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 advice for parents and clinicians on how to better recognize and support autistic children and adults. The episode emphasizes the importance of specialized training for clinicians and the need for more self-compassion and understanding among those exploring their own neurodivergent traits.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction

00:28 Autism Diagnostic Criteria and Episode Reference

01:10 Amanda's Background and Passion for Autism

01:38 Dr. Tay's Background and Podcast Purpose

02:40 Amanda's Journey and PhD Focus

04:07 Challenges in Autism Assessment Tools

10:22 Importance of Self-Identification and Formal Diagnosis

14:46 Challenges in Diagnosing Girls with Autism

26:51 Key Transitional Points for Diagnosing Autism in Girls

31:44 Recognizing Emotional Dysregulation in Children

32:26 Perfectionism and Cognitive Rigidity

33:10 The Role of Savvy Parents

33:31 The Importance of Content Creation

35:37 Exploring Masking in Autism

38:16 Personal Experiences with Masking

41:11 Helping Children Understand Their Energy Levels

44:25 The Complexities of Masking and Mental Health

46:40 Finding Safe Spaces for Authenticity

53:49 Social Connections Among Neurodivergent Individuals

56:35 Resources for Understanding Masking

01:00:00 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

RESOURCES

⚡️ continue learning from Amanda Moses on Instagram @amandamosespsychology and via her website

⚡️paid resource on masking mentioned in the episode

⚡️ want to learn more about Dr. Tay's Whole Family Approach and current services offered? visit drtaylorday.com

⚡️ continue learning from me and submit any questions [could be featured on a future episode] >>

Instagram @the.dr.tay

TikTok @the.dr.tay

ABOUT THIS EPISODE (+ scroll for resources) 👇

Dr. Tay shares personal experiences and insights about making significant life changes. She discusses the challenges and importance of trusting one's instincts, especially when overthinking sets in. Dr. Tay recounts a personal story involving a car accident and fire ants, which led her to a profound realization about her own business decisions, particularly the launch of the anticipated membership to support families navigating autism. She emphasizes the value of listening to your body, taking action despite fear, and leveraging gut feelings in both parenting and personal growth. This episode encourages parents, especially those of autistic children, to trust themselves and act on their intuitive nudges.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:32 About Dr. Tay and the Podcast

01:22 Disclaimer and Episode Topic Introduction

01:58 Personal Story: The Fire Ant Incident

03:27 Business Mastermind and Spiritual Meaning of Fire Ants

05:20 Struggles with Launching the Membership

08:40 The Importance of Trusting Your Gut

09:17 Quality Over Quantity in Services

11:29 Navigating Parenting Decisions

15:38 Personal Reflections and Call to Action

22:39 Final Thoughts and Farewell

RESOURCES

⚡️ want to learn more about Dr. Tay's Whole Family Approach and current services offered? visit drtaylorday.com

⚡️ continue learning from me and submit any questions [could be featured on a future episode] >>

Instagram @the.dr.tay

TikTok @the.dr.tay

ABOUT THIS EPISODE (+ scroll for resources) 👇

In this episode, Dr. Tay chats with Jessie Mewshaw, a speech language pathologist, to discuss the often overlooked topic of medium and high support needs in autism. They dive into why this conversation is vital, sharing personal experiences and professional insights. Jessie discusses her unique journey into the field and her current work with nonspeaking and minimally speaking autistic individuals. Key themes include the importance of neurodiversity-affirming care, better training and support for providers and caregivers, and the need for more accessible and financially supported resources. The episode also highlights the significance of listening to diverse autistic voices and fostering a community that supports all levels of need.

00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview

00:44 Meet Jessie Mewshaw: Speech Language Pathologist

01:21 Welcome to the Podcast: Dr. Tay's Background

06:01 Jesse's Journey into Speech Pathology

07:46 Experiences in Australia: Life-Changing Lessons

12:47 Challenges in the US: Lack of Support Programs

17:18 Evaluation Barriers and Presuming Competence

21:55 The Importance of Motor Systems in Autism

27:44 Navigating the Journey Together

28:24 The Importance of Medical Training

30:11 Understanding Dysregulation

34:08 Voices of Families

38:01 Advocacy and Community

43:46 Challenges in Neurodivergent Care

50:21 Call to Action and Resources

50:48 Remembering Victor Perez

51:59 Final Thoughts and Connections

RESOURCES

⚡️ example accounts of moderate and high support need autistic individuals:

@aether.autistic

@angry_autist

@blackspectrumscholar

@charliesvoice1

@dannywithwords

@getaway_autist_mobile

@justkeepstimming

@kaishawna_music

@quirkthriveswithnoah

@zebulontheplanet

⚡️ connect with Jessie on Instagram @ms_jessies_speech_world and explore her services here

⚡️ resource for non-speaking individuals >> When Models Aren't "Sticking": A One-Day Intensive for Supporting Minimally Speaking GLPs (use code JESSIE for 10% off)

⚡️ want to learn more about Dr. Tay's Whole Family Approach and current services offered? visit drtaylorday.com

⚡️ continue learning from me and submit any questions [could be featured on a

ABOUT THIS EPISODE (+ scroll for resources) 👇

In this episode, Dr. Tay addresses the current uncertainties of the autism space and how it applies to clinical practice, her personal business, and your parenting journey. She provides an honest reflection on the challenges of navigating unknowns, both personally and within the context of autism care. Dr. Tay emphasizes the importance of serving oneself, building resiliency, and creating community support. She offers practical tips and shares her experiences to help parents make decisions about evaluating and supporting their autistic children amidst the current political climate. Throughout the episode, she encourages listeners to adopt a balanced approach, integrating self-care and external support while fostering a sense of community.

00:00 Introduction and Podcast Updates

00:51 Navigating the Unknowns

01:30 About Dr. Tay and the Podcast

02:32 Current Issues in Autism and Evaluations

09:47 Empowering Parents in Decision Making

13:19 Personal Reflections and Business Adjustments

22:15 Self-Care and Serving Your Family

26:48 Addressing the Inner Critic

27:09 Understanding the Marching Order Part

27:45 The Fear of Stopping

28:02 Balancing Helper Identity and Self-Care

29:20 Integrating Internal Family Systems

29:55 Practical Tips for Self-Understanding

30:49 Navigating Financial Conversations with Kids

32:33 Building a Support Network

33:06 The Importance of Vulnerability

33:57 Reevaluating and Pausing for Clarity

36:06 The Tower Moment Analogy

43:00 Creating Community and Connection

47:15 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

48:13 Ways to Get More Value

RESOURCES

⚡️Dive deeper with episodes mentioned: 38 on human design, 118 on sensory regulation supports (with Courtney English) and 164 on reasons to get evaluated now

⚡️ want to learn more about Dr. Tay's Whole Family Approach and current services offered? visit drtaylorday.com

⚡️ continue learning from me and submit any questions [could be featured on a future episode] >>

Instagram @the.dr.tay

TikTok @the.dr.tay

ABOUT THIS EPISODE (+ scroll for resources) 👇

Think of this episode like sitting down with Dr. Tay to chat about a variety of topics, while she is getting ready for morning sessions. She shares her struggles with neck pain and ties it to stress and shame while discussing the application to your parenting journey. Dr. Tay then dives into the recent political climate, particularly RFK Jr.'s controversial remarks about autism and the proposed national registry. She discusses the ongoing robust research into the causes of autism, language use in the autism community, and the importance of supporting high support needs families.

00:00 Introduction and Podcast Setup

01:06 Personal Updates and Daily Life

01:25 Stress and Physical Health

05:13 Therapy and Somatics

07:46 Shame and Parenting

09:34 Political Climate and Autism

10:09 RFK Junior's Remarks on Autism

11:14 Autism Research and Funding

23:17 National Autism Registry Concerns

26:04 Conclusion and Future Plans

Like the format of this podcast? Let Dr. Tay know! She is exploring options for how to best serve you through this podcast!

RESOURCES

⚡️Instagram posts referenced in this episode >>

@autismoutloud’s post on autism research funding

@fidget.and.fries post on high support needs and a false sense of hope

⚡️while the national autism registry was only briefly touched on (more to come here and/or on Dr. Tay’s social media), you can take action now and express your concerns to your representatives. thanks to @blackspectrumscholar, here are templates you can use

⚡️ want to learn more about Dr. Tay's Whole Family Approach and current services offered? visit drtaylorday.com

⚡️ continue learning from me and submit any questions [could be featured on a future episode] >>

Instagram @the.dr.tay

TikTok @the.dr.tay

.

ABOUT THIS EPISODE (+ scroll for resources) 👇

Dr. Tay is joined by Camille Joy, an advocate and host of the Moments of Joy podcast. They discuss Camille's journey as a mother of five boys, including her youngest son Maison, who has a congenital heart defect, autism, and intellectual disability. They dive into the importance of early diagnosis, navigating the education system, and advocating for children's needs. Camille shares her experiences with challenging the status quo, particularly around getting Maison access to music and art classes. The conversation also touches on emotional processing, the significance of support systems, and Camille's initiatives including her podcast and children's book, The Adventures of Maison and Mr. Straw: Mac and Cheese Please.

00:00 Introduction and Special Guest Announcement

00:44 Dr. Tay's Background and Podcast Mission

01:55 Camille Joy's Family and Advocacy Journey

02:36 Maison's Diagnosis and Early Intervention

03:26 Challenges and Realizations in Parenting

05:28 Navigating Medical and Educational Systems

10:29 Advocating for Mason's Education

17:08 Using AI for Advocacy and Legal Rights

21:17 Understanding the Importance of Data Collection

22:15 Advocating for Your Child's Needs

25:34 Navigating Emotional Challenges

33:25 The Journey of Starting a Podcast

35:46 Introducing Maison's Adventures

39:25 Conclusion and Resources

RESOURCES

⚡️ purchase Camille and Maison’s book here (profits go directly to a savings account for Maison)

⚡️ listen in to the Moments of Joy podcast here

⚡️follow her on Instagram, TikTok, & Facebook

⚡️ want to learn more about Dr. Tay's Whole Family Approach and current services offered? visit drtaylorday.com

⚡️ continue learning from me and submit any questions [could be featured on a future episode] >>

Instagram @the.dr.tay

TikTok @the.dr.tay

ABOUT THIS EPISODE (+ scroll for resources) 👇

In this mini episode, Dr. Tay shares what families with autistic children are ACTUALLY doing in terms of therapy and support services. Emphasizing the importance of quality over quantity, Dr. Tay discusses common therapies like ABA, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and mental health support. The episode also highlights the significance of individualized plans tailored to each family's needs and reminds parents that it's okay to prioritize their child's well-being and capacity over an overwhelming number of services. Real-life examples from listeners are included to illustrate the diverse approaches families take. Dr. Tay encourages parents to trust their intuition and focus on what truly benefits their child.

00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview

00:20 Understanding Therapy Options

01:36 Balancing Therapy Demands

02:57 Real-Life Family Experiences

04:09 Diverse Therapy Approaches

11:42 Concluding Thoughts and Encouragement

RESOURCES

⚡️ additional episodes that may be helpful: "26 | why ABA therapy is controversial?", "31 | three "system issues" you may be facing with your child's autism care", and "110 | what is PDA?"

⚡️ want to learn more about Dr. Tay's Whole Family Approach and current services offered? visit drtaylorday.com

⚡️ continue learning from me and submit any questions [could be featured on a future episode] >>

Instagram @the.dr.tay

TikTok @the.dr.tay

ABOUT THIS EPISODE (+ scroll for resources) 👇

Dr. Tay explores the concept of declarative language and its benefits, especially for demand-avoidant children, with Linda Murphy—a speech therapist, RDI consultant, writer, and expert on the topic. They discuss the definition of declarative language and how it differs from demand-based phrases, emphasizing the importance of thoughtful communication that invites a collaboration. Linda shares insights from her book Declarative Language Handbook and provides practical strategies for parents to effectively use declarative language. They also cover topics such as building self-advocacy, fostering cognitive flexibility, and managing sibling conflicts through this approach. The importance of mindset shifts is emphasized as well as the continuous learning process in order to improve communication with autistic children.

00:00 Introduction to Declarative Language

00:30 Meet Linda Murphy: Expert in Declarative Language

02:12 Understanding Declarative Language

03:37 The Power of Declarative Language

05:29 Practical Examples and Strategies

08:47 Proactive Conversations and Mindset Shifts

16:05 Dynamic Support and Scaffolding

22:17 Direct vs. Indirect Declarative Language

25:40 Introduction to PDA and Indirect Language

26:18 Experimenting with Communication Strategies

26:53 Building Transparent Communication

28:23 Practical Examples and Techniques

29:48 Using Declarative Language in Different Scenarios

33:13 Modeling and Validating Emotions

45:00 Declarative Language with Non-Speaking Individuals

48:34 Final Thoughts and Resources

RESOURCES

⚡️ continue learning at declarativelanguage.com, including ordering Linda's books and checking out the resources referenced in the episode (types of DL and direct language for PDAers)

⚡️ want to learn more about Dr. Tay's Whole Family Approach and current services offered? visit drtaylorday.com

⚡️ continue learning from me and submit any questions [could be featured on a future episode] >>

Instagram @the.dr.tay

TikTok @the.dr.tay

Note: PDA is a theorized profile of autism and not a clinical diagnosis. however, it has been a helpful conceptualization for many parents to learn about how their child's brain is wired. our knowledge of PDA is currently unfolding and I do my best to share up-to-date, balanced information. to learn more about PDA, please listen to episode 110