EVOLVE with Dr. Tay: the podcast for parents of autistic kids

answering YOUR questions on today's episode!

Q: my child is 13 months old and has developmental delays. I'm concerned about autism. how do I know if it's autism or a developmental delay? my pediatrician says they won't start screening for autism until 18 months of age.

A: Dr. Tay unpacks the American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines for autism screening and breaks down the science to address this question. in short, autism can be diagnosed accurately (for some but not all children) beginning at 14 months of age. practical next steps are provided, with encouragement to act early so your child can get necessary supports as soon as possible.

RESOURCES

⚡️ the research study referenced in today's episode: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31034004/

⚡️ join the Evolve Facebook community to participate in the episode Q+As >> facebook.com/groups/evolveautism

⚡️ learn from me and submit your questions [could be featured on a future episode] >>

Instagram @the.dr.tay

TikTok @the.dr.tay

LinkedIn @the-dr-tay

⚡️ want to learn more about Dr. Tay's Whole Family Approachᵀᴹ and current services offered? schedule a free consult call here or email [email protected] if you have questions.

DISCLAIMER >> anything shared on this podcast should not be considered clinical advice, and you should consult with your team of medical, mental health, and developmental providers if you need support.

ABOUT THIS EPISODE (+ scroll for resources) 👇

this is part two of my family's story. on this episode, I invited my mom, Letty, onto the podcast to share her perspective and reflect on what it was like listening to episode 16 | "I see you" - my story and introduction to autism, and why I chose my career path. she provides a raw and vulnerable account of my brother's early diagnosis, therapy, and beyond. we touch on the emotional impact, the societal pressures, the transformative effect on family dynamics, and the joys and lessons learned along the way.

we hope you enjoy this candid conversation! I want to give a shout-out to my mom for her willingness to share so openly. this was truly special for both of us! if you find value, please share it with another autism parent or on your social media 🤍 we want to be able to help more families like yours and ours!

RESOURCES

⚡️ join the Evolve Facebook community to participate in the episode Q+As and connect with other parents >> facebook.com/groups/evolveautism

⚡️ learn from me and submit your questions [could be featured on a future episode] >>

Instagram @the.dr.tay

TikTok @the.dr.tay

LinkedIn @the-dr-tay

⚡️ want to learn more about Dr. Tay's Whole Family Approachᵀᴹ and current services offered? schedule a free consult call here or email [email protected] if you have questions.

in this mini episode, Dr. Tay explores the delicate balance between evidence-based practices and more intuitive, alternative approaches, often dubbed as "woo woo." this episode emphasizes the importance of an open-minded approach to therapy that considers the unique needs and responses of each individual. we also discuss the potential conflict that sometimes arises between neurodivergent-affirming care and traditional evidence-based methods.

RESOURCES

⚡️ in this episode, two previous episodes were referenced: 37 | daring to embrace fear: personal stories and applications to parenting and 38 | redefining {autism} parenting through Human Design with Allison Cullen

⚡️ join the Evolve Facebook community to participate in the episode Q+As >> facebook.com/groups/evolveautism

⚡️ learn from me and submit your questions [could be featured on a future episode] >>

Instagram @the.dr.tay

TikTok @the.dr.tay

LinkedIn @the-dr-tay

⚡️ want to learn more about Dr. Tay's Whole Family Approachᵀᴹ and current services offered? schedule a free consult call here or email [email protected] if you have questions.

DISCLAIMER >> anything shared on this podcast should not be considered clinical advice, and you should consult with your team of medical, mental health, and developmental providers if you need support.

answering YOUR questions on today's episode!

we had a little bit of a different format inspired by my weekly AMA (ask me anything) on Instagram. we chatted through one family's current circumstances regarding parental acceptance and therapy decision-making. we explore the intricacies of this emotional journey, with tips on how to support each other through this process and acknowledge the importance of experiencing emotions at your own pace. we also chat through the sometimes daunting task of selecting the right therapeutic support for an autistic child.

RESOURCES

⚡️ book referenced in this episode >> An Early Start for Your Young Child with Autism

⚡️ other episodes to dive further into themes from today >> on emotions [6, 15, 34]; on ABA [26]; on acceptance [28]

⚡️ join the Evolve Facebook community to participate in the episode Q+As >> facebook.com/groups/evolveautism

⚡️ learn from me and submit your questions [could be featured on a future episode] >>

Instagram @the.dr.tay

TikTok @the.dr.tay

LinkedIn @the-dr-tay

⚡️ want to learn more about Dr. Tay's Whole Family Approachᵀᴹ and current services offered? schedule a free consult call here or email [email protected] if you have questions.

DISCLAIMER >> anything shared on this podcast should not be considered clinical advice, and you should consult with your team of medical, mental health, and developmental providers if you need support.

ABOUT THIS EPISODE (+ scroll for resources) 👇

In this podcast episode, Dr. Tay and Dr. Abbie Jones of Blame Dr. Abbie discuss the intricate workings of the brain in relation to autism. Dr. Abbie provides insight into the three umbrellas of executive functioning: working memory, cognitive flexibility, and inhibitory control. the conversation also covers practical challenges with executive functioning and ways to identify EF deficits for your child. Dr. Jones, who has gained popularity on TikTok, offers usable information to help families navigate their autism journey.

CHAPTERS

(0:00:10) - introduction of guest Dr. Abbie Jones, a licensed psychologist specializing in executive functioning.

(0:00:30) - explanation of the importance of understanding executive functioning for parents of autistic children.

(0:14:58) - discussion on the three umbrellas of executive functioning - working memory, cognitive flexibility, and inhibitory control.

(0:25:47) - detailed exploration of working memory and how its challenges can manifest in real-world situations for autistic children.

(0:29:22) - strategies and advice on how parents can support their child's development of executive functions, with a focus on response inhibition, metacognition, and task initiation.

(0:41:57) - introduction of the concept of psychoeducation and how it can be used to improve executive functioning at home, with discussion of Dr. Abbie's TikTok as being a source of usable information for parents.

RESOURCES

⚡️ follow Dr. Abbie on TikTok (@blamedr.abbie) and explore resources on her website: https://www.blamedoctorabbie.com/

⚡️ want to learn more about Dr. Tay's Whole Family Approachᵀᴹ and current services offered? schedule a free consult call here or email [email protected] if you have questions.

⚡️ join the Evolve Facebook community to participate in the episode Q+As >> facebook.com/groups/evolveautism

⚡️ learn from me and submit your questions [could be featured on a future episode] >>

Instagram @the.dr.tay

TikTok @the.dr.tay

LinkedIn @the-dr-tay

in this mini episode, Dr. Tay shares two critical components your child needs to effectively benefit from intervention - regulation and engagement. we review different forms of dysregulation and discuss the importance of engagement for learning. practical tips and personal anecdotes from Dr. Tay's work as a child psychologist are shared.

RESOURCES

⚡️ join the Evolve Facebook community to participate in the episode Q+As >> facebook.com/groups/evolveautism

⚡️ learn from me and submit your questions [could be featured on a future episode] >>

Instagram @the.dr.tay

TikTok @the.dr.tay

LinkedIn @the-dr-tay

⚡️ want to learn more about Dr. Tay's Whole Family Approachᵀᴹ and current services offered? schedule a free consult call here or email [email protected] if you have questions.

DISCLAIMER >> anything shared on this podcast should not be considered clinical advice, and you should consult with your team of medical, mental health, and developmental providers if you need support.

answering YOUR questions on today's episode!

Q: how do I know if my child is nonverbal? what's the definition of nonverbal?

A: Dr. Tay explores the complex topic of language development in autistic children. we discuss the terminology of nonverbal vs. nonspeaking as well as the potential negative impacts of labeling a child too early. emphasis is placed on celebrating every attempt your child makes to communicate and their unique journey of language acquisition.

RESOURCES

⚡️ this episode was inspired by posts in the Toddlers with Autism, GDD, & Speech Delay Facebook group

⚡️book resource for supporting early communication development >> An Early Start for Your Young Child with Autism: Using Everyday Activities to Help Kids Connect, Communicate, and Learn

⚡️ want to learn more about Dr. Tay's Whole Family Approachᵀᴹ and current services offered? schedule a free consult call here or email [email protected] if you have questions.

⚡️ join the Evolve Facebook community to participate in the episode Q+As >> facebook.com/groups/evolveautism

⚡️ learn from me and submit your questions [could be featured on a future episode] >>

Instagram @the.dr.tay

TikTok @the.dr.tay

LinkedIn @the-dr-tay

DISCLAIMER >> anything shared on this podcast should not be considered clinical advice, and you should consult with your team of medical, mental health, and developmental providers if you need support.

ABOUT THIS EPISODE (+ scroll for resources) 👇

in this episode, Dr. Tay and guest Allison Cullen (@youdowoo), take listeners on an in-depth exploration of Human Design - a unique blend of biochemistry, genetics, chakras, energy (through the role of neutrinos), and personality. the discussion unfolds to reveal how understanding Human Design can transform parenting and family dynamics. Allison explains the 5 different energy types that can equip parents to understand themselves and to connect with their children on a deeper level. the episode touches upon the emerging paradigm in which neurodivergence and energy communication will be even more prevalent, and how the science of Human Design can help individuals redefine themselves, their passions, and their relationships.

CHAPTERS

0:03:51 - an introduction to Human Design and the science behind it

0:10:46 - the 5 different energy types and applications to parenting

0:28:53 - how Human Design relates to autism and the unfolding paradigm shift (including for non-speaking autistic individuals)

0:41:25 - parenting yourself

RESOURCES

⚡️grab your free Human Design chart & cheat sheet here: https://youdowoo.mykajabi.com/human-design-cheat-sheet

⚡️to dive in even further, book a 60-minute HD reading with Allison (use the code DRTAY20 for 20% off): https://youdowoo.mykajabi.com/60-minute-human-design-reading

⚡️ want to learn more about Dr. Tay's Whole Family Approachᵀᴹ and current services offered? schedule a free consult call here or email [email protected] if you have questions.

⚡️ join the Evolve Facebook community to participate in the episode Q+As >> facebook.com/groups/evolveautism

⚡️ learn from me and submit your questions [could be featured on a future episode] >>

Instagram @the.dr.tay

TikTok @the.dr.tay

LinkedIn @the-dr-tay

in this mini episode, Dr. Tay explores the theme of fear and vulnerably shares her personal fears - originally around the fear of being seen and now the fear of making mistakes and not having all the answers (aka imperfection). she applies the lessons to your parenting and also details how leaning into fear has progressed her brand / business to serve autism families like yours.

RESOURCES

⚡️ join the Evolve Facebook community to participate in the episode Q+As >> facebook.com/groups/evolveautism

⚡️ learn from me and submit your questions [could be featured on a future episode] >>

Instagram @the.dr.tay

TikTok @the.dr.tay

LinkedIn @the-dr-tay

⚡️ want to learn more about Dr. Tay's Whole Family Approachᵀᴹ and current services offered? schedule a free consult call here or email [email protected] if you have questions.

DISCLAIMER >> anything shared on this podcast should not be considered clinical advice, and you should consult with your team of medical, mental health, and developmental providers if you need support.

answering YOUR questions on today's episode!

Q: how can parents better themselves before they support their child or during the process of their child's treatment?

A: Dr. Tay shares the importance of dropping resistance and embracing the fact that seeking help for yourself benefits your child's therapy process. we discuss insights on creating space for your feelings, setting realistic expectations, and prioritizing what's truly manageable for your family.

RESOURCES

⚡️ join the Evolve Facebook community to participate in the episode Q+As >> facebook.com/groups/evolveautism

⚡️ learn from me and submit your questions [could be featured on a future episode] >>

Instagram @the.dr.tay

TikTok @the.dr.tay

LinkedIn @the-dr-tay

⚡️ want to learn more about Dr. Tay's Whole Family Approachᵀᴹ and current services offered? schedule a free consult call here or email [email protected] if you have questions.

DISCLAIMER >> anything shared on this podcast should not be considered clinical advice, and you should consult with your team of medical, mental health, and developmental providers if you need support.