53 | Autism Parenting, Acceptance & Fatherhood | Dr. Jonathan Chism

Parenting an autistic child can bring moments of joy, uncertainty, growth, and deep reflection. In this episode of the Autism Family Resource Podcast, Brian Keene sits down with Dr. Jonathan Chism, also known as Dr. Chiz, a father, professor, minister, and co-founder of the Autism Dad Social Club. Dr. Chism shares the honest story of his family's journey raising his non-speaking autistic son. He opens up about the early shock and denial after diagnosis, the hope that therapy might "fix" autism, and the powerful shift that happened when he began listening to autistic voices and embracing a different perspective. Instead of focusing on changing his son, Dr. Chism learned to focus on connection, acceptance, and supporting his son's communication and independence. In this conversation, he reflects on the lessons autism has taught him about empathy, patience, inclusion, and what it really means to show up as a father. This episode is especially meaningful for parents who may feel overwhelmed early in their journey. It's a reminder that growth happens not only for children, but for parents too. Topics Covered • Processing an autism diagnosis as a parent • Moving from denial toward acceptance in the autism journey • Parenting a non-speaking autistic child • Listening to autistic voices and lived experiences • Supporting communication through AAC devices • Building strong father-child relationships • Encouraging independence and life skills • Finding community as an autism parent Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to Dr. Jonathan Chism 01:21 Dr. Chism's background and family 03:08 Receiving an autism diagnosis at age two and a half 07:57 Moving from denial toward understanding autism 10:40 Learning from autistic voices and shifting perspective 24:26 Advice for parents feeling overwhelmed Memorable Quote "Be patient with yourself. Your child is a gift, and this journey will create a new normal." — Dr. Jonathan Chism About the Guest Dr. Jonathan Chism, also known as Dr. Chiz, is an associate professor of history at the University of Houston Downtown, an ordained minister, and the co-founder of the Autism Dad Social Club. As a father raising a non-speaking autistic son, he is passionate about supporting fathers, promoting autism acceptance, and helping families build meaningful connections with their children. Resources Mentioned • Autism Dad Social Club • Uniquely Human by Dr. Barry Prizant • AAC communication tools such as TouchChat About the Host Brian Keene is a pediatric occupational therapist and founder of Pure Hearts Therapy, a neurodiversity-affirming therapy practice providing in-home pediatric therapy services for families in Arizona. Through the Autism Family Resource Podcast, Brian shares practical tools, expert conversations, and supportive insights to help parents navigate the journey of raising neurodivergent children. Learn more at: https://pureheartstherapy.com Subscribe & Connect If this episode resonated with you, please consider sharing it with another parent who might benefit from this conversation. Listen and subscribe to the Autism Family Resource Podcast: https://pod.link/1591840956 Explore more resources for families at: https://pureheartstherapy.com