Autism Podcast: A Father’s Journey of Love, Resilience, and Hope

Parenting a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can be a beautiful, painful, and transformative journey. This autism podcast episode invites you into that journey, not as a clinical case study but as a heartfelt story of a father navigating diagnosis, doubt, and ultimately, deep connection.

In this powerful episode, Dr Craig Cook—CEO of The Brain & Performance Centre in Dubai—steps out of his role as a medical expert and speaks from the heart as the father of a son with nonverbal autism. His story is honest and, above all, filled with hope for families on a similar path.

Why This Autism Podcast Matters to Parents

When Dr Cook’s son, Xander, was just two years old, a sudden medical emergency altered his developmental path. Despite numerous tests, the results showed nothing out of the ordinary—yet milestones disappeared. Words stopped. Behaviours changed. 

For years, the questions outnumbered the answers. But eventually, the diagnosis came: nonverbal autism.

Dr Cook shares the emotional complexity of this time—the denial, the exhaustion, the fear of what the future might hold. “He’ll grow out of it,” he confesses, thinking of Xander’s diagnosis. “But in all honesty, that was just me unable to accept the diagnosis that Xander had been given and the path and journey that he was about to embark on.”

It’s a feeling many parents will recognise: the aching hope that their child’s struggles are just a phase…and the quiet heartbreak when they aren’t. Not to mention, navigating the medical and diagnostic process can pose even greater challenges. Dr Cook walks us through the numerous assessments his son went through and their failure to find supportive solutions that worked for him. 

A Journey That Led to a Breakthrough

Everything changed when Dr Cook was invited to lead The Brain & Performance Centre—a place where medical innovation and compassion come together to transform lives. It was here that Xander became one of the first children in the youth brain and performance programme.

For the first two to three weeks after undergoing sessions of the world’s most advanced hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), Xander did not seem to show any changes. But then, something extraordinary happened.

On the 23rd session, Xander looked at his dad and spoke words he had never said before: “Papa, love you.”

That single sentence, captured on a home security camera, was a turning point for their family. “It shook me to the core,” Dr Cook recalls. “I was in disbelief. I didn’t know that these words were inside him. I didn’t know he was able to communicate with me.”

Who Should Listen to This Podcast About Autism?

This is more than just one of the many podcasts about autism—it’s a message to families that feel alone, overwhelmed, or unsure where to turn.

This episode is for:

• Parents of newly diagnosed children looking for real hope
• Families searching for holistic, innovative, science-backed therapies
• Caregivers longing to feel seen, understood, and supported
• Clinicians seeking to hear about autism from a parent’s point of view
• Anyone walking the delicate balance between heartbreak and healing

A Path Towards Healing, Grounded in Science and Love

Dr Cook’s story is powerful because it blends two perspectives: a father’s deep love and a doctor’s informed insight.

At The Brain & Performance Centre, Xander’s care began with advanced diagnostics, including brain mapping and genetic testing. These tests revealed hidden inflammation and dysfunction that none of his previous assessments had ever shown.

With that knowledge, our expert medical team created a fully tailored care plan. 

This included:

• The world’s most advanced HBOT programme: An oxygen-based therapy that boosts blood flow and reduces inflammation, opening up new pathways for healing.
• Personalised programmes: Treatment was adapted not just for Xander but also for the rhythms and realities of family life. This included working with a neuropsychologist and an occupational therapist.
• Emotional support for parents: Dr Cook speaks candidly about the toll autism can take on parents—and the importance of caring for your own mental health as you support your child.

This podcast reminds us that progress is possible, even when it feels painfully slow. And sometimes, just when you think nothing is changing, everything does.

Listen to the episode here:

About The Brain & Performance Centre

The Brain & Performance Centre, DP World company, offers science-based, family-first care for children with autism and other developmental conditions. Combining advanced technologies with deeply personalised and compassionate support, the centre helps families uncover answers, build resilience, and create treatment plans that work in the real world.

With each podcast episode, we aim to provide education, community, and—most importantly—hope to families navigating autism and other challenges with love and courage. Explore our podcasts

Your Not Alone and There is Hope

Whether you’re just beginning the journey or seeking new answers, The Brain & Performance Centre is here to walk it with you. Reach out to our team and learn how we can support your family’s next chapter.