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Autism Labs

Autism Labs Community

Practical tips and evidence-based guidance to make life easier for you and your severely autistic loved ones.

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31 episodes
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Avg 19 min
English

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S5 · E22
June 15 · 24 min
Autism Breakthrough Starts with Health with Dr. Theresa Lyons
Are we focusing on the wrong starting point in autism care? In this episode of Autism Labs, host Mike Carr speaks with Dr. Theresa Lyons a Yale-trained scientist, PhD and autism parent about why health may be the missing piece in autism support. While many families begin with therapies like ABA or structured education, Dr. Lyons explains how underlying health challenges such as gut imbalances, infections, sleep issues and nutritional deficiencies can significantly impact behavior, learning and communication. This conversation explores how addressing these root causes can unlock a child’s ability to engage, learn and express themselves. You’ll also hear insights on intrinsic vs. extrinsic motivation, the role of functional medicine testing and why communication is possible even for individuals who are nonverbal. If you’re a parent, caregiver, or professional supporting autistic individuals especially those with profound autism this episode offers a powerful shift in perspective. 🔗 CONNECT WITH DR. THERESA LYONS Website: https://awetism.net/ 🎙 ABOUT AUTISM LABS Autism Labs is a podcast dedicated to helping parents and caregivers navigate autism, especially profound autism through real-world strategies, expert insights and lived experience. The goal is simple: Improve quality of life, increase independence and create better long-term outcomes. Website: https://www.autismlabs.com/ Newsletter: https://www.autismlabs.com/add-a-post/blog/ Autism Labs shares our family's experiences, our research, or the experiences or advice from our guests. Mike Carr is a parent, not a doctor, lawyer, or trained therapist and nothing herein is medical, legal, or financial advice. Please talk with your own physician, attorney, therapist, or benefits specialist before making decisions for your son or daughter. Programs, laws, and funding rules change and details recapped herein may be dated or inaccurate by the time you listen or view this.
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S5 · E21
June 8 · 22 min
7 Things Autism Parents Must Know with Dr. Theresa Lyons
Many families are told that autism is something that inevitably gets harder over time and that there’s little they can do beyond behavioral therapy and medication. But what if that narrative is incomplete? In this episode of Autism Labs, Mike Carr speaks with Dr. Theresa Lyons, a Yale-trained scientist, founder of Navigating Awetism and mother of a non-speaking autistic daughter. Drawing from both scientific research and lived experience, Dr. Lyons shares a new perspective on what’s possible and why so many parents are missing critical information. Dr. Lyons explains how gaps in the healthcare system prevent research from reaching families, leaving parents overwhelmed and searching for answers. She introduces seven essential categories every autism parent should understand, including diet, medical teams, mindset, supplements and foundational health. The conversation also explores: • Why autism care should focus on root causes not just symptoms • How sleep, vitamin D and basic health impact behavior • The importance of combining conventional and functional medicine • How exercise supports brain function, mood and learning • Why parent regulation directly affects child outcomes This episode is designed for parents, caregivers and professionals seeking practical, science-backed strategies to better support individuals with autism, especially those navigating profound autism and long-term care. 🔗 CONNECT WITH DR. THERESA LYONS Website: https://awetism.net/ Autism Labs shares our family’s experiences, our research, or the experiences or advice from our guests. Mike Carr is a parent, not a doctor, lawyer, or trained therapist, and nothing herein is medical, legal, or financial advice. Please talk with your own physician, attorney, therapist, or benefits specialist before making decisions for your son or daughter. Programs, laws, and funding rules change, and details recapped herein may be dated or inaccurate by the time you listen or view this.
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S5 · E20
June 1 · 13 min
Why Great Autism Caregivers Leave (And How to Keep Them)
Finding a great caregiver for a child with profound autism is incredibly difficult, but keeping them may be the real challenge. In this episode of Autism Labs, Mike Carr shares a practical, experience-driven framework to help families build sustainable, long-term support teams. Drawing from decades of real-life caregiving, Mike explains why caregiver turnover happens and how parents can change the environment around the role to improve retention, reduce burnout and create meaningful, lasting relationships. This episode focuses on the core pillars of caregiver retention: respect, predictability and fair pay, along with actionable strategies families can implement immediately. In this episode, you’ll learn: • Why caregivers leave (and how to prevent it) • How to create a simple, effective daily structure • What to include in a behavior “playbook” • Ways to reduce burnout and build confidence • Why supporting caregiver goals leads to better retention • How to celebrate progress in meaningful ways • The importance of feedback and communication • Practical ways to improve consistency and compensation This conversation is essential for parents of autistic children, teens and adults, as well as caregivers and professionals working in autism services. Because the goal isn’t just finding help, it’s building a team that lasts. Autism Labs shares our family's experiences, our research, or the experiences or advice from our guests. Mike Carr is a parent, not a doctor, lawyer, or trained therapist, and nothing herein is medical, legal, or financial advice. Please talk with your own physician, attorney, therapist, or benefits specialist before making decisions for your son or daughter. Programs, laws, and funding rules change, and details recapped herein may be dated or inaccurate by the time you listen or view this.
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S5 · E19
May 25 · 9 min
How to Find Great Caregivers for Profound Autism (Real Strategies)
How do you actually find reliable caregivers for profound autism? For many families, this is the single hardest part of the journey. In this episode of Autism Labs, Mike Carr, father of a 35-year-old profoundly autistic son shares over three decades of real-world experience navigating one of the most difficult challenges in autism caregiving: Building a dependable, skilled support team. From aggressive behaviors to nonverbal communication and medical complexities, Mike explains why transitioning from family help to trained caregivers becomes essential and how to do it successfully. You’ll learn 7 practical, proven ways to find caregivers, including: • National respite resources and how to use them • Why hiring for temperament often works better than resumes • How universities can become a pipeline for trained support staff • The surprising value of communities like climbing gyms • How sharing caregivers with other families prevents burnout • Why job titles matter when recruiting • The importance of building a “bench” instead of relying on one person This episode is packed with actionable strategies for parents, caregivers and professionals working in autism services. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, this conversation offers something just as important as tactics hope.
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S5 · E18
May 18 · 20 min
AI & Autism: The Technology Creating Safer, More Independent Lives at Home with Mike Courtney
What if technology could help autistic adults become safer, more independent, and more engaged in everyday life? In this episode of Autism Labs, Mike Carr continues his conversation with Mike Courtney, founder of Daily Living Labs, about the future of technology and autism support. Mike Courtney is a futurist, angel investor, professor, and innovator exploring how artificial intelligence, smart home technology, robotics, and community collaboration can improve daily living for individuals with disabilities. Together, they explore practical ways technology can support families raising children and adults with higher support needs. This episode covers: • How smart home technology can improve safety for autistic adults • Why independence requires more than just protection • Using AI to discover solutions families may have stopped searching for • Reducing caregiver stress through better tools and systems • The future possibilities of robotics in disability support • Creating communities where families, researchers, and innovators solve problems together A major theme throughout the conversation is that technology should not replace human connection, it should strengthen it. For many families, the biggest challenge is not a lack of love or effort. It is finding enough time, resources, and support to create the best possible quality of life. Daily Living Labs is working toward a future where technology helps bridge that gap. If you are a parent of a profoundly autistic child or adult, caregiver, educator, therapist, or disability professional, this conversation offers practical ideas and hope for what is possible. 🔗 CONNECT WITH MIKE COURTNEY Website: https://dailylivinglabs.com/
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S5 · E17
May 11 · 19 min
What If AI Could Help Your Autistic Child Learn Daily Skills? With Mike Courtney
What if the tools to improve daily life for individuals with autism are already within reach? In this episode of Autism Labs, host Mike Carr is joined by futurist, researcher and entrepreneur Mike Courtney to explore how AI and everyday technology can support individuals with complex and profound autism. Rather than focusing on abstract innovation, this conversation centers on real-world applications families and caregivers can use today. From leveraging smartphones to teach communication skills to using sensor-based data to better understand behavior, this episode highlights practical, accessible solutions. Mike Courtney introduces the concept of “Daily Living Labs” a community-driven approach to identifying unmet needs, discovering existing tools and building new solutions through collaboration. Key takeaways include: • How AI can help nonverbal individuals learn communication • Using personalized video modeling to teach life skills • Why sleep and biometric data are critical to behavior outcomes • The shift from periodic to continuous monitoring in caregiving • How smart environments can support independence and safety • The importance of community in solving complex challenges This episode is essential for parents, caregivers, therapists and professionals seeking practical ways to improve quality of life for individuals with autism. 🔗 Learn more: https://dailylivinglabs.com/
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S5 · E16
April 27 · 22 min
The #1 Mistake Autism Parents Make When Choosing Care with Jonna Oppermann
Choosing the right autism program isn’t just about services, it’s about culture, communication and trust. In Part 3 of this series, Johnna Oppermann, a consultant with over two decades of experience working with autism nonprofits and families joins Mike Carr to break down the hidden factors that determine whether a program succeeds or fails. This episode focuses on real-world challenges faced by parents and caregivers of profoundly autistic teens and adults, including fear-driven decision-making, communication breakdowns and the importance of building sustainable, human-centered programs. You’ll learn how to evaluate autism services beyond surface-level offerings and what truly matters for long-term success. 🔗 CONNECT WITH Johnna Oppermann Email: johnna@john13.org
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S5 · E15
April 20 · 16 min
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, including detailed history, observation, and gradual transition planning, rather than rushing enrollment. They build success slowly, creating early wins to avoid failure and prevent participants from being pushed out due to poor fit. Strong programs also prioritize staff consistency and retention, recognizing that a positive, purpose-driven culture—not just pay—directly impacts the quality of care. Flexibility is essential, with staff willing to adapt environments and behaviors to meet individual needs while preserving dignity. Most importantly, these programs foster open communication and partnership with parents, ensuring trust, collaboration, and better outcomes for everyone involved.
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S5 · E14
April 13 · 17 min
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, Johnna Oppermann explains that many programs struggle because they focus first on logistics instead of building a strong foundation of trust, clear communication, and shared purpose among staff. High turnover and call-outs often signal deeper cultural issues, while clarity around roles, expectations, and the importance of each staff member’s contribution can dramatically improve engagement and reliability. The conversation emphasizes creating a no-blame environment where mistakes are used as learning opportunities, fostering transparency with families, and building relationships where people feel safe to speak honestly. Ultimately, successful programs require a long-term commitment to serving not just the individual, but the entire family, adapting to each person’s unique needs, and cultivating a culture where staff truly understand the impact of their role in providing consistent, compassionate care. If you're interested in joining our private Facebook community for parents and caregivers seeking residential options, guidance and peer support for profoundly autistic adults or adults with complex needs - click here!
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S5 · E13
April 7 · 9 min
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 the chances of better sleep, especially when combined. Nutrition and timing also play an important role, with reduced evening sugar, caffeine, and late meals helping support a smoother bedtime routine. Creating a comfortable sleep environment—cool temperature, cozy bedding, and calming surroundings—can further encourage rest, while tools like sound machines, binaural beats, or visual projectors may help in some cases but can also become stimulating. Supplements such as melatonin or methylfolate, and mild medications when necessary, may provide support but should be used cautiously and under medical guidance. Allowing for independent wind-down time and incorporating repetitive, calming routines like prayer or tactile activities can also promote relaxation. Ultimately, better sleep comes from combining strategies, staying patient, and adapting based on what works best for each individual over time. If you're interested in joining our private Facebook community for parents and caregivers seeking residential options, guidance and peer support for profoundly autistic adults or adults with complex needs - click here!
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S5 · E12
March 30 · 21 min
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 used thoughtfully to avoid unnecessary complexity. Equally important are lifestyle factors—nutrition, sleep, exercise, and allergies—which can significantly influence mood and behavior, often in ways individuals cannot verbally communicate. Parents play a critical role by observing patterns, “listening” to behavior, and adapting strategies in real time, sometimes hour by hour. Creating a meaningful life involves balancing structure and productivity with leisure, while also ensuring consistent engagement with the community to build confidence and connection. Above all, flexibility, collaboration, and a long-term mindset rooted in the idea of “not yet” reinforce that progress is always possible, and the ultimate goal is not just reducing challenges, but helping each individual build a fulfilling and purposeful life. If you're interested in joining our private Facebook community for parents and caregivers seeking residential options, guidance and peer support for profoundly autistic adults or adults with complex needs - click here!
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Showing 21–31 of 31 episodes