Fatherhood, Advocacy, and Rewriting the Narrative on Autism

Welcome to the Autism in Black Podcast, hosted by Maria Davis-Pierre, LMHC. In this episode, we're honored to have Dion Chavis, a certified parenting coach and founder of The Glad Dad, a national initiative focused on helping schools build stronger, more intentional relationships with fathers. As the father of a autistic child, Dion brings a unique blend of personal experience and professional expertise to his work. For over a decade, he has partnered with schools and organizations across the country to improve family engagement, reduce absenteeism, and uplift the role of Black fathers in education and advocacy.

 

In This Episode:

In this heartfelt conversation, Dion Chavis—certified parenting coach and founder of The Glad Dad—joins us to talk about the critical role of Black fathers in the lives of their children, especially those on the autism spectrum. Drawing from his own experience as a dad and advocate, Dion speaks on the power of parental advocacy, the importance of being present, and how we can work together to erase the stigma surrounding autism in Black communities. This episode is an encouraging, eye-opening look at how engaged fatherhood can reshape outcomes for our children.

 

Listeners will explore:

• The importance of dad's being engaged in the lives of their kids
• Why it's important for parents to advocate for their children
• Erasing the stigma of autism in the Black community

 

Connect with Dion Chavis: dionchavis.com

 

About Dion Chavis:

Dion Chavis is a certified parenting coach and the founder of The Glad Dad, a national initiative helping schools strengthen relationships with fathers. As the father of a autistic child, Dion merges personal experience with professional expertise to uplift Black fathers and families. For over a decade, he’s worked with schools across the U.S. to reduce absenteeism, improve behavior, and bridge family engagement gaps through father-focused programming. A nationally recognized speaker, Dion is known for his warm, relatable style and commitment to making fatherhood visible, valued, and powerful.

 

Join us for the FREE Couples & Co-Parenting Virtual Summit on July 26!

This one-day virtual event is designed to empower, support, and uplift Black couples and co-parents raising neurodivergent children—don’t miss these powerful conversations and practical tools. Register here: https://funnel.autisminblack.org/2025couplessummit

 

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