Single Dad Caregiver Burnout While Raising 3 Autistic Sons: A talk with Rob Gorski, the Autism Dad

If you are a special needs caregiver who has ever felt completely alone in this journey, this episode is for you. Host Jenny Olson sits down with Rob Gorski, known online as The Autism Dad, who has been raising three sons with autism largely on his own for over a decade. Rob is also a blogger, podcaster, and soon to be published author who has been sharing his honest caregiving story online for almost 20 years. This is a real, raw, and hopeful conversation about what adult autism caregiving actually looks like from the inside.

Rob opens up about what it was like to go from a two parent household to solo parenting three neurodivergent kids overnight, and how he found a way to keep going even when it felt impossible. He and Jenny talk about what it means to stop apologizing for your child's autism in public, how to handle rude comments and stares as your special needs child grows into an adult, and why the judgment gets harder as they get bigger but no less important to push through.

This episode also gets into some really encouraging territory. Rob shares that his oldest son Gavin, who was told he might never live independently, is now working, saving money, and moving toward his own place. His youngest son Emmett, who was non speaking until age four, is finishing high school while also completing his second year of college full time. Rob's message to every caregiver is clear: never let anyone put your child in a box and never underestimate what they are capable of.

Jenny and Rob also dig into caregiver burnout, self care, and what it means to finally find your village, whether that is a partner, a neighbor, a Facebook group, or another special needs parent at a basketball game. Rob also gives a sneak peek at his upcoming book, coming out December 2026, which is designed to help newly diagnosed families feel supported, hopeful, and less alone from day one.

Find Rob Gorski and preorder his book online at theautismdad.com and on Instagram at www.instagram.com/theautismdad

If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe and follow the podcast so you never miss a new episode and take a moment to leave a review. It helps other special needs caregivers and disability families find this community when they need it most. You are doing an amazing job. Keep going. Follow the podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adult.special.needs.caregiving/