Before He Could Speak (S8E08)

This week’s episode is deeply personal and incredibly important. I’m rereleasing this conversation from a previous season because the message still resonates just as strongly—and it’s something every parent, educator, and professional working with non-speaking kids should hear. What started as a simple audio test with my son Emmett turned into one of the most powerful and emotional conversations we’ve ever had. We were just testing out some new podcasting gear, but Emmett opened up in a way I hadn’t expected. He shared vivid memories of what life was like before he could speak—how it felt, what he understood, and how frustrating and lonely it was to be trapped in his own thoughts with no way to communicate. We talk about: • Emmett’s memories of being non-speaking as a toddler • The emotional toll of not being understood • How he experienced the world, despite being assumed “incompetent” by some • What it felt like when he finally broke through and began to speak • The importance of presuming competence in non-speaking individuals • Simple things we did to support communication and why they mattered • Emmett’s advice to parents trying to connect with their non-speaking kids This conversation is a reminder that language doesn’t equal intelligence. Just because a child can’t speak doesn’t mean they aren’t listening, feeling, thinking, or understanding. I’m so proud of Emmett for opening up about this. His voice is one that needs to be heard, and I’m excited to continue this father-son dialogue in future episodes. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. Follow me online: • Podcast Website: listen.theautismdad.com • Blog: theautismdad.com • Instagram: @theautismdad • Facebook: facebook.com/theautismdad