The Power of SPARK: How Autism Research is Changing Lives (S8E02)

02/12/25 • 54 min

Join Rob Gorski, The Autism Dad, in a conversation with Dr. Pamela Feliciano, Scientific Director of SPARK for Autism. Dr. Feliciano, an autism mom herself, shares her personal journey and insights into SPARK's groundbreaking research. Discover how SPARK is connecting families with researchers to accelerate breakthroughs in autism understanding and support. Learn how you can get involved and contribute to this vital initiative.

General Timeframes:

Beginning of the episode: In the first 10 minutes, Dr. Feliciano shares her personal journey as an autism mom and discusses her son Dylan's progress.
Mid-episode: Around the 20-minute mark, the conversation shifts to SPARK's mission and goals, exploring how the initiative is advancing autism research.
Towards the end: In the final segment, you'll hear how families can get involved with SPARK and contribute to this important work.

Links:

SPARK for Autism: https://sparkforautism.org/
The Autism Dad Podcast: https://listen.theautismdad.com

Special thanks to our 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.
Autism 360: Autism 360 is a neuro-affirming app for parents of autistic children, offering 24/7 expert guidance, personalized plans, and practical support for daily challenges. Trusted by thousands, it provides affordable, real-time help. Use the code “theautismdad” to save 10%
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%.

Call to Action:

Visit SPARKforAutism.org today to learn more and join the movement!

Subscribe to The Autism Dad Podcast on your favorite podcast listening app. For more information on The Autism Dad Podcast, to share feedback, to be a guest, or inquire about sponsorship opportunities, visit https://listen.theautismdad.com

About the Host:

Rob Gorski is The Autism Dad, a passionate advocate for autism awareness and acceptance. He shares his experiences and insights on his podcast and website. Connect with him by visiting https://theautismdad.com.

General Timeframes:

Beginning of the episode: In the first 10 minutes, Dr. Feliciano shares her personal journey as an autism mom and discusses her son Dylan's progress.
Mid-episode: Around the 20-minute mark, the conversation shifts to SPARK's mission and goals, exploring how the initiative is advancing autism research.
Towards the end: In the final segment, you'll hear how families can get involved with SPARK and contribute to this important work.

Links:

SPARK for Autism: https://sparkforautism.org/
The Autism Dad Podcast: https://listen.theautismdad.com

Special thanks to our 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.
Autism 360: Autism 360 is a neuro-affirming app for parents of autistic children, offering 24/7 expert guidance, personalized plans, and practical support for daily challenges. Trusted by thousands, it provides affordable, real-time help. Use the code “theautismdad” to save 10%
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%.

Call to Action:

Visit SPARKforAutism.org today to learn more and join the movement!

About the Host:

Previous 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!

Next Episode

Navigating Grief with Neurodivergent Kids (S8E03)

Join Rob Gorski, The Autism Dad, and grief specialist Sylvia Moore Meyers as they discuss the challenges and strategies for helping neurodivergent kids navigate grief and loss. Sylvia, an autistic mom herself, shares her personal experiences and insights into how we can better support our children during difficult times.

General Timeframes:

Beginning: Rob and Sylvia discuss the challenges neurodivergent kids face with grief.
Mid-episode: Sylvia explains how we can help kids understand and process grief, loss, and trauma.
Towards the end: Rob and Sylvia discuss Sylvia's book, Gold Scars, and how it can help families navigate grief.

About Sylvia Moore Meyers:

Sylvia Moore Meyers is a grief specialist, coach, and author. She is also an autistic mom. She has a Master's degree in human services with a concentration in crisis and trauma and is currently working on her Ph.D.

About "Gold Scars: The Truth About Grief, Loss, and Trauma and How to Beautifully Mend":

"Gold Scars" is a book about Sylvia's personal experiences with grief, loss, and trauma, including the loss of her child and her own journey of healing. The book also explores the unique challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals when navigating grief.

Where to get the book:

You can purchase "Gold Scars" from the following retailers:

Morgan James Publishing: https://www.morgan-james-publishing.com
Books-A-Million: https://www.booksamillion.com/
Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/

Sylvia recommends purchasing from Morgan James Publishing to support her directly.

Special Thanks to Our 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.
The Unbreakable Boy: The Unbreakable Boy hits theaters on February 21! From the creators of Jesus Revolution and Wonder, this inspiring true story follows Austin, a boy with autism and brittle bone disease, whose joy and resilience transform his family. Starring Zachary Levi and Meghann Fahy, the film explores faith, hope, and the power of perspective. Don’t miss it! Get your tickets now at https://tickets.theunbreakableboy.movie
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%.

Call to Action:

About the Host:

Rob Gorski is The Autism Dad, a passionate advocate for autism awareness and acceptance. He shares his experiences and insights on his podcast and website. Connect with him by visiting

https://theautismdad.com.