Adapting Together

Travelling as a family can be joyful, but for families with children on the spectrum, it often comes with extra layers of preparation, uncertainty, and emotional baggage.

In this episode of Adapting Together, we speak with Nina, a mother of twins. Her son Martin, now 18 years old, is non-verbal and on the autism spectrum, while his twin sister is neurotypical.

Despite the challenges, travelling has become something Martin genuinely enjoys , and also something his family recognises through his smile, his calmness, and the way he responds to new environments.

In this heartfelt and grounded episode, Nina shares with us

• How their family prepares before, during, and after trips

• Why preparation matters even more when travelling with an autistic family member

• Their experience using the Butterfly Effect service at Malaysian airports

• A difficult and distressing travel incident that led to police involvement - and how it was eventually resolved with understanding and empathy

• How their family practices “me-time” during trips by taking turns caring for Martin

• Why travelling doesn’t have to mean doing everything together, all the time

Most importantly, Nina offers encouragement to parents who may feel discouraged or afraid to travel, reminding us that while every family is different, meaningful experiences are still possible when we put our mind to it.

This episode is a candid conversation about realism, flexibility, resilience, and finding ways to keep living life together as a family.

🎧 Listen in if you’re a parent or caregiver wondering whether travel is still possible — and what “travelling together” can truly look like.

Feeding your child shouldn’t feel like a daily battle — but for many parents of neurodivergent children, it often does.In this episode of Adapting Together, we have an honest and compassionate conversation with Janice, a registered dietitian and co-founder of Fed to Flourish, about feeding, nutrition, and the emotional weight parents carry around mealtimes.Together, we explore:- Why “picky eating” is often just the tip of the iceberg- How sensory needs, stress, trauma, and routines can deeply affect eating- When picky eating is typical — and when it’s a signal to look deeper- What actually happens during a dietitian’s first consultation- How to assess whether a limited diet is still nutritionally adequate- Supporting children who overeat, food jag, or struggle with fullness cues- How to create calmer, more connected mealtimes — without pressure, force, or shame- Why feeding challenges are not a parenting failure and not a “bad child” problem- This episode is a reminder that all behaviour is communication, and that feeding challenges deserve curiosity, patience, and support — not guilt.🎙️ If eating feels stressful in your home, this conversation is for you.

“You don’t need to be a singer or musician to do music with your kids.” — Sherrene TehJoin us for a heartfelt conversation with Sherrene, one of Malaysia’s pioneers in music therapy, as she shares her unexpected journey into a career that brings so much joy and meaning. From supporting children with autism and developmental needs to creating moments of pure connection, Sherrene shows how music becomes a bridge for communication, emotional regulation, and social growth.In a special moment, she even brings out instruments and sings together with us, showing how music can instantly light up a room and create unforgettable connections.If you’re looking for a credible music therapist in Malaysia, you can reach out to the Malaysian Music Therapy Association here: https://www.mmta.org.my/contactEpisode Highlights:-00:00 – Welcome & podcast disclaimer02:10 – Meet Sherrene: One of Malaysia’s pioneer music therapists06:45 – From corporate career to music therapy: finding her calling12:30 – What is music therapy? (Nasi lemak analogy 🍽️)18:40 – Music therapy vs traditional music lessons24:10 – Using music to build communication (real client example)32:20 – Emotional regulation through music & songwriting38:50 – Social skills, turn-taking & listening through musical play46:30 – Working with non-verbal children: powerful real-life story54:40 – Quality of life & research insights on music therapy58:20 – How parents can use music at home (no singing skills needed!)01:03:10 – Finding a music therapist in Malaysia01:05:30 – Final message for parents & caregivers ❤️

Dr. Cindy is back on Adapting Together — and yes, we’re talking about something every parent deals with but no one likes to mention… constipation.

Why does it happen so often in autistic children? What red flags should parents actually pay attention to? And how do you know when tummy troubles are more than “just a phase”?

We dig into all of it — from how Dr. Cindy evaluates these concerns in her clinic to the real, practical things parents can try at home: diet tweaks, hydration hacks, sensory-friendly routines, and balancing medical treatment with everyday habits.

We also bust a few common myths, talk about how therapists and educators can team up with parents, and wrap up with the one piece of advice Dr. Cindy wants every family to hear.

A super real, super helpful conversation — and trust us, you’ll walk away with tips you can use right away.

In this episode of Adapting Together, hosts Xin Yi, Kevin, and Carmen sit down with Dr. Cindy, a developmental pediatrician from Sunway Medical Centre, to explore the often-overlooked challenges of sleep among neurodivergent children, particularly autistic children.

Sleep can be one of the biggest challenges for children on the autism spectrum and it affects the whole family. In this episode, we explore why autistic children may strugglewith falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up at odd hours. Dr. Cindy shares expert insights on common causes such as anxiety, sensory sensitivities, routines, and habits, and offers practical strategies to improve sleep, including structured bedtime routines, gradual adjustments, outdoor activity,and mindful use of melatonin.

Whether you’re a parent or caregiver, this episode provides guidance and encouragement to help your child and your family in getting the rest you all need.

In this episode of Adapting Together, hosts Xin Yi, Kevin, and Carmen sit down with Dr. Cindy, a developmental pediatrician from Sunway Medical Centre, to explore the often-overlooked challenges of sleep among neurodivergent children, particularly autistic children.

Sleep can be one of the biggest challenges for children on the autism spectrum—and it affects the whole family. In this episode, we explore why autistic children may strugglewith falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up at odd hours. Dr. Cindy shares expert insights on common causes such as anxiety, sensory sensitivities, routines, and habits, and offers practical strategies to improve sleep, including structured bedtime routines, gradual adjustments, outdoor activity,and mindful use of melatonin.

Whether you’re a parent or caregiver, this episode provides guidance and encouragement to help your child and yourfamily in getting the rest you all need.

Play is a child's first language, and for neurodivergent individuals, it is a powerful tool for expressing emotions and navigating their world.

In this insightful episode, hosts Carmen, Kevin, and Xin Yi welcome dedicated therapist Ms Raynette Soon (Ray) to explore the transformative power of Play Therapy.

What You'll Learn:

• Play as Communication: Discover how a play therapist uses toys and play as a focused language to help children communicate and process their feelings.

• The Power of Self-Acceptance: Understand the critical link between a child's mental health, self-acceptance, and their motivation and ability to function well.

• Support for the Whole Family: Learn how Play Therapy can be a useful and supportive tool for your child, and how it can eventually support your own mental health and well-being as a parent.

Tune in to open your eyes to the meaningful impact Play Therapy can have on a child's life and the entire family.

Resources:

• Raynette's LinkedIn
• Association of Play Therapy (APT), USA
• ⁠Play Therapy International (PTI)/PTUK, UK
• Australasia Pacific Play Therapy Association (APPTA), Australia – Asia Pacific Region
• ⁠Association of Play Therapy-Singapore (APT-S)

In this special episode (in Mandarin) of the Adapting Together podcast, hosts Xin Yi,, Carmen and Kevin engage with Dr. Annie Liau Fui Vun, a children's specialist, to discuss autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

In this episode, Dr. Annie explains in a clear and practical way:

• What autism is and its common symptoms

• Early red flags parents can observe in their child’s development

• The different levels of autism (Level 1, 2, and 3) and the types of support needed for each

Overall, the episode aims to raise awareness and understanding of autism, offering valuable insights for parents and caregivers.

这是第一次我们以话语来谈谈自闭症，在这集节目主持人Xin Yi, Carmen 与Kevin 邀请了儿科专科医生——廖慧汶医生（Dr. Annie Liau Fui Vun），一起探讨关于自闭症谱系障碍（Autism Spectrum Disorder, ASD）的话题。

节目中，廖医生以浅显易懂的方式说明：

• 什么是自闭症及其常见症状

• 家长可以从哪些早期迹象（red flags）观察孩子的发育状况

• 自闭症不同等级（level 1、2、3）的区别及所需的支持

• 常见关于自闭症成因的误解与科学上的澄清

• 早期介入（early intervention）的重要性

此外，Dr. Annie Liau 也分享了家长如何从孩子的行为中察觉异常信号，并鼓励家长以理解与接纳的心态陪伴孩子成长。

整集节目旨在提升大众对自闭症的认知与理解，为家长和照顾者提供有价值的资讯与指引，让更多家庭能在适时获得帮助与支持。

Resources:

• Dr. Annie Liau's Blog
• Dr. Annie Liau's LinkedIn
• 下载：自闭症“9不”简单筛查法 (Dr. Annie Liau 著）

Chapters

03:19 Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder

06:16 Levels of Autism and Support Needs

09:16 The Role of Genetics and Environment

12:19 Common Misconceptions About Autism

15:16 Identifying Red Flags in Early Development

18:12 The Importance of Early Intervention

30:32 Understanding Social Boundaries in Children

34:07 Developmental Regression

37:07 Recognizing Behavioral Patterns in Autism

40:46 Repetitive and Rigid Behaviors

44:00 Fixated Interests and Uneven Development

48:36 Sensory Processing Issues

50:35 Seeking Help: Where to Start

57:29 Trusting Parental Intuition

01:01:17 Resources for Parents and Early Intervention

章节

00:00 开场与节目介绍
03:19 认识自闭症谱系障碍（ASD）
06:16 自闭症的分级与不同支持需求
09:16 基因与环境的影响因素
12:19 关于自闭症的常见迷思
15:16 早期发展阶段的警讯与观察重点
30:32 了解孩子的社交界限与行为反应
34:07 发展退步
37:07 识别自闭症常见的行为模式
40:46 重复性与固执行为的特征
44:00 特定兴趣与发展不均衡现象
48:36 感官处理的挑战与敏感反应
50:35 家长该如何开始寻求协助
57:29 信任家长的直觉与观察
01:01:17 给家长的资源与早期干预的重要性

Books, they are not just books. They are tools that are very instrumental in supporting children to learn and develop language, more so for visual learners like children on the spectrum.

In this episode of Adapting Together, hosts Xin Yi and Kevin, along with speech therapist Emma Lee, explore the importance of book sharing in language development for neurodivergent children.

They discuss strategies for engaging children in reading, the types of books that work best, and how to create a positive reading environment.

Emma shares insights on using shared reading to enhance communication skills, the significance of matching books to a child's interests and language level, and the role of AAC in supporting language development.

This conversation provides a good foundation for parents and caregivers to create the joy of reading and building meaningful connections with children.

Resources:

⁠Emma Lee's LinkedIn⁠

⁠Developmental Milestones References⁠

⁠Directory for Qualified Professional Speech Therapists

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

02:24 The Power of Books in Language Development

05:30 Understanding Shared Reading vs. Reading

09:13 Choosing the Right Books for Children

12:20 Matching Books to Language Levels

18:15 Engaging Children with Short Attention Spans

23:01 Digital Books vs. Physical Books

31:53 Overcoming Barriers in Language Support

46:16 Encouraging Reluctant Readers

50:24 Using AAC in Book Sharing

Communicating is one of the very essential foundations of life.

For children who are on the spectrum, learning to communicate means letting us understand their world better.

In this episode of Adapting Together, co-hosts Carmen, Xin Yi, and Kevin engage with Speech and Language Pathologist Emma Lee Yi Fang to discuss the critical role of speech therapists in supporting children with speech developmental delays, particularly those on the autism spectrum.

The conversation delves into the emotional journey of parenthood, the significance of early intervention, and the delicate balance between parental expectations and children's capabilities.

Emma also shared practical tips and strategies parents and caregivers can adopt, making it possible to support and encourage children in developing their speech and language capabilities even from home.

Resources:

Emma Lee's LinkedIn

Developmental Milestones References

Directory for Qualified Professional Speech Therapists