In this heartfelt episode of Dads In Autismland, host Mark de Grasse sits down with Allan Young, founder of Autism Acres, a purpose-built sanctuary for children with autism and other special needs.
Allan shares his powerful journey from military service to creating a five-acre haven in Rochester, Washington for families like his own—including his three sons on the spectrum and a foster daughter with Down syndrome.
Listeners will learn about the hands-on life skills training Allan offers at home, the carefully designed features of Autism Acres (from elopement-safe fencing to sensory swings), and how he and his wife are fostering a safe, welcoming community grounded in compassion and faith. It’s an inspiring story of resilience, resourcefulness, and redefining support for families navigating autism.
TOPICS
- The origins and mission of Autism Acres in Washington
- Parenting multiple children on the autism spectrum and one with Down syndrome
- Designing a safe, sensory-friendly environment for children with special needs
- Transitioning from military life to full-time caregiving and homeschooling
- Building community through faith-based service without preaching
- Personal wellness and stress management strategies for autism dads
- The importance of structured flexibility in daily routines
GUEST LINKS
Allan Young – Autism Acres: https://autismacres.org
ADVERTISING LINKS
Dads In Autismland Membership – The Pathfinder Collective: https://dadsinautismland.com/dads-in-autismland-membership-the-pathfinder-collective/
QUOTES
“My son now has friends—it’s awesome. We needed this just as much as the families we’re trying to help.”
“We designed everything at Autism Acres with safety in mind—because eloping isn’t just a possibility, it’s a reality for a lot of us.”
“Caretaking is hard. Being alone in the house is hard. Coming home from work is hard. That’s why me and my wife make sure each other gets a break.”
“We didn’t want a structure so rigid it became a problem—we wanted routines that help our kids feel secure without trapping them in them.”
“We’re not a Christian organization—we’re an organization run by Christians. We’re not here to preach, we’re here to serve.”
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.
Host
Mark de Grasse
Popular Podcasts
New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce
Football’s funniest family duo — Jason Kelce of the Philadelphia Eagles and Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs — team up to provide next-level access to life in the league as it unfolds. The two brothers and Super Bowl champions drop weekly insights about the weekly slate of games and share their INSIDE perspectives on trending NFL news and sports headlines. They also endlessly rag on each other as brothers do, chat the latest in pop culture and welcome some very popular and well-known friends to chat with them. Check out new episodes every Wednesday. Follow New Heights on the Wondery App, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to new episodes early and ad-free, and get exclusive content on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. And join our new membership for a unique fan experience by going to the New Heights YouTube channel now!
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!