Adapting Together

In this episode, Kevin and Carmen are joined in Dr. Rajini's consultation room at ParkCity Medical Centre to explore two of the most commonly misunderstood areas in child development: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Together with Dr. Rajini, we explore how ASD and ADHD can co-exist in children, how common this overlap is, and why it is often missed or misunderstood in early years.

The discussion unpacks the similarities and differences between ASD and ADHD, and also touches on how diagnosis is not always a one-time label but an evolving understanding of a child’s developmental profile.

The episode highlights practical considerations for parents and caregivers—especially around sleep, routine, nutrition, outdoor play, and behavioural strategies.

👩‍⚕️ Dr. Rajini's Profile and Appointment Page

Got a question or topic you’d like us to cover? 📩 Drop us a message at ⁠[email protected] ⁠. We'd love to hear from you.

We know how challenging it can be to find the right educational path for your neurodivergent child. In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Shyielathy, a special education expert, who is an Academic Lecturer at the Institute of Teacher Education (Ipoh), to explore the schooling options available in Malaysia.

How This Episode Can Be Insightful and Important:

• Understanding Options: Learn about the different programs and how they can meet your child's unique needs.
• Advocacy Tips: Discover how to effectively advocate for your child's rights and ensure they receive the support they deserve.
• Real-Life Insights: Hear stories and advice from Dr. Shy that resonate with your journey.

Join us as we delve into practical strategies and insights to help you make informed decisions for your child's future.

You're not alone in this journey, and together, we can create a supportive learning environment for your child.

Resources:

Dr. Shyielathy on LinkedIn

Dr. Shyielathy Teaching IDEAS for Special Needs

Dr. Shyielathy Facebook Page

Related to Dasar Sifar Penolakan and Sukarelawan di dalam Kelas (SdK)

A reminder for all of us: "Progress is not only about completing treatment, sometimes sitting comfortably on the chair is already a huge win"

In this episode of Adapting Together Podcast, we sat down with Dr. Elaine Goh, a dentist and certified clinical hypnotherapist, to talk about how slowing down, building trust, and creating a safe environment can transform dental visits for children on the spectrum.

We discussed:
🦷 How to prepare autistic children for dental visits
🦷 Reducing anxiety during appointments
🦷 The importance of early exposure and desensitization
🦷 What parents can do before, during, and after visits
🦷 Building trust instead of forcing compliance

This episode is filled with practical strategies and heartfelt insights for families navigating dental care with autistic children. Whether you are a parent, caregiver, therapist, or educator, we hope this episode gives you practical ideas and reassurance that dental visits can become a safer and more positive experience over time.

In this episode of Adapting Together, we explore how rock climbing—specifically bouldering—can support children on the spectrum and how it could complement therapy.

Joined by Dr. Cheryl, a former medical doctor turned climbing coach, we dive into how climbing helps children develop focus, body awareness, emotional regulation, and confidence—all through play-based activities.

We also unpack common questions parents have:

• Does my child need any skills before starting?
• How do children handle fear and challenges on the wall?
• Can activities like climbing really support development?

Through real stories and practical insights, this conversation highlights the importance of small wins, safe challenges, and allowing children the space to grow at their own pace.

If you’ve ever wondered what your child might be good at—or how to support them beyond therapy—this episode offers a refreshing perspective.

The episode ends with a peek of the safety briefing video and a 'tour' at the Batuu Kids gym . Appreciation to Batuu Climbing and Batuu Kids for providing the venue for this episode. Batuu is situated at 3 Damansara Mall, Jalan SS 20/27, Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

Resources:

More about Batuu Kids

In this episode, Xin Yi and Kevin host Emma, a seasoned Speech Language Pathologist (Speech Therapist) to explore the intricacies of social skills in children with autism.

Through engaging and interactive conversation, Emma highlights early signs, shares effective teaching strategies, and emphasizes the importance of understanding their unique social worlds. Her practical insights aim to nurture social development and foster meaningful peer interactions.

In this episode:

• The core components of social skills: non-verbal communication, social-emotional reciprocity, and relationship building
• Early signs of social challenges in children with autism and how to recognize them
• The concept of joint attention: its significance and how to nurture it in children on the spectrum
• How theory of mind impacts social interactions and strategies to develop it
• The role of structured teaching programs like social thinking approaches and making social rules explicit

• Supporting children in preschool: understanding hidden rules and creating supportive peer environments

• Practical tips for parents and teachers: role play, reading social stories, and deliberate social opportunities

This episode offers a comprehensive exploration of bullying, covering how it's defined, identified, and managed; particularly in the context of children with neurodivergent needs.

With lively sharing from Registered Play Therapist and Counsellor, Ms. Raynette Soon, this episode offers parents and caregivers valuable, insightful information and practical tools for early recognition and intervention.

What you will learn from this episode:- How to define bullying and its three core criteria- Types of bullying with examples and subtle distinctions

- The vulnerability of neurodivergent children to bullying- Recognizing early warning signs- How to build assertiveness and boundary-setting skills- Differentiating normal social conflicts from unkind behaviors and bullying- Strategies parents and caregivers can adopt

• Connect with Raynette

26 bi-weekly episodes will translate into 52 weeks, equal to the first 1 Year Milestone!

Join us as we celebrate a year of Adapting Together. In this special episode, Carmen, Xin Yi and Kevin reflects on the journey, sharing motivations, challenges, and memorable moments. Discover stories, feedbacks, future plans and how we've impacted the community.

Main Topics Covered:

• Origins and motivations behind starting the podcast
• Key challenges faced in production and content creation
• Memorable episodes and impactful conversations
• Insights into future topics and expansion plans
• Audience feedback and community impact

Have feedback?

Welcome to reach out to us via our channels below:

Email - [email protected]

Instagram - @AdaptingTogetherPodcast

After a child’s diagnosis, therapy becomes part of daily life. Schedules get fuller. Commitments increase. And finances start to feel very real.

In this episode of Adapting Together, we talk about:

• What “financial stability” really means for families
• Early warning signs your cash flow may be under pressure
• Managing therapy costs alongside existing loans and commitments
• Rising cost of living — and how to adapt without panic
• Traditional budgeting vs a more realistic “spending plan” approach
• How to adjust priorities without feeling like you’ve failed

This conversation isn’t about being rich or poor. It’s about sustainability, awareness, and making intentional decisions for your family’s long-term wellbeing.

If you’re feeling stretched but trying your best to make it work, this episode is for you.

Listen now on Spotify & YouTube.

Can We Afford This? The Real Cost of Autism Therapy After Diagnosis

After an autism diagnosis, many parents are focused on understanding their child’s needs. But soon, another difficult question often follows, "Can we afford this?"

In this episode of Adapting Together, we have a conversation with Kevin to explore the emotional and financial realities that families may face in the early stages after diagnosis.

From initial speech and occupational therapy sessions to considering more intensive intervention programmes, therapy costs can quickly become a major concern. This episode touches on:

• The moment financial worry begins

• The pressure to “do the best” for a child

• The sustainability of ongoing therapy

• Avoiding rushed decisions during stressful periods

• Taking gradual, thoughtful steps instead of reacting out of fear

We hope this angle offers an honest reflection on balancing urgency with practicality and reassurance for parents transitioning through similar uncertainties.

If you are in the early phase after diagnosis and feeling overwhelmed by both emotion and finances, may this conversation remind you that you are not alone, and it is okay to move forward one step at a time.

Have any feedback or suggestions?

Send us an email here: [email protected]

Reading can be one of the most confusing and emotionally charged challenges for parents, especially when a child is navigating both autism and dyslexia.

Many parents find themselves asking: Is my child struggling because of autism? Dyslexia? Or something else entirely? And how do I know what kind of help actually works?

In this episode of Adapting Together, we sit down with Rachel, a Literacy Specialist who works closely with children with dyslexia and children on the autism spectrum.

Drawing from her real-world experience, Rachel helps unpack what dyslexia really is, how it can look different in autistic children, and why early, accurate understanding matters so much.

We explore how professionals assess children who may be facing overlapping challenges, what key patterns parents can look out for, and how reading difficulties related to dyslexia differ from autism-related learning differences. Rachel also shares practical, evidence-informed intervention approaches—along with a meaningful success story that shows what progress can look like when the right support is in place.

Beyond therapy rooms, this conversation also looks at everyday life. We discuss how teachers can better support children in school, what parents can realistically do at home, and gentle strategies for encouraging children who feel frustrated, avoid reading, or have lost confidence.

Most importantly, this episode is a reminder that reading struggles are not a reflection of a child’s intelligence or effort—and that parents are not alone in this journey. With the right understanding, support, and encouragement, progress ispossible.

If you’re a parent feeling unsure about where to start, overwhelmed by conflicting advice, or simply looking for clarity and reassurance, this episode is for you.