Practitioner Perspectives in Autism Care

"Have you ever watched your child panic, shut down, or melt down when confronted by a teacher, a police officer, or even you? From the outside, it looks like defiance. But looking 'under the hood,' it’s a nervous system stuck in fight-or-flight. Today, Thomas shares a scary reality for special needs parents, and Dr. Kyle Daigle breaks down why a child's reaction to pressure isn't a choice—it's bio...

"If your child currently refuses to eat anything but chicken nuggets and french fries, you are not alone. But what happens when we change the fuel we put into a developing nervous system? In this episode, we explore the profound impact of diet and nutrition on sensory regulation, and share real-world stories of how families navigated the messy, difficult transition from processed junk to brain-bui...

The Autism Waitlist Crisis: What to Do While You Wait Episode Summary: When waitlists for in-demand, advanced autism care stretch into months or even years, families are often left feeling helpless. In this episode of Practitioner Perspectives in Autism Care , Thomas Ballantyne sits down with Dr. Kyle to discuss how parents can take immediate, proactive steps at home while they wait. They explore...

Episode Summary: In this episode of Practitioner Perspectives in Autism Care , we sit down with Dr. Kyle Daigle, co-founder of Neurosage Hub, to explore the often-overlooked intersections between our environment, our physical health, and neurodevelopment. Inspired by his family's personal journey, Dr. Kyle discusses his transition from working with professional athletes to dedicating his career to...

Have you ever watched your child cover their ears and run out of the room during a movie, even when the scene wasn't scary? In this episode of Practitioner Perspectives in Autism Care , we unpack the intense world of sensory processing and what is actually happening inside an overstimulated brain. We explore the phenomenon of "hyper-acoustics" and how the subtle buildup of music or a crowded mall...

What if video games could do more than entertain? In this episode of Practitioner's Perspectives in Autism Care, Dr. Kyle shares the story of how a speech therapist sparked a question that would shape more than 13 years of research and development: "Could we use video games as a form of therapy?" The conversation explores how color, sound, movement, visual tracking, and nature-inspired environment...

⚠️ “Therapy, therapy, therapy…” At what point does a child finally get to just be a kid again? In this episode of Practitioner Perspectives in Autism Care, Thomas Ballantyne sits down with Dr. Kyle Daigle to discuss autism therapy fatigue, overwhelmed families, nervous system development, and the growing need for better collaboration between practitioners. Dr. Kyle shares deeply personal stories t...

“Trust your intuition.” That may be one of the most important messages a parent can hear during the autism journey. In this episode of Practitioner Perspectives in Autism Care, Dr. Kyle Daigle joins me for an honest conversation about what parents often notice BEFORE a diagnosis ever happens. We discuss: • early developmental signs • speech delays • sensory overload • hyper sensitivity to sound •...

Why does early identification matter in autism care? How early is “early”? Can support still help if a diagnosis happens later in childhood? And why are waitlists and access to care becoming such a challenge for families? In this episode of Practitioner Perspectives in Autism Care , Ashley Tamayo shares insights on developmental milestones, neuroplasticity, treatment outcomes, and why individualiz...

School support can feel overwhelming for families navigating autism. What is an IEP? Do you need a diagnosis to get one? How do schools, parents, and practitioners actually work together to support a child? In this episode of Practitioner Perspectives in Autism Care , Ashley Tamayo shares both her professional and personal perspective as a practitioner and parent navigating the school system with...

When a parent first begins exploring autism, the amount of information online can feel overwhelming. What assessments actually matter? What is the difference between a screening and a formal diagnosis? And how do practitioners determine the most intentional path forward for a child? In this episode of Practitioner Perspectives in Autism Care , Ashley Tamayo breaks down some of the most common auti...

What does progress actually look like in autism care? It’s not always obvious. It’s not always linear. And it rarely looks the same from one family to another. In this episode of Practitioner Perspectives in Autism Care , Ashley Tamayo shares a grounded perspective on how progress unfolds over time. From communication milestones to behavioral shifts, and even moments that may appear like regressio...

What happens between therapy sessions matters more than most people realize. This episode explores how practitioners can support families outside of the clinic, where real-life application and progress take place. Intro: The hour in therapy matters. What happens between visits matters more. In this episode: Why progress doesn’t stop when the session ends How practitioners can equip families with t...

After an autism diagnosis, most families feel the urge to do everything… immediately. But that instinct can lead to overwhelm. What actually matters is where you start. In this episode: Why the first step after diagnosis is education The danger of trying to “jump ahead” too quickly How to avoid overwhelm in the early stages Where parents can begin without feeling lost The importance of starting wi...

Denial is often one of the first responses when a parent is faced with the possibility of an autism diagnosis. It’s not resistance. It’s not refusal. It’s emotion. And how a practitioner responds in that moment can shape everything that comes next. In this episode: Why denial is a natural and complex emotional response The many sources of denial, including fear, stigma, culture, and expectations W...

One of the most important and difficult moments in autism care is the conversation where a parent first hears that their child may be autistic. In this episode of Practitioner Perspectives in Autism Care , Ashley Tamayo shares what it means to navigate that moment with clarity, compassion, and responsibility. This is not just about delivering information. It’s about understanding the emotional wei...

When a parent begins to suspect autism, one of the first questions is: Where do I go, and who do I trust? In this episode of Practitioner Perspectives in Autism Care , Ashley Tamayo shares how families can approach finding the right practitioner without becoming overwhelmed. From word-of-mouth recommendations to school and primary care referrals, to navigating online searches, this conversation br...

What are the early signs of autism, and how can parents recognize them without jumping to fear or conclusions? In this episode of the Neurosage Hub Podcast, host Justin Barton sits down with Ashley Tamayo, licensed clinical social worker and Director of Curriculum and Innovation at Neurosage Hub, to explore what early indicators of autism can look like across different environments. From a parent’...