In this heartwarming episode of Dads In Autismland, host Mark de Grasse welcomes Roger Kuhrt, a devoted father who shares his inspiring and humorous journey of adopting his son Gordy from South Korea during the chaos of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Roger opens up about the parallel challenges of adoption and autism—initially mistaking Gordy’s behaviors as effects of adoption, only to later receive a life-changing autism diagnosis. The episode explores early intervention, ABA therapy, and the emotional highs and lows of discovering your child’s unique path.
With a dash of humor and a Lord of the Rings twist, Roger offers a relatable and deeply human perspective on parenting a neurodiverse child. If you've ever felt like you're on an epic journey of your own in fatherhood, this one’s for you.
TOPICS
- Navigating international adoption during the pandemic
- Overlapping traits of adopted and autistic children
- Early signs of autism and how diagnosis unfolded
- Impact of ABA therapy and special education on Gordy's development
- Fatherhood as a "Lord of the Rings" adventure—unexpected and epic
- Unique obsessions: Gordy’s love for vacuums and washers
- Real advice for autism dads on trust, sleep, and staying proactive
QUOTES
"At first, I thought it was just adoption-related behavior. I didn’t realize it could be autism."
"We were the fourth set of caregivers he'd had before age two. Trust had to be built from scratch."
"Where are we going? Oh—we’re going to Mount Autism."
"Getting the diagnosis wasn’t heartbreaking—it was a relief. We finally knew what we were dealing with."
"He used to headbang and scream. Now, thanks to ABA, we don’t even track it—it’s gone."
DISCLAIMER
Every child's autism journey is unique. This video shares one family's personal experience and is meant for informational purposes only. Always consult with healthcare professionals for medical advice.
Host
Mark de Grasse
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