Rob Gorski is better known online as The Autism Dad. He blogs almost daily about living with and raising three kids on the spectrum. As an adult on the spectrum who sometimes has a hard enough time taking care of himself, I have a ton of respect for what parents like Rob go through on a daily basis.
Rob quit his job as a career paramedic and firefighter in Ohio to stay home and raise the kids and work from home. It’s a decision that he doesn’t regret because he gets to spend time with his kids and gets to know them better and gain a better understanding and grab some insight into who they are as individuals.
Rob has taken The Autism Dad from the beginnings of a blog to internet success, boasting 40,000 Twitter followers @the_autism_dad and 11,000 Facebook fans of his page. Most of us wish we could be that lucky! When you get done listening to this (and only when you get done listening to this) check out the Autism Dad podcast as well.
Rob talks candidly about the strain that autism put on his marriage, how they fixed it and what they do now to keep it going. I’ll give you a hint. The phrase, “cheap date night,” was used.
It’s nice to find a dad who isn’t afraid to show raw emotion, and Rob does that. I know when I blog or write for Good Men Project I sometimes hold off on things because I don’t want to sound whiny or like I’m complaining. Rob’s point is that it’s good for people to see that because then they realize they’re not the only ones going through this with a child or children on the spectrum.
Maybe it’s not autism. Maybe your child has a different kind of developmental disability or disability. Telling the whole story is vitally important. Don’t just tell the good parts.
Sit back, relax and enjoy my chat with The Autism Dad, Rob Gorski.
J.R. Reed is a published author, adult autism advocate, blogger, speaker, nerd, owner of an award-winning purple goatee, and proud Aspie.
Diagnosed at age forty-six, he grew up most of his life, “Off the Spectrum.” as he talks about in his blog, Not Weird, Just Autistic. He's also a proud contributor to The Mighty.
J.R. Writes the columns Not Weird Just Autistic and Life With a Side of Disability for Good Men Project and does a weekly Not Weird Just Autistic podcast with co-host Shannon Hugghes.
The author of An Asperger’s Guide To Dating Neurotypicals, J.R. works with those high school age through adult to help them live better lives as well as educates NT’s on who we really are. He’s currently working on two books, Not Weird Just Autistic, along with the novel Diary of a Modern Dad, which features a main character with Asperger's Syndrome.
Connect with him: On Twitter @nwjautistic, on Facebook, Linkedin, on Instagram, and via his Website,www.NotWeirdJustAutistic.com
