Episodes

Hey, What's Up! It's Tommy. Welcome to a brand-new year! In today’s episode, I’m reflecting on the joys and challenges of navigating the holidays with an autistic child while sharing personal experiences, lessons, and encouragement for parents and caregivers in the autism community. From celebrating small victories to the importance of building a supportive village around you, this episode dives deep into what it means to advocate for and uplift our kids. Let’s talk about keeping high standards...

What's Up! Tommy here. Parenting a child with autism comes with unique challenges, especially when it comes to managing stress and anxiety. In this episode, I open up about anxiety and practical steps to support mental health. Whether you're a parent, caregiver, or family member trying to understand, this episode offers insights, encouragement, and tools to navigate the emotional load of special needs parenting. Key Takeaways Stress and Anxiety Are Real: Parenting an autistic child often bring...

What's Up! It’s Tommy, and I’m here with a heartfelt episode of Spectrum in Camouflage to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and reflect on the past year. This season can bring its share of challenges, especially for families navigating autism or special needs, but it also offers so many opportunities to reflect, give thanks, and find joy in the little moments. In this episode, I’m sharing my thoughts on gratitude, finding peace in the chaos, and focusing on the true meaning of Christmas. I ta...

What's Up! It’s Tommy, and I’m so excited to bring you a special episode of Spectrum in Camouflage. Today, I’m joined by my amazing wife, Kailee, for her podcast debut! We’re talking all things holidays—how we’ve embraced a gluten-free lifestyle, the ups and downs of navigating family gatherings, and how we make the season joyful for our neurodiverse family. From baking gluten-free cutout cookies to handling overstimulation during holiday chaos, we’re sharing what’s worked for us, what hasn’t, ...

What's Up! It’s Tommy! In this episode, I’m digging into a question a friend recently asked me: How can you offer help to a family raising a child with autism without overstepping? That got me thinking about our journey, the struggles we’ve faced, and the things I’ve learned along the way. I’m sharing some personal stories—from a snowy walk with my dog to a moment of clarity thanks to 1 Peter 5:7. I also open up about the mental challenges I’ve been working through, the importance of gratitude,...

What's Up! It’s Tommy here! The holidays are here, and we all know what that means: a mix of joy, stress, and a lot of running around—especially when you’re navigating life with a special needs child. In this episode, I’m sharing how we tackle family gatherings, manage dietary needs, and focus on what really matters during this busy season. From a successful Thanksgiving at my grandparents’ house to prepping for Christmas, I’ll walk you through what’s worked for us, what hasn’t, and why giving t...

What's Up? It's Tommy with Spectrum in Camouflage! In this episode, I reflect on navigating family gatherings during the holiday season as a parent of an autistic child. With Thanksgiving upon us, I share insights on managing the chaos, embracing the unexpected, and prioritizing moments that create lasting memories for our kids—no matter how unconventional those moments might seem. Let’s dive into creating a family-centered holiday experience where grace, adaptability, and love take center stag...

In this episode of Spectrum and Camouflage, I discuss MTHFR gene mutations and their potential impact on health—both for us as caregivers and for our children. While this episode gets a little more technical than usual, it’s an important one for parents of children with autism and anyone looking to improve their overall health. I cover what the MTHFR mutation is, how it affects folate processing and detoxification, and why understanding it can make a huge difference in managing conditions like ...

In this episode of Spectrum in Camouflage, I take a slight detour to discuss an important topic: mental strength and personal growth. Drawing from Ed Mylett’s book Max Out Your Life, I share insights that have deeply impacted my approach to parenting, business, and personal development. The book is a quick, practical read filled with actionable advice on creating strong habits, managing your time effectively, and reprogramming your mindset to achieve your goals. Whether you’re navigating the ch...

In this episode of Spectrum in Camouflage, I focus on the growing burnout crisis affecting special education teachers and the need for more support from the entire community. As the father of an autistic child, I understand the challenges that teachers face in working with children who have high and unique needs. I discuss the immense pressures in the special education field, sharing why we all need to step up and recognize the work these teachers do each day. With autism rates on the rise and ...

In this episode of Spectrum in Camouflage, I wrap up stories from my recent Colorado hunting trip and delve into the importance of giving yourself grace as a parent—especially when raising a special needs child. Through personal stories, I discuss the parallels between hunting and fatherhood, from learning patience to honoring personal convictions. After a challenging experience where I chose not to take a shot at an elk due to ethical considerations, I came back home to face the complex reality...

Today, I reflect on powerful lessons learned from a hunting trip in Colorado and how they apply to parenting, especially as a parent of a special needs child. I share a story about my friend’s perseverance in hunting and how that same resilience is essential in parenting, where the “prizes” are small but monumental milestones, like Wyatt learning to take himself to the bathroom. I discuss the importance of avoiding rigid timelines for our children’s growth, especially in a world that can someti...

In this episode of Spectrum in Camouflage, I recorded from a hunting trip in Colorado and discussed how anxieties and fears can drain our energy before an event even starts. I also shared personal struggles with long road trips, family dynamics, and the exhaustion that comes with balancing personal needs with caring for my son, Wyatt, who is on the autism spectrum. I emphasize the importance of embracing each new day as a fresh start. Through pep talks, faith, and practical strategies, I discus...

Episode Summary: In this episode I take a deep dive into how diet changes have impacted our autism journey with Wyatt. From going gluten-free to cutting out dairy and sugar, I share our personal experiences and the significant changes we’ve seen in Wyatt’s behavior and overall health. I also talk about the importance of finding the right doctor, understanding gut health, and using natural supplements like magnesium to help manage stress and anxiety, both for Wyatt and for myself as a parent. T...

Love and Laughter: Creating Special Moments in the Everyday Struggles In this episode, I’m opening up about the real-life challenges of parenting a child with autism and how tough it can be to navigate modern lifestyle expectations. From the outside, social media can make it seem like everyone’s living a perfect life—taking vacations, going to the zoo, and enjoying picture-perfect moments. But for families like ours, just going to a county fair or a football game can feel overwhelming. I share...

In this episode of Spectrum in Camouflage, I open up about the real challenges of navigating the school system while raising an autistic child. From the early days of preschool, dealing with mixed diagnoses, and the ups and downs of special education, I share personal stories of our journey with Wyatt. I talk about the importance of advocating for your child and how essential it is to communicate effectively with teachers and family members. I also dive into our frustrations with COVID, homescho...

In this episode of Spectrum in Camouflage, I dive into the balancing act of family life, raising an autistic child, and finding time for my personal passion—hunting. I share an honest and raw reflection on a recent hunting trip that I almost didn’t take because of the demands of caring for my son, Wyatt. Struggling with guilt, responsibility, and the need for personal space, I open up about how hunting brings me peace and how my wife’s strength has allowed me to find moments of solitude. But, th...

Hey everyone! In today’s episode, I’m reflecting on the importance of family support, building mental strength, and facing challenges head-on. As I prepare for my annual hunting trip to Colorado, I share how these trips have really helped me develop resilience—both mentally and physically. I also talk about how much my wife’s encouragement means to me. Without her pushing me to go when I feel unsure, I wouldn’t be doing half the things I am today. Whether it’s hunting or life as a father to an a...

In this episode, I dive into the topic of mental health—though I prefer to call it "mental strength"—especially in the context of raising a child with autism. I share some personal struggles, including anxiety, stress, and panic attacks, and how hunting and stepping into uncomfortable situations have helped me build resilience over the years. I talk about the importance of getting outside your comfort zone and how consciously facing discomfort can lead to mental growth and peace. From hunting i...

Welcome to the first episode of Spectrum in Camouflage, a podcast that explores life on the spectrum through the unique lens of host Tommy Rhine. Tommy is not only the dad of Wyatt, a bright and energetic child with autism, but also the dad to Jessie, his daughter, the husband of Kailee, and a dedicated small business owner. In this debut episode, Tommy introduces himself and his family, giving listeners an intimate glimpse into their daily lives and challenges as an autistic family. Tommy is m...