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