“Let me talk to you about Autism Appreciation. After awareness, after acceptance. It’s the idea that there are beautiful parts of my son’s personality because of, not despite, autism.”
James Guttman is the author of Hi World, I’m Dad and a keynote speaker whose message centers on autism appreciation, emotional honesty, and the unexpected beauty of parenting a non-verbal child. His viral essay for HuffPost Personal reached over 750,000 readers in its first day and became one of the most-clicked stories on Apple News. Through his blog, web series, and speaking, James invites audiences to reconsider what connection, progress, and love really look like.
Why event planners book James
- Viral Essay on HuffPost Personal reached hundreds of thousands of readers
- Featured panelist on Jubilee Middle Ground
- Hi Blog I’m Dad community built on honesty, humor, and real‑life tools
Topics and takeaways
-
Autism appreciation
How seeing strengths changes outcomes for kids and for families
-
Parenting a non‑verbal child
Communication, connection, and progress you can miss if you rush
-
Fatherhood and feelings
Leading with love without losing structure or expectations
-
Siblings and family balance
What helps brothers and sisters feel seen and strong
-
Finding humor in the hard
Storytelling that keeps people listening and learning
Watch James
“James was very inspiring and his stories were so interesting. Our kids definitely deserve to be appreciated.” – Alayna
“This was a GREAT event!!!! The speaker was knowledgeable and relatable. Thank you SEPTA for organizing!” – Colleen
“He shares relatable stories about the everyday lives of his family, including good days and bad ones. Readers will find Guttman’s writing sincere, and sometimes blunt and humorous, all the while educational about what it’s like to raise children who are verbal and nonverbal.” – Healthline.com
“James Guttman writes about parenting both of his children (one nonverbal and one nonstop verbal), self-reflection, and all that comes with fatherhood. His mix of humor and honesty aims to normalize the way people view raising a child with special needs and show that we, as parents, are all basically the same, regardless of the children” – Autism Parenting Magazine
–0–
Details that make planning easy
- Formats include keynote, fireside chat, workshop, virtual session
- Ideal for parents, teachers, therapists, school leaders, community groups, and workplace inclusion teams
- Tech needs kept simple and flexible
- Travel from Long Island
Frequently asked questions
Do you speak virtually?
Yes. Virtual talks are available and interactive.
Do you tailor talks?
Yes. Each audience is different. We plan together so it fits your goals.
Can we include a Q and A?
Yes. Q and A often helps people connect the ideas to their lives.
Hi Blog! I'm Dad. 
You must be logged in to post a comment.