Aug. 14, 2026

Dad Talk with Chris of AutismDad_Memes: Work, Worry, and Showing Up | Episode 104

Show Notes

Hey, What's Up! It's Tommy.

There are parts of autism parenting that people just don't see, especially when you're trying to be a dad, provide for your family, and make sure your child gets every opportunity possible. In this episode, I'm catching up with my good friend Chris from Autism Dad Memes about that constant balance between working, being present, caring for our kids, and carrying fears about their future that can keep us awake at night. We also get into the boxes we're willing to check for our kids, from spelling and communication to diet, health, and other approaches that may help them make progress. Neither of us has all the answers, and we're not pretending we do, but we've both learned how valuable it is for special needs parents to hear from other families living through the same struggles. More than anything, I hope this conversation reminds you that when autism parenting feels lonely, there are other moms and dads out here who understand.

Key Takeaways

Chris and I talk about the difficult balance between being present as dads and working enough to provide for therapies, food, supplements, care, and everything else our families need.
We share some of the everyday realities of profound autism that don't get talked about enough, including bathroom challenges, communication struggles, physical discomfort, and worrying about who will care for our kids when we're gone.
I believe in checking the boxes for our kids. Something may help, or it may not, but Chris and I would rather investigate possibilities than always wonder if we missed something that could have helped.
Chris shares the progress Marissa has made with spelling and communication, along with the work their family has put into supporting her health, motor control, independence, and ability to communicate.
We talk about taking care of ourselves too, because staying healthy, managing stress, eating better, exercising, and making changes in our own lives can help us be there for our kids as long as God allows.

Resources Mentioned

Autism_Dad Memes - Chris shares his family's experiences, humor, autism awareness, and the realities of raising a daughter with profound autism. He mentions Autism Dad Memes on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.
The Missing Lyrics - A book by Tyler Hudson that I mention while talking about the fears parents can carry about their children's long-term care and future.
Spelling and communication - Chris talks about Marissa's experience with spelling, working with practitioners, and the progress she's made with communication and motor control.

If this conversation connects with you, I hope you'll keep listening and share the show with another parent who may need to hear it. You can find more episodes and information at spectrumincamouflage.com, and you can always reach out to me directly at tommy@spectrumincamouflage.com. I want this to be a place where we can talk about the hard stuff, celebrate progress, and remind each other that we don't have to figure all of this out alone.