Adapting Together

This is another episode that is recorded in Mandarin. For parents raising a child with additional needs, stepping away from work can bring difficult questions about money, caregiving and their own future. In this episode, financial planner and fellow parent Kevin explores how to prepare financially, consider flexible alternatives, and make room for parents’ own wellbeing alongside their child’s ne...

What is it like growing up on the autism spectrum? And what can we learn when we take the time to listen to autistic individuals themselves? In this special episode of Adapting Together , Carmen sits down with Clarance, a 28-year-old autistic adult, as he shares his personal journey from childhood to adulthood. From experiencing communication difficulties and bullying in school to discovering his...

When medication is suggested for your child, it is natural to have questions and worries. In this episode, our guest paediatrician discusses when medication may help, possible side effects, and why ongoing support and follow-up matter. Kevin also shares his concerns as a parent and how conversations with his son’s doctor helped him understand the options. We hope this conversation helps families a...

This episode is conducted in Mandarin. What happens when a child has both  Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)  and  Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) ? In this episode, we welcome back paediatrician  Dr Annie Liau  to help us understand how ASD and ADHD can co-exist, how they may affect a child’s learning, emotions and daily life, and what parents can do to support them. We also discuss...

🐴 Understanding Hippotherapy In this episode of Adapting Together Podcast, we visit Happy Farms and sit down with Dr. Dev , co-founder of Happy Farm Psychotherapy Malaysia, to explore the world of hippotherapy . Hippotherapy is much more than simply riding a horse. Dr. Dev shares how the movement of a horse can be incorporated into therapy to provide postural and sensory-motor challenges, and exp...

This conversation explores the often overlooked experience of siblings growing up alongside a neurodivergent child. Join Co-host Carmen, Kevin, and guest Ms. Raynette Soon, a Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor TM , as they discuss on the emotional impact on siblings, the signs parents may miss, and practical ways to respond with more connection and less guilt. Raynette shares how a systemic fami...

In this first episode of our NGO Series, we sit down with Wan Ching, Head of Social Enterprise, Training & Job Coaching at Malaysia United Voice (UV)—Malaysia's first self-advocacy society led by adults with learning disabilities. Together, we explore what adulthood can look like for neurodivergent individuals and why preparing for adulthood starts much earlier than many families realize. In t...

Explore the importance of psychoeducational assessments in supporting children with learning and behavioral challenges. In this episode, Carmen and Kevin speaks with a School Psychologist, Joanne Goh to clarify common questions about the assessment process, what these evaluations reveal, and how they can positively shape a child’s educational journey. Educational psychology assessments are valuabl...

Why does a child hit, scream, refuse an instruction, or suddenly melt down? Many of us instinctively focus on stopping the behaviour. But what if behaviour is actually communication? In this episode, Kevin speaks with Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA) Xin Yi to unpack the science behind everyday behaviour. Together, they explore why behaviour happens, how children learn from their environme...

💊 Should my child take medication for ADHD or autism? It's one of the most common and most emotional questions parents ask. In this episode, we sit down with Developmental Paediatrician Dr. Ragini to discuss the facts behind ADHD medication, including:• When should medication be considered?• How do stimulant and non-stimulant medications work?• What are the common side effects?• Is medication...

In this episode, Kevin and Carmen are joined in Dr. Rajini's  consultation room at ParkCity Medical Centre to explore two of the most commonly misunderstood areas in child development: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Together with Dr. Rajini, we explore how ASD and ADHD can co-exist in children, how common this overlap is, and why it is often mis...

We know how challenging it can be to find the right educational path for your neurodivergent child. In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Shyielathy, a special education expert, who is an Academic Lecturer at the Institute of Teacher Education (Ipoh), to explore the schooling options available in Malaysia. How This Episode Can Be Insightful and Important: Understanding Options: Learn about the dif...

A reminder for all of us: "Progress is not only about completing treatment, sometimes sitting comfortably on the chair is already a huge win" In this episode of Adapting Together Podcast, we sat down with Dr. Elaine Goh, a dentist and certified clinical hypnotherapist, to talk about how slowing down, building trust, and creating a safe environment can transform dental visits for children on the sp...

In this episode of  Adapting Together , we explore how rock climbing—specifically bouldering—can support children on the spectrum and how it could complement therapy. Joined by Dr. Cheryl, a former medical doctor turned climbing coach, we dive into how climbing helps children develop focus, body awareness, emotional regulation, and confidence—all through play-based activities. We also unpack commo...

In this episode, Xin Yi and Kevin host Emma, a seasoned Speech Language Pathologist (Speech Therapist) to explore the intricacies of social skills in children with autism. Through engaging and interactive conversation, Emma highlights early signs, shares effective teaching strategies, and emphasizes the importance of understanding their unique social worlds. Her practical insights aim to nurture s...

This episode offers a comprehensive exploration of bullying, covering how it's defined, identified, and managed; particularly in the context of children with neurodivergent needs. With lively sharing from Registered Play Therapist and Counsellor, Ms. Raynette Soon, this episode offers parents and caregivers valuable, insightful information and practical tools for early recognition and interven...

26 bi-weekly episodes will translate into 52 weeks, equal to the first 1 Year Milestone! Join us as we celebrate a year of  Adapting Together . In this special episode, Carmen, Xin Yi and Kevin reflects on the journey, sharing motivations, challenges, and memorable moments. Discover stories, feedbacks, future plans and how we've impacted the community. Main Topics Covered: Origins and motivati...

After a child’s diagnosis, therapy becomes part of daily life. Schedules get fuller. Commitments increase. And finances start to feel very real. In this episode of Adapting Together , we talk about: • What “financial stability” really means for families • Early warning signs your cash flow may be under pressure • Managing therapy costs alongside existing loans and commitments • Rising cost of livi...

Can We Afford This? The Real Cost of Autism Therapy After Diagnosis After an autism diagnosis, many parents are focused on understanding their child’s needs. But soon, another difficult question often follows, " Can we afford this?" In this episode of  Adapting Together , we have a conversation with Kevin to explore the emotional and financial realities that families may face in the earl...

Reading can be one of the most confusing and emotionally charged challenges for parents, especially when a child is navigating both autism and dyslexia. Many parents find themselves asking:  Is my child struggling because of autism? Dyslexia? Or something else entirely? And how do I know what kind of help actually works? In this episode of  Adapting Together , we sit down with  Rachel , a Literacy...

Travelling as a family can be joyful, but for families with children on the spectrum, it often comes with extra layers of preparation, uncertainty, and emotional baggage. In this episode of  Adapting Together , we speak with  Nina , a mother of twins. Her son  Martin , now 18 years old, is non-verbal and on the autism spectrum, while his twin sister is neurotypical. Despite the challenges, travell...

Feeding your child shouldn’t feel like a daily battle — but for many parents of neurodivergent children, it often does. In this episode of Adapting Together, we have an honest and compassionate conversation with Janice, a registered dietitian and co-founder of Fed to Flourish, about feeding, nutrition, and the emotional weight parents carry around mealtimes. Together, we explore:- Why “picky eatin...

“You don’t need to be a singer or musician to do music with your kids.” — Sherrene TehJoin us for a heartfelt conversation with Sherrene, one of Malaysia’s pioneers in music therapy, as she shares her unexpected journey into a career that brings so much joy and meaning. From supporting children with autism and developmental needs to creating moments of pure connection, Sherrene shows how music bec...

Dr. Cindy is back on Adapting Together — and yes, we’re talking about something every parent deals with but no one likes to mention… constipation . Why does it happen so often in autistic children? What red flags should parents actually pay attention to? And how do you know when tummy troubles are more than “just a phase”? We dig into all of it — from how Dr. Cindy evaluates these concerns in her...

In this episode of Adapting Together, hosts Xin Yi, Kevin, and Carmen sit down with Dr. Cindy, a developmental pediatrician from Sunway Medical Centre, to explore the often-overlooked challenges of sleep among neurodivergent children, particularly autistic children. Sleep can be one of the biggest challenges for children on the autism spectrum and it affects the whole family. In this episode, we e...