For Conshohocken’s Steve DeLong, life changed when his son, Bradley, was diagnosed with autism. At first, he and his, wife, Kyle met the moment with uncertainty. He questioned what the future would look like and what it would mean for his family. “I didn’t want him to be limited by anything,” he told American Community Journals. “I wanted the world for him – for it to be perfect.”
But that uncertainty quickly gave way to purpose. DeLong embraces Bradley for who he is: a joyful, empathetic, and unique kid. Now, DeLong advocates for families navigating similar journeys, using his experience to raise awareness and reach fathers of children with special needs who sometimes get forgotten.
Raising Bradley reshaped DeLong’s approach to parenting and life. “It’s not a death sentence,” he said. “It just means we’re gonna have to work differently and maybe a little bit harder to help him get to where he can be.”
He’s become more self-aware and intentional in how he connects with his son. Bradley’s journey from being nonverbal to developing communication skills through early intervention has reinforced the importance of adaptability, empathy, and meeting children where they are. DeLong’s advice for parents learning of an autism diagnosis:
“A little bit of patience and empathy goes a long way.”
His experience led to the creation of the Dad AF (short for Autism Focused) Podcast, where DeLong speaks with fathers and caregivers navigating autism and developmental challenges. The show highlights conversations around emotional growth, and the realities of raising neurodiverse children. DeLong saw a gap. While many mothers share their experiences publicly, fathers often remain silent. His podcast aims to change that, offering a space where dads can speak openly, share struggles, and support one another.
Now, DeLong is channeling that mission into action. On May 8th, he is hosting a fundraiser in partnership with the Eagles Autism Foundation at The Daisy Tavern in Conshohocken. The event promises to be anything but typical. DeLong worked to create a unique experience, including appearances from Philadelphia Eagles’ Landon Dickerson. Philadelphia sports radio legend, Glen Macnow will MC the event and Tim Williams will be performing live. Guests can participate in silent auctions to win event tickets and authentic sports memorabilia.
The goal is to bring people together in a meaningful way, offering something memorable while raising funds and awareness for autism research and support services.
For DeLong, the event reflects a larger purpose. By opening up conversations and building community-driven events, he’s helping shift how autism is talked about, while making sure families like his feel supported every step of the way.
To learn more about Steve DeLong, his Conshohocken fundraiser, and the Dad AF Podcast, visit Dad-AF.
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on MONTCO Today in April 2026.
