In this episode of the Autism Family Resource Podcast, Brian Keene talks with Dr. Jonathan Chism, father, educator, and founder of the Autism Dad Social Club. Dr. Chism shares how his own parenting journey led him to create a space where fathers of autistic children could connect, recharge, share resources, and build real community.

Together, Brian and Dr. Chism discuss why dads can sometimes feel isolated, why support matters for fathers as much as it does for children, and how community can help families feel less alone. Dr. Chism also explains how the Autism Dad Social Club creates social opportunities for dads, children, and families through meetups, family events, resource sharing, and virtual connection.

This conversation is a warm reminder that parenting does not have to happen in isolation. When fathers find community, they can support one another, share wisdom, and help create a wider circle of care for their children.

Topics Covered

• Why Dr. Chism started the Autism Dad Social Club

• The importance of community for fathers of autistic children

• How dads can support each other through shared experiences

• Creating social opportunities for autistic children and families

• Why respite and connection matter for parents

• How dads outside of Houston can begin finding or building community

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction
00:41 What is the Autism Dad Social Club?
02:12 Why Dr. Chism started the club
05:43 Challenges that led him to seek community
13:12 What dads can expect at a meetup
20:11 Advice for dads who do not have community yet
24:20 Why support for fathers matters

Memorable Quote

"Once you bond with other fathers, you feel a sense of pride. Like, man, I parent an autistic child, and we're out here doing it."

About the Guest

Dr. Jonathan Chism is a father, educator, and founder of the Autism Dad Social Club, a community created to support dads of autistic children through connection, social events, resource sharing, and family-centered gatherings. Based in the Houston area, the club helps fathers build brotherhood, reduce isolation, and create supportive spaces for their children and families.

Resources Mentioned

• Autism Dad Social Club

• Fatherhood Huddle

• Autism Society of Texas

• Autism Society

• Autism Speaks Walk

• WhatsApp

About the Host

Brian Keene is the host of the Autism Family Resource Podcast and founder of Pure Hearts Therapy. Pure Hearts Therapy provides home-based occupational therapy, speech therapy, physical therapy, and parent coaching services with a neurodiversity-affirming approach.

Subscribe & Connect

If this episode resonated with you, please consider sharing it with another parent who might benefit from this conversation.

Listen and subscribe to the Autism Family Resource Podcast:
https://pod.link/1591840956

Explore more resources for families at:
https://pureheartstherapy.com

Have you ever wondered if the world will truly understand your child for who they are?

In this powerful and deeply reflective conversation, Brian sits down with father, educator, and Autism Dads Social Club founder Jonathan Chism to explore the intersection of race and disability. Together, they unpack what it means to raise an autistic child while navigating cultural expectations, systemic challenges, and the pressure of being seen and understood in public spaces.

Jonathan shares how his perspective as a Black father has shaped his parenting journey, including unlearning traditional expectations, embracing patience, and learning to truly meet his child where he is. This episode dives into advocacy, acceptance, and the importance of seeing your child as a whole human being, not just a diagnosis.

If you've ever felt the weight of judgment in public or questioned your approach as a parent, this conversation will remind you that connection, not correction, is where growth begins.

Topics Covered

• The intersection of race and disability in parenting
• How cultural expectations can shape parenting approaches
• Understanding processing time and routines in autism
• Letting go of societal judgment in public settings
• The importance of joining your child's world
• Seeing your child as "different, not less"

Memorable Quote

"Your child is not a problem to fix. They are a person to know, connect with, and celebrate."

About the Guest
Jonathan Chism is a father, educator, and historian specializing in African-American religious history. He is also the founder of the Autism Dads Social Club, a community focused on supporting fathers raising autistic children through connection, advocacy, and shared experience.

Resources Mentioned

• Uniquely Human by Barry Prizant
• Autism Dads Social Club

About the Host
Brian Keene is an occupational therapist and founder of Pure Hearts Therapy, a pediatric therapy practice based in Arizona that provides neurodiversity-affirming, play-based services for children and families. He is passionate about helping parents feel confident, supported, and empowered in their journey.

Subscribe & Connect

If this episode resonated with you, please consider sharing it with another parent who might benefit from this conversation.

Listen and subscribe to the Autism Family Resource Podcast:
https://pod.link/1591840956

Explore more resources for families at:
https://pureheartstherapy.com

Parenting an autistic child can bring moments of joy, uncertainty, growth, and deep reflection. In this episode of the Autism Family Resource Podcast, Brian Keene sits down with Dr. Jonathan Chism, also known as Dr. Chiz, a father, professor, minister, and co-founder of the Autism Dad Social Club.

Dr. Chism shares the honest story of his family's journey raising his non-speaking autistic son. He opens up about the early shock and denial after diagnosis, the hope that therapy might "fix" autism, and the powerful shift that happened when he began listening to autistic voices and embracing a different perspective.

Instead of focusing on changing his son, Dr. Chism learned to focus on connection, acceptance, and supporting his son's communication and independence. In this conversation, he reflects on the lessons autism has taught him about empathy, patience, inclusion, and what it really means to show up as a father.

This episode is especially meaningful for parents who may feel overwhelmed early in their journey. It's a reminder that growth happens not only for children, but for parents too.

Topics Covered

• Processing an autism diagnosis as a parent
• Moving from denial toward acceptance in the autism journey
• Parenting a non-speaking autistic child
• Listening to autistic voices and lived experiences
• Supporting communication through AAC devices
• Building strong father-child relationships
• Encouraging independence and life skills
• Finding community as an autism parent

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to Dr. Jonathan Chism
01:21 Dr. Chism's background and family
03:08 Receiving an autism diagnosis at age two and a half
07:57 Moving from denial toward understanding autism
10:40 Learning from autistic voices and shifting perspective
24:26 Advice for parents feeling overwhelmed

Memorable Quote

"Be patient with yourself. Your child is a gift, and this journey will create a new normal."
— Dr. Jonathan Chism

About the Guest

Dr. Jonathan Chism, also known as Dr. Chiz, is an associate professor of history at the University of Houston Downtown, an ordained minister, and the co-founder of the Autism Dad Social Club. As a father raising a non-speaking autistic son, he is passionate about supporting fathers, promoting autism acceptance, and helping families build meaningful connections with their children.

Resources Mentioned

• Autism Dad Social Club
• Uniquely Human by Dr. Barry Prizant
• AAC communication tools such as TouchChat

About the Host

Brian Keene is a pediatric occupational therapist and founder of Pure Hearts Therapy, a neurodiversity-affirming therapy practice providing in-home pediatric therapy services for families in Arizona.

Through the Autism Family Resource Podcast, Brian shares practical tools, expert conversations, and supportive insights to help parents navigate the journey of raising neurodivergent children.

Learn more at:
https://pureheartstherapy.com

Subscribe & Connect

If this episode resonated with you, please consider sharing it with another parent who might benefit from this conversation.

Listen and subscribe to the Autism Family Resource Podcast:
https://pod.link/1591840956

Explore more resources for families at:
https://pureheartstherapy.com