Magnificent Minds: Demystifying Autism with Dr. Suzanne Goh, MD, BCBA

In this episode, I'm taking you inside one of the most confusing questions parents face: Is it ADHD, autism, or something in between? I walk you through the brain science that explains why they look so similar (both involve the same brain networks and neurochemistry, which is why 50% of autistic children also have ADHD), and more importantly, how to recognize what you're actually seeing in your child. We break down attention differences, social interaction, and behavior patterns, and I share the framework that makes it make sense: ADHD is primarily about regulation and control, while autism is about connection and interpretation.This episode is for you if: you're trying to make sense of conflicting information, you've been told "it's ADHD" but something doesn't fit, you suspect your child might have both, or you need someone to explain what's happening in your child's brain without medical jargon. Throughout, I want you to remember: diagnosis is a doorway to understanding how your child's brain works so you can support them better.

In this episode, I'm speaking directly to parents with young children ages 2, 3, or 4 who are either beginning to explore autism intervention or are already in it and wondering whether your child is getting what they truly need. I know this can be an overwhelming stage. The decisions feel big, the stakes feel enormous, and everywhere you turn, someone is telling you something different. Do this therapy, don't do that therapy, go to school, avoid school, do 40 hours of ABA, never do 40 hours. Today, I want to help you cut through all the noise.I walk you through why early intervention matters so profoundly (hint: time is brain), how to choose between school-based and center-based programs, why neurotypical peers aren't always the best early match, what individualized whole child intervention really looks like, and how Cortica Jumpstart was designed. This episode is structured as an interview, meaning I ask and answer the top ten questions parents ask me most frequently in the clinic, as if you and I were sitting together in my office. I cover everything from ideal therapy hours and the three pillars of autism care to whether you can decline school programs and how to ensure early social experiences are positive and successful.This episode is for you if you have a young child with autism and are trying to navigate early intervention options, feeling overwhelmed by conflicting advice, wondering whether school or clinic-based therapy is right, or simply need clarity on what your child truly needs during these critical early years when their brain is developing fastest.

In this episode, I'm taking you inside what makes ABA therapy truly effective. Whether your child is already in ABA or you're still deciding what support is right for them, this conversation will change how you think about therapy. I'm joined by Michelle Hascall, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst who leads our ABA team at Cortica. Michelle doesn't just talk about best practices—she openly shares what she used to do wrong in traditional ABA and how learning about the brain transformed her entire approach. Her honesty about walking around with Skittles in her pockets, being taught to "keep the demand," and writing goals that asked children to "tolerate" discomfort is both refreshing and eye-opening.Together, we walk through the ten steps of brain-based ABA. I explain how your child experiences the world through eight senses, not five, and why your child's struggle to "just do it" isn't defiance—it's how their brain processes information. We break down the difference between tantrums and meltdowns (they require completely different responses), why movement and heavy work aren't distractions from learning but essential preparation for it, and why natural reinforcement works better than artificial rewards. Michelle shares the powerful insight that adults already do this—we join running clubs, rock climbing groups, and go to concerts together because movement and shared experiences support social connection. We're simply bringing what already works in the world into our practice with children.This episode is for you if your child is currently in ABA and you want to understand what makes therapy effective, you're choosing between programs and need to know what questions to ask, you've felt uncomfortable with certain practices but weren't sure if your concerns were valid, you're a professional who knows something feels off about traditional approaches, or you need permission to trust your parental instincts. Throughout, we emphasize that you are the expert on your child, and if a professional tells you otherwise, that's a red flag.

In this episode, I'm speaking directly to parents who may be in a tender place right now. Maybe you just received your child's autism diagnosis last week, last month, or you're still processing something you heard months ago. I know you've been on quite a journey, months of appointments, years of wondering, and now you've finally heard it confirmed. I've sat with hundreds of families right after diagnosis, and I can tell you there's no single way to react. Some feel relief at finally having answers. Others feel grief, confusion, or fear. I want you to hear me say this: it is okay to feel all of it. There's no right way to respond.In this episode, I walk you through what comes next, step by step, not in an overwhelming way. I explain what an autism diagnosis actually is (and what it isn't), how to build the right care team, what therapies actually help, why understanding your child's biology matters, and how to take care of yourself. Throughout our conversation, I emphasize that a diagnosis is not an ending, it's a beginning. It's finally getting the roadmap that helps us understand how your child's brain works so we can build support that truly fits who they are.This episode is for you if you've recently received your child's autism diagnosis and are wondering what comes next, feeling overwhelmed by where to start, looking for hope and practical guidance without judgment, or simply need to hear that you're doing a good job and your love matters most.

In this episode, I'm tackling the question that causes so much confusion and anxiety: What about toxins and chemicals in my child's environment? If you're raising a child with autism, this topic can feel overwhelming. You've heard everything is dangerous, but also that you're being paranoid. So what's actually real? And what can you realistically do about it?I'm joined by Meaghan O'Dea Johnson, director of advanced medical practice at Cortica, to give you clear, science-backed answers without the fear-mongering or impossible expectations. We'll cover why words like "toxins" and "detoxification" have gotten a bad reputation but are actually rooted in real biology, why children's developing brains are more vulnerable to certain exposures, which environmental factors actually matter (air quality, water, food, and household products), and practical, manageable strategies you can implement one small step at a time. I'll also explain why the early years matter so much, when your child's brain is forming connections at an incredible pace, and why certain chemicals can interfere with that development.The bottom line: you don't need perfection, you need information. Small, gradual changes in air quality, water filtration, food choices, and household products can make a real difference. The research from experts like Dr. Philip Landrigan and Project TENDR shows that reducing certain exposures supports healthy brain development, but this isn't about blame, guilt, or doing everything at once.Your child's most powerful protective force isn't a perfect environment. It's you: your love, your connection, and your presence every single day. Nothing comes close to that.This episode is for you if you're wondering what environmental factors actually matter, feeling overwhelmed by conflicting information, looking for evidence-based guidance without the fear, or simply ready to make gradual changes that support your family's wellbeing.

In this episode we're tackling the question almost every parent asks me: What about screen time?If you're raising a child with autism, this topic can feel especially charged. You've heard screens are terrible for development, but also that they help children learn. So which is it? And does screen time cause autism?I'm joined by a colleague from our Cortica team in Massachusetts, Dr. Gwen O'Keeffe, MD, JD, to give you clear, science-backed answers without the guilt or judgment. We'll cover whether screens actually cause autism (spoiler: the evidence is inconclusive), why experts are cautious about early screen use, why not all screen time is equal, age-by-age practical guidelines, and special considerations for autistic children—including why some are drawn to screens and when they're helpful versus when they become barriers to connection. I'll also explain why the first few years matter so much, when your child's brain is forming up to a million connections per second, and why interaction beats stimulation every time.The bottom line: screens aren't the problem, it's how they're used that matters. When screen time is balanced, intentional, and shared, it can support learning. When it's passive, isolating, and all-consuming, it can slow progress.Your child learns best not from screens, but from you: your voice, your smile, your presence, and your love.This episode is for you if: You're wondering about screen limits, feeling guilty about screen use, or simply want judgment-free, practical guidance.

If you clicked on this episode because you're worried your child might have autism, I want you to know: you are not alone. That fear, that uncertainty, those late-night questions running through your mind—every parent I've met has been there in some form. This episode is for you.In this episode, I speak with my dear friend and Cortica caregiver, Victoria, and talk about her process getting an early diagnosis for her son Rowan and how it changed his life. We discuss the early signs she noticed that sparked concern, how to go with that gut feeling, how her family found their way to a diagnosis, how to navigate a family member resisting a diagnosis, and much more.After 25 years of walking this journey with thousands of families, I've learned that the time before diagnosis is often the hardest part—not because of what comes after, but because of the waiting, the not knowing, the endless "what ifs." Once parents have clarity, the fear begins to lift. Because now they have a roadmap. This episode is for you if: you are afraid of the stigma that can come with a diagnosis, scared your child will be labeled, worried about how a diagnosis will impact your child's schooling, and struggle with a partner or family member who is resistant to a diagnosis. 

In this episode, I'm breaking down three topics that spark intense debate but deserve clear, science-backed answers: leucovorin therapy for autism, acetaminophen (Tylenol) use during pregnancy, and vaccines.After 25 years in practice and thousands of conversations with parents, I've heard the same questions: "What caused my child's autism?" "Was there something I did?"I'll start with a developmental framework that actually makes sense—comparing your child's development to a growing tree, where genetics are the seed and environment is the soil.Here's what we'll cover in this episode: Leucovorin (Folinic Acid): Why some autistic children can't get folate into their brains, how leucovorin bypasses that blockage, and the real improvements I've seen in language and communication. I'll explain folate receptor autoantibodies, cerebral folate deficiency, and why this prescription therapy isn't just another supplement.Tylenol in Pregnancy: What the largest study of 2.5 million children revealed, why the link to autism disappeared when researchers compared siblings, and how to think about this decision based on evidence, not fear.Vaccines & Autism: The research spanning millions of children, when a personalized vaccine schedule makes medical sense, and how to have the right conversation with your doctor.I'll also address that recent circumcision-autism headline and what early stress biology actually means for development.Most families don't know that autism-specific medical therapies exist or that integrating them with behavioral and developmental treatments changes outcomes. I'm on a mission to change that.This episode is for you if: You're a parent seeking clarity, a professional supporting families, or anyone who wants to understand autism beyond the headlines.

I'm Dr. Suzanne Goh. I'm pediatric neurologist, board-certified behavior analyst, and Chief Medical Officer at Cortica.Magnificent Minds is where science meets heart in conversations about autism and child development. Each episode, I break down the research, answer the questions parents actually ask, and cut through the noise on topics that matter deeply to families—from early signs and diagnosis to medical therapies, environmental factors, and evidence-based treatments.After 25 years in practice and thousands of conversations with families, I've learned that what parents need most is clarity, compassion, and actionable information. Whether you're navigating a new diagnosis, searching for the right therapies, or simply want to understand autism beyond the headlines, this podcast brings you the expertise of our team of 2,000 clinicians at Cortica—and the perspective that every child's mind is magnificent.If you're a parent, educator, therapist, or healthcare provider looking for honest, science-backed conversations about autism and development, you're in the right place. I'm so excited to be on this journey with you.