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

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 regulated, building self-trust, and supporting their children's...

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 Simon Says. The episode also answers questions from...

ABOUT THIS EPISODE (+ scroll for resources) 👇 In this episode, Dr. Tay discusses the often overlooked yet crucial concept of interoception and its importance in supporting autistic children. Joined by guest Kelly Mahler, an experienced occupational therapist specializing in this area, they dive into what interoception is, how it impacts autistic children, and actionable strategies to improve inte...

ABOUT THIS EPISODE (+ scroll for resources) 👇 dr. tay dives deep into perfectionism — how it shows up in autism parenting, in clinical work, and even in content creation. she shares personal reflections, a powerful story from her group therapy model, and a reminder that perfectionism can hide behind our best intentions to help. this episode explores: the fine line between accommodation and over-a...

ABOUT THIS EPISODE (+ scroll for resources) 👇 Dr. Tay sits down with Jessie Caraway , creator of the If You Know One Project , to talk about her family’s journey, her daughter’s autism diagnosis, and how the project grew out of a desire to build community and awareness. They reflect on the long road to an autism diagnosis, reframing “high support needs,” and the importance of seeing each autistic...

ABOUT THIS EPISODE (+ scroll for resources) 👇 this episode is a replay of my instagram live q+a, where we processed the recent press conference linking autism and tylenol. i shared reflections on research, stigma, and neurodiversity-affirming care, and answered parent questions in real time.   we covered the nuance of research, medication conversations, ableism and stigma, and most important...

ABOUT THIS EPISODE (+ scroll for resources) 👇 In this mini, spontaneous episode, Dr. Tay addresses the recent press conference where the administration linked autism to Tylenol, causing guilt and anxiety among parents. She emphasizes the importance of taking time to process emotions, the prevalence of misinformation, and the need for compassion. Dr. Tay reassures listeners that it's okay to take...

ABOUT THIS EPISODE (+ scroll for resources) 👇 In this mini episode, Dr. Tay shares a sneak peek into a training within EVOLVE the memberhsip. Sh dives into the concept of low demand parenting, particularly for families with children who resonate with the PDA profile. Dr. Tay introduces and explains the "3 Bucket Approach" to help parents manage demands and boundaries effectively. The episode also...

ABOUT THIS EPISODE (+ scroll for resources) 👇 In this episode, Dr. Tay, a licensed child psychologist and parental coach specializing in neurodiversity affirming care, explores the concept of jealousy and why it is a valid and normal emotion. Dr. Tay discusses the importance of experiencing and processing jealousy, rather than suppressing it, and how this can impact personal growth and well-being...

 ABOUT THIS EPISODE (+ scroll for resources) 👇 In this episode, Dr. Tay delves into the underexplored topic of couples therapy within the autism community, emphasizing its proactive rather than reactive use. Joined by Dr. Ali Perkinson, a neurodiverse couples therapist and licensed psychologist, the discussion covers how couples therapy can support harmonious family dynamics, understanding n...

ABOUT THIS EPISODE (+ scroll for resources) 👇 In this episode, Dr. Tay discusses the chaos surrounding the start of a new school year, especially for families of autistic kids. Sharing insights and practical advice from her extensive experience, she addresses anticipatory anxiety, the challenges of advocating within educational systems, and the importance of psychological safety for children. The...

ABOUT THIS EPISODE (+ scroll for resources) 👇 this week, i’m giving you a behind-the-scenes listen into a question from inside EVOLVE the membership — my neurodiversity-affirming space for parents of autistic children. in our private weekly q&a, a parent asked how to explain their child’s autism diagnosis to other adults in a way that’s both clear and affirming.   in this episode, you’ll...

ABOUT THIS EPISODE (+ scroll for resources) 👇 In this episode, Dr. Tay addresses a commonly asked question: Is the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS-2) necessary for an autism diagnosis? Dr. Tay explains what the ADOS-2 is, its role in autism evaluations, and clarifies that while it is a widely respected tool, it is not required for diagnosing autism. The episode emphas...

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 auti...

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, cr...

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 t...

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...

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 enhanc...

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 mourn...

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, Flour...

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 di...

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 tru...

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 boar...

ABOUT THIS EPISODE (+ scroll for resources) 👇 Dr. Tay emphasizes the importance of asking questions as a tool for progress, especially for parents navigating the challenges of raising an autistic child. She discusses her own journey to launch a membership for parents seeking support, inspired by a serendipitous experience with a community she belongs to. Dr. Tay shares the story of how asking the...

In this episode, Dr. Tay is joined by guest Amanda Moses, a neurodivergent psychologist from Australia, who specializes in autism identification in those with complex and highly masked presentations. They discuss the differences in how autism presents in females versus males, the concept of masking, and the unique social challenges that often lead to delayed diagnoses. Amanda offers practical advi...