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 nervous system care at Maximum Potential, paying attention to screen time, and pushing ourselves to get outside even when winter in Ohio is brutal.

Then we shift into the harder part. We talk about the real fear many autism parents carry, what happens when families feel isolated and unsupported, and why stories of caregiver despair and tragic outcomes should not be ignored or brushed aside. Kaylee shares the deep weight of “who will care for my child when I’m gone,” and we both talk about why community, support, and showing up for one another matters so much.

We also share what’s helped us stay grounded: staying in the moment, guarding the stories we tell ourselves, leaning on faith, and keeping our marriage strong. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, we want you to hear this clearly, you are not alone.

• Small progress is still progress. The “soft signs” matter, like Wyatt signing more, shaking his head “no,” and negotiating in simple ways.
• Nervous system regulation is a real focus for our family. We share how scans and regular adjustments at Maximum Potential have been part of Wyatt’s routine.
• Screen time can change everything. Too much can push dysregulation, and a hard reset can lead to a calmer day.
• Winter affects mental health more than people admit. Getting outside, even for a short time, can break the cycle and help everyone.
• Date night doesn’t have to be fancy. A walk, yard work, or sitting together without interruptions still counts.
• Many autism families are carrying heavy fear and isolation. We need more awareness, more support, and more people willing to show up.
• Faith and mental strength matter. Peace, perspective, and staying present can keep you from spiraling into the future.
• Be relentless in love. If you want to support a special needs family, don’t wait for them to call, take the uncomfortable step and check in.

If this episode hit home for you, please share it with another parent, friend, church group, or anyone who needs hope and perspective. Sharing the show helps it reach the people who need it most. Visit spectrumincamouflage.com for more.

Email me anytime at tommy@spectrumincamouflage.com.

• We’re on TikTok: tiktok.com/@spectrum_in_camouflage
• Join our Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/4002769846662357
• See us on Instagram: instagram.com/spectrum_in_camouflage

Together, we can create a community to support autistic kids and their families. If you have questions or ideas or want to share your journey, email me at tommy@spectrumincamouflage.com.

Let’s learn, grow, and make a difference, one step, one piece of the puzzle, one child at a time.

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 place, even though he didn’t grow up on MySpace or Facebook like a lot of people did. He talks openly about recovery, service work, and how that “helping others” mindset shifted from 12-step rooms to special needs families. We also get into the mental health side of all this, including the heavy stuff, the stuff that makes you realize how close some parents are to the edge, and why dads need to talk more instead of swallowing everything until it wrecks them.

The biggest topic, though, is Spelling to Communicate (S2C) and letterboard communication. Chris explains how they discovered it, why they drove to Florida to get help, and how it completely changed what they believed their daughter was capable of. We also get into apraxia and the brain-body disconnect, and how that one shift can change the way you talk to your child, teach your child, and respect what’s really going on inside them.

This one is funny in parts, raw in parts, and honestly hopeful the whole way through.

Key Takeaways

• Dads need community too.

Moms talk and share, dads tend to lock it down. That has to change.

• Mental health is not optional.

If we are not okay as parents, it spills into everything our kids need from us.

• They’re in there.

Autistic kids hear, understand, and feel far more than many people assume.

• Stop the baby talk and the “they’re not here” talk.

Talking around kids like they’re not present is disrespectful and damaging.

• Apraxia and brain-body disconnect can change everything.

A child not responding does not automatically mean they don’t understand.

• S2C and letterboards are a real option for some kids.

It’s not a magic wand, it’s a process that takes time and motor-building work.

• Not every therapy is trash, and not every professional is wrong.

Some are amazing, some are misinformed, and some are harmful. Parents have to stay alert.

• Small moments matter.

A simple “hi” from a kid in a restaurant can stick with you forever, because it feels like pure humanity.

Visit spectrumincamouflage.com to listen to all episodes and keep up with what we’re doing.

Chris on Instagram and TikTok: AutismDad_Memes

Contact: tommy@spectrumincamouflage.comWebsite: spectrumincamouflage.com

• We’re on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@spectrum_in_camouflage

• Join our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/4002769846662357

• See us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spectrum_in_camouflage/

Together, we can create a community to support autistic kids and their families.

Let’s learn, grow, and make a difference, one step, one piece of the puzzle, one child at a time.

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 emotionally, and a couple changes that helped her start feeling like herself again. We talk about parenting stress, the pressure to hold it together, routines that help, and the reminder that you never really know what someone else is carrying.

By the end, we land on a simple message that matters a lot to us right now: be kind, because the person in front of you might be fighting a battle you cannot see.

• Sobriety can bring clarity you did not realize you were missing. I share how alcohol was feeding my anxiety, not helping it, and how sobriety has changed my mindset, emotions, and presence.
• Big moments feel different when you are fully clear. Speaking to 200 to 250 people felt huge, but I had surprisingly low anxiety, and I truly believe God had His hand in that whole trip.
• You are not the only one living this life. I was blown away by how many people came up to share their own autism stories, fears, and family struggles, including people I have known in business for years.
• Kailee’s reminder for parents: your struggle might not even be about your kids. It might be exhaustion, isolation, hormones, stress, or feeling like you never get time alone.
• Caffeine and constant grinding can wreck your nervous system. Kailee realized she was taking in around 1,000 mg of caffeine a day, and cutting back made a noticeable difference.
• Food freedom matters. Tracking macros can help some people, but for others it can trigger restriction and guilt. Finding what works for your mental health matters.
• Kindness is not small. Being the kind person in a stranger’s day might be the thing that helps them keep going.

If you know a parent who feels alone right now, please share this episode with them. A simple share can be the difference between someone feeling isolated and someone feeling supported.

Visit spectrumincamouflage.com
Email tommy@spectrumincamouflage.com

• We’re on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@spectrum_in_camouflage
• Join our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/4002769846662357
• See us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spectrum_in_camouflage/

Together, we can create a community to support autistic kids and their families.
If you have questions or ideas or want to share your journey, email me at tommy@spectrumincamouflage.com.

Let’s learn, grow, and make a difference, one step, one piece of the puzzle, one child at a time.