Welcome to Dylan's House: Navigating Autism Together

Kevin and Amy Shope
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Kevin and Amy Shope a married couple of 26 years, share the story of their experiences of raising a child with severe autism. The Shope's have 2 children, their 19 year old daughter Anderson and 22 year old son Dylan, a young man living with Autism. In this podcast, they will tell their family's story to create awareness and reach other families affected by Autism. The Shope's have created a non profit organization Dylan's House, which will provide housing and caregiver grants to benefit Autistic individuals. Learn more at dylanshouse.org. Join us. Meet us. Give back.

  1. 01/13/2025

    Episode 23: Daily Hardships Faced with Autism

    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.

    29 min

  2. 12/11/2024

    Episode 22: Jasmynn's Voice

    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.

    32 min

  3. 11/05/2024

    Episode 21: The City of Struthers was Our Missing Piece

    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.

    23 min

  4. 10/08/2024

    Episode 20: Finding Potential for Every Child with Autism

    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.

    20 min

  5. 09/09/2024

    Episode 19: A Conversation with "The Autism Dad", Rob Gorski

    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.

    34 min

  6. 08/06/2024

    Episode 18: Autism is a Family Affair - Welcome to Dylan's House: Navigating Autism Together

    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.

    19 min

  7. 07/02/2024

    Episode 17: Challenges and Celebrations

    Three Key Takeaways from this Episode: 1. Community Support and Engagement One of the major highlights from our recent events, including an educational event and a fundraiser, was the overwhelming support and engagement from our community. It was heartwarming to see parents, caregivers, and individuals with autism come together to share their stories, seek support, and connect with resources. The power of community in navigating challenges and celebrating successes cannot be understated. 2. Importance of Self-Care and Recharging As we shared our busy schedule and events, we also highlighted the importance of self-care and taking time to recharge. Whether it's a quick night out or a weekend getaway, finding moments to rejuvenate and reconnect with loved ones is crucial. Our recent birthday celebration and getaway served as a reminder of the importance of prioritizing self-care amidst our busy lives. 3. Challenges and Triumphs in Caregiving We also touched upon the ongoing challenges and triumphs in caregiving for individuals with autism, specifically focusing on grooming routines and personal care. From navigating sensory issues to establishing new routines, caregiving for individuals with autism requires patience, understanding, and adaptability. Our experiences with Dylan's grooming routines shed light on the continuous learning and growth in providing the best care possible. Join the Conversation! I invite you to listen to the full episode for more insights, stories, and reflections on our journey with autism and advocacy. Your support and engagement mean the world to us, and we look forward to continuing to share our story with you all. Thank you for being a part of our community and for your unwavering support. Let's keep the conversation going and continue to learn, grow, and inspire together.

    23 min

  8. 04/17/2024

    Episode 16: Autism- Transitioning to Adulthood

    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.

    26 min
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About

Kevin and Amy Shope a married couple of 26 years, share the story of their experiences of raising a child with severe autism. The Shope's have 2 children, their 19 year old daughter Anderson and 22 year old son Dylan, a young man living with Autism. In this podcast, they will tell their family's story to create awareness and reach other families affected by Autism. The Shope's have created a non profit organization Dylan's House, which will provide housing and caregiver grants to benefit Autistic individuals. Learn more at dylanshouse.org. Join us. Meet us. Give back.

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