Episode Details

David welcomes Stephen Laine, an autism advocate and writer, to discuss how trauma often intersects with autism through repeated distressing experiences. Laine recounts his sons Matthew and Aiden’s early developmental concerns, dual autism diagnoses, and limited access to ABA in Michigan due to lack of insurance coverage. He describes major family transitions including divorce, school changes, COVID disruptions, and becoming the boys’ full-time caregiver in 2021 with help from his mother. Laine details a recent crisis involving Matthew, now 19, whose impulsivity led to multiple elopements, entering neighbors’ homes and stores for DVDs and games, repeated ER visits, and an inpatient psychiatric hospitalization complicated by inaccurate “aggressive” labeling and poor communication. After discharge, Laine increased home safety, took leave from work, and notes progress with no recent elopements and successes like attending a crowded movie. He emphasizes support systems, self-care through writing and running, and counters stereotypes that autistic people lack emotion.

Topics

00:51 Autism And Trauma

01:37 Meet Stephen Laine

02:55 Advocacy Chose Me

03:21 Early Signs And Diagnosis

06:05 Therapy Access And ABA Costs

06:57 Divorce School Change Trauma

10:05 COVID Lockdown And Zoom Therapy

11:55 Full Time Single Dad Shift

13:37 Finding His Advocacy Voice

15:34 Adult Services Drop Off

18:09 Elopement Crisis Begins

21:31 Escalation GPS And ER Wait

28:16 Psych Hospital Dropoff

29:03 Misread as Aggression

31:53 Kept in the Dark

34:51 Home Safety Reset

35:27 Post Hospital Healing

37:04 Sibling Anxiety Fallout

40:02 Small Wins Returning

41:57 Caregiver Self Care

43:36 Writing and Stereotypes

45:25 Resilience as a Dad

46:29 Support System Tip

48:28 Fact or Fiction Emotions

50:10 Parent Confession Denial

52:10 Find Steve Online

52:55 Light on the Spectrum

54:48 Closing Thanks and Wrap