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

ABOUT THIS EPISODE (+ scroll for resources) 👇

In this solo episode, Dr. Tay dives into the concept of perfectionism in autism parenting, sharing insights from her own journey and the experiences of parents she works with. Dr. Tay discusses the challenges of striving for perfection, the importance of being present, and the benefits of responding to feedback. She offers tips for navigating the autism parenting journey, including the value of collaboration, reflection, and admitting mistakes. Using the metaphor of golf, Dr. Tay illustrates the importance of analyzing and adapting to each situation as it arises. She encourages parents to embrace continuous growth and be adaptable, reassuring them that it's okay to not have everything figured out.

00:00 Introduction and Episode Inspiration

00:12 Perfectionism in Autism Parenting

01:14 Building a Supportive Community

04:20 Golf as a Metaphor for Parenting

06:12 Reflecting and Adapting in Parenting

07:56 Admitting Mistakes and Validating Your Child

08:49 Group Therapy and Support Options

09:28 Understanding the Transition to School

09:43 Dealing with Uncertainty and Burnout

10:14 The Power of Flexibility and Collaboration

11:39 Challenging Perfectionism in Parenting

13:02 Navigating the Transition Together

13:22 Golf Analogy: Embracing the Process

14:56 Partnering with Your Child and Yourself

17:00 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

RESOURCES

⚡️ join EVOLVE the membership here

⚡️ LEARN more about Dr. Tay's Whole Family Approach and current clinical services offered as well as her new educational membership? visit drtaylorday.com

⚡️ continue learning from me and submit any questions [could be featured on a future episode] >>

Instagram @the.dr.tay

TikTok @the.dr.tay

ABOUT THIS EPISODE (+ scroll for resources) 👇

In this episode, Dr. Tay welcomes Leila from @sprinkledspectrum to discuss the joys and challenges of parenting autistic children. Leila shares her journey of discovering her children's neurodivergence, the importance of building community, and the value of learning from autistic adults. Together, they emphasize the significance of parent coaching, creating a supportive environment, and respecting children's dignity and autonomy. This episode provides valuable insights and practical advice for navigating the autism journey as a family.

00:00 Introduction and Purpose of the Podcast

00:30 Meet Leila from @sprinkledspectrum

00:50 Dr. Tay's Background and Approach

02:07 Leila's Journey and Social Media Presence

04:09 Challenges and Rewards of Sharing Online

05:49 Navigating Different Perspectives in the Autism Community

07:46 Balancing Personal and Family Needs

13:45 Therapy Modalities and Parental Involvement

15:54 Integrating Therapy into Daily Life

20:24 Changing Family Systems: Responding to Meltdowns

21:36 Navigating a Child's Diagnosis

22:58 The Importance of Tailored Support

23:37 Recognizing Unique Needs in Autism

24:22 The Journey to Diagnosis and Acceptance

29:37 Building Community and Finding Support

32:50 Advocating for Dignity and Respect

33:19 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

38:42 Connecting with the Community

RESOURCES

⚡️ follow Leila @sprinkledspectrum on Instagram and TikTok

⚡️ learn more about Dr. Tay's Whole Family Approach and current clinical services offered as well as her new educational membership? visit drtaylorday.com

⚡️ continue learning from me and submit any questions >>

Instagram @the.dr.tay

TikTok @the.dr.tay

ABOUT THIS EPISODE (+ scroll for resources) 👇

In this episode, Dr. Tay is joined by Dr. Melissa Houser, founder and executive director of All Brains Belong, to discuss co-occurring medical conditions in autistic individuals. The conversation covers Dr. Houser's personal and professional journey, the interconnected nature of conditions like hypermobility, POTS, mast cell activation syndrome, and the importance of holistic and inclusive healthcare. Together, they emphasize the value of community and explore the diverse resources offered by All Brains Belong to support both children and adults. Dr. Houser provides practical advice for parents and professionals seeking to improve care for neurodivergent individuals and shares impactful stories from their work.

00:00 Introduction to Co-Occurring Medical Conditions with Autism

00:50 Meet Dr. Melissa Houser: An Autistic Physician's Journey

01:21 Dr. Tay's Personal and Professional Background

02:29 Dr. Mel's Medical Background and Autism Diagnosis

04:04 The Founding of All Brains Belong

05:19 Challenges in Healthcare for Neurodivergent Individuals

05:40 The Importance of Self-Identification and Formal Evaluation

07:20 Conflicting Access Needs in Neurodivergent Families

07:59 Mission and Impact of All Brains Belong

20:41 Common Co-Occurring Conditions in Autistic Individuals

24:35 Understanding the Cluster of Conditions

25:10 Challenges in Medical Collaboration

25:59 Resources for Patients and Families

27:46 Impact of Long COVID on Neurodivergent Individuals

28:30 Cardiovascular Risks in Autistic Individuals

30:34 Advocacy and Self-Acceptance

37:32 Community Programs and Support

42:55 Final Thoughts and Resources

RESOURCES

⚡️ resources from Dr. Melissa Houser>>

• Everything is Connected to Everything: Improving the Healthcare of Autistic & ADHD Patients - resources for patients & clinicians
• Kid & Teen Connections - free customized friend-matching program for ages 4-17 based on shared interests
• Brain Club® - weekly virtual community education program for adults

⚡️ keep connecting with Dr. Houser on her website and Instagram @allbrainsbelongvt

⚡️ Zerbo et al. (2015) mentioned on the episode

⚡️ learn more about Dr. Tay's Whole Family Approach and current clinical services offered as well as her new educational membership? visit drtaylorday.com

⚡️ continue learning from me and submit any questions >>

Instagram @the.dr.tay

TikTok @the.dr.tay

ABOUT THIS EPISODE (+ scroll for resources) 👇

Dr. Tay introduces the vision to provide deeper insights and support for families navigating the autism journey. Highlighting the benefits of her new membership offering, she explains how it differs from her free podcast and clinical services. Through personal reflections and practical examples, listeners learn about the types of content and community support available. Dr. Tay shares a sneak peek from one training about creating a schedule based on your child's need for structure, autonomy, or a mix of both, and offers strategies for creating a supportive environment. She finishes the episode sharing about the advantages of enhanced access to her expertise and the power of community within the membership.

00:00 Introduction and Podcast Vision

00:35 Balancing Clinical Services and Membership

03:38 Membership Benefits and Differences

06:48 Founding Member Launch and Community Building

09:25 Masterclass and Custom GPT

13:19 Summer Structure Strategies

17:31 Parent and Child Needs Alignment

22:44 Conclusion and Membership Invitation

RESOURCES

⚡️ join EVOLVE the membership here

⚡️ LEARN more about Dr. Tay's Whole Family Approach and current clinical services offered as well as her new educational membership? visit drtaylorday.com

⚡️ continue learning from me and submit any questions [could be featured on a future episode] >>

Instagram @the.dr.tay

TikTok @the.dr.tay

ABOUT THIS EPISODE (+ scroll for resources) 👇

Dr. Tay discusses the importance of parents of autistic children seeking support for themselves. She highlights the role of therapy and medication, addressing the stigma and misconceptions surrounding them. Dr. Tay also shares her journey in creating resources for parents. She encourages self-care, therapy, and medication as essential tools for enhancing parental wellbeing and, consequently, better supporting their children. Note: as with all episodes, this episode is for educational purposes only; please speak to a qualified medical professional.

00:00 Introduction and Purpose of the Episode

00:34 Personal Background and Experience

01:03 Disclaimer and Therapy Normalization

01:32 Focus on Medication Support

03:06 The Whole Family Approach

04:48 Starting a Business and Marketing Strategy

06:50 The Importance of Seeking Support

16:28 Medication Stigma and Benefits

24:44 Exploring Medication Options

27:58 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

33:53 Conclusion and Additional Resources

RESOURCES

⚡️ join EVOLVE the membership here

⚡️ LEARN more about Dr. Tay's Whole Family Approach and current clinical services offered as well as her new educational membership? visit drtaylorday.com

⚡️ continue learning from me and submit any questions [could be featured on a future episode] >>

Instagram @the.dr.tay

TikTok @the.dr.tay

ABOUT THIS EPISODE (+ scroll for resources) 👇

In this episode, Dr. Tay dives into the concept of grief that parents may experience upon learning about their child's autism diagnosis. Dr. Tay discusses the various stages of grief—denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance—and how these emotions impact the parenting journey. She emphasizes that grieving in this context is not about mourning the child but rather a shift in expectations and the challenges of raising an autistic child in a predominantly neurotypical world. The episode includes real-life examples from Dr. Tay’s community, highlighting the diverse experiences of parents. Additionally, Dr. Tay shared about her educational membership and clinical services aimed at providing continuous support for parents processing grief and a sense of community for parents navigating similar journeys.

00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview

01:58 Understanding Grief in the Context of Autism

04:49 Personal Experiences and Examples of Grief

08:43 Navigating Grief and Acceptance

13:51 Community Insights on Grief

25:56 Navigating Different Parenting Perspectives

26:19 Seeking Support and Resources

28:05 Understanding the Stages of Grief

28:48 Denial in the Grief Process

30:12 Anger and Its Manifestations

32:07 Bargaining and Desperate Measures

33:47 Depression and Its Impact

35:49 Acceptance and Psychological Flexibility

40:59 Complicated Grief and Its Variations

47:59 The Importance of Community and Support

52:07 Final Thoughts and Resources

RESOURCES

⚡️ join EVOLVE the membership here

⚡️ LEARN more about Dr. Tay's Whole Family Approach and current clinical services offered as well as her new educational membership? visit drtaylorday.com

⚡️ continue learning from me and submit any questions [could be featured on a future episode] >>

Instagram @the.dr.tay

TikTok @the.dr.tay

ABOUT THIS EPISODE (+ scroll for resources) 👇

Dr. Tay is joined by Dr. Marie Hooper, a clinical psychologist (supervised practice) from Toronto, Canada. They dive into the nuances of autism diagnosis, discussing why autism is often misdiagnosed and the importance of differential diagnosis. Dr. Marie shares her personal journey of being diagnosed as autistic at 43 and talks about her clinic, Flourish Health Services, and her upcoming initiative, Autism Reframe. The conversation also touches on the impact of sensory differences, the significance of accurate diagnosis, and the benefits of understanding one's neurotype for identity and acceptance.

00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview

00:28 Guest Introduction: Dr. Hooper

01:45 Personal Stories and Professional Background

04:00 Challenges in Autism Diagnosis

09:52 Misdiagnosis and Clinical Practice

11:45 Reevaluating Diagnoses and Identity

22:41 Parental Guidance and Support

25:37 Supportive Nudges and Clinical Care

25:56 Listening to Autistic Adults

26:20 Addressing Fear and Celebrating Diagnoses

27:10 Misdiagnosis of OCD and Autism

30:44 Understanding Sensory Differences

31:46 Challenges with Diagnostic Tools

36:54 Misdiagnosis of ODD and PDA

38:42 Borderline Personality Disorder and Autism

40:28 Final Thoughts and Resources

43:02 Conclusion and Call to Action

RESOURCES

⚡️learn more about Dr. Hooper's services in Canada flourishhealthservices.ca and her upcoming clinician trainings through autismreframe.com.

⚡️ LEARN more about Dr. Tay's Whole Family Approach and current clinical services offered as well as her new educational membership? visit drtaylorday.com

⚡️ continue learning from me and submit any questions [could be featured on a future episode] >>

Instagram @the.dr.tay

TikTok @the.dr.tay

ABOUT THIS EPISODE (+ scroll for resources) 👇

In this candid and vulnerable episode, Dr. Tay dives deep into the theme of identity, sharing personal insights and challenges from her own journey. She discusses the importance of showing up as one's true, authentic self, especially for parents navigating life with autism. Dr. Tay touches on the struggles of balancing various roles in life and the discomfort that comes with self-disclosure and authenticity. Drawing inspiration from the 'Call Her Alex' documentary and addressing the need for self-integration, Dr. Tay encourages listeners to explore their true identity, model vulnerability, and seek support when needed. The episode is an invitation to embrace the journey of self-discovery and authenticity.

00:00 Introduction and Today's Theme

00:24 Navigating Identity and Authenticity

01:54 The Power of Self-Disclosure

03:32 Personal Reflections and Inspirations

04:55 Embracing Vulnerability and Realness

06:05 The Journey of Self-Discovery

09:49 Integrating Parts and Internal Family Systems

12:34 Balancing Personal and Professional Life

20:27 Invitation to Join the Membership

27:42 Concluding Thoughts and Future Episodes

RESOURCES

⚡️ it is FINALLY officially open - join EVOLVE the membership here

⚡️ LEARN more about Dr. Tay's Whole Family Approach and current clinical services offered? visit drtaylorday.com

⚡️ continue learning from me and submit any questions [could be featured on a future episode] >>

Instagram @the.dr.tay

TikTok @the.dr.tay

ABOUT THIS EPISODE (+ scroll for resources) 👇

Dr. Tay welcomes psychiatrist Dr. Stacy Greeter to discuss the complexities of explaining medication to autistic children. They emphasize the importance of maintaining a neurodiversity-affirming approach, focusing on informed consent, and fostering a healthy relationship with medication. Dr. Greeter shares personal experiences and tips on building trust, understanding unique responses to medications, and the critical role of autonomy in treatment. They also discuss the broader challenges within the medical profession and the importance of continual learning and flexibility for practitioners.

00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview

00:54 Guest Introduction: Dr. Stacy Greeter

01:26 Host Background and Podcast Purpose

02:40 Challenges in Psychiatry and Neurodiversity

05:19 Dr. Greeter's Personal Journey

12:27 Medication and Autism: Key Insights

18:12 Guiding Parents on Medication Conversations

23:34 The Role of Medicine in Treatment

24:08 Balancing Medicine and Personal Responsibility

25:11 Addressing Anxiety with Medication

25:58 Using Metaphors to Explain Medication

26:46 The Importance of Patient Ownership

27:18 The Impact of Beliefs on Medication Efficacy

28:18 Parental Concerns and Positive Expectations

29:29 Navigating Medication with Autonomy

31:35 Building a Therapeutic Alliance

34:26 Understanding Reluctance to Take Medication

39:49 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

41:31 Resources and Closing Remarks

 *note: PDA is discussed in this episode. it is a theorized profile often seen in a subset of autistic individuals and not a clinical diagnosis. however, it has been a helpful conceptualization for many parents to learn about how their child's brain is wired. our knowledge of PDA is currently unfolding and I do my best to share up-to-date, balanced information. to learn more about PDA, please listen to episode 110

RESOURCES

⚡️inquire about Dr. Greeter’s services in FL and CO and sign up for her newsletter at stacygreetermd.com

⚡️watch Dr. Greeter’s trainings on YouTube @stacygreetermd

⚡️ learn more about Dr. Tay's Whole Family Approach and current services offered? visit drtaylorday.com

⚡️ continue learning from me and submit any questions [could be featured on a future episode] >>

Instagram @the.dr.tay

TikTok @the.dr.tay

ABOUT THIS EPISODE (+ scroll for resources) 👇

In this episode, Dr. Tay dives into the concept of inner authority from human design and its significance in enhancing parental advocacy and personal growth. Joined by Rosy Crescitelli, a human design specialist and multisensory reading expert, they explore various types of inner authorities such as sacral, emotional, splenic, ego, self, sounding board, and lunar. They discuss how understanding and leveraging one's unique inner authority can facilitate better decision-making and create a more supportive environment for autistic children. Practical tips and insights are provided to help parents navigate this journey, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness, self-compassion, and nervous system regulation. Listen in to learn how human design can be a transformative tool for both personal and parental empowerment.

00:00 Introduction and Inner Authority Overview

00:46 Guest Introduction: Rosy Crescitelli

01:34 Dr. Tay's Background and Podcast Purpose

02:43 Rosy's Journey into Human Design

05:14 Understanding Human Design and Inner Authority

12:25 Sacral Authority: Trusting Your Gut

19:37 Emotional Authority: Riding the Emotional Wave

27:19 Splenic Authority: Quiet Intuition

31:21 Gratitude and Self-Trust

31:50 Understanding Splenic Authority

33:01 Ego Authority Explained

35:38 Self Authority for Projectors

39:30 Sounding Board Authority

47:54 Lunar Authority for Reflectors

52:53 Recap and Final Thoughts

56:04 Advocating for Your Child's Human Design

58:41 Connecting with Rosy

01:03:10 Closing Remarks

please note: in this episode, many terminologies and phrases are used to describe autism. Dr. Tay honors what each child and family prefers, and intentionally chooses to use affirming and identity-first language after listening to autistic adults and their preferences. various guests on the podcast are likely to use the language that they have been exposed to the most.

RESOURCES

⚡️ find out your human design (be sure to also listen to episode 38 to learn more about HD)

⚡️explore ways to learn more about your or your child's human design with Rosy here

⚡️connect with Rosy on Instagram @wholeheartedrosy

⚡️ learn more about Dr. Tay's Whole Family Approach and current services offered? visit drtaylorday.com

⚡️ continue learning from me and submit any questions [could be featured on a future episode] >>

Instagram @the.dr.tay

TikTok @the.dr.tay