s moments like this where you really see how our kids engage with the world — their own

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01:04:48

Autism Dadcast Ep. 6 - “Day Trips, Holidays, and...

Autism Dadcast ·

2025/06/19

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 through it all.The meltdowns, the judgment, the moments that break you — and the small wins that make it just

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01:25:22

Autism Dadcast Ep. 5 – “You Asked, We Answered”

Autism Dadcast ·

2025/06/12

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 the life you thought you’d have, and what it’s like when one of you wants to push and the other plays it

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01:14:21

Autism Dadcast Ep. 4 - “Sleep? What's That?”

Autism Dadcast ·

2025/06/08

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 mixed bag, and how some nights feel like torture. Gaz opens up about the sleep training routines that

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01:05:05

Autism Dadcast Ep. 3 - “Diagnosed… Now What?”

Autism Dadcast ·

2025/05/29

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 stress for something the system knows they need?Expect raw honesty, some very personal stories (including

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01:20:06

Autism Dadcast Ep. 2 – Grief, Acceptance, and the...

Autism Dadcast ·

2025/05/22

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 emotional toll on relationships and the tough conversations couples face • That feeling of isolation… and

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01:25:34

Autism Dadcast Ep. 1: Real Dads, Real Talk & Really...

Autism Dadcast ·

2025/05/16

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 educational choices, Gaz and Andy explore the unexpected challenges of parenting autistic children. They talk

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