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Do you feel overwhelmed or out of control when trying to support your autistic child? Maybe you continually try new ways to connect, but you find yourself being drained while your child struggles.

Dr. Jonathan Chism, father and president of the Autism Dad Social Club, walks us through how to actually build connection and help autistic children thrive, without losing ourselves in the process.

As they continue their conversation, Benoit Harpey and Jonathan discuss everyday activities that help families bond and how communities can adapt to the needs of autistic children. They also discuss the importance of parents slowing down and caring for themselves, because you can’t pour from an empty cup. Jonathan wraps up with an encouraging message for parents, reminding them that this journey is meant to be walked one step at a time.

In This Episode:

• How to find activities your child enjoys and use them to build connection
• Ways to make time for personal growth and self-care
• Why support networks matter for parents and children
• How schools, churches, and community organizations can become more inclusive
• Creating a home where your child feels safe and supported
• Why taking parenting one day at a time helps you move forward

You don't have to have the whole journey figured out. Start with what you can do: building connection, support, and deeper care today. It takes a village, so don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Connect with Dr. Chiz:
🌐 https://autismdadssocialclub.org/
📷 Instagram: @autismdadshtown
📷 Facebook: Autism Dads Social Club

Resources & Support:
📩 parents@speakupforkidspbc.org
📷 @speakupforkidspbc
🌐 speakupforkidspbc.org/steady-ground-parenting
📅 Local to Palm Beach? See our events: speakupforkidspbc.org/events

Want to be featured?
🎙️ parents@speakupforkidspbc.org

Send us Fan Mail

It can often be difficult to know what your autistic child really needs, or how to respond when their behavior becomes challenging.

Dr. Jonathan Chism, co-founder of the Autism Dad Social Club, has experienced that firsthand. When his son was diagnosed with autism, Jonathan struggled with denial and tried to push his son toward what he thought was “normal.” Over time, learning from autistic voices and paying closer attention to his son's unique ways of communicating changed the way he parented.

In this episode, Benoit Harpey sits down with Jonathan to explore what it means to listen to an autistic child. They discuss why meltdowns aren't simply misbehavior, how processing time can affect communication, and how parents can learn to recognize the cues their children use to express their needs.

Jonathan also shares why parents need community and time to recharge, how the Autism Dad Social Club helps fathers feel less isolated, and what he has learned about accepting and embracing his son for who he is.

In This Episode:

• Why accepting your child's neurodiversity can change the way you parent
• How to listen for communication beyond words
• Why meltdowns can be communication under stress rather than misbehavior
• How giving your child more processing time can improve communication
• Resources and voices that help parents deepen connection
• Why parents need community, support, and time to recharge

Parenting a neurodivergent child can be tough, but it can also be incredibly rewarding. As you learn to understand your child's unique needs and ways of communicating, you can build a deeper connection and, like Jonathan and his son, become best buds.

Connect with Dr. Chiz:
🌐 https://autismdadssocialclub.org/
📷 Instagram: @autismdadshtown
📷 Facebook: Autism Dads Social Club

Resources & Support:
📩 parents@speakupforkidspbc.org
📷 @speakupforkidspbc
🌐 speakupforkidspbc.org/steady-ground-parenting
📅 Local to Palm Beach? See our events: speakupforkidspbc.org/events

Want to be featured?
🎙️ parents@speakupforkidspbc.org

Send us Fan Mail

When your teenager says, “I don’t care,” it can be easy to hear disrespect or assume they simply don’t care about what happened. But sometimes, there’s more underneath the words.

In this Groundwork episode, we hear one parent’s experience with her daughter after a difficult situation at school. What initially sounded like indifference turned out to be hurt, embarrassment, and frustration that her daughter didn’t know how to express.

This story offers a simple reminder for parents: pause before you react, listen before you assume, and try to understand the full situation.

We also learn why giving your teenager grace doesn’t mean ignoring accountability. You can acknowledge their feelings while still helping them learn how to handle conflict and communicate more appropriately.

“I don’t care” isn’t the end of the conversation, but where the real one begins.

Resources & Support:
📩 parents@speakupforkidspbc.org
📷 @speakupforkidspbc
🌐 speakupforkidspbc.org/steady-ground-parenting
📅 Local to Palm Beach? See our events: speakupforkidspbc.org/events

Have a story to share?
🎙️ parents@speakupforkidspbc.org