Autism Labs
Practical tips and evidence-based guidance to make life easier for you and your severely autistic loved ones.
Episodes
69 episodes
Autism After 22: What Parents Must Do Now with Jon Hockenyos
What happens after individuals with profound autism age out of the school system?In this episode of Autism Labs, Mike Carr sits down with Jon Hockenyos, a father and advocate navigating life with a profoundly autistic adult son...
What Happens After Your Child Ages Out? Two Dads Share Truth with Jon Hockenyos
What happens after autism services end?In this powerful Autism Labs episode, Mike Carr sits down with Jon Hockenyos economist, policy expert and father of a 23-year-old son with profound autism for a candid, dad-to-dad conversa...
Finding Safe Residential Care for Profound Autism (What We Learned)
Finding the Right Residential Program for Profound Autism: What Really MattersAfter more than two decades of searching for the right residential environment for his profoundly autistic son, Mike Carr shares a deeply honest look at what f...
The Reality of Raising a Profoundly Autistic Adult. Nobody Talks About This
Some mornings feel impossible but years later, they're the stories that keep us going.In this deeply personal solo episode, Mike Carr steps away from the topic of guardianship to share an unfiltered look at one unforgettable mo...
Autism Future Planning: 9 Steps Every Parent Must Take
What happens to your child with autism when you’re no longer there to care for them?In this episode of Autism Labs, Mike Carr shares a deeply personal and practical guide to future planning for children with autism especially t...
What Happens to My Autistic Child When I’m Gone?
What happens to your child with autism when you’re no longer there to care for them?It’s one of the most difficult and most important questions parents face.In this episode, Mike Carr shares his personal journey a...
Don't Underestimate What Your Nonverbal Teen Understands with Mailande Vise
In this episode of Autism Labs, Mike Carr continues his conversation with BCBA Mailande Vise, who shares practical, experience-driven strategies for supporting individuals with high support needs especially in the home environment.
Small Tweaks at Home can Improve Your Autistic Teen's Life with Mailande Vise
What happens when autistic children grow into autistic adults?In this episode of Autism Labs, Mike Carr sits down with Mailande Vise, M.Ed., BCBA, an experienced behavior analyst with more than a decade of experience supporting...
Part 2 of Autism Parenting Strategies That Actually Work: What I Learned from Dr. Theresa Lyons
Autism support should focus not just on behavior, but on the child’s overall health, as underlying issues like gut imbalances, poor nutrition, and unmet medical needs can significantly impact learning, behavior, and communication. While trad...
Part 1 of Autism Parenting Strategies: What Science Really Shows
In this episode of Autism Labs, Mike Carr and Dr. Theresa Lyons discuss how many families lack access to clear, science-based guidance despite growing research in autism, leaving parents overwhelmed and searching for answers. Dr. Lyons highl...
Autism Respite Care: How to Keep Great Help
Keeping great caregivers for individuals with profound autism requires more than just hiring the right person- it demands building a sustainable, supportive system rooted in respect, structure, and consistency. Caregivers should be treated a...
Autism Respite Care: 7 Ways to Find Real Help
In this episode of Autism Labs, Mike Carr shares personal lessons learned from more than 30 years of raising his profoundly autistic, nonverbal son Michael and discusses one of the greatest challenges families face: finding reliable caregive...
Part 2 AI For Autism Care and Smart Home Safety for IDD Families
This episode explores how practical, accessible technology can transform the home environment for individuals with special needs by improving safety, increasing independence, and enriching daily life. Mike Courtney outlines a simple but powerfu...
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Part 1 AI for Autism Care: Daily Living Labs for Parents
In this episode of Autism Labs, Mike Carr speaks with futurist and researcher Mike Courtney about how AI and emerging technologies can be applied in practical, meaningful ways to support individuals with complex specia...
Part 3 What I Learned as an Autism Parent About Respite Care, Staff Culture and Letting Go of Fear
This episode focuses on lessons learned from building and running a special needs program, emphasizing that strong outcomes depend less on daily tasks and more on culture, trust, and communication. Mike Carr and Johnna Oppermann discuss how fea...
Part 2 Why Culture is the Most Important Thing to Look for in Autism Respite Care
Choosing the right autism program comes down to culture, transparency, and a commitment to long-term success rather than quick fixes. High-quality programs take the time to truly understand each individual through a thorough intake process, ...
Part 1 Why Culture is the Foundation of Every Effective Behavior Support Program
This episode highlights a critical lesson for families navigating autism care: the long-term success of any residential or day program depends far more on culture than on buildings, funding, or initial plans. Drawing on decades of experience, J...
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8 Ways to Improve Sleep For You & Your Child
Improving sleep for individuals with autism and their families requires a flexible, trial-and-error approach rather than relying on a single solution. Consistent physical activity and mental engagement during the day can significantly increase ...
Part 2 BCBA Autism Insights: Medication, Behavior & Quality of Life
This episode highlights that improving behavior in autism requires a holistic, individualized approach that goes far beyond therapy alone. Medication can be helpful when tied to a clear goal and guided by simple, objective data, but it must be ...
Part 1 of BCBA for Profound Autism Higher-Support Adults
This episode explores the often-overlooked transition from structured therapy to adulthood for individuals with high support needs in autism, emphasizing that success is less about continuing rigid interventions and more about adapting to real-...
Part 2 of Howdy Homemade Ice Cream Employment for Special Needs
Howdy Homemade Ice Cream is a unique business that not only serves delicious ice cream but also provides employment opportunities for individuals with special needs. The company is committed to empowering these individuals by offering them r...
Part 1 of What I Learned From Tom & Jeff Of Howdy Homemade
On this Autism Labs episode, Mike Carr talks with Tom Landis (Howdy Homemade Ice Cream) and investor Jeff Schiefelbein about creating meaningful employment for people with autism and developmental disabilities. They explain how clear routine...
Adaptive Listening for Nonverbal Children with Autism
In this episode of the Autism Labs Podcast, Mike shares how “adaptive listening” has transformed the way he connects with his nonverbal son, emphasizing that listening is far more than hearing words. For children with limited speech, communi...
Autism Advice for Parents: Finding Wisdom in The Beatitudes
This episode explores the application of the Beatitudes to parenting children with complex special needs. The host discusses six key principles: being poor in spirit through humility and teachability, mourning as honest acknowledgment of pai...
Essential Parenting Tips For Autism: Part 2 Mother's Journey
This episode explores the journey of supporting a child with autism through the experiences of Diana Danu and her son, Gabi, emphasizing the importance of individualized approaches, strong communication, and parent advocacy. Diana shares how me...
