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 is to make travel accessible and enjoyable for families with special needs. They work with various budgets and can plan vacations all year round. Their services are complimentary and they are dedicated ..read more

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. About the Guest: Dr. Usman Ali is a dedicated pediatric dentist who has been practicing for over seven years. After completing his residency at the University of Rochester, he joined Akron Children's Ho ..read more

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 between parents and educators. She also provides insights on handling routine changes and addressing meltdowns in the classroom. About Stacey Brookover: Stacy is an Intervention Specialist driven by her son ..read more

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 improvement, no matter where their child is on the spectrum, and to embrace their role as leaders in their child's journey. He also highlights the need for more voices and support for fathers in the autism com ..read more

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 department's commitment to advocacy and resource provision. Contacting The Autism Dad: For more information, to be a guest, or to become a sponsor, please visit theautismdad.link. Introduction: - Host: R ..read more

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 progress and challenges as he navigates through important milestones like job training and exploring living arrangements. - Touring Group Homes: Gavin talks about his criteria for a suitable group home and h ..read more

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: Kevin shares his personal story as an autism dad, discussing the challenges and revelations he and his family faced from early diagnosis to adulthood. - Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OO ..read more

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" with Dr. Whitney Casares: theautismdad.link. 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 ..read more

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 feel like this is a great teaching moment. About Gavin Gorski Gavin is 24 years old, autistic and smack dab in the middle of his transition into his adult life. He’s currently working at his first job, g ..read more

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 personal growth. Through a candid and sometimes humorous conversation, they explore Emmett's evolution, the unique experiences of each of Rob's autistic sons, and the profound ways in which their family dyna ..read more