Dads Raising Children with Special Needs & Disabilities: A Guide for 21st Century Dads is a father-to-father roadmap for navigating the journey with clarity and courage. You’ll find practical guidance on advocacy, family life, emotional resilience, and long-term planning—written with empathy, honesty, and a steady belief in your child’s potential. Each chapter covers an important topic, includes an original poem as well as excerpts from a handful of SFN Dad To Dad Podcast guests, and, on a more lighthearted note, a Dad Joke. The book also includes a comprehensive curriculum for the reader or those using the book for small-group discussions.
What you’ll take away:
All proceeds go to support the 21st Century Dads Foundation and Special Fathers Network, a dad-to-dad mentoring program for fathers raising children with special needs.
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David Hirsch is the father of five, a seasoned financial advisor, and one of the country’s leading, most outspoken advocates for children and fathers. He’s the founder of two fatherhood nonprofits, author, TEDx Speaker, and host of the Special Fathers Network Dad To Dad Podcast, now with more than 400 episodes.
John F. Crowley is a father, president, and CEO of Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) as well as former longtime CEO of Amicus Therapeutics. John is also an author and speaker. Perhaps most importantly, he found a cure for Pompe Disease that saved the lives of two of his children and untold others.
“Beyond Brilliant. David’s intellect and compassion combine to identify and illuminate fatherhood pathways that can sustain, even enrich, lives and loves of special Dads and special kids. It's never easy but striving is often its own reward.”
—John Borling, (Major General, USAF-ret), Vietnam POW 6 years, 8 months
“David Hirsch delivers a powerful, practical, and deeply human guide for fathers on a journey few prepare for but many are called to. As a father of a son with Down syndrome, I know how vital it is to hear from someone who’s walked the path—and built community along the way.”
—Mark X. Cronin, Cofounder, John’s Crazy Socks & Abilities Rising
“This book strikes at the heart of what matters most—not just to families like mine, but to every family, community, and society that hopes to reach its potential and thrive.”
—John F. Crowley, president & CEO of Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO)
“This will become the foremost book for special needs dads grounded in lived experience, deep research and hundreds of honest father to father conversations.”
—Reena Friedman Watts, Host of Better Call Daddy Podcast
“Good outcomes for children with special needs require practical thinking and involved parents. David Hirsch understands this, and his book gives fathers clear, usable guidance that truly helps families thrive.”
—Temple Grandin, Author of Visual Thinking and Thinking in Pictures
“A powerful collection of wisdom from fathers whose lives were forever changed by a child’s diagnosis—offering practical guidance, honest compassion, and hope for the road through uncertainty, tears, and unexpected joy.”
—Randy Lewis, former EVP Walgreens, Author of No Greatness, Without Goodness
“Being a father of a special needs child myself, it’s gratifying to see that David Hirsch has once again taken the time and effort to provide yet another resource for us dads. I’m proud to have known David for decades and continue to applaud his commitment to this aspect of his life and those of us fathers.”
—Joe Mantegna, award winning actor; Broadway, TV, movies, and the voice of Fat Tony on the Simpsons
“A Guide for 21st Century Dads is a must read for all who are and aspire to be great fathers. It is an enlightening book about the challenges, ideas, solutions, joys, and celebrations of being a dad even in the most trying circumstances.”
—Warren Rustand, husband, father, CEO, speaker and author, The Leader Within Us