The Autism Dad – Details, episodes & analysis

Episode Summary: In this episode of The Autism Dad Podcast, host Rob Gorski talks with returning guest Amber Arrington, founder of Autism Savvy. Together, they explore the challenges and successes of helping their adult autistic children transition into independent living, whether through group homes or other arrangements. Rob shares his experience with his son Gavin, while Amber discusses her son Tyson’s journey. They cover different living arrangements for adults with autism, ranging from group homes to more independent living, and discuss the emotional and practical aspects of these decisions. This episode is a must-listen for parents preparing their autistic children for adulthood. Key Discussion Points: - Choosing the right living arrangement for adult children with autism - Various options like group homes, residential facilities, and independent living with support - Navigating disability agencies, social security, and guardianship - Emotional hurdles of letting go as a parent Quotes from the Episode: "Assume from the moment your child is born, they’ll be an adult someday and will need to exist without you." — Rob Gorski "Thriving looks different for every person. It’s important to remember that." — Amber Arrington About Amber Arrington: Amber Arrington is the founder of Autism Savvy and a mother of six, three of whom are autistic. She provides practical advice to help parents navigate the autism journey. Connect with Amber on Instagram @AutismSavvy or visit www.autismsavvy.com. About Rob Gorski: Rob Gorski, known as The Autism Dad, is a blogger, podcast host, and autism advocate. As a father of three autistic children, Rob offers personal insights and support for parents. Connect with Rob at www.theautismdad.com. Listen and Subscribe: Subscribe to The Autism Dad Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Google Podcasts. Please leave a review if you find the episode helpful! This Weeks Sponsors Learn More: Grokkoli Hey parents! Is your child struggling with math? Meet Grokkoli, an AI tutor that helps kids progress multiple grade levels in months. Grokkoli identifies where your child struggles, meets them at their level, and is effective even for kids with learning disabilities, ensuring they get the support they need. Currently supporting K-5 math, Grokkoli is expanding to grow with your child, making it a great alternative to human tutors at a lower cost. Try Grokkoli free for 7 days! Visit grokkoli.com and use code “theautismdad” for 50% off your first month. Learn More: Mightier Mightier helps kids self-regulate emotionally through biofeedback-based video games. Learn more and get a discount at Visit Mightier. Use code “theautismdad22” to save 10%.

Episode Description: In this insightful episode of The Autism Dad Podcast, host Rob Gorski is joined by Dr. Taylor Day, a licensed psychologist who specializes in neuroaffirming care for autistic children and their families. Dr. Day offers her expertise on a topic that is critical yet often misunderstood—how autism presents differently in girls compared to boys. Together, they explore the challenges of diagnosing autism in girls, why they often go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed, and how parents can navigate these complexities to ensure their daughters receive the help they need. This episode is packed with valuable information for parents, caregivers, and anyone interested in understanding the nuances of autism, especially as it relates to girls. Dr. Tay shares her experiences from her practice, shedding light on common misconceptions, the importance of early diagnosis, and practical steps parents can take if they suspect their daughter might be on the autism spectrum. Key Topics Discussed: - Differences in how autism presents in girls vs. boys - Challenges in diagnosing girls with autism - The impact of masking in girls and how it complicates the diagnostic process - Common signs of autism in girls that parents should watch for - The importance of trusting your gut as a parent and seeking second opinions if necessary - How co-occurring conditions like anxiety can delay an autism diagnosis - Practical advice on seeking evaluations and choosing the right providers About Dr. Taylor Day: Dr. Taylor Day, known as Dr. Tay on social media, is a licensed psychologist who specializes in diagnosing and supporting children with autism, particularly girls who may present differently than boys. She is the founder of Dr. Tay Concierge Clinical Care, where she focuses on providing neuroaffirming care, including early diagnosis and intervention, as well as therapy services. Dr. Day is also the host of the podcast Evolve with Dr. Tay, where she offers free education on neurodiversity and autism. Through her practice and online presence, Dr. Day empowers parents to support their children in an affirming and effective way. Contact Information: Website: drtaylorday.com Instagram: @the.dr.tay Podcast: Evolve with Dr. Tay (available on major podcast platforms) About Rob Gorski: Rob Gorski, also known as The Autism Dad, is a father of three autistic children and a prominent voice in the autism community. Through his blog, podcast, and social media, Rob shares his personal experiences and provides support and validation to other parents raising children with disabilities. His work has been featured on CNN, ABC News, BBC Worldwide, and more. Rob is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of families affected by autism. Contact Information: Website: theautismdad.com Social Media Links: The Autism Dad Link Hub Subscribe and Stay Connected: Never miss an episode—subscribe to The Autism Dad Podcast on your favorite podcast app, and stay tuned for more episodes that offer insights, advice, and support for parents navigating the autism journey. Learn More: Grokkoli Hey parents! Is your child struggling with math? Meet Grokkoli, an AI tutor that helps kids progress multiple grade levels in months. Grokkoli identifies where your child struggles, meets them at their level, and is effective even for kids with learning disabilities, ensuring they get the support they need. Currently supporting K-5 math, Grokkoli is expanding to grow with your child, making it a great alternative to human tutors at a lower cost. Try Grokkoli free for 7 days! Visit grokkoli.com and use code “theautismdad” for 50% off your first month. Learn More: Mightier Mightier helps kids self-regulate emotionally through biofeedback-based video games. Learn more and get a discount at Visit Mightier. Use code “theautismdad22” to save 10%.

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 introducing it to children, and the unique features of her inclusive meditation platform, WeeMeditate. Key Topics Discussed: - Common challenges parents face in helping their neurodivergent children self-regulate - The benefits of meditation for children, including emotional regulation, reduced anxiety, and improved concentration - Practical tips for introducing meditation to children who are fidgety or have difficulty sitting still - The importance of making meditation accessible and representative for all children - Overview of WeeMeditate, a meditation platform designed for children of all abilities, featuring guided story meditations and character inclusivity - How parents can incorporate meditation into their children's daily routines Resources Mentioned: - WeeMeditate: https://weemeditate.com - Dragon's Meditation Club Newsletter: Free monthly meditations for parents and children available at https://weeMeditate.com Guest Bio: Jan Gioia is a dedicated meditation teacher with a master's degree in special education. She has extensive experience teaching meditation to children from preschool to high school, including those with autism and various disabilities. Jan is the creator of WeeMeditate, an inclusive meditation platform designed to be accessible and representative of all children. Through her work, Jan aims to make meditation a practical and beneficial practice for neurodivergent kids and their families. About Rob Gorski and The Autism Dad podcast: Rob Gorski is a single Dad to three amazing autistic boys and the Founder and CEO of The Autism Dad, LLC. Multiple award-winning blogger, podcaster, content creator, social media influencer, and respected public figure for the last 15 years. Connect with Rob: theautismdad.link Mentioned in this episode: Learn More: Mightier Mightier is a biofeedback-based video game platform that teaches kids to self-regulate emotionally. This leads to a significant reduction in meltdowns and parental stress. It's backed by science and has helped over 100,000 kids learn to regulate their emotions. For more information, the latest reviews/updates as well as current discount codes, visit theautismdad.com/mightier. Read My Mightier Review and the code “theautismdad22” to save 10% off your order. Visit Mightier

There has been such a demand for this topic and I’m really excited to get the ball rolling on potty training. My guest today is Molly Johnson, otherwise known as The Autism Consultant. She’s here to share some potty training tips and tricks. . Guest Bio: Molly is an autism consultant, working with parents to reduce challenging behaviors and teach their child new skills. When working with parents, Molly helps families understand the reason for the barrier and how to move beyond that barrier in a way that meets the child's needs.  Molly has experience working with school-age children and young adults on the spectrum. Through her work as an autism teacher and autism parent consultant, Molly has worked with autistic individuals and their families in a variety of settings, including public schools, a university, a private autism program, and in an online setting.  Molly’s journey as an autism consultant began during her time as an autism classroom teacher when she started a podcast, The Autism Consultant Podcast, addressing how she helped her students move beyond their struggles, improve challenging behavior, and teach new skills.  Connect with Molly: theautismconsultant.us Host Bio: 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, digital marketer, social media influencer, and respected public figure for well over a decade. Connect with Rob Gorski: https://listen.theautismdad.com Mentioned in this episode: Learn More About Mightier Mightier is a biofeedback-based video game platform that teaches kids to emotionally self-regulate. This leads to a significant reduction in meltdowns and parental stress. It's backed by science and has helped over 100,000 kids learn to regulate their emotions. For more information, the latest reviews/updates as well as current discount codes, visit theautismdad.com/mightier. Visit Mightier Review Learn more about Goally As parents, it sometimes feels like we are constantly nagging our kids to work on their daily living routines. Things like hygiene and bedtime, and homework can be so challenging. We know our kids need to learn this stuff, especially as they move towards independence, but sometimes there's just not enough time in a day. Parenting is tough. Trying to balance everything when it comes to raising kids is not easy, and sometimes as parents, we could use a little help. Enter Goally. Goally is a digital visual scheduler, AAC talker, token board system, and more all rolled into one easy-to-use app. It's made for unique thinkers like autistic kids and kids with ADHD. Kids together with Goally can conquer daily routines and therapy practice without prompting from mom or dad. This reduces that feeling of nagging your kids, and it also grants your kids some autonomy to sort of manage their own lives. Goally can easily be used on your child's existing device or with Goally's optional and affordable, dedicated device. In my house, we found that the dedicated device seems to work better for my son, so that's what we use. For more information, you can visit getgoally.com. That's g-e-t-g-o-a-l-l-y.com; and use the code “theautismdad” and save 10% off your order. Visit Goally Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week my guest is Christina Abernethy from Love Hope & Autism. She's here to talk about her journey as an autism mom, how something called Goally has profoundly benefited her son, and the advocacy work she's doing to make public restrooms more accessible. Mentioned in this episode: Visit getgoally.com and use the code "theautismdad" to save 10% off your order Guest Bio: Christina is a dedicated wife, mother of three, and passionate advocate for people impacted by disabilities. She has coordinated events to fund research, supports and service dogs for families. She has served on local committees, coached an adaptive cheerleading team, and won awards for successful fundraising endeavors including those for “Team Bubba,” honoring her son with autism. She is the founder of Love, Hope & Autism and is proud to be the coordinator for Changing Spaces Pennsylvania, a movement to build accessible restrooms with powered height adjustable adult sized changing tables across communities to promote inclusion. She is working with legislators to pass a bill in Pennsylvania that would require such facilities in hospitals, airports, museums, rest stops, sports arenas and more. She also works as a Family Support and Community Engagement Specialist at Achieving True Self, supporting families like hers. Christina is committed to spreading a message of heightened awareness and acceptance of differences, ultimately inspiring hope. Host Bio: 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, digital marketer, social media influencer, and respected public figure for well over a decade. Connect with Rob Gorski: https://listen.theautismdad.com Mentioned in this episode: Learn More About Mightier Mightier is a biofeedback-based video game platform that teaches kids to emotionally self-regulate. This leads to a significant reduction in meltdowns and parental stress. It's backed by science and has helped over 100,000 kids learn to regulate their emotions. For more information, the latest reviews/updates as well as current discount codes, visit theautismdad.com/mightier. Visit Mightier Review Learn More About Bened Life Bened Life supports a neuroinclusive community with education and science-backed probiotics that promote mental and physical health. Bened Life prides itself on hiring neurodivergent staff that helps to run multiple facets of their business. Their medical probiotic, Neuralli, featuring the probiotic PS128, has already helped thousands of neurotypical and neurodivergent people worldwide. Learn more by going to benedlife.com. Use the code "theautismdad" at checkout for 20% off your first order. Visit Bened Life Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

My 22 year old autistic son Gavin is here today to talk about his very first experience voting. He shares how it went, how he prepared for it, and also has advice for other first time voters with a disability. Link to pt1 Guest Bio: Gavin is 22 years old, diagnosed with autism and several rare genetic conditions. Gavin is very passionate about politics and gaming. He’s currently working on becoming more independent and building a life of his own. Host Bio: 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, digital marketer, social media influencer, and respected public figure for well over a decade. Connect with Rob Gorski: https://listen.theautismdad.com Mentioned in this episode: Learn More About Mightier Mightier is a biofeedback-based video game platform that teaches kids to emotionally self-regulate. This leads to a significant reduction in meltdowns and parental stress. It's backed by science and has helped over 100,000 kids learn to regulate their emotions. For more information, the latest reviews/updates as well as current discount codes, visit theautismdad.com/mightier. Visit Mightier Review Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week's episode, I talk with Madeline Cheney from The Rare Life Podcast, where she shares her family's journey raising two amazing kids, one with very rare conditions. We have a conversation about what life is like for her family, some of the challenges they face, and how she's helping other families dealing with similar things. Guest Bio: Madeline Cheney is the host/creator of The Rare Life, a well-loved podcast for parents of children with rare conditions. She finds huge fulfillment in connecting with this community of parents in this way. Her experiences with her medically-complex son Kimball inspired the podcast. Kimball is a Buzz-lightyear loving four-year-old with a rare form of dwarfism and deaf-blindness, among other aspects of his rare syndrome. Madeline and Kimball live in Utah with his dad Juston and big sister Wendy where they enjoy camping as a family. Connect with Madeline on Instagram Listen to The Rare Life Podcast Important Links: My Autism Parenting Support Forum: Click Here Host Bio: 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, digital marketer, social media influencer, and respected public figure for well over a decade. Connect with Rob Gorski: https://listen.theautismdad.com Mentioned in this episode: Learn More About Bened Life Bened Life supports a neuroinclusive community with education and science-backed probiotics that promote mental and physical health. Bened Life prides itself on hiring neurodivergent staff that helps to run multiple facets of their business. Their medical probiotic, Neuralli, featuring the probiotic PS128, has already helped thousands of neurotypical and neurodivergent people worldwide. Learn more by going to benedlife.com. Use the code "theautismdad" at checkout for 20% off your first order. Visit Bened Life Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode, I talk briefly about helping my adult autistic son engage in the voting process. I've learned a few things along the way and thought it would be helpful to discuss this as many out there are in a similar situation. Important Links: My Autism Parenting Support Forum: Click Here Host Bio: 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, digital marketer, social media influencer, and respected public figure for well over a decade. Connect with Rob Gorski: https://listen.theautismdad.com Mentioned in this episode: Learn More About Mightier Mightier is a biofeedback-based video game platform that teaches kids to emotionally self-regulate. This leads to a significant reduction in meltdowns and parental stress. It's backed by science and has helped over 100,000 kids learn to regulate their emotions. For more information, the latest reviews/updates as well as current discount codes, visit theautismdad.com/mightier. Visit Mightier Review Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week's episode, my friends Rose and Sunny from Bened Life are here to discuss the importance of inclusion and neurodiversity in the workplace. We come at this from a couple of different perspectives with the goal of Guest Bio: Sunny Cash is the Community Director for Bened Life. She has over 10 years in the psychology and neurodiversity field. When she's not working on building a neuro-inclusive community, finding the best disability accommodations for her coworkers, or connecting with our amazing clients and partners, you can find her hiking with her partner and their German shorthaired pointer, Freya. Sunny was diagnosed as an adult with ADHD, which she believes gives her deep focus on her interests & community building. Human connection is her greatest passion, and she’s happily in a position where her neurodiversity is celebrated. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunny-cash/ Rose Hughes is a Neurodiversity and Disability Specialist. You might know her as @a.tint.of.rose on Instagram where she adventures life in its realist form with her house rabbit Missy, and Penguin, her emotional support/travel buddy cuddly toy.  Rose describes herself as an open-minded gal who loves food, fitness, tourism, and animals (alpacas make her cry with happiness). The world of social media & community are special interests rivaled only by food – both eating and cooking it. She’s been known to watch movies only for their food scenes.  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roselhughes/ Instagram: https://instgram.com/a.tint.of.rose Host Bio: Rob Gorski is a single Dad to three amazing autistic boys as well as Found and CEO of The Autism Dad, LLC. Multiple award-winning blogger, podcaster, content creator, digital marketer, social media influencer, and respected public figure for well over a decade. Connect with Rob Gorski:  https://listen.theautismdad.com Huge thanks to this week's sponsors. ☺ ♥ Mentioned in this episode: Just two Dads Podcast Shawn Francis and Brian Altounian host "Just two Dads." A weekly conversation with two dads about raising children with special needs. Listen, every Wednesday at 12PM PST. Find them on Facebook and anywhere you get your podcasts. Just two Dads Podcast Learn More About Mightier Mightier is a biofeedback-based video game platform that teaches kids to emotionally self-regulate. This leads to a significant reduction in meltdowns and parental stress. It's backed by science and has helped over 100,000 kids learn to regulate their emotions. For more information, the latest reviews/updates as well as current discount codes, visit theautismdad.com/mightier. Visit Mightier Review Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A mom asks this week's Listener Question in the support forums. She wants to know what to expect during her toddler's autism evaluation. This is a great question, and answering it can be very helpful for many parents. Important Links: My Autism Parenting Support Forum: Click Here Host Bio: 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, digital marketer, social media influencer, and respected public figure for well over a decade. Connect with Rob Gorski: https://listen.theautismdad.com Mentioned in this episode: Learn More About Mightier Mightier is a biofeedback-based video game platform that teaches kids to emotionally self-regulate. This leads to a significant reduction in meltdowns and parental stress. It's backed by science and has helped over 100,000 kids learn to regulate their emotions. For more information, the latest reviews/updates as well as current discount codes, visit theautismdad.com/mightier. Visit Mightier Review Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices