Autism Dadcast: Episode 15 — “From AFL to Autism Dad: Michael & Sunday’s Story”
In Episode 15 of Autism Dadcast, we’re joined by Michael Hibberd — former AFL premiership player turned firefighter — as he opens up for the first time about life as a dad to Sunday, his four-year-old daughter with profound autism.We chat about the early red flags, diagnosis, meltdowns in public, the emotional gut-punch of milestone checklists, and the unexpected joy in small wins (like hearing “Mum” for the first time).Michael shares how nothing — not pro sport, not firefighting — prepared him for the relentlessness of autism parenting. But he also talks about humour, resilience, and the importance of getting on the same page as your partner early on.This one’s raw, relatable, and full of the stuff most people don’t say out loud.Timestamps0:00 – Meet Michael1:22 – From footy to firefighting3:00 – Finding the podcast4:45 – About Sunday10:00 – Early signs & missed milestones13:00 – Diagnosis & the toll of the system18:00 – Early intervention & therapy21:00 – Public meltdowns & anxiety26:00 – Small wins that hit different30:00 – Food issues & sensory quirks33:00 – Routine, sleep & locks on doors36:00 – Funding, NDIS & red tape40:00 – Why nothing prepares you44:00 – Friends, family & being understood49:00 – Advice for other dads55:00 – The good, the bad & the [literal] ugly🧠 New episodes drop every Thursday at 6pm🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple & all major platforms📲 Guest application via Linktree in our Instagram bio#AutismDadcast #AFL #MichaelHibberd #AutismParenting #Neurodiversity #SEND #ParentingUnfiltered #AutismDad #RealTalk
This week we’re joined by Sean, dad to six-year-old twin girls Lily and Isla, who were both diagnosed as autistic last September. Sean opens up about the early signs — from their tunnel vision focus and delayed speech to sensory sensitivities and hearing loss — and how he first dismissed the idea that anything was “wrong.”He talks about the nursery teacher who first raised concerns, the emotional struggle of taking it personally, and the turning point when a speech therapist helped him accept the diagnosis and map out a plan for their development. We get into EHCP battles, the fight for one-to-one support to keep Isa safe, and the small changes that made a huge difference — like using routines, reducing meltdowns through communication, and putting toys in Tupperware so the girls had to ask for them.It’s an honest look at the mix of guilt, learning, and pride that comes with raising autistic children — plus the moments that make it all worth it, like Lily’s incredible number skills and Isla’s growing sentences.
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Autism Dadcast: Episode 13 — “ADHD, Executive Dysfunction & Fighting the System: With Jessie Hewitson”
Jessie Hewitson joins us for a deep, honest convo about ADHD — what it really is, what it isn’t, and why so many kids are being let down. Jessie’s an autistic journalist, mum, and author of How to Raise a Happy Autistic Child and How to Raise a Happy ADHD Child. She’s also ADHD herself, so everything she shares is lived.We talk about executive dysfunction, rejection sensitivity, what ADHD medication actually feels like, and how to support kids with Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA). Jessie also breaks down why EHCPs are so bloody hard to get, and how to stand your ground with the local authority without losing your mind.One of the most informative and relatable episodes we’ve recorded so far. If you’ve ever felt gaslit by the system or doubted yourself as a parent — this one’s for you.
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Autism Dadcast: Ep 12 — “Three Kids, Two Hours’ Sleep & One Rare Chromosome: Chris’s Story”
This week Gaz and Andy finally sit down with fellow autism-dad Chris—the guest who famously got stuck in Cardiff last month. He’s juggling three children under five, a 5-year-old son (Kit) with profound autism and mosaic Patau syndrome (mosaic trisomy 13), and the kind of sleep schedule that would scare a Navy SEAL. Expect honesty, gallows humour and a ton of practical hacks.
This week we dive head-first into the internet’s most stubborn rumour: “Do childhood vaccines cause autism?” Spoiler… they don’t — but the guilt, fear and rabbit-holes are real.In this honest, no-filter chat we cover:0:00 – Intro & why this feels risky2:00 – The Google spiral: how new parents meet the myth5:00 – Andrew Wakefield’s infamous 12-kid “study” (and the hidden money trail)10:00 – Massive follow-up research (500k to 14 million children = no link)18:00 – Parental guilt, regression stories & the search for someone to blame26:00 – Genes, environment, plastics, pollution — what might be happening34:00 – Trust issues: Big Pharma, politics & COVID fallout47:00 – Would you press the “remove autism” button? A raw debate52:00 – Take-aways: ditch the blame, back the science, support the kidsPlus: 1960s archive footage that proves autism existed pre-MMR, a shout-out to NeuroSpicy Apparel, and plans for next week’s guest dad.👍 Like, comment, subscribe, and share with anyone still worried about the jab.🔔 New episodes every week — because autistic families need real talk, not click-bait.
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