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

about this episode (+ scroll for resources) 👇
communication is not only about spoken words.
and for many autistic individuals, especially non-speaking or minimally speaking individuals, the challenge is not a lack of thoughts, understanding, or desire to communicate. it may be that their body does not reliably do what their brain wants it to do.
in this episode, dr. tay shares reflections after observing several Spelling to Communicate (S2C) sessions, including sessions with open spellers who were able to describe their own experiences of motor planning, communication, and brain-body disconnect.
this conversation is about more than one communication modality. it is an invitation to think differently about communication, apraxia, motor planning, autonomy, consent, and what it means to presume competence.
even if your child uses complex spoken language, this episode offers powerful insight into why communication can still break down, why behavior may not always mean what we think it means, and why giving time, space, and access matters.
a special shoutout to Olivia of Brain2Body Therapy (Instagram: @brain2bodytherapy) and the families who allowed me to observe sessions - I am SO grateful!

in this episode, you’ll hear:
why communication should not be defined only by spoken language
how S2C supports communication through motor planning
what apraxia and brain-body disconnect can look like in autistic individuals
why some autistic individuals may say one thing while their body or spelling communicates something different
how autonomy, agency, and consent can show up in communication work
what open spellers can teach us about presuming competence
why time, regulation, and a trusted communication partner matter
how these lessons apply even when a child has spoken language

timestamps
00:00 introduction to Spelling to Communicate (S2C) and why this topic matters
02:08 understanding communication beyond spoken language
05:49 observations from S2C sessions
12:00 autonomy, agency, and consent in communication work
18:08 motor planning, apraxia, and communication challenges
23:48 key insights from open spellers
28:05 when communication does not match what the body is doing
30:20 understanding how much effort communication can take
34:29 the brain-body disconnect and what it can teach us
39:10 navigating consent, autonomy, and “no”
46:53 the importance of time, space, and regulation in learning
51:51 reflections on communication, presuming competence, and learning differently
resources
⚡️ listen to episode 132 for more information on S2C and episode 159 to learn more about apraxia
⚡️ learn more about Dr. Tay's current clinical services offered as well as her educational membership at drtaylorday.com

about this episode (+ scroll for resources) 👇
traveling with an autistic child can feel overwhelming to even imagine.
what if they struggle with the routine change? what if the flight is hard? what if the unpredictability feels too overwhelming for everyone?
in this episode, dr. tay reflects on her recent european trip and her thoughts on traveling with autistic children. this episode is a conversation about fear, accommodations, and why having an autistic child does not automatically mean your family can't explore the world.
dr. tay discusses how preparation, research, flexibility, and realistic expectations can help families feel more confident trying new experiences, while also honoring their child’s nervous system and support needs.
in this episode, you’ll hear:
how fear and uncertainty can quietly stop families from traveling
why research and preparation can make travel feel more manageable
practical ways to build accommodations and predictability into trips
why flexibility matters more than a perfectly structured itinerary
how vacations and novel experiences can sometimes support regulation
practical accommodations like TSA cares and sunflower lanyards
why autistic children deserve opportunities to explore the world too

timestamps
00:00 why traveling with your autistic child can feel overwhelming
03:32 understanding fear, uncertainty, and routine changes
06:58 travel, budgeting, and accessibility realities
12:10 planning, prep, and reducing stress while traveling
18:21 balancing flexibility with structure on vacation
21:21 the mindset shift that changes everything
25:46 how travel can support growth and regulation
27:28 stories of autistic children thriving while traveling
29:02 final reflections and encouragement for families
resources
⚡️ follow our travel account @explore.to.evolve if you want to learn more about travel and logistics
⚡️ learn more about dr. tay’s whole family approach + clinical services

about this episode (+ scroll for resources) 👇
one reason autism can be missed in children is the belief that kids “can’t mask.”
but they absolutely can.
in this episode, dr. tay breaks down what masking can look like in autistic children, including why a child may seem “fine” at school but completely fall apart at home.
you’ll learn how masking can be conscious or unconscious, how culture and reinforcement shape behavior, and why subtle signs matter so much during autism evaluations.
this episode is especially helpful if you’ve ever wondered why your child seems so different across environments, or if you’ve been told their challenges must be “just behavioral” because they are not showing up everywhere.
in this episode, you’ll hear:
why autistic children can mask, even at young ages
how masking can contribute to delayed or missed autism diagnoses
why kids may hold it together all day and then melt down at home
the difference between conscious masking and subconscious masking
how reinforcement, modeling, and culture, can shape masking behaviors
why people pleasing and anxiety often plays a role in masking and self-advocacy
what evaluators need to understand when assessing high-masking children
how to create safer spaces for kids to unmask and build self-advocacy over time

timestamps
00:00 understanding masking in children
02:50 the cycle of masking and rebound effects
05:49 the nuances of masking: conscious vs. unconscious
09:05 cultural influences on masking behaviors
11:52 modeling and reinforcement in masking
15:01 people-pleasing traits and their impact
17:57 the role of anxiety in masking
20:47 evaluation challenges in high-masking individuals
23:52 subtle indicators of autism in masking
26:54 creating safe spaces for unmasking
29:47 empowering self-advocacy in autistic children
resources
⚡️ autism traits guide — a $7 parent-friendly resource breaking down autism diagnostic criteria and sharing more in-depth traits, including those in high masking individuals
⚡️ high masking continuing education (CE) training for clinicians
⚡️ learn more about diagnostic evaluations through dr. tay concierge clinical care

about this episode (+ scroll for resources) 👇
parents of autistic kids are often told, “you need your own support too.”
but what happens when traditional talk therapy doesn’t feel like enough or a good fit? or hasn't historically worked?
in this episode, dr. tay is joined by dr. carolyn solo, a therapist specializing in EMDR, IFS, ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, and intensive therapy models. together, they explore why parents of neurodivergent kids may carry more chronic stress and nervous system overwhelm than they realize, and why bottom-up therapy approaches can be so helpful.
this conversation is not about “fixing” you as a parent. it’s about understanding how your nervous system has been carrying the weight of advocacy, hypervigilance, uncertainty, and caregiving, and what kinds of support may help you show up with more grounding, compassion, and capacity.
in this episode, you’ll hear:
why parents of neurodivergent kids may experience chronic stress and trauma symptoms
how supporting the parent can support the entire family system
what IFS is and why “all parts are welcome” fits so naturally with neurodiversity-affirming care
how EMDR helps process experiences that continue to activate the nervous system
why bottom-up therapies can be helpful when insight alone is not creating change
what ketamine-assisted psychotherapy is and how it may support deeper therapeutic work
how intensive therapy models can offer a different path for busy, overwhelmed parents
why noticing your child’s progress, not just their next goal, can be part of your own healing

timestamps
00:00 introduction to alternative therapies for parents of autistic kids
02:54 the journey of a therapist and parent
06:00 understanding trauma in parenting neurodivergent children
09:01 the importance of parental self-care
11:57 exploring internal family systems (IFS) therapy
17:53 the benefits of bottom-up therapies
22:50 understanding eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) and its mechanism
29:09 exploring the intensive model of therapy
31:29 the role of ketamine in therapy
39:22 mindset shifts for parents of neurodiverse children
resources
⚡️ connect with dr. carolyn solo + learn more about her therapy approach here plus follow on Instagram @integritas_wellness_recovery
⚡️ learn more about dr. tay’s whole family approach + clinical services

about this episode (+ scroll for resources) 👇
one of the biggest misconceptions parents hear is:
“they’re too young to diagnose autism.”
but research tells us something very different.
in this episode, dr. tay breaks down what we actually know about early autism diagnosis, including how autism can present in toddlers, why early signs are often missed or explained away, and what parents should be paying attention to when something feels different.
you’ll also learn why the phrase “wait and see” can sometimes do more harm than good and how to think about timing, evaluations, and support through a neurodiversity-affirming lens.
in this episode, you’ll hear:
why autism can be reliably diagnosed much earlier than many parents are told
how to recognize patterns that may point toward autism in toddlers
why “wait and see” advice can sometimes delay meaningful support
how an early diagnosis can shift understanding, accommodations, and access to services
what it looks like to advocate for your child when something feels different

timestamps
00:00 what age can autism actually be diagnosed?
07:22 why early diagnosis matters
12:26 “mindful waiting” vs. “wait and see”
20:03 access to supports and services
24:02 early autism signs in toddlers
34:10 trusting your instincts and advocating early
resources
⚡️ autism traits guide — a $7 parent-friendly resource breaking down autism diagnostic criteria and sharing more in-depth traits
⚡️ nuanced discussions on ABA: episodes 26, 59, 128, and 131
⚡️ learn more about diagnostic evaluations for young children through dr. tay concierge clinical care
⚡️study referenced in today's episode (Pierce et al., 2019)