Episodes

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...

Be an Energy Giver, Not Taker: Simple Ways to Rebuild Joy

Hey, What's Up! It's Tommy. Today I’m taking on something a little heavier than usual. I’ve been seeing a lot of noise online about comments from Donald Trump and RFK regarding autism. These statements have stirred up plenty of emotions, but instead of letting anger run wild, I want to slow things down, share my perspective as a dad of an amazing nonverbal autistic son, and talk about what’s really at the heart of all this. This isn’t about politics for me. It’s about our kids. Words like “horr...

Hey, What’s Up! It’s Tommy. Today I’m joined by my wife, Kailee. We recorded on the last night of summer break. We looked back on a calm and hopeful season at home, two new Great Pyrenees puppies, and how we plan to handle back to school. We share wins from the pool to the backyard and talk about why boundaries, simple routines, and steady love matter so much in our house. We also open up about Wyatt’s summer progress. Sleep has been more consistent. Safety is improving. Meltdowns feel lighter....

Hey, What's Up! It's Tommy. Today’s episode is a milestone for me, our 52nd episode! I recorded this one right down to the wire, but it’s special because it marks a full year of Spectrum in Camouflage. Over the past year, I’ve shared the highs, the lows, and everything in between—both in our family’s autism journey and in my own walk through mental strength and faith. I talk candidly about the moments of self-doubt that almost made me question continuing, and the timely encouragement from othe...

Hey, What’s Up! It’s Tommy. In this special episode, I’m joined by my incredible wife, Kailee, and we’re sitting down—way past our bedtime—to reflect on one full year of Spectrum in Camouflage. That’s 51 episodes straight! We talk about what this podcast has meant to us, how it's shaped our marriage, and the big changes we’ve seen in Wyatt’s journey this past year. Kailee also shares what it was like speaking at a recent Maximum Potential event and why our mission to support Wyatt’s health is a...

Hey, What’s Up! It’s Tommy. This episode is all about reflection. I’m looking back over the past year—where I was, where I am now, and how far we've come as a family. When I started this podcast, I didn’t know where it would go or if it would go anywhere. Now, we’re nearly one year in, and the growth—not just in Wyatt, but in all of us—is something I’m incredibly thankful for. Last summer was hard. There were meltdowns, isolation, and moments that tested every ounce of patience and hope. This s...

Hey, What’s Up! It’s Tommy. This episode gets real. I'm sharing what's going on inside my head and my heart. We’re talking nervous systems, mine and Wyatt’s, how it feels to live in a body that’s sometimes on overload, and what it means to give ourselves grace through it all. I also open up about the emotional waves that come with parenting a non-speaking autistic child and why I struggle with the idea of a “perfect day.” You’ll hear about gratitude, the importance of honest reflection, and why...

Hey, What’s Up! It’s Tommy. Summer isn’t over, and neither is our chance to make the most of it. In this episode, I’m checking in for a midsummer reset, sharing simple ways we’ve been intentional with our time, and giving an exciting update about our experience with Maximum Potential and what’s ahead for Wyatt. Too often, we let the fast pace of life or the lure of “what’s next” pull us out of the moment. But today, I’m encouraging you to slow down, look around, and remember: we still have time...

Hey, What’s Up! It’s Tommy. This week on Spectrum in Camouflage, I’m giving you a heartfelt recap of our Fourth of July Festival, unpacking what it means to serve others—even when it's uncomfortable—and celebrating a huge milestone in Wyatt’s journey. From volunteering over 115,000 steps’ worth of time (literally!) to some deep thoughts about fulfillment, discomfort, and rebuilding your mental strength, this one’s about doing the hard things—and why they matter. I open up about the emotional an...

Hey, What’s Up! It’s Tommy. In this special 4th of July episode, I take you behind the scenes of our small-town festival, an old-school ox roast that’s been going strong for 50 years. I talk about the thousands of pounds of meat we cook, the work our fire department puts in, and the joy it brings to our community. But more than that, I open up about how this tradition helped me move through grief, find purpose again, and stay connected to the people I love—even when times are hard. You’ll hear ...

Hey, What’s Up! It’s Tommy. In this episode of Spectrum in Camouflage, I’m laying it all out on the table about social media, screen time, and the way it’s changing our lives—for better and for worse. From my own late start in the social world (shoutout to MySpace!) to the wild world of TikTok and Facebook, I talk about how we can use these tools wisely—especially as parents, caretakers, and advocates for kids with autism. I share what I’ve learned about the emotional toll of scrolling, the ris...