Navigating Autism: Building Inclusion (S7E44)

12/11/24 • 81 min

Welcome to another inspiring episode of The Autism Dad Podcast! In this episode, host Rob Gorski sits down with Sara Hast, an autism mom and advocate, to discuss her family’s unique journey. Sara shares her heartfelt experiences of raising two autistic children, navigating a late autism diagnosis during the pandemic, and the challenges of postpartum depression while parenting.

Key highlights include:

The role of the community in overcoming isolation and rebuilding confidence.
Sara’s journey into advocacy and creating her inclusive clothing brand, Hashtags, promoting acceptance for all.
The emotional impact of systemic delays in autism evaluations and how Sara turned frustration into empowerment.
A raw and honest look at parenting challenges, including teaching self-advocacy, handling bullying, and fostering independence.
Why bridging differences in the disability community leads to collective strength and understanding.

Rob and Sara explore the power of sharing stories, the importance of meeting kids where they are, and finding joy in everyday triumphs. Whether you're an autism parent or want to learn from different perspectives, this episode is packed with insights, validation, and hope.

Listen now and join the conversation about building a more inclusive, compassionate world.

Links and Resources:

Connect with Sara on Instagram: @Sara_Hast_

Check out Sara's clothing line, Hashtags: @HastHouse

Follow Rob Gorski for more inspiring content: theautismdad.com

This Week's Sponsors:

Safe Place Bedding

Sleep is a major challenge for many families in our community, and Safe Place Bedding can help. Their sensory-friendly, enclosed beds are perfect for kids with unique needs, and they make it easy to get permanent beds covered by insurance. Plus, their new travel bed ensures better sleep anywhere.

Visit safeplacebedding.com/theautismdad to save 10% and give your child the gift of better sleep—because every family deserves a good night’s rest.

Circle Care Services

Circle Care Services offers personalized ABA therapy for children with autism in New Jersey and Georgia, providing support at home, in daycares, or clinics. Their skilled team partners with parents to build confidence and unlock each child’s potential.

Visit circlecareservices.com or call (877) 460-1104.

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%.

Key highlights include:

The role of the community in overcoming isolation and rebuilding confidence.
Sara’s journey into advocacy and creating her inclusive clothing brand, Hashtags, promoting acceptance for all.
The emotional impact of systemic delays in autism evaluations and how Sara turned frustration into empowerment.
A raw and honest look at parenting challenges, including teaching self-advocacy, handling bullying, and fostering independence.
Why bridging differences in the disability community leads to collective strength and understanding.

Listen now and join the conversation about building a more inclusive, compassionate world.

Links and Resources:

Connect with Sara on Instagram: @Sara_Hast_

Check out Sara's clothing line, Hashtags: @HastHouse

Follow Rob Gorski for more inspiring content: theautismdad.com

This Week's Sponsors:

Safe Place Bedding

Visit safeplacebedding.com/theautismdad to save 10% and give your child the gift of better sleep—because every family deserves a good night’s rest.

Circle Care Services

Visit circlecareservices.com or call (877) 460-1104.

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%.

Previous Episode

Autism and Transitioning to Adulthood (E7E43)

Episode Summary:

In this episode of The Autism Dad Podcast, Rob Gorski sits down with Jacqueline Baker, a BCBA and Market Leader at Action Behavior Centers, to discuss the transition to adulthood for autistic children. Together, they explore personal and professional insights and offer valuable advice to parents navigating this complex journey.

Rob reflects on his experiences as a father of three autistic sons, two of whom are now adults, and shares lessons learned, mistakes made, and practical strategies for preparing kids for independence. Jacqueline provides a clinical perspective, emphasizing the importance of fostering autonomy, life skills, and resilience from an early age.

Key topics include:

· - The importance of preparing for adulthood early.

· - Balancing independence with the necessary support.

· - Addressing misconceptions about autism and abilities.

· - School placement options and navigating the IEP process.

· - Building a collaborative approach between families and educators.

· - The role of self-care for parents and caregivers.

Whether you’re a parent at the beginning of this journey or further along, this episode is packed with actionable advice and heartfelt stories to inspire and guide you.

Resources Mentioned:

Action Behavior Centers: Learn more about their Academy program and support for autistic children.

The Autism Dad Podcast: Explore more episodes and resources for autism parenting.

Connect with Us:

Host: Rob Gorski - The Autism Dad

Guest: Jacqueline Baker, BCBA (Action Behavior Centers)

Call to Action:

If you enjoyed this episode or found it helpful, please share it with your friends, leave a review, or tag us on social media! Your support helps us create more valuable content for families like yours.

This Week's Sponsors:

Safe Place Bedding

Visit safeplacebedding.com/theautismdad to save 10% and give your child the gift of better sleep—because every family deserves a good night’s rest.

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%.

Next Episode

How Telehealth is Changing Autism Evaluations (S8E01)

Episode Summary:

In this episode of The Autism Dad Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Taylor Day, a licensed child psychologist specializing in autism evaluations and therapy via telehealth. We dive into the growing accessibility of remote autism evaluations, how telehealth compares to in-person assessments, and how it helps families stuck on long waitlists. Dr. Day shares insights from her personal and professional experiences, the importance of supporting the whole family, and why we must shift the conversation around parental emotions and autism diagnoses.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• How telehealth is transforming autism evaluations

• Why remote assessments can be just as effective as in-person visits

• The role of parental emotions and why grief and acceptance can coexist

• How parents can navigate diagnosis waitlists and start supporting their child now

• The importance of presuming competence in autistic children

About My Guest:

Dr. Taylor Day is a licensed child psychologist specializing in autism evaluations and therapy. She brings a unique perspective as both a clinician and a sibling of an autistic individual. Through her practice, she helps families across the U.S. access telehealth evaluations and support services without long wait times.

Connect with Dr. Taylor Day:

• Website: DrTaylorDay.com

• Instagram: @the.dr.tay

• Podcast: Evolved with Dr. Tay

Sponsor Message:

This episode is brought to you by:

Safe Place Bedding: Sleep is a major challenge for many families in our community, and Safe Place Bedding can help. Their sensory-friendly, enclosed beds are perfect for kids with unique needs, and they make it easy to get permanent beds covered by insurance. Plus, their new travel bed ensures better sleep anywhere. Visit safeplacebedding.com/theautismdad to save 10% and give your child the gift of better sleep—because every family deserves a good night’s rest.
Mightier: Mightier helps kids self-regulate emotionally through biofeedback-based video games. Learn more and get a discount at Visit https://www.mightier.com/. Use code “theautismdad22” to save 10%.

Resources & Links:

• Learn more about autism evaluations via telehealth → DrTaylorDay.com

• Follow me on Instagram → @theautismdad

• Join my private online parenting support group → Join Here

• Subscribe to my podcast for more episodes like this → Listen on Your Favorite Platform

Support the Show:

If you enjoy The Autism Dad Podcast, please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or sharing this episode with your community. Your support helps more families find the resources they need!