ABOUT THIS EPISODE (+ scroll for resources) 👇

Dr. Tay is joined by Dr. Michelle Fardella, a clinical and school psychologist from Canada, to discuss the critical topic of sex education for autistic youth. The conversation covers various aspects, including the importance of proactive sex education, teaching body autonomy, consent, and addressing misconceptions. They delve into barriers faced by autistic youth in accessing comprehensive sex education and emphasize safety and appropriate teaching methods. Additionally, the episode touches on gender identity, sexual orientation, and provides practical resources for parents and educators. Trigger warnings and the importance of seeking support are also highlighted to ensure a safe and informative discussion.

00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview

00:29 Meet Dr. Michelle Fardella

02:43 Trigger Warning and Sensitive Topics

03:57 Dr. Fardella's Background and Passion

06:26 Challenges in Sex Education for Autistic Youth

08:09 Importance of Tailored Sex Education

10:27 Parental Mindset and Barriers

18:03 Starting Early: Teaching Consent and Safety

20:01 Navigating Discomfort and Finding Safe Persons

23:43 The Accidental Exposure to Pornography

23:58 Discussing Pornography with Young Children

25:11 Proactive Conversations About Intercourse

26:04 Addressing Misconceptions from Pornography

28:13 Honesty in Answering Kids' Questions

30:10 Resources for Teaching Sexual Health

32:46 Masturbation: Education and Safety

36:00 Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation

41:04 Conclusion and Additional Resources

RESOURCES

⚡️ find resources for talking about these topics on Dr. Michelle’s blog >> https://www.wondertreepractice.ca/post/a-caregiver-s-guide-to-teaching-sex-education-to-neurodivergent-youth

⚡️follow WonderTree Practice on Instagram and learn more about their services here if you’re in Ontario

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

⚡️ 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 on a future episode] >>

Instagram @the.dr.tay

TikTok @the.dr.tay

LinkedIn @the-dr-tay

ABOUT THIS EPISODE (+ scroll for resources) 👇

In this episode, Dr. Tay, a licensed child psychologist and parental coach, speaks with Dr. Mona Amin, a board-certified pediatrician known for her social media presence as PedsDocTalk. They discuss critical aspects of navigating the journey of raising an autistic child, including effective strategies for interacting with pediatricians, advocating for necessary accommodations, and understanding the nuances of autism diagnosis. Dr. Mona shares insights on the importance of continual learning for clinicians and collaboration between professionals and parents. The conversation also addresses handling common challenges such as anxiety, behavioral issues, and medical fears in autistic children. This episode is a valuable resource for parents and professionals alike, providing practical tips and underscoring the significance of empathy and communication in pediatric care.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction

00:31 Meet Dr. Mona Amin

02:50 Dr. Mona's Online Education Journey

05:32 Navigating Autism Diagnosis

07:44 State Differences in Autism Diagnosis

10:58 Screening Tools and Challenges

15:11 Parental Advocacy and Pediatrician Collaboration

19:27 Collaborations and Resources

25:38 Accommodations for Autistic Patients

26:28 Understanding Accommodations for Autistic Children

26:57 Creating a Low-Stim Environment

27:50 Effective Communication with Autistic Children

28:28 Handling Medical Procedures with Care

31:47 Addressing Anxiety and Medical Fears

32:18 Role-Playing and Preparation at Home

33:04 Strategies for Reducing Stress in Medical Settings

34:31 Training Medical Staff for Better Care

40:08 Procedures and Special Considerations

41:26 Addressing Sleep, Feeding, and Behavior Issues

47:10 Final Thoughts and Resources

RESOURCES

⚡️ continue learning and connecting with Dr. Mona @pedsdoctalk on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, podcast, and her website.

⚡️ watch Dr. Mona and Andi Putt @mrsspeechiep's YouTube video on autism characteristics and signs here.

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

⚡️ 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 on a future episode] >>

Instagram @the.dr.tay

TikTok @the.dr.tay

LinkedIn @the-dr-tay

ABOUT THIS EPISODE (+ scroll for resources) 👇

Dr. Tay shares a real-time update on US policy changes and their impact for autistic individuals and neurodiversity affirming supports. This episode was recorded and published on Jan 29th, 2025 and addresses topics such as DEI, Medicaid, NIH, gender recognition, ICE, and Elon Musk. This episode is not intended to be a news source but instead encourages you to stay informed and presents the implications for the neurodiversity affirming movement. If you feel passionate about neurodiversity and autistic supports, this is a must-listen.

RESOURCES

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

⚡️ 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 on a future episode] >>

Instagram @the.dr.tay

TikTok @the.dr.tay

LinkedIn @the-dr-tay