Dexter's Dad's Autism Gym Gang

💙 Sensory Rooms – Why Our Schools Need Them Now 💡

Hey DDAGG Family, it’s Dan—Dexter’s Dad—missing my little Mjolnir a lot today. These sensory room photos keep me going, but they also highlight a big issue: most schools don’t have them. They’re vital for neurodiverse kids like Dexter, offering a safe space to help with sensory needs and emotional regulation—yet they’re so rare due to lack of funding. A basic sensory room can cost £5,000, while high-tech ones can run up to £20,000. 💔

I started DDAGG to raise funds for sensory equipment, dreaming of the day Dexter and his friends can have a space like this at school. Let’s spread the word about this need—share this post to help more people understand why sensory rooms matter for our little legends. Together, we can make a difference! 💪

I did it! I set out to walk 80,000 steps for my Walk for Autism challenge to support my beautiful son Dexter through the Walk for Autism initiative, and I’m thrilled to say I smashed that goal, hitting an incredible 302,432 steps! Every step was for Dexter, who I miss dearly, and this challenge was about raising awareness for autism and showing that we can make a difference, even in tough times. I’m so grateful to everyone who supported me, donated, and shared my journey—it means everything to me and Dexter.

I finished the final day with a chest session at the gym, feeling stronger than ever, and I’ve got some serious calf muscles from all that walking—check out the photo! I’m already looking forward to next year’s Walk for Autism challenge, and I’m determined to beat my 302,432 steps by even more in 2026. To everyone who followed along, thank you—I’ll be back

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💪 From Highs to Lows and Back Again – Let’s Keep Pushing for Our Little Legends! 💙

Hey DDAGG Family, it’s Dan—Dexter’s Dad—checking in after a long day. I started off over the moon, spending the morning with Dexter, laughing and soaking in every second before driving him to school. Saying goodbye is always tough, and after a 12-hour shift at work, I was feeling the weight of missing him. The day dipped a bit, but I decided to turn it around. I got my new Walk for Autism t-shirt yesterday for the charity walk I’m doing, and tonight, I wore it to the gym to snap this pic and promote the cause. Smashing my shoulders felt amazing—those endorphins kicked in, and I ended the day on a high! 💪

The Walk for Autism event inspired me to start DDAGG, and I’m so proud to support both. If you can, please donate to my Walk for Autism page (link in bio/comments) to help neurodiverse kids like Dexter. Days like today remind me that even when it’s hard, we can find strength—for ourselves and our little legends. Let’s keep lifting each other up! 💙

Hey Gang, it’s Dan—Dexter’s Dad—fresh off a back session and riding an endorphin high that’s turned my pain into a smile (check out the pic—I’m buzzing!). Today was a tough one: I worked from 05:45 to 14:00 on barely any sleep, up late overthinking and missing my little hero, Dexter, so much it hurts. He’s 4 years old, already over 4ft tall and 40kg of pure mischief (nurses and doctors estimate he’ll hit 6ft6-6ft8 one day!). As an older dad, I feel the weight of being there for him, especially on his tough days when the fun has to end—a struggle I know many of you with neurodiverse kids can relate to. 💙

It would’ve been easy to crash on the sofa, watch junk TV, or doomscroll, but I chose to show up for Dexter. I went home, brainstormed some ideas for our group’s mission, and then hit the gym for a back session. I poured everything into it—every rep was for him, keeping me in better shape (if you can call this a shape 🤣) so I can be the dad he needs. I measure my strength in “Dexters,” not kgs, because I need to be ready to handle him when he’s having a hard time. That endorphin rush after the session turned my longing for Dexter into a smile, and I want you to feel that too.

I became a dad later in life, and as a Thor geek, I call Dexter my Mjolnir—Thor’s hammer—because he’s my driving force, pushing me to be worthy and keep going through the tough times. My t-shirt says “Training for the Ragnarok,” and for me, that’s about preparing for the biggest battles—like the ones we face as parents, siblings, medical professionals, or neurodiverse individuals. We’re all fighting for our little legends, and the gym is where I turn my negative energy into positive power.

If you’re feeling low and it’s gym time, I’m begging you—perk yourself up, grab your favorite gym shirt, and go train hard. Don’t drown in sorrow or reach for a bottle—channel that energy into something powerful for your reason, your Mjolnir. Whether you’re a parent, a sibling, a professional, or on the spectrum yourself, let’s lift together for the ones who matter most. That post-workout high is real, and it’s waiting for you! 💪

I’m working on setting up a donation platform soon to fund sensory equipment for Dexter’s nursery at Bedwas Infants. If we can build momentum, we’ll spread the love to other schools, helping more kids like ours find calm in sensory spaces. Let’s drive this group forward together—share your stories, your reasons, your little legends in the comments. I want to hear about your Mjolnirs and what keeps you going. Together, we can make a difference for our kids and our community.

Big love from me, Dexter’s Dad, and my Mjolnir, Dexter Manley. 💙💪🙏

💪 Fresh ink, big heart—meet the new logo for Dexter’s Dad’s Autism Gym Gang! This weight plate design reps my 4-year-old legend, Dexter—my absolute hero. At 4ft2 and 41kg, he’s a giant—that’s two gym plates of pure joy! I’m on a mission to bring calm to kids like him. When he was in hospital, a sensory room at The Grange was a lifeline. Now, we’re pushing to make that happen for others—did you know a sensory room for a school averages £5,000-£10,000? Every step counts.

“Like and follow to join the gang—something big’s coming soon (still keeping it hush for now 😉). From Dexter’s Dad and the legend that is Dexter Manley—let’s lift together!