Podcast

216 | can kids actually mask? understanding autism in high-masking children

about this episode (+ scroll for resources) 👇 one reason autism can be missed in children is the belief that kids “can’t mask.” but they absolutely can. in this episode, dr. tay breaks down what masking can look like in autistic children, including why a child may seem “fine” at school but completely fall apart…

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215 | parent therapy beyond talking: EMDR, IFS, ketamine, and intensive therapy with Dr. Carolyn Solo

about this episode (+ scroll for resources) 👇 parents of autistic kids are often told, “you need your own support too.” but what happens when traditional talk therapy doesn’t feel like enough or a good fit? or hasn’t historically worked? in this episode, dr. tay is joined by dr. carolyn solo, a therapist specializing in…

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214 | what autism looks like in toddlers (and why it’s often missed)

about this episode (+ scroll for resources) 👇 one of the biggest misconceptions parents hear is: “they’re too young to diagnose autism.” but research tells us something very different. in this episode, dr. tay breaks down what we actually know about early autism diagnosis, including how autism can present in toddlers, why early signs are…

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213 | “could I be autistic too?” what many parents realize after their child’s diagnosis

about this episode (+ scroll for resources) 👇 for a lot of parents, the autism journey doesn’t stop with their child’s diagnosis. at some point… it starts to feel personal. you hear the questions during an evaluation, you start learning more about autism, and suddenly you’re thinking: “this sounds like me…” in this episode, dr….

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212 | is this autism? 6 questions parents search (and what actually matters)

about this episode (+ scroll for resources) 👇 if you’ve ever found yourself googling late at night… “is this autism?” and somehow ended up more confused than when you started — you’re not alone. there’s a lot of information out there. and many time it doesn’t help you actually make sense of what you’re seeing…

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211 | does my child need supplements? how to support nutrition in autistic kids with Brittyn Coleman

about this episode (+ scroll for resources) 👇 if your child is a selective eater… you’ve probably wondered: are they getting the nutrients they actually need? and if not, what are you supposed to do about it? in this episode, Dr. Tay welcomes back registered dietitian Brittyn Coleman to break down one of the most…

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210 | confusion isn’t the problem in autism parenting. this is…

about this episode (+ scroll for resources) 👇 feeling confused about what to do next with your child? most parents assume that means they need more information. more strategies. more answers. but what if that’s actually the thing keeping you stuck? in this episode, we’re talking about why confusion isn’t a problem to fix and…

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209 | what autism acceptance actually means (and why this month can feel like a lot)

about this episode (+ scroll for resources) 👇 April is “autism month” and with it comes more conversations, more content, and more opinions. and while that can be incredibly valuable… it can also feel overwhelming. for many parents, this month brings up a mix of emotions: gratitude, frustration, confusion, and sometimes even pressure to feel…

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208 | what does an autism evaluation look like as an adult? (and is it worth it?)

about this episode (+ scroll for resources) 👇 you started this journey trying to understand your child… and somewhere along the way, you started to notice traits yourself in it too. for many parents, this moment is both clarifying and confusing. you recognize the patterns. but then the question becomes: what do I actually do?…

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207 | everything feels connected… where do I even start? untangling complex autism needs

about this episode (+ scroll for resources) 👇 do you ever feel like there are a million things going on with your child and no clear place to start? maybe you’re wondering if it’s autism. or anxiety. or adhd. or something else entirely. and every time you try to figure it out, it just feels…

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206 | will an autism diagnosis help or hurt my child?

is an autism diagnosis actually helpful for your child — or could it hurt them? many parents hesitate to pursue an evaluation because they worry about labels, stigma, or putting their child “in a box.” but avoiding the diagnosis doesn’t change whether your child is autistic. what it changes is how clearly you understand your…

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205 | is medication the missing piece? what it can do for your autistic child

when should medication be part of your child’s support plan? for many parents of autistic kids, medication feels heavy. scary. final. like something you only consider when everything else has failed. but what if medication isn’t a cure-all or a last resort — what if it’s simply one tool in the toolkit? in this episode,…

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204 | am I doing too much or not enough?

are you constantly wondering if you’re doing too much… or not enough… for your autistic child? in autism parenting, it can feel like every decision is high stakes. you hear “lower demands.” you hear “do exposure.” you hear “presume competence.” you hear autistic voices sharing lived experience. and somehow, you’re still left wondering what actually…

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203 | from shame to strategy: rethinking screen time with Ash Brandin

ABOUT THIS EPISODE (+ scroll for resources) 👇 screen time doesn’t have to be all or nothing. in this episode, Dr. Tay sits down with Ash Brandin, @thegamereducator and author of Power On, to talk about balancing technology in a way that feels realistic, empowering, and aligned with your child’s brain, especially in neurodivergent children….

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202 | a live coaching session on grief, acceptance, and trusting yourself as an autism parent

ABOUT THIS EPISODE (+ scroll for resources) 👇 in this special episode, Dr. Tay shares a live coaching session with Winter, a mom of a 6-year-old autistic boy. listeners are invited inside a real, unscripted coaching conversation — one that mirrors the questions, emotions, and uncertainty so many parents carry quietly. together, Dr. Tay and…

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201 | when an autism diagnosis brings more questions than answers

ABOUT THIS EPISODE (+ scroll for resources) 👇 if you’ve recently received an autism diagnosis — or you’re pretty sure one is coming — this episode is for you. many parents expect to feel relief after a diagnosis. sometimes that happens briefly. but more often, things actually feel heavier, more confusing, and more urgent. in…

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200 | celebrating 200 episodes: values, visibility, and coming back after the pause

ABOUT THIS EPISODE (+ scroll for resources) 👇 this episode marks a big milestone — 200 episodes — and a very human return after an unplanned pause. Dr. Tay shares openly about what led to stepping back, including grief, perfectionism, and the pressure she felt to make the “right” episode for this moment. from there,…

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199 | should my autistic child do a social skills group?

this week’s episode was inspired directly by a diagnostic feedback session inside dr. tay’s clinical practice. one parent asked a question that so many others wonder:   “should i be teaching social skills to my autistic child… and if so, how?”   in this episode, dr. tay breaks down why traditional social skills approaches often…

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198 | the role of parents as co-regulators for autistic children with Lisa Candera

ABOUT THIS EPISODE (+ scroll for resources) 👇 In this episode, Dr. Tay emphasizes the importance of supporting parents in the autistic journey. Joined by Lisa Candera, a single mom and coach for parents of autistic children, they discuss the role of parents as primary co-regulators for their children as well as strategies for staying…

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197 | developing impulse control in autistic children

ABOUT THIS EPISODE (+ scroll for resources) 👇 In this mini episode, Dr. Tay discusses impulse control for autistic children and offers proactive strategies to develop this skill without inducing shame. Dr. Tay emphasizes the importance of a regulated state for teaching impulse control and using fun, engaging games like Red Light, Green Light and…

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