Parent to Parent (feat. Melissa Winchell) S3E16

This is a very special episode. I speak parent to parent with Melissa Winchell about the struggles our families are facing on COVID19 lockdown. Melissa’s family was featured on ABC News recently, along with mine and few others. ABC News were exploring the impact COVID19 lockdown is having on special needs families like ours. I speak with Melissa about the challenges she’s facing as a special needs parent, while on lockdown. We both talk very openly about our fears, concerns and the many struggles our kids are currently facing, as we get used to our new normal. This is a very emotional episode and it provides amazing insight into special needs parenting under these lockdown conditions. We discuss some very difficult things that special needs parents are worrying about as a result of the current crisis. About Melissa Winchell: Melissa Winchell, Ed.D., is a disabled parent of kids with disabilities, including a 10-year-old daughter with Down syndrome, ASD, medical complexity, and multiple behavior diagnoses. She is a lifelong public educator and a current assistant professor of secondary education at Bridgewater State University in Bridgewater, MA. She is president of Inclusion Matters, Inc., a non-profit advocating for and educating disabled families. You can find Melissa: Twitter: twitter.com/melissawinchell Follow Inclusion Matters on facebook.com/WBSEPAC IMPORTANT INFORMATION I wanted to provide you with a list of reliable sources for information regarding COVID19. Facts, science medicine and accurate, truthful information matter now more than ever. These are some of the people and medical facilities that I trust and rely on for information about this pandemic. Please give them a follow. Dr. Tara C. Smith Professor, infectious disease epidemiologist Twitter: twitter.com/aetiology Website: aracsmith.com Cleveland Clinic Twitter: twitter.com/clevelandclinic Website: clevelandclinic.org Mayo Clinic Twitter:twitter.com/mayoclinic Website: mayoclinic.org CDC Twitter: twitter.com/cdcgov Website: cdc.gov Support This Podcast You can find me: theautismdad.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/theautismdad This episode is sponsored by Mightier. Mightier is an amazing program out of Harvard Medical and Boston Children’s. It uses video games to teach kids to emotionally self-regulate. Visit theautismdad.com/mightier and find out more information, including how to get a free 30 day trial. This episode is brought to you by AngelSense. Wandering is a huge problem in the Autism community and it’s reached epidemic levels. AngelSense is working to save the lives of Autistic kids who wander, by empowering parents with GPS tracking tools that helps them to immediately intervene should an episode of elopement occur. Visit angelsense.com for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Mentioned in this episode: Happy Ladders Happy Ladders is Parent-Led Early Autism Therapy that empowers you, the parent, to teach your toddler essential developmental skills through play. Studies have shown that the parent-led model is highly effective while eliminating frustration over long wait lists, or the worry about losing precious developmental time. All without the disruption of people coming into your home Happy Ladders includes activities that target 150+ essential developmental skills every toddler needs as well as assessments in 4 different developmental areas. There’s also an exclusive community of parents just like you, and professional coaching to ensure success for both you and your toddler. To learn more, get a free trial, and take advantage of an exclusive, limited-time offer for my listeners, visit happyladders.com. Use the code "theautismdad" at checkout to save 50% off the monthly membership. Plus get a free one-on-one session as well as access to the Tantrums and Meltdowns mini-course. This is a limited-time offer so act now. Visit Happy Ladders Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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30 Days On Lockdown S3E14

In this shorter episode, I discuss a major milestone we’ve reached, 30 days on total lockdown. I share how I’m managing a seriously delicate medication situation with my oldest. I talk about how we’re doing and the struggles I’m facing as a single Dad during the worst pandemic in a century. Please remember that self-care is more important than ever. It’s not easy but we have to do our best to look after ourselves, especially during these turbulent and uncertain times. Support This Podcast You can find me: theautismdad.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/theautismdad This episode is sponsored by Mightier. Mightier is an amazing program out of Harvard Medical and Boston Children’s. It uses video games to teach kids to emotionally self-regulate. Visit theautismdad.com/mightier and find out more information, including how to get a free 30 day trial. This episode is brought to you by AngelSense. Wandering is a huge problem in the Autism community and it’s reached epidemic levels. AngelSense is working to save the lives of Autistic kids who wander, by empowering parents with GPS tracking tools that helps them to immediately intervene should an episode of elopement occur. Visit angelsense.com for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Mentioned in this episode: BrainyAct BrainyAct® provides tech-enabled, patent-pending therapy programs delivered via gamification for neurological disorders such as Autism, Asperger’s, Dyslexia, and ADHD. BrainyAct activates the underdeveloped areas of the brain through exercises that strategically target a child’s balance, gravity, gross/fine motor, rhythm and timing, visual motor perception, and memory. Putting hope in motion means putting your family first in everything we do and using movement to affect real change. Shifting hope to a reality. 91% of families report global brain improvements after four months. Our company was built on the premise to create real, measurable, and visible change that shows you how your child is improving through data. BrainyAct is for homes and schools. Visit Kinuu.com. Use promo code THEAUTISMDAD and save $500. This is a limited time offer. Visit BrainyAct Happy Ladders Happy Ladders is Parent-Led Early Autism Therapy that empowers you, the parent, to teach your toddler essential developmental skills through play. Studies have shown that the parent-led model is highly effective while eliminating frustration over long wait lists, or the worry about losing precious developmental time. All without the disruption of people coming into your home Happy Ladders includes activities that target 150+ essential developmental skills every toddler needs as well as assessments in 4 different developmental areas. There’s also an exclusive community of parents just like you, and professional coaching to ensure success for both you and your toddler. To learn more, get a free trial, and take advantage of an exclusive, limited-time offer for my listeners, visit happyladders.com. Use the code "theautismdad" at checkout to save 50% off the monthly membership. Plus get a free one-on-one session as well as access to the Tantrums and Meltdowns mini-course. This is a limited-time offer so act now. Visit Happy Ladders Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Autism Certified (feat. DoubleTree Orlando at SeaWorld) S3E6

As you know, or maybe you don't, my boys and I were invited to stay at the DoubleTree by Hilton Orlando at SeaWorld recently. They are one of the very first hotels in the country to become Autism Certified. Our mission was to honestly evaluate their Autism friendly accommodations and experience what it's like to visit a truly inclusive hotel. In this episode, I sit down with David, Laura and Ana to talk about what it means to be Autism Certified. We have a conversation about what families can expect when they visit and what makes DoubleTree different than most other hotels in the country. My kids and I almost never travel. In fact, this is only our second vacation in almost 20 years, the first being Gavin's wish trip a few years ago. This was a massive undertaking on my part and I want to thank everyone who helped make this trip possible. ☺ We're home now and I want to share our experience with you, while it's fresh in my mind. You can find DoubleTree: Website: https://www.dtresortorlando.com/m/ (DoubleTree) Twitter: @DTResortOrlando http://bit.ly/2ZPjjAx (Support This Podcast) You can find me: https://my.captivate.fm/theautismdad.com (theautismdad.com) Twitter: https://twitter.com/theautismdad (https://twitter.com/theautismdad) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Mentioned in this episode: Happy Ladders Happy Ladders is Parent-Led Early Autism Therapy that empowers you, the parent, to teach your toddler essential developmental skills through play. Studies have shown that the parent-led model is highly effective while eliminating frustration over long wait lists, or the worry about losing precious developmental time. All without the disruption of people coming into your home Happy Ladders includes activities that target 150+ essential developmental skills every toddler needs as well as assessments in 4 different developmental areas. There’s also an exclusive community of parents just like you, and professional coaching to ensure success for both you and your toddler. To learn more, get a free trial, and take advantage of an exclusive, limited-time offer for my listeners, visit happyladders.com. Use the code "theautismdad" at checkout to save 50% off the monthly membership. Plus get a free one-on-one session as well as access to the Tantrums and Meltdowns mini-course. This is a limited-time offer so act now. Visit Happy Ladders BrainyAct BrainyAct® provides tech-enabled, patent-pending therapy programs delivered via gamification for neurological disorders such as Autism, Asperger’s, Dyslexia, and ADHD. BrainyAct activates the underdeveloped areas of the brain through exercises that strategically target a child’s balance, gravity, gross/fine motor, rhythm and timing, visual motor perception, and memory. Putting hope in motion means putting your family first in everything we do and using movement to affect real change. Shifting hope to a reality. 91% of families report global brain improvements after four months. Our company was built on the premise to create real, measurable, and visible change that shows you how your child is improving through data. BrainyAct is for homes and schools. Visit Kinuu.com. Use promo code THEAUTISMDAD and save $500. This is a limited time offer. Visit BrainyAct Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Protecting the Affordable Care Act (feat. Peter Morley) S3E5

In this week's episode, I have the honor of speaking with one of my personal hero's Peter Morley. Peter is an amazing human being and someone I'm truly grateful to call friend. Peter has battled cancer, lives in chronic pain and faces many other health challenges. He's devoted his life to fighting to protect our health care. He regularly travels to Washington DC in order to testify before congress or meet with Senators and Congressmen/women to advocate for Healthcare. He's fighting to help ensure that the ACA (Affordable Care Act) is improved upon and not dismantled. Peter and I have a conversation about the importance of protecting the ACA and what would happen if the Trump Administration successfully dismantles it. We also talk about how this could specifically impact the Autism and Special Needs communities. This is serious stuff folks, and you need to pay attention. Peter can be found: Twitter: twitter.com/morethanmySLE Check out his website: https://morethanmysle.com/ (https://morethanmysle.com/) http://bit.ly/2ZPjjAx (Support This Podcast) You can find me: https://my.captivate.fm/theautismdad.com (theautismdad.com) Twitter: https://twitter.com/theautismdad (https://twitter.com/theautismdad) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Mentioned in this episode: Happy Ladders Happy Ladders is Parent-Led Early Autism Therapy that empowers you, the parent, to teach your toddler essential developmental skills through play. Studies have shown that the parent-led model is highly effective while eliminating frustration over long wait lists, or the worry about losing precious developmental time. All without the disruption of people coming into your home Happy Ladders includes activities that target 150+ essential developmental skills every toddler needs as well as assessments in 4 different developmental areas. There’s also an exclusive community of parents just like you, and professional coaching to ensure success for both you and your toddler. To learn more, get a free trial, and take advantage of an exclusive, limited-time offer for my listeners, visit happyladders.com. Use the code "theautismdad" at checkout to save 50% off the monthly membership. Plus get a free one-on-one session as well as access to the Tantrums and Meltdowns mini-course. This is a limited-time offer so act now. Visit Happy Ladders BrainyAct BrainyAct® provides tech-enabled, patent-pending therapy programs delivered via gamification for neurological disorders such as Autism, Asperger’s, Dyslexia, and ADHD. BrainyAct activates the underdeveloped areas of the brain through exercises that strategically target a child’s balance, gravity, gross/fine motor, rhythm and timing, visual motor perception, and memory. Putting hope in motion means putting your family first in everything we do and using movement to affect real change. Shifting hope to a reality. 91% of families report global brain improvements after four months. Our company was built on the premise to create real, measurable, and visible change that shows you how your child is improving through data. BrainyAct is for homes and schools. Visit Kinuu.com. Use promo code THEAUTISMDAD and save $500. This is a limited time offer. Visit BrainyAct Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Emergency Hospitalization (S1E11)

This is an unplanned follow-up to last week's "Untethered From Reality". Shortly after recording and publishing last week's episode, Gavin was rushed to the hospital via ambulance. I'll talk about what happened, why Gavin was hospitalized, where we stand right now, and what we learned. This was a really scary experience and it sorta completes last week's story. It's a teachable moment and provides some insight into what families like mine can often find themselves confronting. About Rob Gorski and The Autism Dad podcast: 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, social media influencer, and respected public figure for well over a decade. Connect with Rob Gorski: https://listen.theautismdad.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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The 800 Pound Gorilla (S1E9)

In this very brief, last minute-episode, I share my thoughts on Autism Speaks "Light It Up Blue" campaign. I talk about how Autism Awareness month has lost its meaning and I give you some ideas on how you can help raise awareness in ways that make a difference in peoples lives. Autism Awareness Month should be about people and not money. I also talk about the importance of supporting local, community-based organizations that make a difference in the lives of Autistic people and their families.http://bit.ly/2ZPjjAx (Support This Podcast)You can find me: https://my.captivate.fm/theautismdad.com (theautismdad.com)Twitter: https://twitter.com/theautismdad (https://twitter.com/theautismdad)This episode is sponsored by Mightier. Mightier is an amazing program out of Harvard Medical and Boston Children’s. It uses video games to teach kids to emotionally self-regulate. Visit http://bit.ly/39HzS5Z (theautismdad.com/mightier) and find out more information, including how to get a free 30 day trial.This episode is brought to you by Probably Genetic. Probably Genetics is helping me with my oldest, who suffers from multiple rare genetic diseases. Probably Genetic is helping me to find the answers to questions that have long gone unanswered. Probably Genetic specializes in identifying rare genetic diseases that often go undiagnosed, especially in children already diagnosed with Autism. They are on a mission to make full genetic sequencing accessible to those who need it. They significantly reduced the cost and drastically reduced the wait time as well. If you are one of the countless people in need of genetic testing, please visit probablygenetic.com to find out more and use the discount code "theautismdad400" to get $400 off. If you already had a whole exome or whole genome test done but didn't get an answer, they can re-analyze your existing data. If you don't have the data available, they'll help you get it from your lab free of charge. You can join their re-analysis waitlist at http://bit.ly/2NTtgZa (https://www.probablygenetic.com/waitlist.html)."Please take a minute and answer a few survey questions. This helps Probably Genetic better understand how best to help families like mine. http://bit.ly/2OcKfpA (Click Here)This episode is brought to you by AngelSense. Wandering is a huge problem in the Autism community and it's reached epidemic levels. AngelSense is working to save the lives of Autistic kids who wander, by empowering parents with GPS tracking tools that helps them to immediately intervene should an episode of elopement occur. Visit http://bit.ly/2tCYw7o (angelsense.com) for more information.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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An Assault of Verbiage (Bonus)

My listeners have been asking for me to try doing episodes where I talk freely about my personal struggles with being an Autism Dad. I thought I'd give it a try. In this bonus episode, I talk about some of those personal struggles, as well as my struggle with Depression, what it feels like to be a Dad to 3 with Autism and the impact it has on my life. This is very open, honest and raw. If you find this useful, please give it a share and help me reach more people. About Rob Gorski and The Autism Dad podcast: 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, social media influencer, and respected public figure for well over a decade. Connect with Rob Gorski: https://listen.theautismdad.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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