Welcome to Episode 326 of Autism Parenting Secrets.

This week, I’m joined by Tyler Hudson, author of The Missing Lyrics: A Father’s Story of Autism, Grief, and a Society in Denial.

Tyler’s son Lyric is 18 and has profound autism. Our sons are close in age, and while every family’s journey is unique, there are many commonalities in what we’ve experienced.

Tyler has a remarkable ability to put words around complicated and emotionally charged experiences that many parents have felt but struggled to articulate.

We talk about the grief that can accompany this journey, how a parent’s perspective changes over time, the enormous breadth of the autism spectrum, and the courage required to question prevailing narratives and stand up for what you believe is right.

We also explore the importance of presuming competence and recognizing that a child who struggles to communicate may understand far more than we realize.

And we confront a distinction that sits at the heart of Tyler’s advocacy: accepting, loving, and supporting people with autism today does not mean we stop asking difficult questions about why so many children are struggling or seeking to prevent unnecessary suffering for future generations.

Those goals are not in conflict.

The secret this week is…

We Need Acceptance AND Prevention

You'll Discover:

• Why Hope Changes As The Journey Unfolds (3:11)
• How Grief Can Lead To Acceptance (13:22)
• Why The Autism Spectrum Needs More Distinction (22:10)
• The Difference Between Being Nice And Doing What’s Right (39:56)
• Why Presuming Competence Matters So Much (47:33)

About Our Guest:

Tyler Hudson is a husband, father of three, musician and advocate for families living at the deep end of the spectrum. From Texas, now living in Tasmania, Tyler speaks openly about grief, disability, and the responsibility we owe future generations.

https://tylerhudsonmusic.com/

References in this Episode:

• The Missing Lyrics: A Father's Story of Autism, Grief, and a Society In Denial by Tyler Hudson

Additional Resources:

• To learn more about personalized 1:1 support go to www.elevatehowyounavigate.com

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