Autism Village founder Topher Wurts says that with a special needs diagnosis, a parent’s “imaginary future child” dies all at once instead of by a thousand cuts over twenty years. In today’s show, Topher shares his family’s caregiving journey with son Kirby, who was diagnosed with autism at eighteen months old. From altered careers and tricky social situations, to the all-autistic Boy Scout troop Kirby thrives in and balancing time with neurotypical son, Zandy, celebrating each day is what this family is all about. Topher also tells us how he used his background in tech media to develop Autism Village, a free, Yelp-like mobile app for autism families, and how his non-profit Autism Friendly is training businesses to better serve clients on the autism spectrum.

For a transcript of this episode click here: Transcript

Autism Village (free app)

Training for businesses:

Additional Resources: “Born on a Blue Day” by Daniel Tammet

“Ten Things Every Child With Autism Wishes You Knew” by Ellen Notbohm

Books by Temple Grandin

Learn about jazz pianist Matt Savage