In this episode of Adapting Together, we’re honored to sit down with Dr. Rajini Sarvananthan, a highly respected Consultant Developmental Paediatrician at ParkCity Medical Centre and Baby & Beyond Child Specialist Clinic.

With decades of experience supporting neurodivergent children and their families, Dr. Rajini helps us understand the early signs of autism, the diagnostic journey, and what happens after the diagnosis.

Whether you’re a parent just starting this journey, a caregiver waiting anxiously for an appointment, or someone looking to better understand developmental differences, this episode is designed to support you in coping.

What You’ll Learn:

🧠 What Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) really means

🧩 Why the cause of autism isn’t so easy to pinpoint (and why it’s not your fault)

👩‍⚕️ The role of developmental paediatricians, and how they differ from clinical psychologists

🌈 How early can a diagnosis be conducted

💡 What to expect during a developmental assessment

👨‍👨‍👧 What parents can do while waiting for a professional diagnosis

🎙️ Hosted by Kevin Neoh, Carmen Loke, and Gan Xin Yi, this episode offers both clinical insight and heartfelt reflection as parents and professionals navigate autism in Malaysia.

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.

📌 NoteThis is Part 1 of our conversation with Dr. Rajini. Stay tuned for Part 2 in Episode 3!

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Autism Awareness

04:08 Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

12:10 Role of Developmental Pediatricians

15:55 Diagnosis and Early Intervention

23:57 Navigating the Assessment Process

30:03 Advice for Parents During Waiting Period

In this very first episode, co-hosts Kevin Neoh, Carmen Loke, and Gan Xin Yi come together to share the story behind Adapting Together—a podcast created to raise awareness about autism and to support families, educators, and caregivers, especially in the Malaysian context.

You’ll hear:

🌱 Personal introductions and how each host began their journey in the autism space—from professional experience to lived parenting.

🌱 Why this podcast was born out of the need for more accessible, localised, and supportive information about autism.

🌱 The story behind the name Adapting Together—and how adaptation goes both ways: for the child, the family, and society as a whole.

🌱 What listeners can expect in future episodes, including real conversations, expert insights, and resources that meet you where you are in your journey.

Whether you're a parent navigating a new diagnosis, a teacher, a therapist, or someone who simply wants to understand autism better, this episode lays the foundation for a podcast that’s heartfelt, practical, and grounded in community.

👉 Have a question, feedback, or topic suggestion? Reach out to us at ⁠[email protected]⁠

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Adapting Together Podcast

01:22 Co-Hosts and Their Backgrounds

07:01 A Story behind the existence of this podcast

12:37 Podcast Name and Its Significance

16:33 Topics and Guests for Future Episodes

20:34 Challenges Faced by Parents

22:02 Golden Period and Importance of Early Intervention

28:29 Wrap-up