<p>Today Ben is joined by Andy and Gaz, hosts and founders of The Autism Dadcast Podcast, which has quickly become a vital voice for parents raising profoundly autistic children - gaining tens of thousands of followers and millions of views in just weeks. They share candid insights about parenting, grief, and the day-to-day realities of life with children who have profound autism, from navigating meltdowns and stimming to advocating in school and in public.</p><br><p>Andy and Gaz reflect on the moments that may look small to an outsider - a smile, a new word, a shared laugh - but are in reality huge victories that shape their children’s lives and their family’s world. This episode offers quietly powerful perspectives on empathy, resilience, and the deeply human side of raising children with profound autism.</p><br><p><br></p><p>Join us at&nbsp;<a href="http://hidden20.org/donate" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">hidden20.org/donate</a>.</p><p>________</p><br><p>Host: Ben Branson</p><p>Production Manager: Phoebe De Leiburné</p><p>Video Editor: James Scriven</p><p>Social Media Manager: Charlie Young</p><p>Music: Jackson Greenberg</p><p>Head of Marketing: Kristen Fuller</p><br><p>00:00 Introduction</p><p>1:03 Why Andy &amp; Gaz Created the Autism Dadcast Podcast</p><p>4:44 Parenting Profoundly Autistic Children: Gaz &amp; Andy’s Lived Experience</p><p>16:40 Processing Grief &amp; Parenting Expectations for ND Children</p><p>23:40 Public Reactions to Autistic Meltdowns, Stimming &amp; Neurodivergence</p><p>28:57 Being an Autism Dad: Advocating &amp; Speaking Up on Parenting Challenges</p><p>33:29 Home Life vs School Masking: Supporting Autistic Kids Authentically</p><p>35:44 Understanding the Term “Profoundly Autistic” in Daily Life</p><p>41:36 Lessons Learned: How Andy &amp; Gaz Navigate ND Parenting</p><p>47:06 Adjusting Life Around Autism: What Feels “Normal” Now?</p><p>54:12 The Future of Autism Dadcast &amp; Growing Community Impact</p><p>56:06 Top 3 Parenting Tips for Raising Autistic Children Effectively</p><p>58:10 Surprising Insights About Being an Autistic Parent</p><p>1:03:33 Andy &amp; Gaz’s Green Dot Badges</p><br><p><br></p><p>The Hidden 20% is a charity founded by AuDHD entrepreneur, Ben Branson.</p><br><p>Our mission is simple: To change how the world sees neurodivergence.</p><p>No more stigma. No more shame. No more silence.</p><br><p>1 in 5 people are neurodivergent. That’s 1.6 billion of us - yet too many are still excluded, misunderstood, or left without support.</p><br><p>To break the cycle, we amplify voices, challenge myths, and keep showing up. Spotlighting stories, stats and hard truths. Smashing stereotypes through honest voices, creative campaigns and research that can’t be ignored.Every month, over 50,000 people turn to The Hidden 20% to feel safe, seen and to learn about brilliant brains.</p><br><p>With your support, we can reach further, grow louder, and keep fighting for the 1 in 5 who deserve more.</p><br><p>Join us at&nbsp;<a href="http://hidden20.org/donate" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">hidden20.org/donate</a>.</p><br><p>Become a monthly donor.</p><p>Be part of our community where great minds think differently.</p><br><p><br></p><p>Brought to you by charity The Hidden 20% #1203348</p><p>______________</p><br><p>Follow &amp; subscribe…</p><br><p>Website: www.hidden20.org</p><p>Instagram / TikTok / Youtube / X: @Hidden20charity</p><p>Ben Branson @seedlip_ben</p><p>The Autism Dadcast with Andy &amp; Gaz @autismdadcast</p><br><p><br></p><p>If you'd like to support The Hidden 20%, you can buy a "green dot" badge at https://www.hidden20.org/thegreendot/p/badge. All proceeds go to the charity.</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>