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.

Hey, What’s Up! It’s Tommy. Kailee and I are sitting down to recap the holidays and talk through what really happened behind the scenes, Christmas, New Year’s, family visits, routines getting shaken up, and the emotional weight that can come with all of it when you’re parenting a child with profound autism.

This year was a big one for us. We did something we haven’t done in a long time, we hit multiple family stops in one day. That might sound normal to some people, but for us, it’s a whole different level of planning, nerves, and “what if” thoughts. The good news, it went really well, and it reminded us that progress is real, even when it feels slow.

We also talk about a big change I made, I took a break from alcohol for the first time in a very long time, and doing that during the holidays came with some unexpected mental fog, stress, and emotional swings. On top of that, Kailee’s been dealing with hormonal shifts, and we got real about what it looks like to give each other grace when both people are struggling at the same time.

We get into Wyatt’s recent scans and why we’re encouraged. His core score improved, his energy numbers jumped big, and we’re increasing the frequency of appointments because the new method seems to be helping. We also talk about what we’re learning about sugar, screens, routines, and why “small wins” are not small at all.

This episode is basically a reminder that progress takes time, the holidays can feel like a pressure cooker, and you are not alone if you feel relieved when it’s over.

• Holidays can be stressful for any family, but autism adds more variables and more pressure.
• A supportive village matters, especially when family understands food triggers and flexibility.
• Some progress looks small, like waiting calmly in a waiting room, but it’s actually huge.
• Giving your spouse grace is not optional, it’s survival, especially during stressful seasons.
• Screens and sugar can create big behavior swings, and cutting back can help a lot.
• Wyatt’s scan improvements were encouraging, especially the jump in his overall score and energy.
• Consistency builds momentum, even when it feels boring or slow.
• Maintenance can be mentally tough, because you don’t feel like you’re chasing a big goal.
• You can stack wins one day at a time, and then realize weeks have passed and growth happened.
• It’s okay to feel grateful the day went well and still feel relieved it’s done.

If this episode hit home, share it with someone who needs to hear they’re not alone. One share can make a difference for a family that feels isolated right now. If you’ve got questions about scans, chiropractic care, routines, diet, or anything we talked about, email me. We want to talk about what you’re dealing with too.

Visit spectrumincamouflage.com for more episodes and updates. Email: tommy@spectrumincamouflage.com\ Website: 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.