Navigating fatherhood and autism has been a rollercoaster of challenges and triumphs. Now, with 23 years of experience behind me, I find myself at a pivotal moment, looking toward a future full of possibility. If you're still in the thick of your own struggles, don't lose sight of hope. 'Better' may be closer than you imagine.
On this week's podcast, join me as I sit down with Brett Powell. After my conversation with Jamie Lewis Smith last week about her autism parenting experiences, Brett steps in to share the story of how he and Jamie united their families, offering his personal perspective on the journey.
This week past week, there was an issue with Gavin’s transportation to and from work. His transport under the current plan expired last Friday and I didn’t know. Gavin is managing most of his life and all his supports work directly with him and I’m largely out of the loop. Gavin forgets to tell me things he’s supposed to and so I’m often learning about things at the last minute. I know how frustrating the autism parenting journey can be but don’t let that frustration blind you to any of the victories along the way.- Rob Gorski That’s a whole other topic for another day but we’ll get to that. I had to move my schedule around this week in order to drive him to work in the morning. His…
If you’ve listened to the podcast or even my Facebook Lives, you’ve probably heard me talk about hitting a wall last year. I don’t share this for sympathy or anything like that. I talk about it because I desperately want you to never experience what I went through. Last year and part of this year, I experienced the worst period of burnout I’ve ever experienced. It lasted about six months and took me to a very, very dark place. I don’t want to delve into that darkness right now but it was bad enough that I never want to experience it again and it took a tremendous amount of energy to keep a smile on my face so no one knew I was struggling. I was able to mask what…
Hey parents, some days don't you just feel like you're riding an emotional roller coaster? Trust me, I've been there. Navigating the stormy seas of big emotions with your autistic child can feel overwhelming. It's hard seeing your child struggle, and sometimes you might feel lost and alone. But I promise – you're not alone. You're doing an amazing job, and there's help out there. Have you heard of Mightier? I’ve been talking about it for years. This game-changing tool entered my life when I needed it the most. Developed by the brains at Harvard Medical and Boston Children's Hospital, Mightier is not just a collection of super fun video games. It's a lifeline, a guide to teach our kiddos how to better regulate their emotions. I know it might…
When it comes to supporting children with autism, ADHD, or sensory processing disorders, the significance of sensory tools cannot be overstated. Weighted pillows are a brand new invention and have emerged as a powerful resource, providing numerous benefits that make them a preferred choice over weighted blankets, especially for children. In this post, we will briefly delve into the advantages of weighted pillows and explore why they excel in meeting the unique needs of kids with autism, ADHD, and sensory processing disorders. Use the code “theautismdad” and save 15% Shop Weighted Pillows by Quiet Mind Targeted Deep Pressure Stimulation:Weighted pillows offer the advantage of targeted deep-pressure stimulation. Unlike weighted blankets that cover the entire body, pillows can be strategically placed on specific areas, such as the lap, back, or shoulders.…
I’m really excited about today. We’re all going over to my brother’s house for the 4th and it’s gonna be awesome. There will be some new people there and it’s gonna be awesome. The boys are currently helping my parents on a project in the backyard while I’m getting caught up on some work. I’ve got quite a few writing gigs to finish and publish, so I’m spending the day getting that stuff done. Gavin has started his first job and it’s going incredibly well so far. Elliott is back at work during the week and so it’s just Emmett and me during the day. I’m trying to finish up my office to recording studio conversion and I’m hoping to paint next week. The drywall repairs were quite extensive and…
How have I been doing? I know I promised this a little while ago and I’m sorry it’s taken so long but I’ve finally finished writing an update all about how life is going for me. To read the updates, click the link or visit my blog. 😊♥️