Shows / The Autistic Mile
The Autistic Mile
A meaningful new platform dedicated to advocacy, understanding, and connection within the autism community. The podcast is designed to spark thoughtful conversations and provide helpful dialogue that sheds light on the real experiences, challenges, and strengths of autistic individuals and the families who love and support them. Through authentic stories, practical insights, and heartfelt discussions, The Autistic Mile aims to further awareness, foster compassion, and build a stronger sense of…
Episodes
- The Autistic Mile
Don't Be Afraid To Make Mistakes
Making mistakes doesn’t mean you’ve failed—it means you’re learning.Mistakes are a natural part of growth, and how learning to view them as feedback rather…
- The Autistic Mile
County Line By The Autistic Mile
County Line — The Autistic MileWhat happens when you spend your life learning everyone else’s roads, rules, and signs—but never quite feel like you belong on…
- The Autistic Mile
Knowledge Is Power
Fear is easy to sell—but understanding takes a little more work.Both artificial intelligence and autism can sometimes be framed in alarmist ways by media…
- The Autistic Mile
AI's Potential In Rookie Music Automation
Creativity often comes before technical skill—and AI may be giving more people a way to finally bridge that gap.AI-powered music tools can help people who have…
- The Autistic Mile
Embracing The Good Side Of Tech
AI can sound frightening when the loudest headlines focus on worst-case scenarios—but fear and hype don’t always tell the whole story.New technology often…
- The Autistic Mile
Terminator or Teammate? The Truth About AI
Terminator or Teammate? What AI Really Means for HumansIs artificial intelligence leading us toward a Terminator-style future—or could AI become one of the…
- The Autistic Mile
An Autistic Perspective On AI
AI is surrounded by enormous promises—but understanding what it can’t do may be just as important as understanding what it can.Jim Gaffney and Derek Crager…
- The Autistic Mile
AI Assisting Humans Instead Of Replacing Them
AI doesn’t have to be something that replaces human creativity—it can be something that helps people reach more of their own potential.Artificial intelligence…
- The Autistic Mile
The Ideal-ist: Episode 6 (Eternal Sugar Cookie)
Welcome back to The Ideal-ist, the YouTube Shorts companion series to The Autistic Mile.In this series, Shane Gaffney explores the characters, games, shows…
- The Autistic Mile
The Night Is Still Too Short By Shane Gaffney
The Night Is Still Too Short — By Shane Gaffney“The Night Is Still Too Short” is an original song by Shane Gaffney, blending emotion, imagination, and a…
- The Autistic Mile
Parenting A Child With Special Needs
Parenting a child with special needs can feel intimidating from the outside—but fear of the unknown is often much greater than the reality of learning…
- The Autistic Mile
Letting A Child Have Reasonable Autonomy
Giving children a healthy sense of choice can be an important part of helping them build confidence, independence, and trust.It can be beneficial to let…
- The Autistic Mile
Handling AAC For Speech Hurdles
Communication doesn’t have to look the same for everyone.AAC, or Augmentative and Alternative Communication, can support autistic individuals and others with…
- The Autistic Mile
You're Not Broken For Needing Help
Needing support does not make someone lesser—it makes them human.Asking for help, accommodations, or additional support should never be treated as a sign of…
- The Autistic Mile
Play Dumb & Sabotage: The Power of Doing Less
Play Dumb & Sabotage: When Helping Less Helps MoreWhat if one of the best ways to help a child communicate, learn, and grow is to sometimes…help less?In this…
- The Autistic Mile
How Autism Impacts Work
A supportive workplace isn’t just about giving someone a job—it’s about creating the conditions that help everyone succeed.Autism can shape an individual’s…
- The Autistic Mile
Autism Is Something The Whole Family Experiences
Autism doesn’t exist in isolation—it often becomes part of the rhythm of an entire family.Autism in one family member can become deeply interconnected with the…
- The Autistic Mile
The Potential Of Those On The Spectrum
Autism can come with real challenges—but it can also shape remarkable strengths.The potential of autistic individuals and how the traits associated with autism…
- The Autistic Mile
There's A Light In You
Sometimes, you can see it before they ever find the words to explain it—a kind of light in their eyes.Many autistic children and adults carry a deep desire to…
- The Autistic Mile
Autistic Portrayals In Media
Autism is complex—and that complexity may be one reason authentic autistic representation can still feel so rare.Portraying autism thoughtfully in movies…
- The Autistic Mile
The Light & The Darkness
The Light & The Darkness | The Autistic MileParenting is filled with moments of incredible joy, but it can also carry challenges that few people outside the…
- The Autistic Mile
Autistic Perfectionism
When you want to get everything exactly right, spontaneous communication can become especially challenging.Many autistic individuals can have perfectionistic…
- The Autistic Mile
How Stress Impacts Health
Stress doesn’t always stay in the mind—it can affect the body, too.Stress and anxiety can have a significant impact on autistic individuals, both mentally and…
- The Autistic Mile
We Often Curate How People See Us
What you see on the surface is rarely the whole story.Many autistic individuals learn to carefully curate which parts of themselves they show to the world…
- The Autistic Mile
The Ideal-ist: Episode 5 (Zooble)
Welcome back to The Ideal-ist, the YouTube Shorts companion series to The Autistic Mile.In this series, Shane Gaffney explores the characters, games, shows…
- The Autistic Mile
Work and Identity
Having something meaningful to contribute can be about far more than simply having a job—it can become an important part of understanding who you are.Finding…
- The Autistic Mile
Preparation Is Everything
Sometimes, a little time to prepare can make all the difference.Giving an autistic individual advance notice and an opportunity to gather themselves before an…
- The Autistic Mile
Energy Can Vary Each Day
A new day doesn’t always mean a full reset.An autistic individual’s energy levels can vary dramatically from one day to the next. Even after a full night’s…
- The Autistic Mile
Unseen Strength Is Still Meaningful
Some of the greatest strengths an autistic individual possesses aren’t always the easiest to see.Many autistic people have qualities that often go unnoticed by…
- The Autistic Mile
Overload and Dysregulation
Feeling overwhelmed isn’t always a matter of stress—for many autistic individuals, it can be the result of overload.Autistic overload and dysregulation can…
- The Autistic Mile
Unseen Struggles
Sometimes, the hardest struggles are the ones no one else can see.Many autistic individuals become so accustomed to masking their emotions and pushing through…
- The Autistic Mile
Increased Fatigue
Why can everyday tasks feel so much more exhausting for an autistic person?Many autistic individuals begin the day with a more limited reserve of mental and…
- The Autistic Mile
The Ideal-ist: Episode 4 (Marina Ida)
Welcome back to The Ideal-ist, the YouTube Shorts companion series to The Autistic Mile.In this series, Shane Gaffney explores the characters, games, shows…
- The Autistic Mile
The Before, During, And After of Anxiety
Anxiety is something many autistic individuals experience—but it doesn’t always look the same from one person to the next.Anxiety can become increasingly…
- The Autistic Mile
Support The Mission: Change a Life
The Autistic Mile is more than a podcast. Through Autistic Mile Productions, we create vocational training and meaningful employment opportunities for autistic…
- The Autistic Mile
Autistic Creativity
Creativity can take many forms—and for many autistic individuals, it’s one of the most powerful ways they connect with the world.Many people on the autism…
- The Autistic Mile
The Daily Weight of Autism: 5 Challenges You Don’t Always See
The Daily Weight of Autism: 5 Challenges You Don’t Always SeeWhat does it really take for an autistic adult to get through an ordinary day?In this episode of…
- The Autistic Mile
Support the Mission. Change a Life.
Every purchase. Every contribution. Every mile. It all helps move our mission forward.The Autistic Mile is more than a podcast. Through Autistic Mile…
- The Autistic Mile
Autistic People-Pleasing
Why do so many autistic people spend so much energy trying to fit in?Many autistic individuals learn to hide or suppress their natural behaviors, mimic social…
- The Autistic Mile
Jim Shares Perspectives on Autism and Life
Jim Shares Perspectives on Autism and LifeAutism isn't about wishing for a different life—it's about learning to make the most of the tools you've been given…
- The Autistic Mile
Autistic Mile: Letting You Know You're Important
Autistic Mile: Letting You Know You're ImportantSometimes the greatest gift we can give someone isn't a paycheck—it's letting them know they matter.In this…
- The Autistic Mile
Understanding Communication Challenges
Communication is something many people take for granted—but for many autistic individuals, it can be one of life’s greatest challenges.Expressing thoughts…
- The Autistic Mile
Opportunity Creates Confidence
What role does meaningful work play in the lives of autistic individuals?Professional opportunities can be about far more than earning a paycheck. For many…
- The Autistic Mile
Embrace Your Authenticity
Authenticity isn't about fitting into someone else's expectations—it's about having the courage to be yourself.For many autistic individuals, and for anyone…
- The Autistic Mile
The Opportunity To Belong
The Opportunity To Belong | Why Meaningful Work Matters for Autistic AdultsWhat does a career really mean? Is it just about earning a paycheck, or is it about…
- The Autistic Mile
The Ideal-ist: Episode 3 (Shonen-Doll)
Welcome back to The Ideal-ist, the YouTube Shorts companion series to The Autistic Mile.In this series, Shane Gaffney explores the characters, games, shows…
- The Autistic Mile
The Autistic Mile - Welcome To The Journey
The Autistic Mile is more than a podcast—it's a mission.Hosted by autistic father and endurance runner Jim Gaffney, The Autistic Mile shares honest…
- The Autistic Mile
Autism Toolbox Explained
What is an Autism Toolbox? In this short from The Autistic Mile, Jim Gaffney explains the simple but powerful idea that every autistic person develops a unique…
- The Autistic Mile
Autism: A Family Affair
When one family member is autistic, autism becomes a journey the whole family shares. Understanding, patience, communication, and support help everyone learn…
- The Autistic Mile
Chapter 7 – Family: The First Tool in Our Autism Toolbox
Family is often the very first source of understanding, encouragement, and support on the autism journey. In Chapter 7 of The Autistic Mile, Jim Gaffney shares…
- The Autistic Mile
The Ideal-ist: Episode 2 (Rhea)
Welcome back to The Ideal-ist, the YouTube Shorts companion series to The Autistic Mile.In this series, Shane Gaffney explores the characters, games, shows…
- The Autistic Mile
Structure & Stability: Why they matter
Many autistic individuals thrive on structure and stability—not because they dislike change, but because predictable routines help reduce anxiety, improve…
- The Autistic Mile
Myth: "They're Just a Little Autistic"
One of the biggest myths about autism is that people who appear to be "high functioning" are only "a little autistic." In reality, autism isn't measured by how…
- The Autistic Mile
Episode 6: Special Interests, Hyperfocus & Structure
Episode 6: Special Interests, Hyperfocus & Structure | The Autistic Mile PodcastWhat do special interests, hyperfocus, and structure have in common? For many…
- The Autistic Mile
The Ideal-ist: Episode 1 (Maruki)
Welcome to the very first episode of The Ideal-ist, a new series of YouTube Shorts serving as a companion to The Autistic Mile.In this series, Shane Gaffney…
- The Autistic Mile
The Ideal-ist: Introduction
Hosted by Shane Gaffney as part of the Autistic Mile Podcast, this series explores the worlds of fictional characters, TV shows, movies, video games, and the…
- The Autistic Mile
The Path of Resistance: Choosing Your Journey
Every journey presents a choice. We can follow the path of least resistance, or we can choose the road that challenges us, strengthens us, and helps us grow.In…
- The Autistic Mile
Strive for positivity every day
Every day gives us a new opportunity to choose our mindset. While life isn't always easy, striving for positivity can help us face challenges with greater…
- The Autistic Mile
Autistic People Pleasers: Striving for Equality
Many autistic people spend years trying to fit in, avoid conflict, or make others happy, often at the expense of their own well-being. In this episode of The…
- The Autistic Mile
Episode 5: The Road To Positive Outcomes
What if one of the most powerful tools for improving your life isn't changing your circumstances—but changing your perspective?In this episode of The Autistic…