Ep. 319 Dr. Michael Gillman

Resilience in the Face of Adversity: Dr. Michael Gillman on Autism, Pediatric Cancer, and Family Strength

We are joined once again by Dr. Michael Gillman, a devoted father who first shared his insights on the show during Episode 304 alongside autism expert Melissa Reiner. While his previous appearance touched on the medical and societal landscape of neurodiversity, this episode pulls back the curtain on the Gillman family’s private world, revealing a story of extraordinary resilience in the face of overlapping crises: autism advocacy and a childhood cancer diagnosis.

Jeanne Pepper and Dr. Michael Gillman at the PeppTalks Studio September 2025

Michael and his wife, Rebecca, have spent over two decades navigating the unique challenges and joys of raising their son, Daniel, a high-functioning autistic adult and a verified math savant. Michael speaks candidly about the extraordinary measures he and Rebecca took to ensure Daniel was provided every educational tool and opportunity necessary to thrive in a traditional school setting. Their relentless advocacy ensured that Daniel was never overlooked by a system that often struggles to accommodate neurodiverse learners.

The true payoff of this dedication arrived in middle school, when Daniel’s extraordinary math ability was finally discovered—a breakthrough that Michael believes could have been missed entirely without the specific communication and learning tools they fought to give him. This foundation allowed Daniel to achieve a staggering academic trajectory, completing his undergraduate degree in analytics at USC in just three years before moving on to earn his Master’s at Georgia Tech. Today, Daniel thrives as both an analytics expert and a Professor of Analytics at Georgia Tech, a testament to the power of early intervention and parental belief.

However, the family’s strength was put to the ultimate test when Daniel was in elementary school and their youngest son, David, was diagnosed with pediatric cancer. Michael describes the agonizing reality of balancing the structured, intense needs of an autistic child with the life-and-death urgency of a sibling’s oncology treatments. This "double-front" battle required the entire family to lean into their bond unlike ever before, highlighting the profound emotional toll on the parents and their middle child.

Your host, Jeanne Pepper, facilitates this intimate conversation with the warmth and sensitivity that PeppTalks listeners have come to expect. This episode is an essential listen for anyone facing a "perfect storm" of family challenges, offering a message of solidarity and proof that with the right tools and unwavering advocacy, neurodiverse children can not only succeed but lead in their chosen fields.

Autism Resources for Families

1. TACA (The Autism Community in Action)

TACA is a national non-profit that provides education, support, and hope to families living with autism. They are well-known for their mentorship programs and "Parent Portals."

• Address: 2222 Martin St., Suite 140, Irvine, CA 92612

• Phone: (949) 640-4401

• Website: tacanow.org

• Focus: Parent-to-parent mentoring, physician seminars, and providing "Action Plans" for families.

2. Autism Speaks

One of the largest autism advocacy organizations in the world, they provide a massive directory of local resources and toolkits for families during the "100 Day" window after a diagnosis.

• Address: 1060 State Road, 2nd Floor, Princeton, NJ 08540 (National HQ)

• Phone: (888) 288-4762

• Website: autismspeaks.org

• Focus: Advocacy, research, and the "Autism Response Team" which provides personalized information and resources.

3. Organization for Autism Research (OAR)

OAR focuses on the "applied" side of research—meaning they provide practical resources that help families and educators deal with the day-to-day challenges of autism.

• Address: 2111 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 401, Arlington, VA 22201

• Phone: (703) 243-9710

• Website: researchautism.org

• Focus: Providing evidence-based guides for parents and siblings, and "Life Journey" toolkits for transition to adulthood.

4. Autism Society of America

With over 70 local chapters, this organization focuses on ensuring that everyone in the autism community has the support and services they need to live fully.

• Address: 6110 Executive Blvd., Suite 305, Rockville, MD 20852

• Phone: (800) 328-8476

• Website: autismsociety.org

• Focus: Local community support groups, public policy advocacy, and the National Autism Helpline.

5. National Autism Association (NAA)

The NAA is particularly focused on safety and urgent issues, such as wandering (elopement) and crisis prevention for families with autistic children.

• Address: One Anne & Hope Way, Suite 310, Cumberland, RI 02864

• Phone: (877) 622-2727

• Website: nationalautismassociation.org

• Focus: The "Big Red Safety Box" program, anti-bullying resources, and family financial assistance for medical needs.

Episode 319

Hosted by: Jeanne Pepper

Guest: Michael Gillman MD

Executive Producer: Jeanne Pepper

Producer: Eli Moskowitz

Original Theme: Jay Bernstein

Special Thank You to our volunteers

FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE to PeppTalks with Jeanne

Facebook: PeppTalks with Jeanne Pepper

Instagram: @pepptalkswithjeanne

TikTok: @pepptalkswithjeanne

LinkedIn: Jeanne Pepper

DISCLAIMER Jeanne Pepper is providing this podcast as a public service. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Jeanne Pepper unless so stated. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by Ms. Pepper’s guests are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of Ms. Pepper. If you have any questions about this disclaimer or the content herein, please contact us at Producers@PepptalkswithJeanne.com #PeppTalkswithJeanne #JeannePepper #BlazeitForward