Episode Details

Raising a child with profound autism can teach parents lessons they never expected to learn.

In this personal Autism Labs episode, Mike Carr reflects on five lessons he learned while raising his son Michael, an autistic adult with complex support needs.

Mike openly shares where he struggled as a father, including times when he avoided difficult caregiving tasks, became disconnected from therapy and daily routines, reacted inconsistently to behavior, and relied on rationalizations that placed too much responsibility on his wife.

He also shares what he's doing differently today.

From helping Michael with showering and dressing to building simple daily routines, Mike explains why consistency, habit building, and supporting independence can matter so much for families caring for autistic children and adults.

This conversation is particularly relevant for parents of profoundly autistic children, teens, and adults, autism caregivers, fathers, and professionals supporting people with complex special needs.

In this episode, Mike discusses:

• Why asking for help is a strength, not a weakness
• Staying involved in autism therapy and daily caregiving
• Consistency and instructional control
• How caregiver reactions can influence behavior
• Sharing the caregiving load within a family
• Supporting independence through everyday tasks
• Building small habits instead of relying on guilt
• Finding and celebrating small wins

This isn't expert advice. It's one father's honest reflection on what he wishes he'd understood earlier and the small changes he's still working on today.

🎙 About Autism Labs

Autism Labs provides practical, real-world information and conversations for parents and caregivers supporting autistic children and adults, particularly those with profound autism and complex support needs.

Website: https://www.autismlabs.com/

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