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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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