In today's episode of "Welcome to Dylan's House", Amy and Kevin Shope get raw and emotional on the many hardships they have navigated as parents of an adult son with autism. For new listeners, Amy and Kevin really give listeners a realistic view on what their everyday life looks like with Dylan. Later on in the episode, they share a medical emergency they had to face on Thanksgiving.

This episode is a reminder of the daily challenges faced for people with autism along with their families and caregivers. Amy and Kevin discuss how they strive every single day to ensure Dylan is given a life we all want and deserve.

To follow along with our journey, find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Linkedin. For more information on and our website Dylanshouse.org.

On today's episode of "Welcome to Dylan's House", Amy and Kevin Shope had the pleasure to interview Melissa Archer who founded the nonprofit Jasmynn's Voice, named in honor of her daughter. Jasmynn is a 24 years old who is functionally non-verbal. Her parents wanted to ensure from a young age that she would have the tools to communicate. They found that technology was able to bridge the gap of communication between her and her world. The mission of their nonprofit is to not only provide iPads for children with autism in Southern Michigan, but to also provide education on how to communicate and interact with the autism community.

Amy, Kevin and Melissa share the blessings and hardships of having adult children with autism while navigating everyday life.

To learn more about Jasmynn and how Jasmynn's Voice is making big strides in Southern Michigan, visit www.jasmynnsvoice.org or find them on Facebook and Instagram.

In this episode of "Welcome to Dylan's House," Amy and Kevin Shope interview the Mayor of Struthers, Catherine Cercone Miller. Mayor Cat has an educational background in psychology and autism and her desire for helping all the people in her community shines through this episode.

The City of Struthers generously donated a piece of land within the city for the first new build for Dylan's House. Mayor Cat is passionate about making this project a priority and rallying the city of Struthers around the effort.

To learn more about this exciting partnership and what the future looks like for Dylan's House, check us out on social media.

In this episode, Amy and Kevin Shope interview Crissi Jenkins, the Chief Growth Officer at Potential Development.

Potential Development School, located in Youngstown, Ohio, is a pre-k through 12th grade school for students diagnosed with autism. Their mission is to provide an individualized education for each student in a safe, state-of-the-art environment designed to empower them to reach their fullest potential in life.

Crissi shares valuable information on how Potential Development is different than other options available for children with autism and sharing what their students lives can look like post graduation.

To learn more about Potential Development, visit their website at potentialdevelopment.org or find them on Facebook and Instagram.

In this episode of "Welcome to Dylan's House", Amy and Kevin Shope interview Rob Gorski, an influential blogger and podcast host, best known as "The Autism Dad". Since 2009, his mission has been to educate, validate, and provide support to parents raising children with disabilities while he has transformed his personal experiences as a father of three autistic children into a resource for parents across the globe. Rob’s work has earned recognition from CNN, ABC News, BBC Worldwide, the Tamron Hall Show, and has received dozens of awards for best autism-related blog. His compelling narrative resonates with his audience, making a significant impact on the global autism community.

To learn more about Rob and his family, check him out on instagram at @theautismdad or his website www.theautismdad.com.

In this episode of "Welcome to Dylan's House," we were thrilled to get a better glimpse of what it was like for our daughter Anderson growing up with a sibling with autism. Anderson relives all the trials and tribulations and everything in between she had to manage as she was navigating her childhood and teenage years alongside Dylan. She shares some vulnerable memories about family outings that didn't always go as planned.

Anderson is currently 20 years old and a junior at Bowling Green University where she is studying Business Management. When she isn't studying, she is hanging out with friends and active in her sorority. We are beyond proud of her growth over the years and for her constant love for her brother Dylan.

If you liked this episode, please subscribe, like, and share. Check us out on social media or at our website, DylansHouse.org.

In this episode of "Welcome to Dylan's House," my wife Amy and I discuss the recent events that have kept us busy, including an educational event focused on autism transitioning into adulthood and our successful Sunday Funday fundraiser. We reflect on the overwhelming support we received from the community and the impact of our nonprofit, Dylan's House. We also provide updates on our son Dylan, sharing his experiences at his daily workshop, his upcoming visit to the lake house, and his recent adventures at prom. Despite some challenges with grooming routines, we are grateful for the caregivers who support Dylan. Additionally, we mention Amy's recent birthday celebration and the importance of taking time to recharge as a couple. Overall, we express gratitude for the continued support and look forward to sharing more stories in future episodes. Follow us on social media and visit our website for more information. Thank you for listening to "Welcome to Dylan's House."

In this episode of "Welcome to Dylan's House," we had the pleasure of interviewing Bill Whitaker, the superintendent of the Mahoning County Board of Developmental Disabilities. Bill shared valuable insights into the services provided by the board for individuals with developmental disabilities in Mahoning County. He highlighted the importance of building relationships with schools to support individuals transitioning into adulthood.

Bill also discussed the collaborative efforts within the Mahoning Valley community, emphasizing the willingness of different organizations and agencies to work together for the betterment of families and individuals with disabilities. The episode touched on the complexities of accessing waivers and Medicaid services, emphasizing the need for individualized support tailored to each person's unique needs.

The hosts, Kevin and Amy, also mentioned upcoming events, including an educational event on transitioning to adulthood and a Sunday Funday event at Penguin City Brewery. They encouraged listeners to engage with their organization, Dylan's House, and participate in these community events to support individuals with autism and developmental disabilities. Overall, the episode highlighted the importance of collaboration, individualized support, and community involvement in providing services for individuals with disabilities.

As the host of Welcome to Dylan's House, I had the pleasure of interviewing Mahoning County Prosecutor Gina DiGenova in this episode. Gina shared her background, from growing up in Niles to becoming the first female prosecutor in Mahoning County. She discussed the Special Needs Registry program she initiated, providing a vital mode of communication between individuals with special needs and law enforcement. Gina also highlighted the upcoming Blue Envelope program, designed to assist individuals with disabilities during transportation encounters. She emphasized the importance of ongoing training for law enforcement to interact effectively with individuals with disabilities. Gina's passion for serving the community and her dedication to providing resources for vulnerable populations were evident throughout the conversation. Listeners were encouraged to visit the Mahoning County Prosecutor's website to access the Special Needs Registry and learn more about the programs offered. Overall, the episode showcased Gina's commitment to making a difference and fostering a more inclusive and supportive community.

In this episode of "Welcome to Dylan's House," my wife Amy and I discuss our experiences with professional caregivers in the context of raising our son, Dylan, who has severe autism. We share stories of recruiting caregivers, balancing trust and control, and the impact caregivers have had on our lives. We highlight the challenges and rewards of the caregiver role, emphasizing the importance of their work in supporting individuals with autism. We also touch on our nonprofit's mission to support caregivers through grants and encourage others to consider this rewarding career path. Overall, we express gratitude for the dedication and commitment of professional caregivers and invite listeners to join us in our journey at Dylan's House.