The Autism Dad Ohio

In this weeks episode, Becca Mitchner is here to talk about Camp Nuhop. Camp Nuhop is located in Perrysville, Ohio. They provide an amazing summer camp experience for neurodivergent youth. While most kids are from Ohio, some travel from across the country to spend time here. This episode will discuss what the camp has to offer. Whether or not it’s a good fit for your family, and how to get it funded. About Becca Mitchner: Becca Mitchner is the Co-Director of Summer & Respite Programs at Camp Nuhop. She graduated from Murray State University in 2013 with a Bachelor of Science in Outdoor Recreation and Nonprofit Leadership Studies. She continued at Murray State to obtain a Masters's Degree in Human Development & Leadership with emphases in Environmental Education and Autism Studies in 2015. Becca found a passion for working with children at a young age and enjoys helping campers create a positive and empowering experience at Camp Nuhop. Find Camp Nuhop: Social Media Facebook.com/CampNuhop Insta- @Nuhop https://nuhop.org/ About Rob Gorski and The Autism Dad Ohio podcast: Rob Gorski is a single Dad to three amazing autistic boys and Found and CEO of The Autism Dad, LLC. Multiple award-winning blogger, podcaster, content creator, social media influencer, and respected public figure for well over a decade. Connect with Rob Gorski: https://theautismdad.com Today's Sponsors Aceing Autism ACEing Autism provides tennis programs for children on the autism spectrum aged 5 to 18, focusing on growth, social skills, and physical fitness. Tailored to individual needs with one-on-one volunteer support, the program includes weekend sessions and offers scholarships for accessibility. It aims to build confidence and social connections, with extended support available beyond age 18. More information can be found at aceingautism.org. Meerkat Village Being a special needs parent often requires a superhuman ability to manage a ton of different things all at once. Between work, school, doctor appointments, therapies, our own self-care, and everything else life can throw at us, it can be tough to manage all these things. Don’t even get me started on trying to keep everyone communicating with each other. That’s where Meerkat Village can help. They say it takes a village and this is especially true for special needs families. Meerkat Village is a platform for android and iOS that helps to keep everyone in your village communicating and coordinating their efforts to support your child. Whether you’re tracking your child’s progress at school or brainstorming new strategies to help with behavioral concerns, Meerkat Village keeps everyone connected, and on the same page. It's all done inside one, easy-to-use, HIPAA and FERPA-compliant app. For more information, visit meerkatvillage.com  Kinjo Kinjo transforms Roblox from mere gaming to a valuable learning platform. Aiming to make each gaming moment both fun and educational, Kinjo provides expert-reviewed content through seamless integration with a child's Roblox account. Games undergo rigorous evaluation by specialists, with top-rated ones receiving a 'Flames' rating for their educational quality. While playing, children earn Kinjo Coins, turning in-game accomplishments into tangible rewards. While kids enjoy the engaging content, parents gain insight into their child's gaming activities. Beyond being an app, Kinjo represents a leap in educational gaming, blending entertainment with deep learning. The basic version is free, with a premium Kinjo Plus option offering added benefits. Explore the future of gaming at theautismdad.com/Kinjo and get a 10% discount on Kinjo Plus with code “theautismdad”.

Join me as I chat with Gary Tonks, the President and CEO at The Arc of Ohio - the state's premier organization for disability advocacy. Discover the essence of The Arc, and learn how families in Ohio can tap into their invaluable services at no cost. Dive into the myriad ways The Arc stands as a beacon of support in this episode. About Gary Tonks: Gary Tonks is the president/CEO of The Arc of Ohio in Columbus, the state’s oldest and largest grassroots organization representing individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities and their families.  About the Arc of Ohio: The Arc of Ohio is the voice of people with developmental disabilities, their families, friends of people with disabilities, and those who work with them. The Arc of Ohio is a grassroots organization which advocates for human rights, personal dignity and community participation of individuals with developmental disabilities through legislative and social action, information and education, local chapter supports, and family involvement. The Arc of Ohio Facebook About Rob Gorski and The Autism Dad podcast: Rob Gorski is a single Dad to three amazing autistic boys and the Founder and CEO of The Autism Dad, LLC. Multiple award-winning blogger, podcaster, content creator, social media influencer, and respected public figure for well over a decade. Connect with Rob Gorski: https://theautismdad.com Today’s Sponsors: Aceing Autism ACEing Autism provides tennis programs for children on the autism spectrum aged 5 to 18, focusing on growth, social skills, and physical fitness. Tailored to individual needs with one-on-one volunteer support, the program includes weekend sessions and offers scholarships for accessibility. It aims to build confidence and social connections, with extended support available beyond age 18. More information can be found at aceingautism.org. Meerkat Village Being a special needs parent often requires a superhuman ability to manage a ton of different things all at once. Between work, school, doctor appointments, therapies, our own self-care, and everything else life can throw at us, it can be tough to manage all these things. Don’t even get me started on trying to keep everyone communicating with each other. That’s where Meerkat Village can help. They say it takes a village and this is especially true for special needs families. Meerkat Village is a platform for android and iOS that helps to keep everyone in your village communicating and coordinating their efforts to support your child. Whether you’re tracking your child’s progress at school or brainstorming new strategies to help with behavioral concerns, Meerkat Village keeps everyone connected, and on the same page. It's all done inside one, easy-to-use, HIPAA and FERPA-compliant app. For more information, visit meerkatvillage.com  Kinjo Kinjo transforms Roblox from mere gaming to a valuable learning platform. Aiming to make each gaming moment both fun and educational, Kinjo provides expert-reviewed content through seamless integration with a child's Roblox account. Games undergo rigorous evaluation by specialists, with top-rated ones receiving a 'Flames' rating for their educational quality. While playing, children earn Kinjo Coins, turning in-game accomplishments into tangible rewards. While kids enjoy the engaging content, parents gain insight into their child's gaming activities. Beyond being an app, Kinjo represents a leap in educational gaming, blending entertainment with deep learning. The basic version is free, with a premium Kinjo Plus option offering added benefits. Explore the future of gaming at theautismdad.com/Kinjo and get a 10% discount on Kinjo Plus with code “theautismdad”.

I interviewed my friend Rick Miller, owner of Special Needs Living Magazine (Akron & Canton). Special Needs Living Magazine exists to celebrate the amazing special needs families in Stark and Summit counties, in Northeast Ohio. It’s beautifully done, absolutely free, and loved by so many people. This is the story behind this amazing magazine. About Rick Miller: Rick is a husband, and father of three amazing kids, as well as the owner of Special Needs Living Akron & Canton. Free Digital Subscription Special Needs Living Magazine About Rob Gorski and The Autism Dad podcast: Rob Gorski is a single Dad to three amazing autistic boys and Found and CEO of The Autism Dad, LLC. Multiple award-winning blogger, podcaster, content creator, social media influencer, and respected public figure for well over a decade. Connect with Rob Gorski: https://theautismdad.com Today’s Sponsors: Aceing Autism ACEing Autism provides tennis programs for children on the autism spectrum aged 5 to 18, focusing on growth, social skills, and physical fitness. Tailored to individual needs with one-on-one volunteer support, the program includes weekend sessions and offers scholarships for accessibility. It aims to build confidence and social connections, with extended support available beyond age 18. More information can be found at aceingautism.org. Learn More About Mightier: Mightier is a biofeedback-based video game platform that teaches kids to self-regulate emotionally. This leads to a significant reduction in meltdowns and parental stress. It's backed by science and has helped over 100,000 kids learn to regulate their emotions. For more information, the latest reviews/updates as well as current discount codes, visit theautismdad.com/mightier. Read My Mightier Review and the code “theautismdad22” to save 10% off your order. Goally: Goally is a comprehensive app, serving as a digital scheduler, AAC speaker, and token board system. Designed for unique thinkers like autistic and ADHD kids, it helps them master daily routines and therapy without parental reminders, reducing nagging and promoting self-management. Goally can be used on your child's device or an affordable, dedicated device, which we've found more effective in our home. For more information, you can visit getgoally.com and use the code “theautismdad” to save 10% off your order.

In this episode, we explore the critical role of health insurance for special needs families in Ohio, focusing on CareSource, a leading Medicaid provider. Our guest, Montoya Rogers, wears two hats: she's both a CareSource representative and an autism mom. Tune in to hear an insider's perspective on how CareSource is equipped to meet the healthcare needs of special needs families. About Montoya Rogers: Montoya L. Rogers is a Community Marketing Representative for CareSource of Ohio. Montoya is a licensed Health & Life insurance agent. She has successfully sustained a 10+ year career in the health insurance industry. As an avid leader, Montoya has a passion for serving the community and helping others. She is a trailblazer and a dynamic advocate for the nonprofit industry. Montoya was born in Columbus, Ohio. She graduated from Reynoldsburg high school. She obtained her Community Health Worker certification from The Ohio State University. Montoya is the proud mother of two children Amya and Tre. Tre was diagnosed with Autism at the age of six. While navigating the diagnosis and advocating accommodations for her son, Montoya founded the non-profit organization Puzzle Mom. The mission of Puzzle Mom is to empower minority mothers of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, to become effective advocates for their children through education, support, and community resources. Montoya is committed to create autism awareness within under-served communities throughout Ohio. Learn more about CareSource by clicking here. About Rob Gorski and The Autism Dad podcast: Rob Gorski is a single Dad to three amazing autistic boys and Found and CEO of The Autism Dad, LLC. Multiple award-winning blogger, podcaster, content creator, social media influencer, and respected public figure for well over a decade. Connect with Rob Gorski: https://theautismdad.com Mentioned in this episode: Kaboose: Are you or someone you know autistic or neurodiverse? Then you've got to check out Kaboose. It's not just an app; it's a safe community where you can find and interact with friends who really get you. When you se up your profile, you can list your special interests—whether that's gaming, Dr. Who, animals, or even crocheting. Kaboose uses these interests to match you with like-minded people. Worried about cyberbullying? Kaboose is building out a sophisticated AI tool designed to monitor for it because safety is a top priority. And their vision doesn't stop there; they're planning features for skill-building, mentoring, and job matching too. For our younger friends under 13, just talk to your parents first. If you’re concerned about screen time? Remember, this is more than just an app; it's a safe space where your neurodivergent kiddos can genuinely be themselves, connect with others and feel accepted.  That’s so important because everyone deserves to feel accepted.. And hey parents, that goes for you too. Kaboose is a great way for you to connect with other parents and find support as well. So why wait? Download the at kaboose.app and start building your tribe today. Quiet Mind: Introducing The Original Weighted Pillow by Quiet Mind, an innovative tool for easing anxiety, stress, ADHD, and sensory processing disorder symptoms. This compact alternative to weighted blankets is created by Mikey Goldman, who himself deals with ADHD and anxiety. It's a portable companion, providing an instant calming effect. Unlike large weighted blankets, this soft, easy-to-move pillow won't make you too hot or claustrophobic. Using Deep Pressure Stimulation (DPS), it offers the benefits of weighted blankets in a smaller, portable format, ideal for children with autism, ADHD, or sensory processing disorder. Consider it a stress ball for your body - hold it, hug it, and let your mind relax. For more information, visit onequietmind.com and use the code “theautismdad” at checkout to save 15%