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It gets better......thoughts for 2025 Autism Awareness Day
“Daddy, I have breaking news!…” My son Vaughn strides into our basement rec room, eyes gleaming with a confidence I once feared he might...
pacarroll99
Mar 302 min read
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Four Key Life Lessons I learned from my Autistic son
Sunday, April 2nd is World Autism Acceptance Day (formerly Autism Awareness Day) – an important day for the autism community. I will not...
pacarroll99
Apr 1, 20233 min read
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Celebrate Yourselves this Father's Day
Autism Dadvocate invites Dads to celebrate the small and big wins of their amazing kids this Sunday ……….and to celebrate themselves. As I...
pacarroll99
Jun 13, 20224 min read
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2022 Autism Awareness Day
Last year on Autism Awareness Day 2021, I spoke more broadly about issues in our community. This year, having cultivated a deeper...
pacarroll99
Apr 1, 20223 min read
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Why You Should Be Taking Better Care of Yourself as a Special Needs Parent
by Gwen Payne Finding the time for self-care when most of your time, energy, and focus is caught up in taking care of your child with...
pacarroll99
Dec 8, 20213 min read
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The Six Most Common Misconceptions about Autism
Recently, I’ve spent quite a bit of time counseling Dads who either suspect their child is autistic or has recently been diagnosed as...
pacarroll99
Aug 1, 20215 min read
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Thoughts on Autism on Autism Awareness Day
Today is World Autism Awareness Day - April 2. On Sunday, many Christians will celebrate Easter, a holiday whose core themes are of...
pacarroll99
Apr 4, 20214 min read
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Responding to Autism: A Law Enforcement Approach
Recently, on the local news, there was a success story of a Michigan Police Dept locating a wandering child with autism. As fathers of...
pacarroll99
Jan 30, 20215 min read
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The Power of (Incremental) Progress
I stand in amazement at how much you teach me about the power of incremental progress How step by step, we move forward with glacial...
pacarroll99
Dec 29, 20202 min read
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Guest Blog: One Father's Journey, Eric J
In 2012, I was widowed. I was far from prepared to become a single father, much less the single dad of a child with disabilities. I...
pacarroll99
Nov 14, 20202 min read
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I see all you amazing Dads
I see all you amazing Dads and all the amazing things you do………... I see you when you play the same video game with your son over and...
pacarroll99
Sep 14, 20202 min read
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Guest Blog: Kim Evensen
Autismdadvocate members - I received a lot of interesting emails from you based on my “Epidemic of Loneliness in North America” blog post....
pacarroll99
Aug 15, 20203 min read
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Lunch..followed by his meltdown....followed by my meltdown
“DADDY!...........” Vaughn’s voice booms sonorously down the stairs. Even though I am in the kitchen, idly paging through Twitter on my...
pacarroll99
Jul 30, 20206 min read
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The Epidemic of Loneliness in North America
Vivek Murthy, US Surgeon General from 2014-2017 has cited that the epidemic of loneliness, particularly amongst American men, is a major...
pacarroll99
May 19, 20206 min read
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An Open Letter to My Son (5 Years too soon)
While watching the local news, I saw a story about our town’s high school having a “virtual” graduation ceremony due to the Corona...
pacarroll99
May 3, 20205 min read
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Insomnia
I roll over onto my right side and gaze at the clock. The bright orange numbers from the new Zen sunrise clock Jen bought me for...
pacarroll99
Feb 16, 20204 min read
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To all the armchair commentators in the bleachers
Lately, I’ve been riding the adrenalin of reading everything Brene Brown has written. I’ve just finished my 4th book written by her,...
pacarroll99
Jan 28, 20205 min read
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A Poem to my Autistic Son - The Window
I wish I knew how it is That you open and close the window With the weight and texture of your hands The everyness you see in the...
pacarroll99
Jan 5, 20201 min read
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2020 Guidelines For Dads With Autistic Children
Become a Better Parent to Your Autistic Child As the year draws to a close, it’s a great time to reflect back on the past year, priming...
pacarroll99
Dec 26, 20194 min read
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The Power of Neurodiversity
The Extraordinary Abilities of my son with an Autistic Spectrum Disorder This morning, I was reminded of the extraordinary abilities of...
pacarroll99
Dec 15, 20191 min read
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