From Denial to Warrior: The Autism Journey Every Father Needs to Hear | Ep. 57

Brooke hosts Finding Hope on the Spectrum and interviews Pittsburgh-based autism advocate, author, and speaker Harry Psaros, who shares his family’s early autism journey with his son Gus, including missed warning signs, a preschool birthday party turning point, and a fast Cleveland Clinic diagnosis. Psaros describes shifting from anger to a “warrior” mindset rooted in empathy, self-care, and building a supportive village, and he outlines his “2% rule” of focusing on one daily skill to reduce overwhelm amid competing therapy demands. He discusses multiple therapies, highlighting Dr. Robert Melillo’s Brain Balance approach and reported gains in Gus’s presence, self-advocacy, and nutrition. Gus, 22, is graduating from Kent State in exercise science, pursuing a physical therapy assistant degree, and has won a National Courage Award. Psaros also explains founding North Fayette PALS and serving on the Autism Caring Center board, and he details how his book aims to engage fathers worldwide.00:00 Overwhelm to 2 Percent01:01 Podcast Welcome Intro01:40 Meet Harry Passaris02:56 Before the Diagnosis05:38 Birthday Party Wake Up08:07 Mindset Warrior Shift12:01 Self Care as Strategy16:15 Therapies and 2 Percent Rule20:19 Brain Balance Breakthrough22:39 Gus Today Milestones26:25 PALS and Community Support29:56 Why He Wrote the Book32:12 Where Are the Dads33:34 Book Impact Stories36:37 Drop the Ego37:59 Tandem Kayak Teamwork39:21 Bestseller and Translations40:34 Vision Boards for Goals43:54 Progress Over Levels46:30 Legacy and Helping Others48:15 Find Your Village51:32 Advice to Younger Self52:48 What Thriving Means54:17 Where to Find HarryConnect with Finding Hope on the Spectrum:www.findinghopeonthespectrum.comEmail: [email protected] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574918739411 Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brooke-wagner-4819233a/ Instagram: @findinghopeonthespectrum TikTok: FindinghopeonthespectrumGuest Contact:Website: www.harrypsaros.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harrypsaros/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harrypsaros