Episodes

Not all autism programs are built the same and choosing the wrong one can have lasting consequences. In this episode of Autism Labs, Mike Carr continues his conversation with autism consultant Johnna Oppermann to explore what truly defines a high-quality autism program. From intake and transition planning to staff culture and retention, this episode breaks down the critical factors that influence whether individuals with profound autism succeed or struggle in a program. You’ll learn why fast ...

What actually makes an autism program safe, sustainable and trustworthy? In this episode of Autism Labs, Mike Carr speaks with Johnna Oppermann, a leading expert in residential and day programs for individuals with profound autism. Drawing on decades of experience, Johnna explains why culture, not facilities, funding or programming, is the foundation of effective autism care. For parents navigating the transition to adulthood, this conversation addresses one of the biggest fears: What happens...

Sleep is one of the biggest and most exhausting challenges for families living with autism. In this episode of Autism Labs, host Mike Carr shares 8 real-world strategies that have helped his son sleep over the past 30 years. This isn’t a clinical checklist. It's a lived experience. From physical and mental exhaustion to sensory tools, supplements and unexpected approaches like letting your child self-regulate at night this episode explores what actually helps (and what doesn’t). If you’re rai...

In Part 2 of this powerful Autism Labs conversation, Mike Carr sits down with Glenn Carter (Board Certified Behavior Analyst with 15+ years of experience) to explore one of the most complex topics in autism care: the relationship between medication, behavior, and everyday life factors. Many families rely on medication to manage aggression, focus, or sleep challenges. But as Glenn explains, without clear data and defined goals, medication can become a cycle of side effects rather than solutions. ...

What Happens After ABA Ends? Real Strategies for Autism Adults Most autism therapy is designed for children,but what happens when those services end? In this episode of Autism Labs, Mike Carr speaks with Glenn Carter (BCBA, 15+ years experience) about the critical transition from structured therapy to adulthood, especially for individuals with profound autism and high-support needs. Glenn shares practical insights from working across the full autism lifespan, from early intervention to adult ...

What happens when someone is labeled “unemployable”… but given a chance anyway? In this episode, Mike Carr continues his conversation with Tom Landis and Jeff Schiefelbein of Howdy Homemade Ice Cream, a company creating meaningful employment opportunities for individuals with special needs. They share powerful, real-world stories of autistic adults who were once overlooked but are now thriving in structured, supportive work environments. The conversation explores the gap after age 22, the lim...

Finding meaningful employment for autistic adults is one of the biggest challenges families face especially after age 18 or 22 when services begin to disappear. In this episode of Autism Labs, host Mike Carr speaks with Tom Landis, founder of Howdy Homemade Ice Cream and Jeff Schiefelbein, to explore how businesses can successfully employ individuals with autism and other special needs. They discuss how structured environments, checklists and consistent coaching help individuals thrive and why t...

Communication with a nonverbal autistic child can feel overwhelming, confusing, and at times impossible. In this episode of Autism Labs, Mike Carr shares a powerful and practical framework that shifts the focus from speaking to listening, specifically, how we listen. Drawing from the concept of adaptive listening, Mike explains how communication in autism extends far beyond words. For individuals with limited or no verbal language, meaning is often expressed through body language, facial express...

Most autism parenting advice focuses on behavior strategies, therapy plans and routines. But what if the biggest transformation begins with mindset? In this reflective solo episode, Mike Carr, co-founder of Autism Labs and father to a profoundly autistic adult, shares a powerful perspective shaped by years of caregiving and lived experience. Drawing inspiration from timeless wisdom principles, Mike reframes them through the lens of autism parenting and caregiving. He explores how humility, grief...

What if the biggest breakthroughs in autism therapy aren’t happening inside the therapy room? In this episode of Autism Labs, Mike Carr sits down with Diana Danu, an autism parent from Bucharest, Romania, to explore what truly drives progress for children with autism and what many systems overlook. After years of navigating therapy, education, and limited resources, Diana shares the turning points that changed her son Gabi’s development. From discovering the importance of joint attention and ...

What happens when an autistic child is receiving therapy, attending preschool and following a treatment plan, but the skills aren't transferring into everyday life? In this episode of Autism Labs, Mike Carr speaks with Diana Danu, a mother from Bucharest, Romania, about her 8-year-old son, Gabi and the lessons their family learned navigating autism diagnosis, therapy, school, parenting and support services. Diana shares what happened after Gabi was diagnosed around age three and how her family i...

You can have strong, caring support and still feel like things are falling apart. In this episode, Mike Carr shares a lesson that took years to fully understand. It’s not just about building the right team. Even the best caregivers face limits. They get sick. They move on. They can’t be there all the time. So what happens next? Mike talks about why families need more than good people. They need systems that can adjust as life changes. You’ll hear about: Why caregiver turnover keeps happeningT...

Autism transition to adulthood isn’t just about leaving school. It’s about what comes next and whether a young adult is ready for it. In this episode of Autism Labs, Mike Carr speaks with Will Renfro, who leads transition services for more than 70 students, and Patti Cole, a veteran special education teacher known for her creative, individualized approach to learning and independence. They share real-world strategies that go beyond standard transition plans. The conversation focuses on how indep...

Autism Transition Starts Earlier Than You Think When should autism transition planning actually begin? In this episode of Autism Labs, Mike Carr sits down with Will Renfro, Transition Coordinator, and Patti Cole, special education teacher, from Round Rock ISD to break down what families need to know about preparing autistic teens and young adults for adulthood. They share real-world insights from working with over 70 students across different levels of support, including those with higher nee...

Raising a profoundly autistic child comes with some of the most difficult questions a parent can face, especially when school-based support ends and adulthood begins. In this episode, Mike Carr, founder of Autism Labs and father to a 36-year-old son with profound autism, shares the five most common fears families experience: loss of services after age 21, long Medicaid waiver waitlists, confusion around SSI and SSDI, guardianship decisions and lifelong care planning. But the conversation doesn’t...