

The Autism Dad
Rob Gorski
Welcome to "The Autism Dad" podcast, hosted by Rob Gorski — a single father to three remarkable autistic children and the voice behind a widely-read blog that has been a lifeline for parents since 2010. With over a decade of firsthand experience, Rob's insights have not only impacted families worldwide but have also been featured on platforms like The Tamron Hall Show, ABC News, BBC Worldwide, CNN, and Entrepreneur Magazine. Join us every Tuesday and Thursday for fresh episodes that delve into the complex world of autism and special needs parenting. This podcast serves as a safe haven, offering a blend of personal stories, expert interviews, and actionable advice. Whether you're a parent navigating the nuanced challenges of raising a neurodivergent child or simply someone looking to better understand the realm of autism, "The Autism Dad" podcast provides understanding, support, and education for all. Don't go this journey alone; tune in and become part of a community committed to awareness, acceptance, and growth.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 18, 2019 • 53min
Autisable (feat. Joel Manzer) S2E2
In this week's episode, I speak with my good friend and fellow Autism dad Joel Manzer. We discuss the work he's doing in the Autism community and then talk about some things that impacting the community. http://bit.ly/2ZPjjAx (Support This Podcast) You can find me: https://my.captivate.fm/theautismdad.com (theautismdad.com) Twitter: https://twitter.com/theautismdad (https://twitter.com/theautismdad) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesMentioned in this episode:Happy LaddersHappy Ladders is Parent-Led Early Autism Therapy that empowers you, the parent, to teach your toddler essential developmental skills through play. Studies have shown that the parent-led model is highly effective while eliminating frustration over long wait lists, or the worry about losing precious developmental time. All without the disruption of people coming into your home Happy Ladders includes activities that target 150+ essential developmental skills every toddler needs as well as assessments in 4 different developmental areas. There’s also an exclusive community of parents just like you, and professional coaching to ensure success for both you and your toddler. To learn more, get a free trial, and take advantage of an exclusive, limited-time offer for my listeners, visit happyladders.com. Use the code "theautismdad" at checkout to save 50% off the monthly membership. Plus get a free one-on-one session as well as access to the Tantrums and Meltdowns mini-course. This is a limited-time offer so act now.Visit Happy LaddersBrainyActBrainyAct® provides tech-enabled, patent-pending therapy programs delivered via gamification for neurological disorders such as Autism, Asperger’s, Dyslexia, and ADHD. BrainyAct activates the underdeveloped areas of the brain through exercises that strategically target a child’s balance, gravity, gross/fine motor, rhythm and timing, visual motor perception, and memory. Putting hope in motion means putting your family first in everything we do and using movement to affect real change. Shifting hope to a reality. 91% of families report global brain improvements after four months. Our company was built on the premise to create real, measurable, and visible change that shows you how your child is improving through data. BrainyAct is for homes and schools. Visit Kinuu.com. Use promo code THEAUTISMDAD and save $500. This is a limited time offer.Visit BrainyAct Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 12, 2019 • 22min
Navigating Divorce with Autistic Kids S2E1
In this Season 2 premiere, I talk about divorce. More specifically, I talk about navigating divorce when Autistic kids are involved. Divorce is difficult for any child but Autistic children can be more profoundly impacted. There are a few simple things we can do to help them survive and eventually adapt to this massive change in their lives. http://bit.ly/2ZPjjAx (Support This Podcast) You can find me: https://my.captivate.fm/theautismdad.com (theautismdad.com) Twitter: https://twitter.com/theautismdad (https://twitter.com/theautismdad) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesMentioned in this episode:BrainyActBrainyAct® provides tech-enabled, patent-pending therapy programs delivered via gamification for neurological disorders such as Autism, Asperger’s, Dyslexia, and ADHD. BrainyAct activates the underdeveloped areas of the brain through exercises that strategically target a child’s balance, gravity, gross/fine motor, rhythm and timing, visual motor perception, and memory. Putting hope in motion means putting your family first in everything we do and using movement to affect real change. Shifting hope to a reality. 91% of families report global brain improvements after four months. Our company was built on the premise to create real, measurable, and visible change that shows you how your child is improving through data. BrainyAct is for homes and schools. Visit Kinuu.com. Use promo code THEAUTISMDAD and save $500. This is a limited time offer.Visit BrainyActHappy LaddersHappy Ladders is Parent-Led Early Autism Therapy that empowers you, the parent, to teach your toddler essential developmental skills through play. Studies have shown that the parent-led model is highly effective while eliminating frustration over long wait lists, or the worry about losing precious developmental time. All without the disruption of people coming into your home Happy Ladders includes activities that target 150+ essential developmental skills every toddler needs as well as assessments in 4 different developmental areas. There’s also an exclusive community of parents just like you, and professional coaching to ensure success for both you and your toddler. To learn more, get a free trial, and take advantage of an exclusive, limited-time offer for my listeners, visit happyladders.com. Use the code "theautismdad" at checkout to save 50% off the monthly membership. Plus get a free one-on-one session as well as access to the Tantrums and Meltdowns mini-course. This is a limited-time offer so act now.Visit Happy Ladders Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 7, 2019 • 10min
Season 2 Update
In this short snippet of goodness, I update you on some personal tragedy, as well as how Season 2 is shaping up. If you want to sponsor an episode or be on the show as a parent to share your story or perhaps as an organization working to make a positive impact in the Autism or Special Needs communities. http://bit.ly/2ZPjjAx (Support This Podcast) You can find me: https://my.captivate.fm/theautismdad.com (theautismdad.com) Twitter: https://twitter.com/theautismdad (https://twitter.com/theautismdad) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesMentioned in this episode:Happy LaddersHappy Ladders is Parent-Led Early Autism Therapy that empowers you, the parent, to teach your toddler essential developmental skills through play. Studies have shown that the parent-led model is highly effective while eliminating frustration over long wait lists, or the worry about losing precious developmental time. All without the disruption of people coming into your home Happy Ladders includes activities that target 150+ essential developmental skills every toddler needs as well as assessments in 4 different developmental areas. There’s also an exclusive community of parents just like you, and professional coaching to ensure success for both you and your toddler. To learn more, get a free trial, and take advantage of an exclusive, limited-time offer for my listeners, visit happyladders.com. Use the code "theautismdad" at checkout to save 50% off the monthly membership. Plus get a free one-on-one session as well as access to the Tantrums and Meltdowns mini-course. This is a limited-time offer so act now.Visit Happy LaddersBrainyActBrainyAct® provides tech-enabled, patent-pending therapy programs delivered via gamification for neurological disorders such as Autism, Asperger’s, Dyslexia, and ADHD. BrainyAct activates the underdeveloped areas of the brain through exercises that strategically target a child’s balance, gravity, gross/fine motor, rhythm and timing, visual motor perception, and memory. Putting hope in motion means putting your family first in everything we do and using movement to affect real change. Shifting hope to a reality. 91% of families report global brain improvements after four months. Our company was built on the premise to create real, measurable, and visible change that shows you how your child is improving through data. BrainyAct is for homes and schools. Visit Kinuu.com. Use promo code THEAUTISMDAD and save $500. This is a limited time offer.Visit BrainyAct Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 30, 2019 • 49min
Dr. Jason Kahn on managing meltdowns with Mightier (S1E12)
In today's episode, I have a conversation with Dr. Jason Kahn, Ph.D. Dr. Kahn is a researcher from Boston Children's Hospital, an instructor at Harvard, and co-founder and Chief Science Officer of Mightier. Mightier is a program that helps kids learn to self-regulate their emotions by playing video games. That means fewer emotional outbursts or meltdowns, and a reduction of parental stress. This program is absolutely amazing and works for pretty much anyone. I speak with Dr. Kahn about how Mightier was developed, the science behind is, and why it works so well. If your child is struggling with meltdowns or emotional outbursts, PLEASE listen and check out Mightier. I've been using it with my youngest for almost a year and it's amazing. About Rob Gorski and The Autism Dad podcast: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, social media influencer, and respected public figure for well over a decade.Connect with Rob Gorski: https://listen.theautismdad.com.Learn More About MightierMightier 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 20, 2019 • 19min
Emergency Hospitalization (S1E11)
This is an unplanned follow-up to last week's "Untethered From Reality". Shortly after recording and publishing last week's episode, Gavin was rushed to the hospital via ambulance. I'll talk about what happened, why Gavin was hospitalized, where we stand right now, and what we learned. This was a really scary experience and it sorta completes last week's story. It's a teachable moment and provides some insight into what families like mine can often find themselves confronting.About Rob Gorski and The Autism Dad podcast: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, social media influencer, and respected public figure for well over a decade.Connect with Rob Gorski: https://listen.theautismdad.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 13, 2019 • 28min
Untethered From Reality (S1E10)
We are currently experiencing a crisis with our 19-year-old, Autistic and Schizophrenic son. "Untethered From Reality" is all about Gavin's struggle and what we are doing to help him. I want to use our current struggle as a teaching moment for my listeners, raise awareness and talk about crisis management. Recorded on 4/12/2019About Rob Gorski and The Autism Dad podcast: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, social media influencer, and respected public figure for well over a decade.Connect with Rob Gorski: https://listen.theautismdad.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 22, 2019 • 28min
Bittersweet Victories (S1E8)
In this episode, I talk about what many of us face from time to time. Bittersweet Victories are the kind of victory that comes after a loss. In the case of my family, Gavin is losing significant skills and while we are heartbroken to see this loss, he still managed to do something for the first time. While the loss is a negative thing, any progress is worth celebrating. Hence, Bittersweet Victories. About Rob Gorski and The Autism Dad podcast: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, social media influencer, and respected public figure for well over a decade.Connect with Rob Gorski: https://listen.theautismdad.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 15, 2019 • 38min
Supporting Autistic Artists with Harish Bikmal (S1E7)
In this episode, I interview Harish Bikmal, Autism Dad and founder of Zenaviv. Zenaviv is a Social Benefit Enterprise that works with and promotes Autistic artists, as well as artists with special needs. We talk about how they are helping to secure the future of these very talented people and provide hope for their families. Find out how Zenaviv is positively impacting the lives of Autistic artists and how to go about submitting artwork for promotion. This is very cool. You don't want to miss it.Find Zenaviv at zenaviv.comAbout Rob Gorski and The Autism Dad podcast: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, social media influencer, and respected public figure for well over a decade.Connect with Rob Gorski: https://listen.theautismdad.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 9, 2019 • 23min
An Assault of Verbiage (Bonus)
My listeners have been asking for me to try doing episodes where I talk freely about my personal struggles with being an Autism Dad. I thought I'd give it a try. In this bonus episode, I talk about some of those personal struggles, as well as my struggle with Depression, what it feels like to be a Dad to 3 with Autism and the impact it has on my life. This is very open, honest and raw. If you find this useful, please give it a share and help me reach more people.About Rob Gorski and The Autism Dad podcast: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, social media influencer, and respected public figure for well over a decade.Connect with Rob Gorski: https://listen.theautismdad.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 22, 2019 • 29min
Why Are Autism Parents Judged So Harshly? (S1E5)
Please Subscribe In this latest episode of The Autism Dad Podcast, I talk about judgment. Autism families often find themselves on the receiving end of judgment because people just don't get it or don't care. I talk about common situations in which judgment occurs and how cruel, thoughtless words can have a very real impact. If you have ever felt judged at any point in your Autism parenting journey, this episode was created with you in mind. I encourage you to share this with anyone who could benefit from this kind of insight. "Broken Plates" can be read in its entirety here: https://www.theautismdad.com/2019/01/15/why-you-shouldnt-judge-an-autism-or-specialneeds-parent-for-dropping-plates/About Rob Gorski and The Autism Dad podcast: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, social media influencer, and respected public figure for well over a decade.Connect with Rob Gorski: https://listen.theautismdad.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices