Episode Summary: In this heartfelt episode of The Autism Dad Podcast, Rob Gorski reconnects with his 18-year-old autistic son, Elliott, who co-hosts to share life updates and a peek into his creative journey. Rob and Elliott discuss the challenges of transitioning into adulthood, managing anxiety, and handling societal expectations like driving. Elliott opens up about the pressures he faces as he finds his path, and together they explore his unique strengths and accomplishments. Tune in to hear Rob and Elliott’s inspiring conversation and subscribe for more insightful episodes on parenting, autism, and family! Key Highlights: - Elliott’s Creative Venture: Learn about Autistic Eyes, Elliott’s digital photography business, where he shares his distinctive view of the world through his art. - Transition to Adulthood: Elliott candidly discusses the pressures of adult…

Episode Summary: In this insightful episode, Rob Gorski speaks with Anthony Pacillio, Vice President of Neurodiverse Solutions at CAI, about the unique challenges neurodivergent individuals face when entering the workforce. Anthony shares his journey of building neurodiversity programs, his personal experiences as someone with social anxiety and depression, and how these have fueled his passion for helping others succeed in employment. Rob and Anthony dive deep into critical topics, including how companies can create supportive environments for neurodivergent employees, the importance of early preparation, and the need for strength-based approaches in both education and the workplace. They also discuss the "cliff" many neurodivergent individuals face when they age out of school-based services and transition into adulthood. Rob shares his personal experience helping his son navigate employment, offering valuable insights for…

In this episode of The Autism Dad Podcast, Rob Gorski speaks with Joel Pearlman, father to a non-verbal autistic daughter, Danielle. Joel opens up about the emotional challenges of receiving an autism diagnosis, navigating fatherhood, and his family’s journey of acceptance. He shares how he and his wife created the Dani Plan, a digital tool to help parents document essential care information for their special needs child. Key Takeaways: - Joel shares the early signs of Danielle’s autism and how they came to terms with the diagnosis. - The emotional toll and the process of accepting life with an autistic child. - How Joel and his wife developed the Dani Plan to organize care details for Danielle, helping other parents find peace of mind. - Advice for fathers struggling with…

In this week's episode, Rob Gorski sits down with Shaun Hampton, a father of two autistic boys, to discuss his parenting journey, the emotional rollercoaster of diagnosis, and the ways his family has navigated life with autism. Shaun shares insights into the diagnostic process, the challenges of acceptance, and how his family has turned their experiences into opportunities for advocacy and awareness.

In this episode, I chat with Megan Brannan, mom to a five-year-old boy named Rory, diagnosed with autism. Megan shares her journey from early concerns about Rory’s speech delay to facing long waitlists for a diagnosis, all while navigating COVID-19 hurdles. She emphasizes the importance of trusting parental instincts when developmental delays are present, especially when medical professionals encourage a “wait and see” approach. We also dive into Rory’s struggles with ARFID (Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder) and how sensory challenges impact his eating. Megan shares how feeding therapy, though slow, has been a crucial step in helping Rory expand his list of safe foods. If you’ve ever felt unheard as a parent or struggled to navigate your child’s needs, this episode offers valuable insights and support.

Exploring Group Homes and Residential Options

With Special Guest Danusia Malina-Derben

Episode Description: In this episode of *The Autism Dad Podcast*, Rob Gorski interviews Eric MacKinnon, founder of Grokkoil, an AI-powered math tutoring platform tailored for kids with special needs like ADHD, dyslexia, and autism. Discover how Grokkoil is transforming special education by personalizing math learning experiences, diagnosing learning gaps, and accelerating progress by up to four times. Eric shares his journey from struggling in math to developing Grokkoil and discusses its impact on students and their families. Don’t miss this deep dive into how Grokkoil is helping special needs children excel in math. How Grokkoil Helps Special Needs Children Excel in Math: Grokkoil’s AI-driven platform addresses the unique learning needs of children with ADHD, dyslexia, dyscalculia, and autism. By identifying learning gaps and customizing lessons, Grokkoil helps students master math…