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In this special solo episode of Dads in Autismland, host Mark de Grasse launches the Guide to Autismland series—a curated journey through the most impactful moments from the podcast’s first 27 episodes. Sharing his own experiences as a father to a profoundly autistic son, Mark dives into the earliest and often most confusing stage of raising a child on the spectrum: the diagnosis.

With stories from other dads like Corey Michael, Dennis Procopio, Steve Levine, and more, this episode paints a realistic, heartfelt picture of what it looks like when families first begin to realize their child is different.

Mark emphasizes that while every autism journey is unique, no dad is alone in this. It's an honest, empathetic guide that empowers fathers to recognize signs, take action, and find community through shared experience.

TOPICS:
- Common early signs of autism shared by dads
- Differences in diagnosis timelines and processes
- Personal experiences with school systems and therapy
- Emotional challenges and stages of acceptance
- Importance of flexibility and family partnership
- Stories of hope, including older children finding success
- The unique bond and support among autism dads

ADVERTISING LINKS:
Dads In Autismland Membership: https://dadsinautismland.com/dads-in-autismland-membership-the-pathfinder-collective/

QUOTES:
“Even though they share similarities, every autistic child is different—just like every person is.”

“The diagnosis journey isn’t uniform. It’s different for every family, every child.”

“Sometimes it takes seeing your story in someone else’s to realize you’re not alone.”

“Structure matters—our son knows exactly what day it is and what to expect.”

“You mentally start ruling things out for the future…until you hear another dad’s story that changes everything.”

ℹ️ Note: Every autistic person's journey is unique. This video shares one family's experience of finding success through focusing on interests and abilities rather than limitations. Always consult with appropriate professionals when developing employment plans.

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