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

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.