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 in ...
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Rob Gorski Podcasts
Do you sometimes feel like your life has been hijacked by Autism? If so, this is the podcast for you. The Autism Mom Coach is a podcast for moms who feel overwhelmed, afraid, and sometimes powerless as they raise their child with Autism. Join your host, Lisa Candera, Certified Life Coach, lawyer, and (more importantly) full-time single mom to a teenage boy with Autism as she shares cognitive-based tools and trauma-informed strategies you can use to feel better now and transform your relation ...
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Parenting Teens and Young Adults with Rob Gorski, The Autism Dad
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In this week’s pre-Father’s Day episode, I am bringing you my conversation with Rob Gorski, otherwise known as The Autism Dad. Rob discusses his experience of navigating solo parenting three boys on the Autism spectrum. In this episode, you will learn: The biggest problems that dads of children with Autism face. Rob’s philosophy of doing your best …
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To the untrained or inexperienced eye, tantrums and meltdowns usually look very much the same. If something looks like a duck, walks like a duck, and talks like a duck, you are going to conclude it’s a duck. But when it comes to tantrums and meltdowns, this isn’t the case. Although tantrums and meltdowns may look similar, they are actually very dif…
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Neuroinflammation and Autism: What Every Parent Needs to Know (Part 2) S8E19
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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 tr…
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You’ve heard the phrase “make the most of summer.” But for autism moms, this often translates into do more work with less support and zero downtime. In this episode, I’m sharing my own journey of how I used to treat summer like a catch-up bootcamp for my son—drills, flashcards, workbooks, and more. I explain how this approach, fueled by fear of reg…
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Neuroinflammation and Autism: What Every Parent Needs to Know (Part 1) (S8E18)
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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—driv…
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Summer Plans for an Autistic Child -- When it's Time to Pivot
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In this episode, we dive into the realities of creating summer plans for an autistic child. I share a personal story about navigating summer camp schedules, extended school year (ESY) services, and the curveballs that come with being an autism mom. This story reminds us that autism parenting requires constant adjustment. And that even when things g…
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Real Talk: Parenting a Child with Down Syndrome (S8E17)
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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 unex…
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Special Needs Financial Planning (Part 3) (S8E16)
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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…
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In Episode 169 of The Autism Mom Coach Podcast, Lisa Candera—a lawyer, life coach, and autism mom—explores the concept of expertise in autism parenting and why you are the expert on your child. Using the example of the Karen Read retrial, Lisa explains that expertise isn’t just about degrees and certifications. It’s about lived experience and pract…
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Special Needs Financial Planning (Part 2) (S8E15)
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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…
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The Meltdown Action Plan -- Download it Here: https://mailchi.mp/theautismmomcoach.com/map Autism meltdowns are intense, overwhelming, and often misunderstood—not just for the child, but for the parent as well. In Episode 168 of The Autism Mom Coach Podcast, Lisa Candera shares a groundbreaking, trauma-informed tool designed specifically for autism…
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167: When Should I Push My Child with Autism?
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In Episode 167 of The Autism Mom Coach Podcast, Lisa Candera—a lawyer, life coach, and solo mom to a teenager with autism—tackles one of the most emotionally loaded questions for autism parents: Should I push my child out of their comfort zone or give them more support? Using a real-life story from a coaching client, Lisa explains: ✅ Why there's no…
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Understanding Non-Speaking Autism and Apraxia (S8E14)
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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, …
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Ep. 166 Am I asking too much, or too little, from my child with autism?
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In this episode, autism coach and solo parent Lisa Candera—also known as The Autism Mom Coach—breaks down a question nearly every autism parent wrestles with: Am I expecting too much or not enough from my child with autism? Through a real-life story from one of her private coaching clients, Lisa illustrates the emotional push-pull autism moms face …
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Episode 165: The Space Between: When the Autism Development Gap Widens
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In Episode 165, Lisa Canera examines "the space between" - the developmental gap parents observe between their autistic children and neurotypical peers. Drawing from her experience with her teenage son Ben and insights from her coaching practice, Lisa offers practical guidance on responding effectively when this gap becomes more apparent. She provi…
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Navigating Puberty With Autistic Kids (w/ Dr. Whitney Casares) (S8E13)
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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—pu…
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In this quick episode, I share a few thoughts on the recent autism headlines—from the latest prevalence data to RFK Jr.’s controversial comments about autism—and how these moments shine a light on the deeply different experiences within our own community. This is not a political take. It’s a reminder that autism parenting doesn’t look the same for …
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Understanding Autism in Girls with Dr. Taylor Day (S8E12)
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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 jo…
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Discover how to navigate public meltdowns, reduce anxiety, and heal from the trauma of feeling constantly judged. In this episode of The Autism Mom Coach, we unpack the PTSD of being “on display” as the parent of a child with autism. Episode Summary Public meltdowns can trigger deep emotional distress for both the child and the parent. Prolonged ex…
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Aria’s Kid-Friendly Minecraft Movie Review (S8E11)
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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 d…
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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 g…
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Ep 162: Being on Display - The Truth About Autism Acceptance
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It’s April—Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month—and today, we’re talking about what autism acceptance really looks like in real life. Have you ever felt like all eyes are on you when you're in public with your child? Whether it’s the school drop-off line, the grocery store, or waiting in line at Chipotle, those moments when your child’s behavior s…
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Autism Masking: When "Doing Well" is Actually Struggling
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Have you ever had teachers insist your child is thriving at school, yet at home, they fall apart? This episode explores autism masking—when autistic children hide their natural behaviors to appear neurotypical. Learn why masking happens, the heavy emotional and sensory toll it takes, and practical steps you can take to support your child. In this e…
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Special Needs Financial Planning (Part 1) – Building the Foundation (S8E09)
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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, …
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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 …
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160. The IEP Trap: Why Progress Isn’t an Excuse to Cut Support
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My blood boils every time I see it—the IEP trap. It usually shows up as a proud post from an autism parent: “My child is doing so well that the school reduced their IEP support!” Sounds like progress, right? Wrong. The harsh reality is this: a child’s progress is not a reason to remove supports—it’s proof that those supports are working. Unfortunat…
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159. How to Stop Taking Your Child's Behaviors Personally
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Your child screams, ignores you, or lashes out—and it feels personal. But here’s the truth: it’s not about you. Their behavior is a reflection of what’s happening in their nervous system, not a measure of their respect or love for you. In this episode , I’ll teach you how to: Understand why we take our child’s behavior personally (and why it’s a na…
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The Importance of Validation in the Autism Community (S8E07)
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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.…
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158. Autism Mom Coaching Success with Rachael Eerdmans
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Are school struggles leaving you feeling defeated and overwhelmed as an Autism parent? You’re not alone. In this episode, I talk with Rachael, an Autism mom and my coaching client, who transformed her own experience of her child’s school challenges in just a few weeks. By changing how she thought and felt about behavior struggles, bus issues, and m…
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Navigating Divorce with Neurodivergent Kids (Part 2) S8E06
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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 list…
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Navigating Divorce with Neurodivergent Kids pt 1 (S8E05)
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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…
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157. Separating Your Child’s Behavior from Your Thoughts (MVP)
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I’m sure you’ve realized by now, no matter how hard we try, we can’t control our children’s behaviors. However, we can choose how we want to think about them. That might not sound particularly powerful, but trust me when I say it’s a real gamechanger.By Lisa Candera
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We all wanted our kids to talk. We persisted, we prayed, and we paid for them to learn this skill. And now… they have it. But sometimes, that means hearing words that **sting**. “I hate you!” “That was terrible.” “You’re annoying.” After all that effort to help them communicate, **this** is what we get? It can feel like a punch to the gut. But here…
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The Unbreakable Boy: A Father’s Journey with Scott LeRette (S8E04)
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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…
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