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-...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

In this episode, Mike Carr speaks with Diana Danu, a mother from Romania, about her journey raising her son Gabi, who was diagnosed with autism at age three. Diana describes the challenges families face in Romania, where limited services, incon...

Supporting individuals with autism and complex needs requires more than exceptional staff members. While finding dedicated caregivers is valuable, challenges such as staff turnover, scheduling limitations, illness, and burnout create inevitable...

In this episode, the Round Rock ISD team emphasizes that successful transition for young adults with autism requires individualized, out-of-the-box approaches tailored to each student’s interests and strengths, including small motivators and sa...

Autism Labs: Transition Programming in Round Rock School DistrictThis episode features representatives from Round Rock School District, one of the larger school districts in the greater Austin, Texas area. The discussion centers o...

In this episode, Mike Carr shares why he remains optimistic about the future for his severely autistic son despite the many challenges parents face, including the loss of school-based supports after age 21, difficulty accessing adult service...

In this podcast, Mike Carr shares five key lessons he’s learned raising a child with complex special needs. He emphasizes the importance of humility, encouraging parents to ask for help rather than guessing or improvising, and warns against ...

Mike Carr and Joel Wood discuss building residential and support options for adults with profound autism, saying staffing - motivated, caring people over credentials- is the biggest challenge. They recommend partnering with universities, usi...

Joel and Martha are planning a meaningful future for their 20-year-old son William, nonverbal but highly intelligent (spells to communicate), with autism and apraxia, body-control issues, and elopement—because typical programs don’t engage p...

In this episode of Autism Labs discussion between Mike Carr, Allie Langan, and Sharon Holloway regarding respite care programs for parents of severely autistic adults. The key points from the transcript include:- Getting indivi...

In this episode of Autism Labs, Mike Carr, Sharon Holloway, and Allie Langan discuss the importance of respite care and life skills programs for autistic and neurodivergent young adults, emphasizing early, consistent, and individualized supp...

Dr. Dilip Karnik, a pioneering pediatric neurologist with over four decades of experience, joined Autism Labs to introduce POD Health, a free, AI-powered digital platform designed to revoluti...

Mike Carr and Ann Hart discuss housing and independence for adults with autism, stressing that options depend on each person’s support needs. They note SSLCs have improved, recommend visiting programs and evaluating staff, and suggest starting ...

In this episode of Autism Labs, Mike Carr and guest Ann Hart explore the complex landscape of housing options for adults with autism and other significant support needs. They emphasize the importance of preparing early—especially getting on Med...

In this episode, Mike Carr discusses how the right technology—paired with strong support—can transform life for families of children with special needs. He highlights tools like the Kindle Scribe for caregiver productivity, and AI home assis...

Autism is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition that ranges from full independence to requiring 24/7 care, as with Mike and Kay’s son Michael. Research has disproven the myth that vaccines cause autism; while acetaminophen use in pregnancy...

Adding structure to daily routines helps reduce stress, build independence, and prepare individuals with autism for respite or residential care. Unstructured time can lead to boredom and problem behaviors, but visual supports like

Mike Carr shares his family’s experience raising their 35-year-old son, Michael, who is profoundly autistic, mostly nonverbal, and lives with seizures and pica. He asks the urgent question of who will care for children like Michael when pare...

Respite care often fails adults with profound autism or multiple IDDs, who need 1:1 support, medical readiness, and structure. At J13 Community in Austin, respite looks different: no one is expelled for behavior, belonging is guaranteed, and pr...

This episode examines housing options for adults with autism and IDD, noting that 86% still live at home or in group settings, raising concerns about long-term care. Drawing on his family’s experience with a profoundly autistic 35-year-old son,...