One Autism Dad’s Journey Towards Acceptance (S7E35)

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.

0 Comments

Autism and ARFID: One Family’s Journey (S7E34)

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.

0 Comments

Unlocking Math Success for Kids with Special Needs (S7E30)

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…

0 Comments

Navigating Autism, Picky Eating, and the School Year (S7E29)

Introduction: In this episode, we dive deep into strategies for helping children with autism navigate picky eating and sensory challenges, especially as they transition back to school. Our guest, Brittyn Coleman, a registered dietitian specializing in autism, shares invaluable tips and insights. Summary: Brittyn Coleman discusses the common challenges parents face with picky eaters and autistic children with sensory issues, particularly during the school year. She emphasizes the importance of preparing ahead, working with schools to create supportive environments, and maintaining open communication with teachers. Brittyn also shares practical tips for making mealtime less stressful both at home and school. Key Points and Takeaways: - Understanding the sensory challenges kids face at school. - Strategies for working with schools to support your child's eating habits. - Importance of including nutrition…

0 Comments

Meltdowns vs Shutdowns: A Conversation with Meghan Bailey (S7Ee28)

Episode Summary: In this episode of "The Autism Dad" podcast, Rob Gorski interviews Meghan Bailey, a mother of an 11-year-old son on the autism spectrum. Meghan shares her parenting journey, discussing the initial autism diagnosis, her approach to parenting a neurodiverse child, and the concept of autistic shutdowns versus meltdowns. The conversation delves into coping mechanisms and the importance of meeting children where they are in their developmental process. Key Topics Covered: - Introduction to Meghan Bailey: Meghan shares her story and her son’s late autism diagnosis in 2022. - Grieving Process in Autism Diagnosis: Discussion on how parents may grieve the life they envisioned for their children. - Differences between Autism Shutdowns and Meltdowns: Meghan explains her experiences with her son’s shutdowns as opposed to meltdowns in autism. -…

0 Comments

Enhancing Safety and Independence: Assistive Tech for Autism with Melissa Schiefelbein (S7E27)

Episode Description: In this episode, Rob Gorski sits down with Melissa Schiefelbein, a board-certified behavior analyst, parent of a child with autism, and Clinical Advisor at AngelSense. Melissa shares her journey from being a concerned parent to becoming a professional in behavior analysis. She discusses the challenges and triumphs of raising a child with high needs and how assistive technology, like Angel Sense, has transformed their lives. This episode delves into the importance of understanding behavior principles, promoting independence, and the role of technology in enhancing safety and autonomy for children with special needs. Key Points: Introduction to Melissa Schiefelbein: Her background and journey into behavior analysis. The Role of Behavior Analysis: How understanding behavior principles empowered Melissa to better support her son. Challenges with Traditional Schooling: The impact of…

Comments Off on Enhancing Safety and Independence: Assistive Tech for Autism with Melissa Schiefelbein (S7E27)

Understanding Comorbid Diagnoses in Autism (S7E26)

Introduction: In this insightful episode, we welcome Dr. Suzanne Goh, a pediatric neurologist and behavior analyst, to discuss the complexities of comorbid diagnoses in children with autism. Dr. Goh shares her expertise on the role of pediatric neurology, the importance of a holistic approach, and how parents can better advocate for their children. Guest: Dr. Suzanne Goh Dr. Suzanne Goh is a renowned pediatric neurologist and behavior analyst based in San Diego, California. Specializing in autism, Dr. Goh leads a comprehensive practice that integrates medical, behavioral, and developmental care. As the founder of Cordica, a network of 24 centers providing autism care services nationwide, she is dedicated to improving the lives of neurodivergent children and their families. Dr. Goh is also an author, with her latest book, "Magnificent Minds," offering…

0 Comments