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Watching your child step into independence can be the proudest moment and the most unsettling one. Graham Clark joins us to speak honestly about what happened when his son Bradley, an autistic young adult, moved into his own home and Graham’s full-time carer role began to change. What do you do when the routines that once held you together disappear, and the question “Who am I now?” will not go away?

We talk about carer identity and why so many parents lose themselves in survival mode. Graham shares what burnout looked like for him, how carrying every decision became a “burden”, and why building a team around your loved one can protect your mental health. He also opens up about the darker stretch of uncertainty and grief that followed the transition, the isolation of having no support network for himself, and receiving a PTSD diagnosis in 2023. Therapy becomes a turning point, not as a quick fix but as the steady maintenance that helps him notice early warning signs and respond with care.

You will also hear practical guidance on disability support in Australia and the NDIS space: finding the right support workers, relying on word of mouth, letting an established team mentor new staff, and taking safety seriously with checks and qualifications like Certificate III and NDIS screening. We finish with a grounded reminder that asking for help can start with one call to a helpline, your GP, or services like Beyond Blue and Carer Gateway. If this resonates, subscribe to the Empowered Parent podcast, share the episode with a fellow carer, and leave a review so more families can find it.

danabaltutis.com, mytherapyhouse.com.au, https://mytherapyhouse.com.au/your-childs-therapy-journey/ https://www.danabaltutis.com/services