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In the season finale of Dads in Autismland, host Mark de Grasse reflects on the journey so far—what inspired the podcast, the powerful stories shared, and what lies ahead in Season Two.

With honesty and heart, Mark opens up about his personal experiences raising a son with severe autism, the emotional toll many fathers face, and the need for authentic male support.

He calls on fellow autism dads to embrace connection, vulnerability, and growth. From the importance of self-care to the sobering realities of fatherhood in the autism world, this episode is both a heartfelt goodbye to

Season One and a bold invitation to join the next chapter. Tune in to hear what’s next for the Dads in Autismland community—including the launch of the Pathfinder Collective membership group and bi-monthly workshops.

TOPICS
- The origin story of Dads in Autismland and its mission
- Why autism fathers often feel alone—and how this podcast aims to change that
- Personal insights from raising a son with severe autism
- The dangerous stigma around men seeking support and self-care
- The launch of the Pathfinder Collective: a private, judgment-free space for autism dads
- How exposure and community can change society’s understanding of autism
- A call to action for advocacy, communication, and fatherhood transformation

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QUOTES
"Being tough doesn’t mean staying silent. It means stepping up, speaking out, and building something better—for us and our kids."

"If your battery’s drained, everything suffers. Taking care of yourself isn’t selfish—it’s essential fatherhood."

"Autism fatherhood isn’t just about what we give—it’s about what we learn. My son taught me empathy, patience, and what real strength looks like."

"There’s no standard for how people should live. The more we share our reality, the safer and more supported our kids will be."

"This podcast started because I wondered if there were other dads like me out there—and now I know we’re not alone."

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The Pathfinder Collective Dads In Autismland Membership Group: https://dadsinautismland.com/dads-in-autismland-membership-the-pathfinder-collective/

Mountains We Climb T-Shirt: https://dadsinautismland.com/mountains-we-climb-trailblazer-series-first-edition/

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On this heartfelt episode of Dads In Autismland, host Mark de Grasse sits down with autism dad and founder of The Spectrum Hope Fund, Tim Huck.

The two dive deep into the emotional and financial realities of raising a child on the spectrum—from the early days of diagnosis, ABA therapy, and mounting expenses, to losing friendships and navigating the complexities of fatherhood.

Tim shares how his own challenges inspired him to start a nonprofit that helps other families pay for life-changing ABA therapy.

With candid storytelling and raw honesty, this episode shines a light on the often-overlooked emotional and financial toll autism parenting can take—and how dads are stepping up to support each other.

If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to raise a child with autism and still show up as a dad, partner, and provider, this episode delivers insight, solidarity, and most of all—hope.

TOPICS

• The emotional toll and isolation of autism parenting—and why dad support matters
• Tim Huck’s personal journey through early autism diagnosis and ABA therapy
• The financial struggle of affording intensive autism care and how families cope
• Founding The Spectrum Hope Fund to support other autism families
• Why ABA therapy early intervention can be transformative
• Parenting multiple children while navigating the needs of a child on the spectrum
• Creating inclusive spaces for autistic kids and building supportive community networks

QUOTES

"There’s no office you go to when you get the diagnosis. No roadmap. You just start Googling and hope you land somewhere helpful."

"We paid $35,000 over three years for ABA therapy because we knew our son needed it. We trusted the process—and scraped by to make it happen."

"There are resources for autistic kids—but what about the parents? What about us dads?"

"When my son was diagnosed, I felt like I was trying to learn a whole new world—but no one was handing me a manual."

"Being a dad to a kid on the spectrum? It’s lonely sometimes. But if we don’t talk about it, who will?"

DISCLAIMER

Every child's autism journey is unique. This video shares one family's personal experience and is meant for informational purposes only. Always consult with healthcare professionals for medical advice.

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In this heartwarming episode of Dads In Autismland, host Mark de Grasse welcomes Roger Kuhrt, a devoted father who shares his inspiring and humorous journey of adopting his son Gordy from South Korea during the chaos of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Roger opens up about the parallel challenges of adoption and autism—initially mistaking Gordy’s behaviors as effects of adoption, only to later receive a life-changing autism diagnosis. The episode explores early intervention, ABA therapy, and the emotional highs and lows of discovering your child’s unique path.

With a dash of humor and a Lord of the Rings twist, Roger offers a relatable and deeply human perspective on parenting a neurodiverse child. If you've ever felt like you're on an epic journey of your own in fatherhood, this one’s for you.

TOPICS
- Navigating international adoption during the pandemic
- Overlapping traits of adopted and autistic children
- Early signs of autism and how diagnosis unfolded
- Impact of ABA therapy and special education on Gordy's development
- Fatherhood as a "Lord of the Rings" adventure—unexpected and epic
- Unique obsessions: Gordy’s love for vacuums and washers
- Real advice for autism dads on trust, sleep, and staying proactive

QUOTES

"At first, I thought it was just adoption-related behavior. I didn’t realize it could be autism."

"We were the fourth set of caregivers he'd had before age two. Trust had to be built from scratch."

"Where are we going? Oh—we’re going to Mount Autism."

"Getting the diagnosis wasn’t heartbreaking—it was a relief. We finally knew what we were dealing with."

"He used to headbang and scream. Now, thanks to ABA, we don’t even track it—it’s gone."

DISCLAIMER

Every child's autism journey is unique. This video shares one family's personal experience and is meant for informational purposes only. Always consult with healthcare professionals for medical advice.

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