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.

Episode Summary: In this episode of The Autism Dad Podcast, host Rob Gorski talks with returning guest Amber Arrington, founder of Autism Savvy. Together, they explore the challenges and successes of helping their adult autistic children transition into independent living, whether through group homes or other arrangements. Rob shares his experience with his son Gavin, while Amber discusses her son Tyson’s journey. They cover different living arrangements for adults with autism, ranging from group homes to more independent living, and discuss the emotional and practical aspects of these decisions. This episode is a must-listen for parents preparing their autistic children for adulthood. Key Discussion Points: - Choosing the right living arrangement for adult children with autism - Various options like group homes, residential facilities, and independent living with support -…

Episode Description: In this compelling episode, Rob Gorski, host of The Autism Dad Podcast, sits down with Danusia Malina-Derben, a mother of ten and a successful business consultant, to discuss the complexities of balancing motherhood, especially when raising neurodiverse children, with a demanding career. Danusia shares her journey from being a mother to ten children, including neurodiverse triplets, to managing a thriving consultancy and podcasting career. Key Topics Covered: Balancing Motherhood and Career: Danusia dives into her experiences of managing a large family while leading a successful consultancy. She discusses the challenges and rewards of juggling both roles without compromising her personal or professional identity. Raising Neurodiverse Children: Danusia's candid conversation about her neurodiverse triplets offers invaluable insights into the unique challenges and triumphs of parenting children with autism and…

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…

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…

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. -…

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…