Todd sits down with retired Officer Jerry Turning who has chronicled his life as an autism dad in his blog “Bacon and Juiceboxes” where he describes the often gritty and disruptive life in autism. They go into the shared experience of appreciating the autism mindset as something of beauty despite it being a big mystery in s2. E3. N13. of the Otherness Podcast called Failing and Finding In Autism. Loving the Autism Perspective.

Todd finds himself moved and intrigued by how a police officer and psychiatrist can get together and find a common energy in living with autism in their families and work. Officer Jerry Turning joins Todd to share his feelings and experiences of being an autism father and someone dedicated to working in the autism community and law enforcement.

After Todd was introduced to the “Bacon and Juiceboxes” blog, he read the book “Desperate Pursuits” which are both written by Officer Jerry Turning. While the blog is about Jerry’s personal and unfiltered approach to living with his son with autism (Eric) the book is fictional and dives into the life of a police officer who is haunted by his son’s autism. The first conversation Todd and Jerry had lasted 2 hours and could have gone much longer. This is because the concepts of appreciating autism for what it is and reflecting on why they have the responses they do was very connecting for both of them. On the episode, Jerry describes how he will “fail” multiple times a day as he grows with Eric and his family to find a rhythm that works for everyone involved. Jerry has been able to find joy in Eric’s repetitive enjoyment of the same simple acts. For example, Eric is excited to the same degree every time go to the store to buy the same toy cars, even though he does not actually play with them. He also finds more enjoyment from getting a pepperoni sandwich (no toppings) from Subway for the 100th time than he does going to a luxury resort. Jerry also described how anxious he feels when he is not with Eric and wonders about his emotions and safety. Jerry is most at rest when he and Eric are sitting comfortably on the couch together and can put aside the challenges of the outside world for a few moments.

The Otherness Podcast is exploring and engaging autism through experienced stories with Dr. Todd Peter Levine and is available on most places and sites where you like to listen to podcasts.

Failing and Finding in Autism. Loving the Autism Perspective. S2 E3 #013 of The Otherness Podcast

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Opening Theme Song Music Credits
“Otherness Podcast Intro Theme Song and Music” by Nicholas Burling
Copyright 2021 Late Leopard Publishing/Nick Burling (ASCAP)
Administered by Late Leopard Publishing (ASCAP)
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Closing Theme Song Music Credits
“Otherness Podcast Outro Theme Song and Music” by Nicholas Burling
Copyright 2021 Late Leopard Publishing (ASCAP)
Administered by late Leopard Publishing (ASCAP)
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