In this episode of The Autism Dad Podcast , I sit down with my 25-year-old autistic son, Gavin, for a candid update on his journey. We talk about his transition out of a group home, what he’s learning along the way, and his hopes for the future. If you’re parenting autistic children or supporting neurodivergent kids as they grow into adulthood, this conversation offers both real-world challenges and encouraging progress. Gavin shares openly about work, housing, self-care, and even his dream of b...
Aug 20, 2025•37 min•Season 8Ep. 27
Parenting a child with disabilities often means putting your own needs last. But when you’re running on empty, burnout can take over and everyone feels the impact. In this episode of The Autism Dad Podcast , I talk with Dr. Regina Crone and Julie Hornok, co-founders of Labeled and Loved , an organization devoted to supporting moms raising kids with disabilities . Fresh off their appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show , Regina and Julie share their personal journeys, how burnout affects moms, and ...
Aug 13, 2025•38 min
This week, we’re talking about something every autism parent needs to think about—but many don’t until it’s too late: water safety and wandering. If you’ve ever felt the panic of not knowing where your child went or struggled to keep them safe near water, this episode is for you. I’m joined by Dr. Molly O’Shea, a pediatrician with the American Academy of Pediatrics, autism mom, and the official pediatrician for Goldfish Swim School. We explore the very real risks around drowning in the autism co...
Aug 07, 2025•41 min•Season 8Ep. 25
In this powerful and deeply personal episode of The Autism Dad Podcast, I open up about one of the darkest moments of my life—a time when the weight of burnout, single parenting, and undiagnosed ADHD nearly pushed me past the brink. But more importantly, I talk about the moment I chose five more minutes—and how that choice changed everything. Joining me is Dr. Kristen Guillory, a leading voice in men’s mental health and founder of Candid Conversations for Men. Together, we break down what often ...
Jul 30, 2025•1 hr 13 min
Need a smile today? This episode is your dose of joy. Aria—my 9-year-old stepdaughter and fan favorite—is back on the podcast and taking over the mic. From overcoming her fear of water to her growing love for Stranger Things and Taylor Swift, Aria is full of heart, humor, and surprises. Stick around to the end for her incredible rendition of “NeverEnding Story.” You don’t want to miss it. Aria shares her world in a way only a neurodivergent kid can. Whether you’re a parent of autistic children o...
Jul 23, 2025•18 min•Season 8Ep. 23
In this powerful conversation, Rob talks with Jennifer Kaufman, educator, and grandmother to an autistic child - about the often overlooked but critical role that grandparents play in the lives of neurodivergent kids. Jennifer shares wisdom from her book Grandparenting on the Spectrum and opens up about navigating her dual role as both a seasoned professional and a grandparent still learning to step back. This episode is a must-listen for parents and grandparents alike who want to create stronge...
Jul 16, 2025•34 min•Season 8Ep. 21
When you’re parenting autistic children or kids with high support needs, it’s easy to wonder how it all impacts their siblings. Do they feel forgotten? Overwhelmed? Lost in the shuffle? In this heartfelt episode of The Autism Dad Podcast, I sit down with autism mom Amy Kelly and her adult son Danny for a raw, emotional, and hopeful look at the sibling experience—and why it matters more than we often realize. Amy is a powerhouse in the autism community. She’s the National Director of Family Engag...
Jul 09, 2025•55 min•Season 8Ep. 20
Is your child struggling—and you’re not getting answers from “normal” tests? Hit play. This could change everything. In Part 2 of my powerful conversation with Dr. Theoharis Theoharides, we explore how neuroinflammation, mast cell activation, and overlooked biological factors can affect autistic children. We dive into my son Gavin’s journey, how traditional testing failed us, and what we discovered when we looked deeper. If you’ve ever felt dismissed or unsure where to turn next, this episode wi...
Jun 27, 2025•52 min•Season 8Ep. 19
Could neuroinflammation be driving your child’s symptoms? This episode will change how you think about autism and health. In this two-part series of The Autism Dad Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Theoharis Theoharides, one of the world’s leading experts in neuroimmune medicine and mast cell research. We dig deep into how inflammation in the brain—driven by overactive mast cells—can contribute to the struggles many autistic and neurodivergent kids face, including sensory issues, eczema, gut problems...
Jun 11, 2025•59 min•Season 8Ep. 18
Episode Summary: In this powerful and deeply human episode of The Autism Dad Podcast, I sit down with husband-and-wife team Jeremy Dyen and Dr. Mika Gupta, co-founders of Mama Bird, to explore the emotional and transformative journey of parenting a child with Down syndrome. We talk about: Navigating a life-changing diagnosis Finding purpose in unexpected places Supporting your child’s unique needs without losing yourself in the process How their personal journey led to creating brain-focused sup...
Jun 04, 2025•46 min•Season 8Ep. 17
In this powerful conclusion to our three-part Special Needs Financial Planning series, I’m joined once again by Katy Bryan , a Special Needs Financial Planner with Skylight Financial Group. In this episode, we tackle the toughest part of the journey— planning for our child’s future after we’re gone . This isn’t easy to talk about, but having a plan in place can ease a lot of the anxiety many of us carry every day. Katy and I dive into what end-of-life planning looks like for special needs famili...
May 28, 2025•33 min•Season 8Ep. 16
Show Notes: Special Needs Financial Planning (Part 2) — The Autism Dad Podcast In this episode of The Autism Dad Podcast, Rob Gorski continues the special needs financial planning series with guest Katy Bryan from Skylight Financial Group. Katy specializes in helping families of children with disabilities plan for the future and shares key steps to prepare for your child’s transition to adulthood. Rob and Katy discuss why everything changes at age 18: managing assets under $2,000, understanding ...
May 22, 2025•24 min•Season 8Ep. 15
While my production computer is down, I’m re-releasing this powerful episode that so many parents found helpful the first time around. If you’re raising a non-speaking or minimally speaking child, or if you're trying to better understand apraxia and communication differences in autism—this conversation is for you. I’m joined again by Samantha Fox, M.A., CCC-SLP—an incredible speech-language pathologist and founder of Beyond Speech Therapy Center. Samantha specializes in working with non-speaking...
May 07, 2025•41 min•Season 8Ep. 14
This episode is being re-released for Autism Awareness Month. In this powerful and important conversation, I’m joined by returning guest Dr. Whitney Casares. She’s not only a Stanford-trained pediatrician and public health expert, but she’s also an autism mom raising two differently wired kids. Together, we tackle a topic many of us try to avoid—puberty. This episode is packed with practical advice, validation, and real talk for parents raising autistic and neurodivergent children. We explore ho...
Apr 30, 2025•1 hr 14 min•Season 8Ep. 13
April is Autism Awareness Month, and this episode with Dr. Tay is one of the most important conversations I’ve had. We dive into how autism shows up differently in girls—and why so many are missed or misdiagnosed. If you’re a parent, educator, or just want to better understand the nuances of autism, this one’s a must-listen. In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Taylor Day (aka Dr. Tay), a licensed psychologist who specializes in neuroaffirming care for autistic kids—especially girls. We talk about...
Apr 23, 2025•39 min•Season 8Ep. 12
Today’s episode is full of joy and Minecraft magic! Rob is joined by a very special guest, Aria. Aria is Kelly's 8 year old daughter with autism. Fresh off seeing the new Minecraft Movie , Aria shares her thoughts, favorite moments, and tips for parents wondering if it’s a good pick for their kids. They also dive deep into the game itself—breaking down game modes, favorite mobs, plushies, add-ons, and the endless creativity that makes Minecraft such a hit for kids and grownups alike. Whether you...
Apr 16, 2025•23 min•Season 8Ep. 11
In this special Autism Acceptance Month episode, I’m re-sharing an important and personal conversation with my oldest son, Gavin. Gavin is 25 years old, autistic, and immunocompromised. In this episode, we talk about his journey toward independent living and why he’s choosing to move into a group home. Gavin shares his thoughts, hopes, fears, and goals—including launching his own YouTube channel and building a sustainable future for himself. We discuss: What Gavin is looking for in a group home ...
Apr 09, 2025•21 min•Season 8Ep. 10
Welcome to Part 1 of a powerful three-part series focused on special needs financial planning . In this episode, I’m joined by the amazing Katy Bryan , a Chartered Special Needs Consultant from Skylight Financial Group. Katy brings over 14 years of experience helping more than 250 families plan for their future. We’re breaking things down into real, understandable steps—starting with the basics. This episode focuses on the early stages of the journey—from diagnosis (or even before) to preparing ...
Apr 02, 2025•31 min
This week’s episode is deeply personal and incredibly important. I’m rereleasing this conversation from a previous season because the message still resonates just as strongly—and it’s something every parent, educator, and professional working with non-speaking kids should hear. What started as a simple audio test with my son Emmett turned into one of the most powerful and emotional conversations we’ve ever had. We were just testing out some new podcasting gear, but Emmett opened up in a way I ha...
Mar 26, 2025•21 min•Season 8Ep. 8
Episode Overview In this solo episode, I dive into a topic that’s been weighing on my heart—validation in the autism community. There’s a growing divide between those who see autism as a superpower and those who experience it as a significant disability. Both perspectives are valid, but we need to recognize that no single experience defines autism. Key takeaways: Autism exists on a vast spectrum, and no two experiences are alike. Some individuals thrive and see autism as a strength, while others...
Mar 19, 2025•8 min•Season 8Ep. 7
Episode Summary Divorce is never easy, and when neurodivergent children are involved, the challenges can be even more complex. In Part 1, we explored the unique difficulties of co-parenting neurodivergent kids, the importance of routine and consistency, and strategies for reducing trauma and increasing stability. Now, in Part 2, we’re tackling listener-submitted questions about co-parenting, communication struggles, and how to help kids through the transition. Dr. Mikki Lee is back to provide ex...
Mar 12, 2025•42 min•Season 8Ep. 6
Divorce is never easy, and when neurodivergent children are involved, the challenges can be even more complex. In this episode, I open up about my own divorce for the first time and discuss how it has affected me as a parent. My kids will also be sharing their experiences in future episodes because they deserve a voice in this conversation. Joining me today is Dr. Mikki Lee, a licensed psychologist and certified school psychologist with extensive experience working with neurodivergent children a...
Mar 05, 2025•54 min•Season 8Ep. 5
Episode Summary: Join Rob Gorski, The Autism Dad, in a heartfelt conversation with Scott LeRette, author of "The Unbreakable Boy" and father to Austin, a young man with autism and osteogenesis imperfecta (OI). Scott shares his family's inspiring journey, discussing the challenges and triumphs of raising a child with unique needs. General Timeframes: Beginning: Scott describes his family's early experiences and the challenges of Austin's dual diagnoses. Mid-episode: Rob and Scott discuss the comp...
Feb 26, 2025•37 min•Season 8Ep. 4
Join Rob Gorski, The Autism Dad, and grief specialist Sylvia Moore Meyers as they discuss the challenges and strategies for helping neurodivergent kids navigate grief and loss. Sylvia, an autistic mom herself, shares her personal experiences and insights into how we can better support our children during difficult times. General Timeframes: Beginning: Rob and Sylvia discuss the challenges neurodivergent kids face with grief. Mid-episode: Sylvia explains how we can help kids understand and proces...
Feb 19, 2025•48 min•Season 8Ep. 3
Join Rob Gorski, The Autism Dad, in a conversation with Dr. Pamela Feliciano, Scientific Director of SPARK for Autism. Dr. Feliciano, an autism mom herself, shares her personal journey and insights into SPARK's groundbreaking research. Discover how SPARK is connecting families with researchers to accelerate breakthroughs in autism understanding and support. Learn how you can get involved and contribute to this vital initiative. General Timeframes : Beginning of the episode: In the first 10 minut...
Feb 12, 2025•55 min•Season 8Ep. 2
Episode Summary: In this episode of The Autism Dad Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Taylor Day, a licensed child psychologist specializing in autism evaluations and therapy via telehealth. We dive into the growing accessibility of remote autism evaluations, how telehealth compares to in-person assessments, and how it helps families stuck on long waitlists. Dr. Day shares insights from her personal and professional experiences, the importance of supporting the whole family, and why we must shift the ...
Feb 05, 2025•52 min•Season 8Ep. 1
Welcome to another inspiring episode of The Autism Dad Podcast! In this episode, host Rob Gorski sits down with Sara Hast, an autism mom and advocate, to discuss her family’s unique journey. Sara shares her heartfelt experiences of raising two autistic children, navigating a late autism diagnosis during the pandemic, and the challenges of postpartum depression while parenting. Key highlights include: The role of the community in overcoming isolation and rebuilding confidence. Sara’s journey into...
Dec 11, 2024•1 hr 21 min•Season 7Ep. 44
Episode Summary: In this episode of The Autism Dad Podcast, Rob Gorski sits down with Jacqueline Baker, a BCBA and Market Leader at Action Behavior Centers, to discuss the transition to adulthood for autistic children. Together, they explore personal and professional insights and offer valuable advice to parents navigating this complex journey. Rob reflects on his experiences as a father of three autistic sons, two of whom are now adults, and shares lessons learned, mistakes made, and practical ...
Dec 04, 2024•1 hr•Season 7Ep. 43
Episode Summary: In this compelling episode of The Autism Dad Podcast , host Rob Gorski speaks with Amanda Lukof, a sibling to a brother with autism and the co-founder of Eleplan. Amanda provides a unique perspective on growing up alongside a neurodivergent sibling, highlighting the emotional dynamics, challenges, and triumphs that shaped her life. This heartfelt conversation explores the often-overlooked experiences of neurotypical siblings in autism families. Amanda candidly shares her journey...
Nov 27, 2024•50 min
Welcome to The Autism Dad Podcast! In this episode, I sit down with Jonathon Smith, a dedicated special needs dad, to discuss his parenting journey with a son diagnosed with Angelman Syndrome. Jonathon shares his family's story, their struggles, and the challenges they faced navigating life with a complex genetic disorder. Most inspiringly, he explains how these challenges led to the creation of Safe Place Bedding, a company dedicated to providing safe, comfortable sleeping solutions for special...
Nov 20, 2024•34 min•Season 7Ep. 41
