Real Talk: Parenting a Child with Down Syndrome (S8E17)

Episode Summary:

In this powerful and deeply human episode of The Autism Dad Podcast, I sit down with husband-and-wife team Jeremy Dyen and Dr. Mika Gupta, co-founders of Mama Bird, to explore the emotional and transformative journey of parenting a child with Down syndrome.

We talk about:

• Navigating a life-changing diagnosis
• Finding purpose in unexpected places
• Supporting your child’s unique needs without losing yourself in the process
• How their personal journey led to creating brain-focused supplements for kids and families

Whether you’re parenting a child with a disability or looking for inspiration from parents who truly get it, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

Topics Covered:

• Birth and diagnosis stories
• NICU experiences and emotional aftermath
• Early intervention and the Family Hope Center
• How Down syndrome changed their worldview
• Building Mama Bird from lived experience
• The importance of brain health and nutrition
• Parenting tips, mindset shifts, and daily struggles
• Advice for newly diagnosed families

This Week’s Sponsors:

Mama Bird

Support your child’s brain development with Mama Bird Kids Multi+ — made by a neurologist and mom who gets it. These sugar-free, dye-free vitamins are packed with bioactive nutrients that actually cross the blood-brain barrier to help with focus, mood, and learning. Available in gummies or liquid.

👉 Save 20% at lovemamabird.com/THEAUTISMDAD

Safe Place Bedding

Safe Place Bedding provides medical-grade, customizable, and insurance-covered sleep solutions for children with disabilities. Their new permanent bed model, the SPB 300, includes a built-in monitoring system. Learn more at ⁠https://safeplacebedding.com/theautismdad⁠

Mightier

Mightier is a biofeedback-based gaming platform that helps kids learn emotional regulation skills through fun, engaging play. It’s clinically tested and loved by families. Learn how it can support your child at ⁠https://theautismdad.com/mightier⁠ (Use the code theautismdad20 and save 10%)

Guest Bios:

Dr. Mika Gupta is a board-certified neurologist, autism mom, and co-founder of Mama Bird, a company creating brain-first vitamins and supplements for children and families. Her personal journey raising a child with Down syndrome deeply informs her professional mission.

Jeremy Dyen is a musician, dad, and co-founder of Mama Bird. With a background in mindfulness and creative arts, Jeremy brings a unique and compassionate perspective to parenting and product development.

Connect with Mama Bird:

Visit lovemamabird.com to learn more about their brain-focused supplements for kids and families.

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