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

ABOUT THIS EPISODE (+ scroll for resources) 👇

on today's episode, I am joined by developmental behavioral pediatricians Dr. Ayesha Cheema-Hasan and Dr. Angelica Robles of Coralis Health. we are aligned in our missions to provide high- quality care for families with neurodivergent children and to address system-wide issues in accessing autism care.

we discuss the importance of advocating for your child and trusting your gut, as well as the roles of various medical professionals in diagnosing and providing intervention for autism. listen in as we touch on the differences between pediatricians and developmental behavioral pediatricians, the autism evaluation process, and medication vs. behavioral management.

CHAPTERS

(0:00:00) - introduction and the field of developmental behavioral pediatrics

(0:12:36) - the importance of advocating for your child and the role of various providers in diagnosing and treating neurodevelopmental disorders

(0:20:48) - accessing evidence-based care, details about the evaluation process, and the importance of understanding transition points in a child's life

(0:28:39) - the role of medication and specialists in working with autistic youth.

RESOURCES

⚡️learn more about Coralis Health and Drs. Cheema-Hasan and Robles' mission >> coralishealth.us

⚡️connect on Instagram with Coralis Health, Dr. Ayesha Cheema-Hasan @devpedsmd, and Dr. Angelica Robles @developmentalpedsdoc

⚡️ 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 discusses the idea that constantly trying to be perfect, to have all the answers, and to "fix" everything can actually be counterproductive to your child's progress. we'll also touch on the importance of being present with your emotions and finding time for stillness in your daily life.

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 when to set a boundary for my autistic child versus accommodating their needs?

A: setting boundaries and providing structure is essential for every child, including autistic children. Dr. Tay offers practical examples of proactive accommodations and dives into the difference between those and reactive accommodations. we also discuss the importance of understanding your child's developmental level and abilities in a regulated state to guide when accommodation is needed vs. reinforcement of a boundary is necessitated.

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.

ABOUT THIS EPISODE (+ scroll for resources) 👇

the short answer: TV did NOT make your child autistic!

on this episode, Dr. Tay explores the idea of how TV can be beneficial for autistic children and their families, and how to leverage it in a way that promotes development. we also discuss why TV did not make your child autistic and why we need to stop parent shaming and creating guilt with this misinformation.

RESOURCES

⚡️ 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 how services being too focused on the autistic child can leave the family system unattended. we also touch upon the challenges of care coordination due to high caseloads, which can result in confusion and contradictory advice. and lastly, we discuss the problem of long waitlists that delay much-needed support for your child. the episode concludes with Dr. Tay sharing an innovative care approach to get access to high-quality services for your family now.

RESOURCES

⚡️listen to episode 21 for more information on neurodiversity-affirming care

⚡️ want to learn more about Dr. Tay's Whole Family Approachᵀᴹ and the new group therapy services? 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.

answering YOUR questions on today's episode!

Q: do friendships look different for autistic individuals? how do I support them in making friends or recognize if they don't actually want them?

A: yes, friendships for autistic individuals can differ due to their interests and understanding of social rules. to support them, help them find common interests with peers, teach social skills without forcing "social masking," respect their boundaries, and ask questions to understand their preferences and needs.

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.

RESOURCES

⚡️ follow Kelsey on Instagram @kelseykerslake and learn more about the Aligned Business

⚡️ 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

SHOW NOTES

In this episode, Dr. Tay had the pleasure of speaking with her business coach, Kelsey Kerslake, about her journey through the autism diagnosis process for her son, Carter. Kelsey shares her initial concerns about Carter's development and how she followed her instincts after being told by a speech-language therapist that Carter didn't have autism.

Listen in as Kelsey opens up about the emotional rollercoaster of the autism evaluation process, the struggles Carter faced with new situations, and the ultimate validation she felt after receiving the diagnosis. Also discussed is the impact of Kelsey's own ADHD diagnosis as well as how she created a business (and helps others too!) that allows her to prioritize Carter's needs without sacrificing success. Kelsey highlights the importance of trusting your instincts as a parent and seeking the right support for your child, and her experiences are a testament to the power of acceptance and hope in the autism journey.

CHAPTERS

0:04:50 - Navigating a speech delay

0:07:53 - Early signs of autism

0:12:28 - Seeking early intervention and an autism referral

0:22:29 - What an autism evaluation can look like

0:25:58 - Benefits of telehealth evaluations

0:34:50 - Navigating post-diagnosis and school supports

0:40:32 - Achieving balance as a business owner

in this mini episode inspired by "The Gap and the Gain" by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy, Dr. Tay addresses the struggles of finding joy that can arise as a parent of an autistic child. the key message revolves around shifting one's mindset from focusing on the gap, which is comparing a child's progress to neurotypical standards, to celebrating the child's progress and accomplishments.

RESOURCES

⚡️order "The Gap and The Gain" by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy

⚡️ 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.

in this mini episode, Dr. Tay explores the concept of embracing your gut instinct, announces an exciting change to the podcast format, and shares an important message for parents of autistic children on the importance of being present.

RESOURCES

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

⚡️learn from me and ask me questions >>

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.

join the evolve Facebook community to participate in the weekly Q+A >> facebook.com/groups/evolveautism

ABA or applied behavior analysis therapy has become a controversial topic in the autism community. as a provider, and after listening to an immense amount of feedback in the field on this subject, I think it's important for you to understand the controversy in order to decide what's best for your family.

in this episode, we deep dive into some of the concerns about ABA therapy. my ultimate goal is that you have informed consent as a parent. and then we discuss if you choose to pursue ABA, how you can advocate for ABA to be more aligned with neurodiversity-affirming care.

this episode will help you learn:

• what ABA therapy is
• how the autistic community feels about ABA therapy
• how you can make the best decision for your child, as well as alternatives to this method of therapy

resources mentioned in the episode to learn more >>

Start Here: A guide for parents of autistic kids

Autistic Self-Advocacy Network (ASAN)

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.

other places you can learn from me >>

Instagram @the.dr.tay

TikTok @the.dr.tay

LinkedIn @the-dr-tay