Episodes

Hey, What's Up! It's Tommy. Happy Friday, and welcome back to Spectrum in Camouflage. Today I’m joined again by Dr. Matt Hamilton from Maximum Potential, and we’re keeping this one practical and real. We’ve talked before about deeper neurology and chiropractic care, especially with sensory challenges, autism, and complex cases. This time we zoom out and talk about what “healthy living” actually looks like for busy families, especially during winter in Ohio when everyone feels trapped inside and...

Hey, What's Up! It's Tommy. In this episode, I’m sitting down with my new close friend, Zack Ponder from The UnSpecial Podcast. Zack is one of those guys you meet online and instantly think, man, I get him. He has a heart for profoundly affected families, even though he did not come into this space as a special needs parent. He came into it through calling, compassion, and a real desire to make sure families feel seen and supported. We get real fast. We talk about faith, contentment in hardshi...

Hey, What's Up! It's Tommy. On today’s episode of Spectrum in Camouflage, my wife Kaylee joins me and we talk about two sides of this life at the same time. The wins that are giving us real hope right now, and the heavy current events that have shaken the autism community. We start with what’s been going well. Wyatt has been more regulated lately, we’ve seen encouraging “soft signs” of progress, and our home has felt calmer. We also talk about what’s helped, including chiropractic-based nervou...

Hey, What's Up! It's Tommy. Today I’m hanging out with Chris, aka AutismDad_Memes, and this episode is one of those real-deal dad conversations that hits you in the chest a few times. Chris and I are both construction guys, both raising one neurotypical kid and one autistic kid, and we talk about what it’s like trying to hold it together, show up for our families, and still find ways to help other parents who are barely hanging on. Chris shares why he started using social media in the first pla...

Hey, What's Up! It's Tommy. In this episode of Spectrum in Camouflage, my wife Kailee and I sit down for a real, late-night conversation about a recent trip I took to Puerto Rico to speak at an event. We talk about what it was like to travel alone, speak in front of a big crowd, and stay sober through an environment where drinking is usually the normal thing. We also get honest about what was happening back home while I was gone. Kailee shares how she was feeling, what was weighing on her emot...

Hey, What’s Up! It’s Tommy. Kailee and I are sitting down to recap the holidays and talk through what really happened behind the scenes, Christmas, New Year’s, family visits, routines getting shaken up, and the emotional weight that can come with all of it when you’re parenting a child with profound autism. This year was a big one for us. We did something we haven’t done in a long time, we hit multiple family stops in one day. That might sound normal to some people, but for us, it’s a whole dif...

Hey, What's Up! It’s Tommy. Welcome back to Part 2 of my conversation with Dr. Matt Hamilton from Maximum Potential Chiropractic. If Part 1 opened the door to the idea of the “Perfect Storm,” this episode walks you deeper into how the nervous system actually develops, how regression can happen, and why healing often looks messy before it looks miraculous. We talked about real kids, real families, and real progress. Things like a child making eye contact and saying “I love you” for the first time...

Hey, What's Up! It's Tommy. I’m super stoked because I sat down with Dr. Matt Hamilton from Maximum Potential Chiropractic, and we kicked off a longer, science-heavy conversation about neurologically focused chiropractic care and something they call “The Perfect Storm.” This episode is Part 1, and I’m splitting it up so the ending is going to feel like a hard stop. That’s on purpose, because I want you to be able to actually absorb this stuff without your brain melting. We started by talking ab...

Hey, What’s Up! It’s Tommy. This is a short, post-Christmas encouragement for every parent who feels tired, stretched thin, or quietly overwhelmed after the holidays. Christmas can bring joy, but it can also bring stress, comparison, and emotional whiplash, especially for families raising autistic children or navigating special needs. In this episode, I want to remind you of something simple but powerful. As long as your kids have you, they have everything they need. And as long as you have you...

Hey, What's Up! It's Tommy. It’s the Friday before Christmas, and Kailee and I wanted to talk honestly about what the holidays can feel like in a home like ours, the good moments, the hard moments, and everything in between. We share how Wyatt has had some high-stimulation days lately, how a good chiropractic appointment and a calm day can feel like a huge win, and how we’ve learned to stop forcing “normal” holiday expectations. We talk about getting our Christmas tree as a family, keeping thin...

Hey, What's Up! It's Tommy. In this episode of Spectrum in Camouflage, I talk about some huge changes coming out of the CDC around the hepatitis B vaccine for newborns, what that means to us as autism and special needs families, and how I am learning to sit beside grief instead of living inside it. I share my own struggle with survivor’s guilt after losing a firefighter brother in our town, the weight of looking back at early vaccine decisions for Wyatt, and how all of this ties into mental stre...

Hey, What's Up! It's Tommy. In this episode of Spectrum in Camouflage, I sit down with my wife, Kailee, to talk about my recent Kentucky hunting trip, how it tested our anxiety after a tough year, and what it showed us about where Wyatt is right now as a non-speaking autistic child. We walk through what it felt like for me to leave, how Kailee held things down at home, how our two Great Pyrenees puppies pushed our whole family to spend more time outside, and what happened when we finally turned ...

Hey, What's Up! It’s Tommy. In this episode of Spectrum in Camouflage, I talk through the recent CDC autism-page update and how it hit me as a dad walking through autism every day. I unpack why this news stirred up so much emotion for me, how it connects to my son’s regression, and why I believe parents have to do their own research instead of handing all of their trust to big systems. I share my heart for both of my kids, the huge gap between “high functioning” and “profoundly affected” on the...

Hey, What's Up! It's Tommy. The holidays are coming, and I am here with my wife, Kailee, to talk about how we prepare our family for this season. We share what is working for Wyatt after a tough stretch post-anesthesia, how we lower stress with simple traditions, and how we protect sibling connection for Jesse. We talk about gluten-free and dairy-free swaps, magnesium and other calming tools, the power of small moments like Christmas lights and movie nights, and why flexible plans can turn a ha...

Hey, What’s Up! It’s Tommy. Today I brought my favorite co-host back on the mic, my wife Kailee. We talk about the real stuff, like why our non-speaking autistic son, Wyatt, needs anesthesia for dental work, what recovery looks like at home, and how we advocate for simple accommodations that make tough days doable. We share waiting room wins, a funny fudgesicle start, the time-change chaos, and what helped when Wyatt hit a rough patch afterward. We also cover our current support stack, like Camu...

Hey, What’s Up! It’s Tommy. Holidays can feel heavy for families like ours. In this early holiday prep episode, I open up about why November speeds by, how food and sensory triggers shape our plans, and what it looks like to protect our kids while still building joy. I share practical ideas for autism-friendly gatherings, from gluten-free swaps to simple safety tools, and I talk about community, encouragement, and choosing traditions that fit your family. If this season feels loud, fast, or lone...

Hey, What’s Up! It’s Tommy. Today I open up about a recent experience with my son, Wyatt, and what happened after his dental procedure that required anesthesia. I share how we saw short-term regression, what that looked like in real life, and the practical steps we’re using to help him feel better. If you’re a parent or caregiver walking a similar path, I hope this gives you clarity, comfort, and a few simple ideas you can try right away. Key Takeaways Anesthesia can trigger short-term regress...

Hey, What’s Up! It’s Tommy. Life gets heavy. Work pulls one way. Parenting pulls another. Autism brings unique highs and hard days. In this episode I share four simple habits that helped me climb out of a rough season and keep my mental health steady. No expensive programs. No perfect routines. Just practical steps that fit real life. I talk about finding your five trusted people, building community, keeping faith at the center, and using small daily wins to carry you through the tough stuff. H...

Hey, What's Up! It’s Tommy. Parenting in an autism home asks a lot from everyone. Today I talk honestly about how we try to love both of our kids well, especially our daughter Jessie as she grows up alongside her brother Wyatt. I share the moments I have missed, what I am learning, and how simple, steady time together can protect a child’s heart. From celebrating every win to explaining what is happening in the moment, this episode digs into real family life and practical steps that help sibling...

Hey, What’s Up! It’s Tommy. In this episode of Spectrum in Camouflage, I’m talking about something that hits close to home, presuming competence. As a dad raising an autistic child, I’ve learned that one of the most powerful things we can do is treat our kids as capable, aware, and worthy of respect, even when they can’t express it in the ways we expect. Fall is here, life is moving fast, and while I talk about the beauty of the season, I also discuss the importance of giving our kids grace, of...

Hey, What’s Up! It’s Tommy. I’m sharing a personal opinion and where my head and heart are right now. The last year has been a roller coaster for me. I’m feeling stronger again and working hard on my health, faith, and mindset. Today I speak as a dad of a non-speaking child who needs high support. I love every family on the spectrum, and I also need space to say this with care: please be gentle if your experience looks different from ours. The public fights, politics, and anger hurt the very kid...

Hey, What's Up! It’s Tommy. This episode is a heart-to-heart on anxiety, what it looks like inside our homes, and why our phones, feeds, and constant news can fuel it. I share how doomscrolling ramps up my nervous system, what my wife changed to feel calmer, and why stepping away from the screen helps me show up as a better dad, husband, and human. I talk about blue light, sleep, dopamine loops, and that heavy, dark feeling that spreads after big news events. Most of all, this is an invite to li...

Hey, What’s Up! It’s Tommy. Today, I discuss how holding onto negative thoughts can wear down both your body and mind. The last year brought a lot, from business pressure to parenting through autism to a close friend’s death. That weight showed up in my sleep, patience, focus, and energy. I checked the basics, then ran complete blood work. The results indicated that I am healthy, but I am deeply stressed. That was a relief. It also pushed me to rebuild with gratitude, better inputs, and a mindse...

Show Notes Hey, What’s Up! It’s Tommy. Life at our house has been a roller coaster. Some days are tough. Some days feel calm. Lately, I feel hopeful. I used to set deadlines for Wyatt’s progress and fall apart when the date slipped. I do not do that now. I focus on the moment and the next small step. That shift has changed me, and I think it is helping our family. In this episode, I share what is working for us right now: tight home routines, a calmer nervous system, better sleep, and learning...