In this heartfelt mini-episode, Dr. Tay sheds light on the disturbing practice of using seclusion rooms for dysregulated children, often presented under names like ‘calm down rooms’ or ‘regulation rooms.’ Highlighting the traumatic impact of these practices, Dr. Tay empowers parents with information on how to identify and advocate against the use of these rooms….

ABOUT THIS EPISODE (+ scroll for resources) 👇 in this episode, Dr. Tay talks about helpful tips and strategies for autism families navigating the holiday season. we discuss the importance of preparing for potential disruptions to routines, setting realistic expectations, giving choices, and setting boundaries. Dr. Tay addresses several elements including helping your child anticipate…

In this special mini-episode Dr. Tay, a child psychologist specializing in autism, discusses how extended family members can better support parents of autistic children during the holiday season. Drawing on over a decade of experience and direct feedback from parents, Dr. Tay shares practical advice, such as understanding triggers, recognizing the effort parents put into…

In this episode, Dr. Tay welcomes back Ashley Barlow, a special education attorney and advocate, for her third appearance. The discussion dives into the complexities of special education disputes, specifically focusing on mediation, due process, and parental rights. They explore the challenges parents face with school systems, legal options available, and the importance of advocacy…

In this episode, Dr. Tay invites Alyssa Campbell of Seed & Sew to discuss the importance of supporting autistic students at a classroom-wide level, particularly focusing on their nervous system and sensory regulation. Alyssa, with her extensive background in early childhood education and emotional development, shares insights and practical strategies for creating sensory-friendly environments and…

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…

ABOUT THIS EPISODE (+ scroll for resources) 👇 In this podcast episode, Dr. Tay welcomes back Dr. Arielle Rubin, a triple board certified psychiatrist, to discuss the role of psychiatry for autistic children with co-occurring mental health conditions. This is a follow-up to episode 94, where Dr. Rubin answers parent-submitted questions. 00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview…

ABOUT THIS EPISODE (+ scroll for resources) 👇 In this episode, Dr. Tay discusses the key themes she is seeing in clinical practice. Dr. Taylor Day is a licensed psychologist specializing in neurodiversity affirming care and shares insights regarding common referral questions as well as what many families in her group therapy program are navigating….

⚠️ DISCLAIMER >> this episode dives into trauma-informed care but highly sensitive topics are discussed, including Rachel’s personal experiences with a nationally publicized traumatic event while working at a school in 2018 ABOUT THIS EPISODE (+ scroll for resources) 👇 In this podcast episode, Dr. Tay hosts Rachel Archambault, a speech-language pathologist specializing in trauma…

ABOUT THIS EPISODE (+ scroll for resources) 👇 In this episode, Dr. Tay explores obsessive traits in autistic children, inspired by a conversation with Katherine @theneurodiversitymom. The discussion focuses on distinguishing between autism-related behaviors and potential co-occurring conditions like OCD. The episode highlights the need for diagnostic clarity and continuous reassessment of children’s behaviors to…

ABOUT THIS EPISODE (+ scroll for resources) 👇 In this episode, Dr. Tay explores the topic of neurodivergence in adults, particularly parents, with guest Dr. Salena Justice, a psychologist specializing in late diagnoses of autism and ADHD. They discuss the indicators of neurodivergence, the evaluation process, and the differences between self-diagnosis and formal diagnosis. The…

ABOUT THIS EPISODE (+ scroll for resources) 👇 In this episode, Dr. Tay discusses child-led therapy with Nicole Casey, a speech-language pathologist known for her work with gestalt language processing. The conversation delves into the importance of child-led approaches, how they differ from traditional methods, and what parents should look for in therapy sessions. They…

In this mini episode, Dr. Tay discusses the distinction between Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) and Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD). Inspired by conversations with parents in her group therapy program, she delves into the complexities and overlaps between the two diagnoses. Dr. Tay emphasizes the importance of understanding PDA within the framework of anxiety and highlights…

In this episode, Dr. Tay interviews Kaley Stymeist about “Spell to Communicate” (S2C), a method used to support non-speaking autistic children in expressing themselves. Kaley shares her journey with her son Hudson, who is progressing his communication through S2C after language regression. The discussion covers the methodology of S2C, emphasizing its neurodiversity-affirming approach and the…

Dr. Tay shares a mini-episode where she dives into the complexities and controversies surrounding Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy in the autism field. She presents a balanced perspective on ABA, emphasizing the importance of informed consent and considering the diverse needs and privileges of families. Dr. Tay also highlights different neurodiversity affirming modalities under the…

ABOUT THIS EPISODE (+ scroll for resources) 👇 In this episode, Dr. Tay welcomes Rob Gorski, known as The Autism Dad on social media, to discuss his experience as a father raising three autistic children. They explore the unique challenges and opportunities of fatherhood in the autism community, the grief process associated with diagnoses, and…

ABOUT THIS EPISODE (+ scroll for resources) 👇 In this episode, Dr. Tay speaks with Carrie Cariello, a mother of five, including an autistic young adult. Carrie shares her family’s journey, advocacy work, and the unique challenges and triumphs of raising an autistic child. They discuss practical strategies for fostering independence, the importance of community,…

ABOUT THIS EPISODE (+ scroll for resources) 👇 In this episode, Dr. Tay hosts Maggie of Unfurling Littles and explores Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) from an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) lens. They discuss how to incorporate neurodiversity-affirming practices into ABA to create a compassionate, child-led approach. Maggie shares her journey into the field, her…

If you find value in this podcast and want even more support, tune in to learn about “EVOLVE the membership.” This new membership offers a lower-cost, flexible alternative to traditional clinical services, designed to provide accessible support and education for autism families. I share personal insights about my journey from academia to entrepreneurship, the challenges…

ABOUT THIS EPISODE (+ scroll for resources) 👇 Dr. Tay and Rachel Madel, a speech language pathologist specializing in AAC, dive into the benefits of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) for autistic children, both non-speaking and verbally fluent children. They dispel common misconceptions about AAC, discuss various high-tech and low-tech AAC tools, and emphasize the…