Hey, What’s Up! It’s Tommy. Holidays can feel heavy for families like ours. In this early holiday prep episode, I open up about why November speeds by, how food and sensory triggers shape our plans, and what it looks like to protect our kids while still building joy. I share practical ideas for autism-friendly gatherings, from gluten-free swaps to simple safety tools, and I talk about community, encouragement, and choosing traditio...

Hey, What’s Up! It’s Tommy. Today I open up about a recent experience with my son, Wyatt, and what happened after his dental procedure that required anesthesia. I share how we saw short-term regression, what that looked like in real life, and the practical steps we’re using to help him feel better. If you’re a parent or caregiver walking a similar path, I hope this gives you clarity, comfort, and a few simple ideas you can try righ...

Hey, What’s Up! It’s Tommy. Life gets heavy. Work pulls one way. Parenting pulls another. Autism brings unique highs and hard days. In this episode I share four simple habits that helped me climb out of a rough season and keep my mental health steady. No expensive programs. No perfect routines. Just practical steps that fit real life. I talk about finding your five trusted people, building community, keeping faith at the center, an...

Hey, What's Up! It’s Tommy. Parenting in an autism home asks a lot from everyone. Today I talk honestly about how we try to love both of our kids well, especially our daughter Jessie as she grows up alongside her brother Wyatt. I share the moments I have missed, what I am learning, and how simple, steady time together can protect a child’s heart. From celebrating every win to explaining what is happening in the moment, this episode...

Hey, What’s Up! It’s Tommy. In this episode of Spectrum in Camouflage, I’m talking about something that hits close to home, presuming competence. As a dad raising an autistic child, I’ve learned that one of the most powerful things we can do is treat our kids as capable, aware, and worthy of respect, even when they can’t express it in the ways we expect.

Fall is here, life is moving fast, and while I talk about the beauty of the se...

Hey, What’s Up! It’s Tommy. I’m sharing a personal opinion and where my head and heart are right now. The last year has been a roller coaster for me. I’m feeling stronger again and working hard on my health, faith, and mindset. Today I speak as a dad of a non-speaking child who needs high support. I love every family on the spectrum, and I also need space to say this with care: please be gentle if your experience looks different fr...

Hey, What's Up! It’s Tommy. This episode is a heart-to-heart on anxiety, what it looks like inside our homes, and why our phones, feeds, and constant news can fuel it. I share how doomscrolling ramps up my nervous system, what my wife changed to feel calmer, and why stepping away from the screen helps me show up as a better dad, husband, and human. I talk about blue light, sleep, dopamine loops, and that heavy, dark feeling that sp...

Hey, What’s Up! It’s Tommy. Today, I discuss how holding onto negative thoughts can wear down both your body and mind. The last year brought a lot, from business pressure to parenting through autism to a close friend’s death. That weight showed up in my sleep, patience, focus, and energy. I checked the basics, then ran complete blood work. The results indicated that I am healthy, but I am deeply stressed. That was a relief. It also...

Show Notes

Hey, What’s Up! It’s Tommy.

Life at our house has been a roller coaster. Some days are tough. Some days feel calm. Lately, I feel hopeful. I used to set deadlines for Wyatt’s progress and fall apart when the date slipped. I do not do that now. I focus on the moment and the next small step. That shift has changed me, and I think it is helping our family. In this episode, I share what is working for us right now: ...

Hey, What’s Up! It’s Tommy.

Life gets busy. Emotions run high. And some days it feels like the tank is empty. Today, I’m sharing what I’m doing to become an energy giver instead of an energy taker. I talk about choosing your circle, checking in on your body, and taking small steps that build real momentum. I open up about tough months, why September’s Suicide Prevention Month matters, and how faith, family, and community keep me m...

Hey, What's Up! It's Tommy. Today I’m taking on something a little heavier than usual. I’ve been seeing a lot of noise online about comments from Donald Trump and RFK regarding autism. These statements have stirred up plenty of emotions, but instead of letting anger run wild, I want to slow things down, share my perspective as a dad of an amazing nonverbal autistic son, and talk about what’s really at the heart of all this.

This is...

Hey, What’s Up! It’s Tommy. Today I’m joined by my wife, Kailee. We recorded on the last night of summer break. We looked back on a calm and hopeful season at home, two new Great Pyrenees puppies, and how we plan to handle back to school. We share wins from the pool to the backyard and talk about why boundaries, simple routines, and steady love matter so much in our house.

We also open up about Wyatt’s summer progress. Sleep has be...

Hey, What's Up! It's Tommy.

Today’s episode is a milestone for me, our 52nd episode! I recorded this one right down to the wire, but it’s special because it marks a full year of Spectrum in Camouflage. Over the past year, I’ve shared the highs, the lows, and everything in between—both in our family’s autism journey and in my own walk through mental strength and faith.

I talk candidly about the moments of self-doubt that almost ...

Hey, What’s Up! It’s Tommy.

In this special episode, I’m joined by my incredible wife, Kailee, and we’re sitting down—way past our bedtime—to reflect on one full year of Spectrum in Camouflage. That’s 51 episodes straight! We talk about what this podcast has meant to us, how it's shaped our marriage, and the big changes we’ve seen in Wyatt’s journey this past year. Kailee also shares what it was like speaking at a recent Maximum Po...

Hey, What’s Up! It’s Tommy. This episode is all about reflection. I’m looking back over the past year—where I was, where I am now, and how far we've come as a family. When I started this podcast, I didn’t know where it would go or if it would go anywhere. Now, we’re nearly one year in, and the growth—not just in Wyatt, but in all of us—is something I’m incredibly thankful for.

Last summer was hard. There were meltdowns, isolation, ...

Hey, What’s Up! It’s Tommy. This episode gets real. I'm sharing what's going on inside my head and my heart. We’re talking nervous systems, mine and Wyatt’s, how it feels to live in a body that’s sometimes on overload, and what it means to give ourselves grace through it all. I also open up about the emotional waves that come with parenting a non-speaking autistic child and why I struggle with the idea of a “perfect day.”

You’ll he...

Hey, What’s Up! It’s Tommy. Summer isn’t over, and neither is our chance to make the most of it. In this episode, I’m checking in for a midsummer reset, sharing simple ways we’ve been intentional with our time, and giving an exciting update about our experience with Maximum Potential and what’s ahead for Wyatt.

Too often, we let the fast pace of life or the lure of “what’s next” pull us out of the moment. But today, I’m encouraging...

Hey, What’s Up! It’s Tommy. This week on Spectrum in Camouflage, I’m giving you a heartfelt recap of our Fourth of July Festival, unpacking what it means to serve others—even when it's uncomfortable—and celebrating a huge milestone in Wyatt’s journey.

From volunteering over 115,000 steps’ worth of time (literally!) to some deep thoughts about fulfillment, discomfort, and rebuilding your mental strength, this one’s about doing the h...

Hey, What’s Up! It’s Tommy. In this special 4th of July episode, I take you behind the scenes of our small-town festival, an old-school ox roast that’s been going strong for 50 years. I talk about the thousands of pounds of meat we cook, the work our fire department puts in, and the joy it brings to our community. But more than that, I open up about how this tradition helped me move through grief, find purpose again, and stay conne...