When We First Noticed

When We First Noticed

When We First Noticed is one father’s honest journey through raising a child with autism—from the first little signs that something might be different, through evaluations and diagnosis, and into the everyday reality of raising an incredible little boy who continues to teach us more than we ever expected. I’m not a doctor, therapist, or autism expert. I’m a dad. And on this show, I’ll share the things our family has actually lived: missed milestones, specialists and therapies, daycare struggles, sensory overload, school, meltdowns, breakthroughs, sleepless nights, small victories that feel enormous—and the complicated emotions that can come with all of it. This is especially a place for fathers who may love their children fiercely but don’t always know how to talk about the fear, frustration, uncertainty, pride, hope, and joy that come with this journey. But this isn’t only a podcast for dads. It’s for moms, grandparents, caregivers, educators, and anyone who wants an honest look at what life can be like for a family raising a child on the spectrum. There won’t always be perfect answers here. Just real conversations, our family’s experiences, and the lessons we’re still learning along the way. Because autism is part of our son’s story, but it doesn’t define everything he is. He’s our son. He’s our joy. And he’ll always be our superhero.

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    Before We Knew...

    Before We Knew: The Journey to Parenthood BeginsExploring the emotional rollercoaster of discovering parenthood. The journey to parenthood is filled with emotions that can’t be easily expressed. In our inaugural episode titled Before We Knew, Kevin shares his personal experience of finding out he was about to become a father. The Excitement of DiscoveryKevin recounts the moment he and his partner discovered they were expecting. It's a whirlwind of emotions, from joy to anxiety. "It's a feeling that I don't think could ever be duplicated by something else," he reflects. The news came during Christmas—a time typically filled with cheer, now amplified by the prospect of a new life. Sharing the NewsTelling family and friends was a moment of mixed emotions. Kevin describes the chaotic yet joyful family meeting where his partner shared the news, saying, "I'm pregnant." The unexpected delivery of the news led to a flood of excitement from both sides of the family, marking the beginning of their journey into parenthood. Preparing for BabyAs preparations for the baby began, Kevin dove into setting up a nursery filled with love and creativity. He describes the joy of picking decorations and setting up the crib, though he humorously notes, "Once he was born, he never stepped one foot in the crib for very long." This sentiment captures the unpredictable nature of parenting, where plans often shift. Challenges Along the WayThe path was not without its hurdles. Just days before their baby shower, Kevin's partner experienced a car accident. Despite the scare and uncertainty, they were relieved to find out that both mom and baby were fine. This moment illustrates the resilience of parents-to-be and the emotional rollercoaster they navigate. The Missed MilestonesAs the doctor appointments stack up, check ups turn into documenting little signs and characteristics that start pointing in the direction of a autism diagnosis. As new parents navigating the unknown in the search for answers starts to begin. One sleepless night turns into two, turn into many, as frustration mounts for both the child and the parents, the inability to communicate deepens. Heartache and fear over the unknown starts to settle in....

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    The Diagnosis

    The Diagnosis - was not the end of the story, it was the moment everything finally made sense. Kevin shares the exact email that confirmed his son had autism, along with a developmental delay and speech and language disorder, and how that answer shifted his family from fear to action. Kevin also shares the small wins that changed everything - from learning sign language and using routines to eventually hearing his son ask for pasta in a simple sentence. Along the way, he explains how autism did not change who his son was, but did change how his family understood him and how they parented him. This episode is for any parent in the middle of uncertainty, any family waiting for answers, or anyone trying to understand what really happens after an autism diagnosis. If you need hope, clarity, and a grounded look at the road ahead, this one belongs at the top of your queue. You’ll discover: Why getting the diagnosis brought relief, not griefWhat “level two” support needs meant for Kevin’s familyHow early intervention started before age two and why it mattered so muchWhat ABA, speech therapy, and school support began teaching both his son and his parentsThe practical realities of finding the right provider, managing schedules, and protecting childhood at the same time Chapters 00:00 The Diagnosis and What Happened Next04:16 The Email We Had Been Waiting For09:16 Level Two and Understanding the Diagnosis18:07 The Journey of ABA29:01 Speech, School, and Another Way to Communicate34:34 What an Autism Diagnosis Actually Changed

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    Getting the Help Part 1

    Getting the diagnosis is hard. Getting the right help is harder. Kevin’s story lays out the maze families face after an autism diagnosis - early intervention, speech therapy, ABA, and occupational therapy - and the exhausting question underneath all of it: how do you get real support without losing your child’s childhood? Kevin shares the moment-by-moment reality of building a care plan for his son, from learning an entirely new vocabulary of IFSPs, regional centers, and AAC, to figuring out what actually helps in the middle of meltdowns, transitions, and self-injury. He breaks down the therapies that shaped their journey, what each one looked like in practice, and why play turned out to be the work. You’ll discover: Why early intervention started with play, not flashcardsHow sign language, narration, timers, and front-loading became everyday toolsWhat changed when speech therapy, ABA, and school supports entered the pictureWhy the “right” provider matters as much as the right serviceHow AAC, scripting, and growing language can all coexist Kevin also gets honest about the parts families don’t talk about enough - waitlists, billing surprises, providers that don’t fit, and the pressure to fill every hour with therapy. If you’re trying to decide what’s enough, what’s too much, or how to keep your child from becoming a schedule, this episode speaks directly to that tension. Most importantly, Kevin shows how therapy didn’t just teach his son communication and daily living skills. It taught the whole family how to listen better, advocate harder, and recognize progress in the small moments that matter most. Essential listening for parents in the early autism journey, and for anyone who wants to understand what support really looks like after the diagnosis.

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When We First Noticed is one father’s honest journey through raising a child with autism—from the first little signs that something might be different, through evaluations and diagnosis, and into the everyday reality of raising an incredible little boy who continues to teach us more than we ever expected. I’m not a doctor, therapist, or autism expert. I’m a dad. And on this show, I’ll share the things our family has actually lived: missed milestones, specialists and therapies, daycare struggles, sensory overload, school, meltdowns, breakthroughs, sleepless nights, small victories that feel enormous—and the complicated emotions that can come with all of it. This is especially a place for fathers who may love their children fiercely but don’t always know how to talk about the fear, frustration, uncertainty, pride, hope, and joy that come with this journey. But this isn’t only a podcast for dads. It’s for moms, grandparents, caregivers, educators, and anyone who wants an honest look at what life can be like for a family raising a child on the spectrum. There won’t always be perfect answers here. Just real conversations, our family’s experiences, and the lessons we’re still learning along the way. Because autism is part of our son’s story, but it doesn’t define everything he is. He’s our son. He’s our joy. And he’ll always be our superhero.