The Autism Dad

Episode Summary: In this heartfelt episode of "The Autism Dad" podcast, host Rob Gorski sits down with his 15-year-old son, Emmett, to reflect on the remarkable journey from Emmett's early years as a non-verbal child to his present as a confident young man. Rob and Emmett delve into the changes and challenges they've navigated together, including sensory issues, communication barriers, and persona...

Episode Summary: In this captivating episode of the Autism Dad podcast, host Rob Gorski is joined by Britta Koepf, a distinguished special needs financial planner. Their conversation delves into the essential yet often overlooked realm of special needs financial planning, offering insight and guidance to families navigating the financial complexities associated with caring for individuals with dis...

Episode Summary: In this moving and insightful episode of the Autism Dad podcast, host Rob Gorski sits down with Dr. Whitney Casares to discuss navigating medication for children with autism and ADHD. The conversation revolves around common concerns parents have about medications, the various remedies used, and the overarching emotional hurdles that accompany these decisions. The episode opens the...

On today’s episode, I speak with my 24 year old autistic son, Gavin, talks about his transition into adulthood. We talk about everything for employment, independent living, and dating. Gavin is amazing and he’s so honest about what this journey is like for him and how it makes him feel. You don’t want to miss this. About Rob Gorski and The Autism Dad podcast: Rob Gorski is a single Dad to three am...

Summary In the conversation, Rob Gorski and Brittyn Coleman address the challenges of Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) in autistic children. They differentiate ARFID from sensory eating issues and discuss the nutritional difficulties these children face. Brittyn advises on supplement introduction and stresses the need for professional support. The importance of community among par...

You won't believe what happened on New Year's Eve. Emmett, my 15 year old autistic son, and I have a fun chat about some things that happened over the holidays that we've not shared yet. Guest Expert: Emmett Gorski is a 15-year-old autistic advocate and the son of Rob Gorski, the influential blogger and podcast host behind "The Autism Dad." Passionate about raising awareness and understanding of a...

Because there’s so many new listeners and this was such an inspiring episode, I’m rereleasing it so more people can connect with it. :-) In today's very special episode, I'm sitting down with my 15-year-old autistic son, Emmett, for a truly unique conversation. For the first time, Emmett opens up about his experience of being non-verbal for the first 4.5 years of his life. This intimate discussion...

 Welcome to The Autism Dad Podcast, I'm Rob Gorski. As a single dad to three amazing autistic kids, I've been the go to global resource for autism parenting since 2010. For the past seven seasons, this podcast has provided parents with education, community resources, and validation. This season, you'll hear from parents just like you, as well as my own kids who will offer their unique perspectives...

In this week's episode, I take on the controversial subject of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy with his guest, Ashley Gibson-Stewart, a seasoned and board-certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). We talk about what ABA therapy was like in the past and how it's changed over the years. Acknowledging the Past: Rob and Ashley discuss the painful experiences our autistic adult friends endured during...

Join us in this enlightening episode as we sit down with Dr. Whitney Casares, a renowned pediatrician, accomplished author/spokesperson with the American Academy of Pediatrics, and mother to an autistic child. She brings to the table not only her professional expertise but also her personal experience navigating the world of autism. Dr. Casares tackles your most pressing questions about sleep hygi...

This is the final episode of Season 6. Kelly and I reflect back on 2023 and what our autism parenting journey’s have been like this year. Kelly talks about her daughter being diagnosed with autism earlier this year and how she’s navigated some of the challenges associated with that. We some of the things 2023 brought into our lives and what we’re looking forward to in 2024. Also, Kelly’s daughter...

Summary: In this episode of The Autism Dad Podcast, I sat down with my 17-year-old autistic son, Elliott as we reflected on some of the highlights in 2023. We also talk about what he wants to do with his life and where he wants to be in 2024. Elliott is absolutely amazing and you'll be hearing more from him in season 7. Guest Expert: Elliott Gorski Elliott Gorski, the middle son of Rob Gorski, has...

Summary: In this episode of The Autism Dad Podcast, I sat down with my 15-year-old autistic son, Emmett as we recorded our final episode together for Season 6. We had a hilarious conversation as we reflected back on some pivotal moments we experienced in 2023. I had so much fun recording this and I hope you enjoy listening. Guest Expert: Emmett Gorski Emmett Gorski is a 15-year-old autistic advoca...

My guest today is Molly Johnson, otherwise known as The Autism Consultant. She’s here to share some potty training tips and tricks and help us better understand, as well as navigate this toileting journey. Guest Expert: Molly Johnson, The Autism Consultant: Molly Johnson, the founder of The Autism Consultant, initially worked as an autism classroom teacher. Her experience there sparked a deeper in...

Sensory eating is something so many autism families struggle with daily, mine included. My guest this week is Brittyn Coleman, aka The Autism Dietitian. Brittyn is one of only a handful of dietitians across the country specializing in autistic kids. She’s here to help us better understand what sensory eating is and how it differs from picky eating. We also talk about how we can help ensure proper...

Today I spoke with Gavin, my 23 year old autistic son about his journey towards independence in 2023 and what he hopes for in 2024. The conversation didn’t go as planned and Gavin opens up about some very personal struggles that he’s recently overcome. Some I was aware of and others I wasn’t. He also shares his big plans for furthering his independence in 2024 and then drops a massive bomb about o...

On this week’s episode, I sat down with my amazing girlfriend Kelly, and we answer your submitted questions about autism, parenting, and dating when you’re a special needs parent. Kelly and I are both autism parents and we share our experience navigating our parenting journey. We talk about dealing with school related challenges, picking battles, maintaining a relationship while raising autistic k...

In this insightful episode of The Autism Dad podcast, host Rob Gorski sits down with Richard Spurling, the executive director and co-founder of Aceing Autism. They delve into the transformative impact of recreational programs for children with autism, discussing how the sport of tennis can offer vital social, physical, and cognitive benefits. Guest Expert: Richard Spurling: Executive Director and...

Discover the power of parental support in this episode of 'The Autism Dad' podcast. Join us as Tia Hanson shares the uplifting story of her son Trevor, a young man with autism who founded 'Trev's Trade Soaps'. This episode celebrates creativity, determination, and the incredible potential within the autism community. A heartwarming tale of success, one soap bar at a time. Guest Expert: Tia Hanson...

Summary: In this episode of The Autism Dad Podcast, Rob Gorski and his 15-year-old autistic son, Emmett, answer random questions submitted by listeners. They discuss topics such as favorite activities, the right time to put up Christmas decorations, challenging situations, and coping strategies for stress. The conversation is light-hearted and provides insight into Emmett's interests and perspecti...

In this enlightening episode, we explore the unique challenges and experiences of puberty in autistic children. Dr. Whitney Casares and I discuss how to explain physical and emotional changes to neurodivergent teens, address sensitive issues like menstruation and self-exploration, and provide strategies for managing social challenges and inappropriate behaviors. Additionally, we delve into the pot...

A hilarious and insightful conversation with Emmett, my 15 year old autistic son. We talk about how between the four of us, three are diagnosed with autism and three with ADHD. We share how different everyone is and that just because we may share a diagnosis, doesn’t mean we are all the same. Guest Expert: Emmett Gorski Emmett Gorski is a 15-year-old autistic advocate and the son of Rob Gorski, th...

In this episode, I’m joined by Kathryn Bryan, a Special Needs Financial Planner based in Northeast Ohio. Kathryn dives into the essential topic of planning for the future when you have a child with a disability. From utilizing government benefits to specialized trust funds, Kathryn provides invaluable insights to help secure a strong financial future for your family, regardless of your situation....

In this insightful episode of "The Autism Dad" podcast, Rob Gorski and his 15-year-old son, Emmett, delve into the hotly debated topic of Person-First vs. Identity-First Language in the autism community. Offering unique perspectives as a parent of three autistic children and an autistic teen, they explore the emotional and societal implications of the words we choose to describe autism. Tune in to...

In this enlightening episode, we journey into the realm of non-speaking autism, understanding the reasons behind why some individuals on the spectrum may not communicate verbally. We dismantle common misconceptions surrounding non-speaking autism and shed light on alternative communication methods like Spelling to Communicate (S2C). Discover how to better support and connect with those who experie...