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

In this episode, I'm taking you inside one of the most important shifts happening in autism science right now: subtyping. I walk you through the latest research on why autism is best understood as many different conditions under one umbrella, not a single biology with a single path. We look at a landmark 2025 study from Princeton, published in Nature Genetics, that identified four distinct subtypes of autism across more than 5,000 children, each with shared behavioral profiles and shared genetics. I also cover biological subtypes including mitochondrial dysfunction (which my team at Columbia was the first to identify directly in the brain) and maternal autoantibody-related autism (MAR autism), an immune-driven subtype studied extensively by Dr. Judy Van de Water at UC Davis.This episode is for you if: you've been told your child "has autism" but no one has helped you understand what kind, your child's profile doesn't seem to match other autistic children you've met and you want to know why, you want to understand the genetics and biology behind your child's development, or you're looking for a science-backed framework that goes beyond one-size-fits-all treatment.Throughout, I want you to remember: understanding your child's biology is not about finding something wrong. Every child, with autism or without, is their own unique subtype, and the journey we are on is to understand them more deeply so we can support their unique path to thriving.

In this episode, I'm putting a powerful tool directly into your hands: the Early Autism Awareness Questionnaire for Parents of Infants and Toddlers. This is something I created, and I believe it has the potential to truly change a child's life.I walk you through all 25 questions, section by section, and explain the science behind each one in plain language. We cover family and genetic background, pregnancy and birth history, early health and medical history, developmental milestones, and caregiver concerns, because all of these pieces together can paint an important picture of a child's likelihood of autism.This questionnaire is not a diagnostic test, and no single answer points to a diagnosis. But here's what the research makes clear: we are still not identifying autism early enough, even though we can detect meaningful signs as early as 12 to 15 months. Those early years matter more than almost anything else, because the brain is changing and growing at a rate that will never happen again.This episode is for you if you have a gut feeling something is different about your child's development, you want a structured way to think through early risk factors before your next pediatrician visit, someone in your family has autism or other neurodevelopmental differences, or you simply want to move from worry and uncertainty to clarity and informed action.Early autism awareness is not about fear or worst-case scenarios. Awareness is what replaces fear with clarity, and clarity is what leads to action, and action is what changes outcomes. Trust your instincts, get informed, and remember: the earlier the support, the greater the difference it can make.

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 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 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.

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.

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.