Episode Details

How do you actually find reliable caregivers for profound autism?

For many families, this is the single hardest part of the journey.

In this episode of Autism Labs, Mike Carr, father of a 35-year-old profoundly autistic son shares over three decades of real-world experience navigating one of the most difficult challenges in autism caregiving: Building a dependable, skilled support team.

From aggressive behaviors to nonverbal communication and medical complexities, Mike explains why transitioning from family help to trained caregivers becomes essential and how to do it successfully.

You’ll learn 7 practical, proven ways to find caregivers, including:
 • National respite resources and how to use them
 • Why hiring for temperament often works better than resumes
 • How universities can become a pipeline for trained support staff
 • The surprising value of communities like climbing gyms
 • How sharing caregivers with other families prevents burnout
 • Why job titles matter when recruiting
 • The importance of building a “bench” instead of relying on one person

This episode is packed with actionable strategies for parents, caregivers and professionals working in autism services.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, this conversation offers something just as important as tactics hope.