The episode marks Transforming Autism’s Big Give Small Charities Week campaign, where all donations are doubled between 22nd June – 29th June 2026.

Donations can be made HERE.

In this episode, Pip Leaver (Trustee) interviews Transforming Autism Founder Guy Shahar about the story behind the charity, his family’s journey with autism, and why parent-child relationships are at the heart of lasting change.

Guy shares how autism first entered his life: through his own experience as an undiagnosed autistic child, and later through his son, whose early withdrawal and overwhelm led Guy and his wife into a difficult search for understanding and support. He talks openly about grief, confusion, the limits of mainstream services at the time, and the moment that pushed his family to look elsewhere.

The conversation explores how one family’s journey became a book, a TED Talk, and eventually a charity dedicated to helping parents build deep, accepting, trust-based relationships with their autistic children.

Guy explains why self-acceptance is so vital, why parents are the vehicle for that message, and why the goal is not to “fix” the child but to help them feel safe, valued, and fully themselves.

What you’ll learn (bullets)

• How autism first became a central part of Guy Shahar’s family life

• Why early fear and grief are common for parents, and why they should not be judged for that

• How poor professional support can increase trauma for families

• Why Transforming Autism focuses on parents and relationships, not “fixing” the child

• How self-acceptance becomes a foundation for autistic wellbeing

• Why small charities can offer focused, specialist support that larger systems often cannot

• How donations to the Big Give campaign help Transforming Autism reach more families

This episode is shared for information and support. It is not medical advice. If you are worried about your child’s well-being, contact your GP or relevant professional support.

If you have found this episode helpful and would like to support Transforming Autism’s work, you can make a donation here: https://tinyurl.com/tap-donate

Every contribution means we can support even more young Autistic children to fulfil their potential and, with their families, live happy, fulfilling lives.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Episode 8 of The Beautiful Reality of Autism, Guy Shahar is joined by Paul Isaacs, autism speaker and advocate. Paul grew up going through mainstream schooling without specialist support, and he describes being non-speaking until around the age of eight, alongside major information-processing challenges.

Paul shares his childhood experiences of bullying and explains how community attitudes can shape whether difference is met with curiosity or hostility. He reflects on his parents’ efforts to support him with limited information, and the long-term impact of deficit-focused school meetings that centered on what a child ‘doesn’t do’ rather than what can help.

A central message of this conversation is: do not make assumptions. Paul breaks down why communication differences are not the same as intelligence, and why it is vital to ‘presume competence’ and protect a child’s dignity. He also introduces Donna Williams’ ‘fruit salad’ analogy as a way to understand autism in a person-centered, three-dimensional way.

This is a powerful episode for parents and educators who want to build understanding, reduce harm, and help autistic children grow up with a stable sense of self.

What you’ll learn

• Why communication differences are not the same as intelligence
• How bullying can be driven by community attitudes and ‘difference’ stigma
• The risks of deficit-only framing in schools and professional meetings
• What ‘presume competence’ looks like in day-to-day parenting and education
• Why diagnosis and understanding are shaped by the culture around a family
• Exposure anxiety and why being ‘noticed’ can be overwhelming
• Donna Williams’ ‘fruit salad’ analogy for a person-centered view of autism

This episode is shared for information and support. It is not medical advice. If you are worried about your child’s well-being, contact your GP or relevant professional support.

If you have found this episode helpful and would like to support Transforming Autism’s work, you can make a donation here: https://tinyurl.com/tap-donate

Every contribution means we can support even more young Autistic children to fulfil their potential and, with their families, live happy, fulfilling lives.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Episode 7 of The Beautiful Reality of Autism, Guy Shahar is joined by Dr Janet Rose, Principal of Norland College, co-developer of Transforming Autism’s First Steps programme, and a parent of an autistic son.

Janet shares her early parenting journey and the challenges that didn’t fit the stereotypes: a child who was an early talker and early reader, but who struggled with sleep, sensory sensitivities, change, and emotional regulation (especially at home). She describes the fear, self-blame and tension that can build when parents judge surface behaviour, rather than understanding what is happening underneath.

Janet explains emotion coaching: a strengths-based, relationship-led approach that looks ‘under the iceberg’ of behaviour. It validates the child’s feelings, supports calming and co-regulation first, and then teaches self-regulation skills over time. She shares vivid examples of how this can shift a child’s language and behaviour, and how it also requires adult self-regulation.

This episode is a practical reset for parents: compassion without permissiveness, boundaries without shame, and connection as the pathway to growth.

What you’ll learn (bullets)

• Why behaviour is the ‘tip of the iceberg’ and what sits underneath
• How emotion coaching supports co-regulation and self-regulation
• Why sensory sensitivities and transitions can trigger stress responses
• How to validate feelings without accepting harmful behaviour
• Why adult self-regulation is central to helping a child regulate
• Why progress takes time, and what realistic change looks like
• How a strengths-based view changes family life

This episode is shared for information and support. It is not medical advice. If you are worried about your child’s well-being, contact your GP or relevant professional support.

If you have found this episode helpful and would like to support Transforming Autism’s work, you can make a donation here: https://tinyurl.com/tap-donate

Every contribution means we can support even more young Autistic children to fulfil their potential and, with their families, live happy, fulfilling lives.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.