This week's Listener Question is about how to deal with an unsupportive family member or a family member that doesn't understand or accept your child's autism diagnosis. I hope this helps, and please continue to send your questions. Host Bio: Rob Gorski is a single Dad to three amazing autistic boys and Found and CEO of The Autism Dad, LLC. Multiple award-winning blogger, podcaster, content creator, digital marketer, social media influencer, and respected public figure for well over a decade. Connect with Rob Gorski: https://listen.theautismdad.com Mentioned in this episode: Learn more about Goally As parents, it sometimes feels like we are constantly nagging our kids to work on their daily living routines. Things like hygiene and bedtime, and homework can be so challenging. We know our kids need to learn this stuff, especially as they move towards independence, but sometimes there's just not enough time in a day. Parenting is tough. Trying to balance everything when it comes to raising kids is not easy, and sometimes as parents, we could use a little help. Enter Goally. Goally is a digital visual scheduler, AAC talker, token board system, and more all rolled into one easy-to-use app. It's made for unique thinkers like autistic kids and kids with ADHD. Kids together with Goally can conquer daily routines and therapy practice without prompting from mom or dad. This reduces that feeling of nagging your kids, and it also grants your kids some autonomy to sort of manage their own lives. Goally can easily be used on your child's existing device or with Goally's optional and affordable, dedicated device. In my house, we found that the dedicated device seems to work better for my son, so that's what we use. For more information, you can visit getgoally.com. That's g-e-t-g-o-a-l-l-y.com; and use the code “theautismdad” and save 10% off your order. Visit Goally Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is a Quick Take Bonus Episode answering a listener's question: "How do I talk to my kids about autism?" To grab the full episode, and listen to the entire conversation, click here. My friend Rose joins me today to help parents navigate this challenging situation. Rose just happens to be autistic and has a tremendous amount of insight, which she freely shares. This episode will help you form a strategy for talking to your child about their own autism or even helping them better understand a sibling, friend, or family member who's autistic. Guest Bio: Rose is a Neurodiversity and Disability Specialist. You might know her as @a.tint.of.rose on Instagram where she adventures life in its realist form with her house rabbit Missy, and Penguin, her emotional support/travel buddy cuddly toy.  Rose describes herself as an open-minded gal who loves food, fitness, tourism, and animals (alpacas make her cry with happiness). The world of social media & community are special interests rivaled only by food – both eating and cooking it. She’s been known to watch movies only for their food scenes.  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roselhughes/ Instagram: https://instgram.com/a.tint.of.rose Host Bio: Rob Gorski is a single Dad to three amazing autistic boys as well as Found and CEO of The Autism Dad, LLC. Multiple award-winning blogger, podcaster, content creator, digital marketer, social media influencer, and respected public figure for well over a decade. Connect with Rob Gorski:  https://listen.theautismdad.com Huge thanks to this week's sponsors. ☺ ♥ Mentioned in this episode: Learn More About Mightier Mightier is a clinically proven mobile gaming app that was developed at Boston Children’s Hospital. It’s already helped more than 100,000 kids, including my crew here at home. Kids play on a tablet or a phone while wearing a heart rate monitor. And Mightier incorporates breathing exercises and other calming techniques as part of the game. Kids get to see when it’s time to cool down and learn how to do it themselves. And parents get to track their progress. Visit mightier.com and use the promo code "theautismdad22" at checkout to save 10%. Visit Mightier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's listener question is a really good one. "How do I talk to my child about autism?" My friend Rose joins me today to help parents navigate this challenging situation. Rose just happens to be autistic and has a tremendous amount of insight, which she free shares. This episode will help you form a strategy for talking to your child about their own autism or even helping them better understand a sibling, friend, or family member who's autistic. Guest Bio: Rose is a Neurodiversity and Disability Specialist. You might know her as @a.tint.of.rose on Instagram where she adventures life in its realist form with her house rabbit Missy, and Penguin, her emotional support/travel buddy cuddly toy.  Rose describes herself as an open-minded gal who loves food, fitness, tourism, and animals (alpacas make her cry with happiness). The world of social media & community are special interests rivaled only by food – both eating and cooking it. She’s been known to watch movies only for their food scenes.  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roselhughes/ Instagram: https://instgram.com/a.tint.of.rose Host Bio: Rob Gorski is a single Dad to three amazing autistic boys as well as Found and CEO of The Autism Dad, LLC. Multiple award-winning blogger, podcaster, content creator, digital marketer, social media influencer, and respected public figure for well over a decade. Connect with Rob Gorski:  https://listen.theautismdad.com Huge thanks to this week's sponsors. ☺ ♥ Mentioned in this episode: Learn more about Goally As parents, it sometimes feels like we are constantly nagging our kids to work on their daily living routines. Things like hygiene and bedtime, and homework can be so challenging. We know our kids need to learn this stuff, especially as they move towards independence, but sometimes there's just not enough time in a day. Parenting is tough. Trying to balance everything when it comes to raising kids is not easy, and sometimes as parents, we could use a little help. Enter Goally. Goally is a digital visual scheduler, AAC talker, token board system, and more all rolled into one easy-to-use app. It's made for unique thinkers like autistic kids and kids with ADHD. Kids together with Goally can conquer daily routines and therapy practice without prompting from mom or dad. This reduces that feeling of nagging your kids, and it also grants your kids some autonomy to sort of manage their own lives. Goally can easily be used on your child's existing device or with Goally's optional and affordable, dedicated device. In my house, we found that the dedicated device seems to work better for my son, so that's what we use. For more information, you can visit getgoally.com. That's g-e-t-g-o-a-l-l-y.com; and use the code “theautismdad” and save 10% off your order. Visit Goally Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

So many of our kids benefit from visual schedules, but they can be a pain to create and manage. Goally is a visual scheduler for kids that actually works. It's incredibly versatile, digital, easy to use, and grows with your kids. Tanna Neufed is a speech pathologist and Product Manager at Goally. She's here to explain how Goally can help your kiddo. Guest Bio: Tanna Neufeld is a licensed, ASHA-certified speech-language pathologist with over 15 years in the field working with complex communicators and their families.   She is adjunct faculty for the University of Washington’s Augmentative Communication Foundations course and works full-time as a Product Manager at Goally, an assistive technology startup with the mission to ease the lives of neurodiverse individuals and their families through accessible and affordable technology and services.  In her role as Product Manager, Tanna has the unique opportunity to bring the skills she has learned as a speech therapist to the task of building innovative assistive tech tools rooted in child and family-centered best practices. Learn More About Goally at getgoally.com Use the code "theautismdad" at check out to save 10% Host Bio: Rob Gorski is a single Dad to three amazing autistic boys as well as Found and CEO of The Autism Dad, LLC. Multiple award-winning blogger, podcaster, content creator, digital marketer, social media influencer, and respected public figure for well over a decade. Connect with Rob Gorski: https://listen.theautismdad.com Mentioned in this episode: Learn More About Bened Life Bened Life supports a neuroinclusive community with education and science-backed probiotics that promote mental and physical health. Bened Life prides itself on hiring neurodivergent staff that helps to run multiple facets of their business. Their medical probiotic, Neuralli, featuring the probiotic PS128, has already helped thousands of neurotypical and neurodivergent people worldwide. Learn more by going to benedlife.com. Use the code "theautismdad" at checkout for 20% off your first order. Visit Bened Life Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's listener question is a tough one, and it was pulled from my support forum, here. A mom sent this in and I really felt this and wanted to address it directly. I hope this helps. QUestion/Statement My son was diagnosed about 5 years ago with autism, severe ADHD and language delay. He's come a long way but still struggles with most aspects of social interaction, especially with kids his own age. During COVID we started homeschooling and he likes it so much better than going to school. In public school he had so much anxiety and really just had a horrible experience in general. Since homeschooling I've gotten in this bad habit of telling people he has ADHD. I do it so the other parents are hopefully more understanding if he has a meltdown or is a little bit rude etc. But today my son said he wants it to be a secret. Now I feel horrible. I had the best of intentions but now I feel like I sold out my son to make things easier for myself. (So I don't look like a bad parent if other people see my son having a meltdown or being rude etc.) I also feel like maybe he is feeling the stigma and shame that comes along with being nuerodivergent in our society, which is what I wanted to prevent. I want him to be happy with who he is and how he works and I feel like I've gone about this all the wrong way. I don't want him to be treated differently but he does have different needs. I don't know where to go from here and I feel like a horrible Mom.Host Bio: Rob Gorski is a single Dad to three amazing autistic boys as well as Found and CEO of The Autism Dad, LLC. Multiple award-winning blogger, podcaster, content creator, digital marketer, social media influencer, and respected public figure for well over a decade. Connect with Rob Gorski: https://listen.theautismdad.com Mentioned in this episode: Learn More About Mightier Mightier is a clinically proven mobile gaming app that was developed at Boston Children’s Hospital. It’s already helped more than 100,000 kids, including my crew here at home. Kids play on a tablet or a phone while wearing a heart rate monitor. And Mightier incorporates breathing exercises and other calming techniques as part of the game. Kids get to see when it’s time to cool down and learn how to do it themselves. And parents get to track their progress. Visit mightier.com and use the promo code "theautismdad22" at checkout to save 10%. Visit Mightier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever struggled to navigate the app marketplace while looking for something to help your kids or loved ones with a disability? If so, this is the perfect show for you. My guest Cristen Carson Reat, she's the cofounder and Program Director at BridgingApps.org. She's here today to talk about BridgingApps, a free, heavily curated, and carefully vetted database of apps for people with disabilities. Guest Bio: Cristen Carson Reat is the Co-Founder and Program Director of BridgingApps.org, a program of Easter Seals Greater Houston. Cristen holds a M.A. degree from the University of Texas at Austin, graduated from the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, California, and is certified through the Assistive Technology Applications Program at California State University. She is a proud veteran of the United States Army, where she served as a linguist and has worked in education for fifteen years, most of that time at an educational non-profit. She has written articles on apps for special needs populations that have appeared in National Down Syndrome Communicator, TechEdge Magazine, and Parenting Special Needs Magazine. She is the mother of two sons, one of whom has Down syndrome and autism. Connect with Cristen at bridgingapps.org Host Bio: Rob Gorski is a single Dad to three amazing autistic boys as well as Found and CEO of The Autism Dad, LLC. Multiple award-winning blogger, podcaster, content creator, digital marketer, social media influencer, and respected public figure for well over a decade. Connect with Rob Gorski: https://listen.theautismdad.com Mentioned in this episode: Learn More About Mightier Mightier is a clinically proven mobile gaming app that was developed at Boston Children’s Hospital. It’s already helped more than 100,000 kids, including my crew here at home. Kids play on a tablet or a phone while wearing a heart rate monitor. And Mightier incorporates breathing exercises and other calming techniques as part of the game. Kids get to see when it’s time to cool down and learn how to do it themselves. And parents get to track their progress. Visit mightier.com and use the promo code "theautismdad22" at checkout to save 10%. Visit Mightier Learn More About Victor Wear Did you know that 85% of autistic people are either unemployed or underemployed? It’s a staggering statistic that Tiffany Hamilton and her autistic son Isaiah are working to address with Victor Wear. Victor Wear is an inspirational clothing line that inspires resilience and triumphs over obstacles. Their stylish, super soft, colorful tees sport positive and affirming slogans. They want anyone wearing the VW flame logo to see it as a badge of courage. Victor Wear is warrior wear for those who Rise Above their personal challenges. Because it’s not about how hard you fall. It’s about whether or how you get back up. That’s what being a Victor is all about. Tiffany and Isaiah’s goal is for Victor Wear to become a leading employer and source of empowerment for autistic individuals. 10% of each and every product sold supports Special Olympics VA. To learn more, order your own Victor Wear shirt or hoodie, visit victorwear.com and use the promo code “theautismdad” at check out to save 10% off your entire order. Visit Victor Wear Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's listener question is "anyone else aware of the extent of their child's condition, but still get sad when you see it in paper?" I appreciate the honest question. I've been having really deep conversations with someone who's helping to see some of the things in a different light, and it makes a difference. This question popped up, and I wanted to share some of the wisdom that was shared with my audience. You can find the question and join the discussion at the link below.. Autism Parenting Support Group Host Bio: Rob Gorski is a single Dad to three amazing autistic boys as well as Found and CEO of The Autism Dad, LLC. Multiple award-winning blogger, podcaster, content creator, digital marketer, social media influencer, and respected public figure for well over a decade. Connect with Rob Gorski: https://listen.theautismdad.com Mentioned in this episode: Learn More About Mightier Mightier is a clinically proven mobile gaming app that was developed at Boston Children’s Hospital. It’s already helped more than 100,000 kids, including my crew here at home. Kids play on a tablet or a phone while wearing a heart rate monitor. And Mightier incorporates breathing exercises and other calming techniques as part of the game. Kids get to see when it’s time to cool down and learn how to do it themselves. And parents get to track their progress. Visit mightier.com and use the promo code "theautismdad22" at checkout to save 10%. Visit Mightier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I wanted to share that you can listen to me on the "Welcome To Fatherhood" podcast. Kelly Jean-Philippe and I had a great conversation about what being a Dad means. Check it out at the link below, and subscribe to Kelly's pod. :-) https://welcome2fatherhood.com/listen Mentioned in this episode: Listen to the "Welcome To Fatherhood" Podcast Kelly started the Welcome To Fatherhood Podcast after he and his beautiful wife welcomed their baby boy in the Spring of 2020. Not only was parenthood a brand new experience for their family, the societal context at the time of the birth, both local and global, played a huge role in the challenges Kelly faced as a first time father. While experiencing the most life changing event ever to occur to him, Kelly’s early days as a father was fraught with anxiety, fear, uncertainty, and unrest. Welcome To Fatherhood Podcast became a way for Kelly to openly talk about the experiences of his fatherhood journey as it unfolded. He welcomes fellow fathers and contributors to openly share stories about their pain and inspiration, successes and shortcomings, in parenting and fatherhood. His casual conversational approach stems from training as a skilled Spiritual Care provider in both adult and pediatric settings throughout Philadelphia over the past 7 years. His questions are thoughtful and inviting, treating his audience to various unexpected, vulnerable, and serendipitous moments of honesty and introspection; a treat for both guest and host. The mission of Welcome To Fatherhood Podcast is to reshape cultural assumptions about fathers for a more equitable attitude toward both parenting roles. This platform serves to gives voice to the authentic stories of everyday fathers in order to celebrate and uphold fatherhood equally to motherhood. Welcome To Fatherhood Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's episode answers all your questions about Speech Therapy. My guest is Mckell Smith, a special needs mom and Speech/Language Pathologist. We talk about her parenting journey before diving into a conversation about what Speech Therapy is, how it works, who benefits, and how to navigate the system. Guest Bio: Mckell Smith is a Speech & Language Therapist, mom of four (three with special needs), advocate, and business owner. Mckell is passionate about helping kids, and their families. You can find here at the links below: www.childchampions.net www.instagram.com/im.mckell Host Bio: Rob Gorski is a single Dad to three amazing autistic boys as well as Found and CEO of The Autism Dad, LLC. Multiple award-winning blogger, podcaster, content creator, digital marketer, social media influencer, and respected public figure for well over a decade. Connect with Rob Gorski: https://listen.theautismdad.com Mentioned in this episode: Learn More About Bened Life Bened Life supports a neuroinclusive community with education and science-backed probiotics that promote mental and physical health. Bened Life prides itself on hiring neurodivergent staff that helps to run multiple facets of their business. Their medical probiotic, Neuralli, featuring the probiotic PS128, has already helped thousands of neurotypical and neurodivergent people worldwide. Learn more by going to benedlife.com. Use the code "theautismdad" at checkout for 20% off your first order. Visit Bened Life Learn More About Mightier Mightier is a clinically proven mobile gaming app that was developed at Boston Children’s Hospital. It’s already helped more than 100,000 kids, including my crew here at home. Kids play on a tablet or a phone while wearing a heart rate monitor. And Mightier incorporates breathing exercises and other calming techniques as part of the game. Kids get to see when it’s time to cool down and learn how to do it themselves. And parents get to track their progress. Visit mightier.com and use the promo code "theautismdad22" at checkout to save 10%. Visit Mightier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices