In this episode, Dr. Tay speaks with Courtney Peebles, co-founder of Solobo Toys, which designs educational toys with neurodivergent children in mind. Courtney shares personal stories about her diagnoses, launching the company, and navigating a neurodiverse household. Courtney designs toys for all ability levels. They discuss how parents can select toys that promote children’s learning and interests.
00:00 Introduction and Guest Announcement
01:23 Meet Dr. Tay: Your Host
02:25 Courtney’s Journey and Family Background
03:09 The Diagnosis Journey
09:41 Starting Solobo Toys
13:36 Challenges and Triumphs in Business
23:03 The Story Behind the Emotional Baggage Toy
23:55 Changing the Narrative in Parenting
24:52 Navigating Autism and Family Support
25:32 Self-Advocacy and Permission
26:58 Modeling Behavior for Kids
27:43 Challenging Unrealistic Expectations
28:22 Teaching Self-Advocacy Early
29:31 Creating a Safe Space at Home
32:50 Exploring and Setting Boundaries
36:11 Designing Inclusive Toys
41:53 Balancing Business and Accessibility
46:07 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
RESOURCES
⚡️ shop Solobo Toys and check out their sensory guide
⚡️ follow @solobotoys on Instagram
⚡️ want to learn more about Dr. Tay’s Whole Family Approach and current services offered? visit drtaylorday.com
⚡️ 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] >>
*please note: PDA is referenced in this episode. it is a theorized profile of autism 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