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

in this mini episode, Dr. Tay explores the transformative power of "yet" in parenting an autistic child. discover the power of 'yet' as a tool for staying present, believing in your child's potential, and reducing worry. as an action item, you are encouraged to journal your current worries and shift them to include "yet." RESOURCES ⚡️ join the Evolve Facebook community to participate in the episo...

answering YOUR questions on today's episode! Q: how do I respond when someone makes fun of my autistic child? A: Dr. Tay shares tips and strategies for navigating this difficult topic, with a focus on creating collaborative conversations and managing your own emotions in these situations. RESOURCES ⚡️ join the Evolve Facebook community to participate in the episode Q+As >> facebook.com/grou...

ABOUT THIS EPISODE (+ scroll for resources) 👇 Dr. Tay hosts Dr. Steve Chaney, a renowned research scientist and educator, on the podcast to discuss the complexities of autism. we cover the causes of autism, emphasizing the roles of genetics, environmental factors, and epigenetics. we also discuss common misconceptions about autism and discuss the importance of individual experiences. the conversa...

in this mini episode, Dr. Tay delves into the transformative concept of presuming competence in autistic children, highlighting the profound effect our expectations and assumptions can have on their development and growth. it explores real-life stories and experiences, showing how the lack of presumed competence can limit a child's potential and create barriers to inclusion. the episode ends by ur...

69 | "can a child outgrow autism" Q+A answering YOUR questions on today's episode! Q: can a child outgrow autism? A: Dr. Tay addresses a misconception that a child can outgrow autism, emphasizing how autism is a lifelong disability and it is how your child's brain is wired. we discuss the DSM diagnostic criteria and how a child may need different supports at different times. RESOURCES ⚡️ join the...

ABOUT THIS EPISODE (+ scroll for resources) 👇 Dr. Tay has Erin from @spinsandstomps on the podcast. Erin shares about her daughter Riley's journey to getting an autism diagnosis as well as understanding her daughter's ways of communicating. Erin discusses the transformative power of an AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) device in Riley's life and how she identified that she was a Ge...

in this mini episode, Dr. Tay shares practical strategies to overcome procrastination and the psychology behind it. we also discuss the concept of catastrophization, where small tasks are magnified into overwhelming burdens, and how to stop it. RESOURCES ⚡️ join the Evolve Facebook community to participate in the episode Q+As >> facebook.com/groups/evolveautism ⚡️ learn from me and submit...

answering YOUR questions on today's episode! or really the unasked question of how do I deal with depression and anxiety as a parent of an autistic kiddo? this conversation is intended that remind you that you are not alone in your experiences, dispel stigmas around seeking mental health support, and offer practical advice on getting help. RESOURCES ⚡️ check out episode 44 where my mom shares abo...

ABOUT THIS EPISODE (+ scroll for resources) 👇 in this podcast episode, Dr. Tay welcomes Eleanor Ezell, LCSW to the podcast. we discuss selective mutism, also known as SM, an anxiety disorder where children are unable to speak in certain settings, with certain people, or in certain situations. Eleanor offers insights into how this disorder can be identified, distinguished from language delay, and...

in this mini episode, Dr. Tay explores the complexities of autism genetics. the episode also looks into the phenomenon of parents questioning their own neurodivergence following their child's autism diagnosis. RESOURCES ⚡️ 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 o...

in today's episode, I am answering a frequently asked question. we dive into next steps after your child gets diagnosed. we cover: processing your emotions, reading the report, deciding on intervention approaches, navigating the school system, and learning about neurodiversity. dr. tay also shares insights on what she says to parents during the feedback session. RESOURCES ⚡️ resources to learn mo...

ABOUT THIS EPISODE (+ scroll for resources) 👇 Dr. Tay welcomes Kayla Castro to the podcast, a certified autism travel professional and parent to an autistic child. this episode focuses on the fears, challenges, and joys of traveling as an autism family. Kayla shares her family's story and provides practical advice on how to navigate travel with autistic family members. the conversation includes t...

in this mini episode, Dr. Tay shares a recent comment on social media that led to unpacking her approaches and why she focuses on supporting the whole family. we touch on the sensitive balance of meeting the needs of the autistic child while acknowledging the energy and emotions of the entire family unit. RESOURCES ⚡️ join the Evolve Facebook community to participate in the episode Q+As >>...

in this personal and reflective episode, Dr. Tay shares her journey and growth as she approaches her 34th birthday. she discusses her experiences as a single woman and her dedication to helping families of neurodivergent children despite not having any of her own. drawing parallels from her own life, she introduces the concept of a crystal ball and reasons that knowing the future will not actually...

ABOUT THIS EPISODE (+ scroll for resources) 👇 this episode is aimed at redefining what early intervention for young autistic children can look like, with a shift from trying to "cure" autism to instead supporting and affirming neurodivergence. we dive into leveraging Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions (NDBIs) to accomplish that goal. the presented approaches emphasize the effecti...

in this mini episode, Dr. Tay explores the parallels between the intense interests of Taylor Swift's fans and the passions of autistic children. the purpose of this episode is to challenge societal norms that largely celebrate Swifties and pathologize autistic children. listeners are invited to shift their perspectives to view autistic interests not as disordered but as passions that should be emb...

ABOUT THIS EPISODE (+ scroll for resources) 👇 today is a special Q+A episode. Dr. Tay brought back special education attorney Ashley Barlow to answer your questions. we address the following topics: 504 vs. IEP for your autistic child how to prioritize learning vs. coping and self-advocacy how to navigate finding the best schools re-evaluation of autism how to measure progress educational funding...

ABOUT THIS EPISODE (+ scroll for resources) 👇 Dr. Tay welcomes Sofya Stearns, founder of Izabella's Gourmet Chow, to the podcast to share her journey of using cooking as a means to explore cultures, support autistic children, and promote healthy eating. Sofya also shares tips on making cooking fun and safe for kids, such as using plastic knives and transforming ordinary foods into extraordinary c...

in this mini episode REMIX, Dr. Tay has pulled excerpts from "episode 12 | autism consultant Molly Johnson on visual supports" to highlight the discussion on educational advocacy and working with your child's teachers and IEP team. Molly Johnson has her master's in education and is a former autism teacher. she now has become @theautismconsultant on Instagram. RESOURCES ⚡️ submit your questions fo...

answering YOUR questions on today's episode! Q: how do I deal with my child's aggression when our attempts aren't working? A: Dr. Tay starts off the episode urging parents to understand the function of aggression - that it is a form of communication and may serve as a form of sensory regulation for your autistic child. she provides tips and strategies beyond traditional behavioral approaches and e...

ABOUT THIS EPISODE (+ scroll for resources) 👇 I often see in my work as a child psychologist that parents don't understand what their rights are and what their autistic children should be receiving through the educational system. in this episode, we dive into IDEA, specially designed instruction, IEPs, 504s, and more. we talk specifically about the history of special education and what as a paren...

in this mini episode, Dr. Tay shares her takeaways from the Barbie movie and the application to parenting a neurodivergent child. themes include authenticity, social norms, imagination, and emotions. even if you haven't seen the Barbie movie (or did and hated it!), the insights shared here make this worth the listen. RESOURCES ⚡️ join the Evolve Facebook community to participate in the episode Q+...

answering YOUR questions on today's episode! Q: what is the best educational setting for my autistic child? what about an aide for my child? A: Dr. Tay breaks down educational settings in this episode, including public, private, Montessori, and homeschooling. we discuss various factors to consider regarding schooling type and the importance of understanding your child's strengths and support needs...

ABOUT THIS EPISODE (+ scroll for resources) 👇 in this podcast episode, Dr. Tay and Dr. Carrie Jackson discuss the complex intersection of autism and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). they review the importance of accurate diagnosis to distinguish overlapping yet distinct features in autism and ADHD as well as co-occurrence. treatment modalities are also discussed, including parent...

in this mini episode, Dr. Tay discusses that even with the best preparation that some things may not go according to plan. emphasis is placed on how to manage emotions when plans change and the significance of giving space for feelings without guilt or blame. a focused discussion on how to support siblings of autistic children occurs. RESOURCES ⚡️ join the Evolve Facebook community to participate...