Adapting Together

In this episode of Adapting Together, hosts Xin Yi and Carmen sit down with Ms. Fatimah Amir, an experienced occupational therapist, to explore how OT helps children on the autism spectrum build independence and meaningful life skills.

This conversation dives into what occupational therapy really is, how it differs from physiotherapy and other interventions, and why OT goes beyond skills to focus on participation in everyday roles from home, to school, and in the community.

Fatimah shares a rich of real-life examples from her 11 years of practice, coupled with practical strategies and suggestions parents can implement at home, and insights on how schools can better support children with autism.

The discussion also highlights the importance of emotional regulation in the child's learning and development journey; the role of parents in therapy, and how creating safe, predictable environments fosters growth.

Her message to parents: 

"Don’t blame yourself. You did the best you could with what you knew at the time."

Resources:

• Follow Fatimah on IG for more OT updates and stories
• ⁠Connect with Fatimah Amir⁠ on LinkedIn
• More on PEO model

Chapters:

00:00:00 Intro

00:01:46 Occupational Therapy for Children on the Spectrum

00:03:59 Differences between Occupational Therapy and Physical Exercise

00:06:45 Real-Life Example of the Impact of Occupational Therapy on Chilren on the Spectrum

00:09:11 OT and Emotional Regulation

00:10:14 Focus of First OT Session

00:15:01 How Home Environment and Routine Support Children on the Spectrum

00:19:11  Parent Participation in OT

00:23:19 Tools and Techniques in Occupational Therapy

00:26:39 Role of Occupational Therapy in School Settings

00:35:07 The Evolution and Future of Occupational Therapy in Malaysia

00:37:50 Openness and Responsibility in Supporting Children on the Spectrum

In this episode of Adapting Together, hosts Xin Yi, Carmen, and Kevin engage with Jacqlynn Teong, a pediatric occupational therapist, to explore the critical topic of sensory integration.

This episode discussed the importance of understanding sensory processing differences, the key components of sensory integration, and how these affect children, particularly those on the autism spectrum.

As a Malaysian Registered Pediatric Occupational Therapist, Jacqlynn has rich experience working with children. She shares insights on identifying red flags, the assessment process, and effective interventions.

This conversation also addresses common misconceptions about sensory processing and emphasizes the need for self-compassion among parents and caregivers.

Resources:

Connect with Jacqlynn on LinkedIn

The Passion Hub, Penang

The Collaborative for Leadership in Ayres Sensory Integration (CLASI) 6 Modules Certification Program

About EASI (Evaluation of Ayres Sensory Integration)

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

04:00 Key Components of Sensory Processing

17:03 Identifying Red Flags in Sensory Processing

21:20 Setting Priorities in Sensory Integration Therapy

26:41 Understanding Sensory Integration Assessments

31:07 Exploring Sensory Integration Interventions

35:53 Practical Sensory Strategies for Home and School

39:55 Training and Certification in Sensory Integration

47:30 Common Misconceptions About Sensory Processing

52:01 The Importance of Self-Compassion for Caregivers

In this special episode of Adapting Together, our usual co-host Kevin takes the guest seat to share his personal journey and professional insights as a Licensed Financial Planner and father to a neurodivergent child.

Together with co-hosts Xin Yi and Carmen, we explore the emotional and practical steps families can take to plan for a future where parents may no longer be around.

Intended as an eposide to offer some awareness of what parents can do to secure the wellbeing and future of their children; from writing a will to setting up trusts and choosing guardians, this episode is packed with compassionate advice and actionable tools to help families protect what matters most.

💬 “Planning ahead is not just about responsibility, it’s love in action.”

Resources:

• About Kevin Neoh

• Why Do I Need A Will?
• Wills in Malaysia
• SmartFinance.my

Budgeting Tools / App:

• ⁠YNAB (You Need A Budget)⁠
• ⁠MoneyLover⁠
• ⁠Bank Negara MyTabung

Podcast:⁠

• Kevin's Podcast on Financial Health Insights

Chapters:00:00 Introduction to Financial Planning09:18 Starting Simple18:22 Securing Our Children's Future27:38 Protecting Assets for Reserved for Special Needs Children36:36 Taking Action: Steps for Parents to Secure Their Children's Future

Ever wondered when and how to start Early Intervention for your child? In this episode, we sit down with a Chartered Educational Psychologist, Ms Tan Cheng Yi, to break it all down — from who’s involved in EIP, what options exist in Malaysia, to how YOU as a parent can play a powerful role. ✨ Whether you're just beginning your journey or looking to understand the system better, this one’s for you.🎙️ Tune in now and let's make sense of Early Intervention Programme—together.

In this enlightening episode, we sit down with Ms. Tan Cheng Yi, a Chartered Educational Psychologist, to explore what her role entails, how educational psychologists differ from other mental health professionals, and what kind of support they provide for children with autism and learning differences.Whether you’re a parent wondering if your child is ready for school, or a teacher navigating behavioral concerns in the classroom, this episode offers practical insights, real-life examples, and professional guidance.

Resource:

Ms. Tan Cheng Yi's Profile & Appointment Page

Chapters:00:00 - Introduction01:00 - What is an Educational Psychologist?05:00 - Educational Psychologist, Clinical Psychologist, Psychiatrist09:45 - When Should Parents Consider Seeing an Educational Psychologist?13:45 - What Does an Assessment Look Like?17:30 – School Readiness: What Does It Really Mean?19:55 – Choosing the Right School: Mainstream, PPKI, SPK, Homeschool?23:22 – Growth of Inclusion in Malaysia’s Education System25:20 - Understanding & Managing Behavior in School Settings29:20 - Supporting Children Through Transitions & Growing Academic Demands33:00 - Where to find an Educational Psychologist in Malaysia37:00 - Advice for Parents & Teachers40:47 - Signs of Anxiety and Depression in Children42:40 - Wrap up

In this episode, Kevin and Xin Yi sit down with Alexa Goh, Learning and Development Manager at SEED Autism Service; Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA®) and President of the Malaysia Association of Behaviour Analysis, to demystify Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA), a therapy often called the “gold standard” for early autism intervention.

Together, they explore:

• What ABA really means in practice

• How it differs from other therapies

• Common concerns like masking and ethics

• Why it’s often 1:1 and how that impacts cost

• What families can expect from assessments and ongoing support

Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, or professional, this episode offers grounded insights to help you make informed decisions.

Resources:

• Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB)
• Qualified Applied Behavior Analysis Credentialing Board (QABA)
• Malaysia Association of Behaviour Analysis(MABA)

Chapters:

In this heartfelt interview, we sit down with a young lady who grew up alongside her two brothers with autism. She shares what happiness looks like in her family, the challenges she faced as a sister, and the curiosity she felt as a child trying to understand her brothers' condition.

With moments of laughter and tears, this raw and touching conversation offers a rare glimpse into sibling life in a neurodiverse family — full of love, growth, and unforgettable memories.

In this special Father's Day episode, we speak with Andrew—a devoted dad of two autistic sons—who opens up about the family's journey from diagnosis to young adulthood. With honesty and warmth, Andrew shares the challenges, joys, and life lessons of raising his boys, and how their presence has shaped his perspective on life.

Though the episode centers on a father’s voice, Andrew often reflects on the deep partnership he shares with his wife—a source of strength and unity throughout their parenting journey. Together, they’ve built a loving, supportive home grounded in teamwork and resilience.

A moving, down-to-earth conversation about fatherhood, family, and the beauty of embracing the unexpected.

Overview:

When autism enters a family, it can quietly strain the relationship between spouses, emotionally, practically, and relationally.

In this heartfelt episode, Dr. Tae shares how couples can stay connected during the most overwhelming seasons, and how they can navigate stress, role imbalance, and emotional disconnect without losing each other in the process.

Drawing from over a decade of experience working with couples and families, Dr. Tae offers gentle insight, practical tools, and powerful reminders that you and your partner are not alone.

You’ll learn:

• Why spouses cope differently — and how to understand each other

• • How to talk about stress, burnout, and invisible labour
  • What it means to move from crisis mode to shared partnership

In this episode of Adapting Together, we sit down with Faith Foo, a registered clinical counsellor and EMDR practitioner, to unpack two deeply personal and essential topics for every parent of a child on the autism spectrum:
Acceptance and Self-Care.

With warmth, humor, and powerful analogies, Faith helps us understand how emotional overwhelm, guilt, and isolation are normal parts of the journey — but also how we can process, move forward, and heal, one moment at a time.

📞 Connect with Faith:

For those needing someone to walk alongside you in this journey, Faith Foo can be reached through HERE, or send her an ⁠⁠email by clicking here⁠⁠

Chapters:

00:00 – Intro

03:10 – The Emotional Impact ofDiagnosis

06:20 – What Acceptance Really Means

08:20 – Denial vs Acceptance (The Inand Out Loop)

10:10 – Cultural Challenges inMalaysia

12:40 – A Real Story: Guilt, Fatigue,and Love

16:00 – What Self-Care Really Means

21:20 – Signs of Burnout

23:30 – Fighting Guilt About PuttingYourself First

28:40 – Supporting people toTransition towards acceptance

35:10 – Grounding Techniques for DailyStress

34:00 – Your Pause Button

36:30 – Don’t Miss the ‘Now’ WhileWorrying About the Future

40:40 – Wrap up