The Autism Dad

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 tri...

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 ti...

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 ch...

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 importanc...

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...

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 renow...

In this enlightening episode, we dive deep into Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) with Michelle from "My ARFID Life." Michelle shares her personal journey of parenting a child with ARFID, the challenges they face, and the incredible support they receive from their online community. This episode is packed with valuable insights, practical advice, and inspiring stories for parents, c...

In this episode of "The Autism Dad" podcast, Rob Gorski welcomes Lisa Candera, also known as The Autism Mom Coach. Lisa, a solo mother of a teenage son with severe autism and OCD, is a practicing attorney and certified life and grief coach. She shares valuable insights and practical strategies to help parents navigate challenges such as meltdowns, sleepless nights, and sensory issues. Join us for...

In this enlightening episode, Rob Gorski sits down with Jan Gioia, a dedicated meditation teacher and the founder of WeeMeditate. With a background in special education and extensive experience teaching meditation to children of all abilities, Jan shares her insights on how meditation can benefit neurodivergent kids. She discusses the misconceptions around meditation, practical tips for introducin...

Zaneta Barton, a mother of six, shares her journey as a parent of a child with autism and her pursuit of a degree in deaf communication. She discusses the challenges of accepting the diagnosis and the impact on her family. The conversation also touches on the dynamics of a large family and the importance of self-care. The conversation covers the challenges of burnout, self-care, and the transition...

In this episode, Rob Gorski is joined by Amber Arrington from Autism Savvy. They delve into the topic of Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), an often misunderstood profile within the autism spectrum. Amber shares her personal experiences as a mother of three autistic children, including a daughter who exhibits PDA traits. The discussion covers the challenges of navigating PDA, strategies for supp...

In this episode, Rob Gorski speaks with Susie Liberator, an entrepreneur and dedicated mother who shares her journey of balancing a thriving business career with raising a son diagnosed with autism. Susie opens up about the challenges and triumphs of leaving the corporate world to support her son's needs and offers valuable insights and advice for other parents on similar paths. About Susie Libera...

Summary In this episode, Rob Gorski interviews Dani Kinsley, an occupational therapist and product developer at Super Duper Publications. Dani shares how Super Duper creates a variety of educational tools, including card decks, books, games, and software, designed to support skills like speech articulation, problem-solving, and daily living activities. These user-friendly resources are crafted for...

Summary Stephanie Peters and Shelby Knopp are the co-owners of Wishes and Co Travel Planning, a travel agency that specializes in special needs travel. They provide resources and support for families with special needs children to plan successful vacations. They offer services such as social stories, visual schedules, and personalized recommendations for accommodations and activities. Their goal i...

Episode Summary: In this episode, Rob Gorski sits down with Dr. Usman Ali to discuss the nuances of pediatric dentistry, especially in relation to children with special needs such as autism and sensory processing disorders. Dr. Ali shares his insights on preventive care, strategies for reducing dental anxiety, and the options available for sedation and general anesthesia in a pediatric setting. Ab...

Summary In this conversation, Stacy Brookover, an intervention specialist, discusses her role in the school system and the importance of true inclusion for students with special needs. She explains the process of identifying students' needs and creating Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) or 504 plans. Stacy emphasizes the value of teacher training and the need for effective communication betwee...

Harry Psaros, author of the book 'From Struggle to Strength: A Father's Journey with Autism and the Power of Hope and Positivity,' shares his personal journey as an autism dad and the inspiration behind his book. He emphasizes the importance of mindset, resilience, and positivity in navigating the challenges of raising a child with autism. Psaros encourages parents to focus on continuous improveme...

Episode Summary: In this episode, Rob sits down with Kimberly Hauck, the Director of the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD). They discuss the crucial role the DODD plays in supporting individuals with developmental disabilities and their families across Ohio. Kimberly details her journey from starting as a direct support professional to leading the department, emphasizing the dep...

Episode Summary: In this insightful episode, Rob Gorski sits down with his eldest son, Gavin, who is autistic, to discuss the important and nerve-wracking journey of transitioning to adulthood. They delve into Gavin's experiences with job training, his first job, and the process of touring group homes as he plans his future. Key Points Discussed: - Transition to Adulthood: Gavin shares his progres...

Welcome to another insightful episode of "The Autism Dad" podcast. In this episode, Rob Gorski, your host, sits down with Kevin Miller, an autism dad and the Executive Director of Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD), a state agency dedicated to assisting individuals with disabilities in finding and maintaining employment. In This Episode, You'll Discover: - Kevin's Personal Journey:...

Summary In this conversation, Rob Gorski and Amber Arrington discuss the challenges and decisions involved in parenting adult children with autism. They address sensitive topics such as transitioning to adulthood, the need for independence, and the consideration of group homes. They also explore the emotional impact of making decisions like pursuing guardianship and the stigma attached to these ch...

In this week’s episode, Emmett, my 15 year old autistic son, and I answer a bunch of your autism related questions. Emmett dug through a huge list of questions you folks submitted via Facebook and create a list of 10 he wanted us to talk about this week. This was a lot of fun. :-) Resources and Links: Episode mentioned for future reference: "The Parent's Guide to Navigating Autism and Puberty" wit...

Summary Lena Hartman from Make'm Smile Ohio discusses the organization's annual event that celebrates individuals with disabilities and their families. The event offers a party-like atmosphere with various activities, entertainment, and resource exhibitors. Lena emphasizes the importance of inclusivity and acceptance, ensuring that families feel comfortable and supported. Siblings are also include...

In this week’s episode, I sit down with Gavin, my 24 year old autistic son. We talk about a situation that occurred recently where Gavin was very, very upset at work and had to call me for help. I wanted to discuss this after some time passed because I’m very interested in what Gavin learned from this experience and I wanted to better understand what he was going through in the moment. We both fee...

Episode Summary In this conversation, Rob Gorski speaks with Samantha Fox, a speech language pathologist and founder of Beyond Speech Therapy Center. They discuss non-speaking autism and the challenges related to communication. Samantha shares her journey into speech pathology and how she discovered the importance of motor control in communication. They delve into the concept of apraxia and when p...