154 | sex education for autistic youth with Dr. Michelle Fardella
02/12/25 ā¢ 42 min
ABOUT THIS EPISODE (+ scroll for resources) š
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
ā”ļø find resources for talking about these topics on Dr. Michelleās blog >> https://www.wondertreepractice.ca/post/a-caregiver-s-guide-to-teaching-sex-education-to-neurodivergent-youth
ā”ļøfollow WonderTree Practice on Instagram and learn more about their services here if youāre in Ontario
ā”ļø want to learn more about Dr. Tay's Whole Family Approach and current services offered? visit drtaylorday.com
ā”ļø join the Evolve Facebook community to participate in the episode Q+As >> facebook.com/groups/evolveautism
ā”ļø learn from me and submit your questions [could be featured on a future episode] >>
ABOUT THIS EPISODE (+ scroll for resources) š
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
ā”ļø find resources for talking about these topics on Dr. Michelleās blog >> https://www.wondertreepractice.ca/post/a-caregiver-s-guide-to-teaching-sex-education-to-neurodivergent-youth
ā”ļøfollow WonderTree Practice on Instagram and learn more about their services here if youāre in Ontario
ā”ļø want to learn more about Dr. Tay's Whole Family Approach and current services offered? visit drtaylorday.com
ā”ļø join the Evolve Facebook community to participate in the episode Q+As >> facebook.com/groups/evolveautism
ā”ļø learn from me and submit your questions [could be featured on a future episode] >>
Previous Episode
153 | a new era of pediatric care with Dr. Mona Amin @pedsdoctalk
ABOUT THIS EPISODE (+ scroll for resources) š
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
ā”ļø continue learning and connecting with Dr. Mona @pedsdoctalk on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, podcast, and her website.
ā”ļø watch Dr. Mona and Andi Putt @mrsspeechiep's YouTube video on autism characteristics and signs here.
ā”ļø want to learn more about Dr. Tay's Whole Family Approach and current services offered? visit drtaylorday.com
ā”ļø join the Evolve Facebook community to participate in the episode Q+As >> facebook.com/groups/evolveautism
ā”ļø learn from me and submit your questions [could be featured on a future episode] >>
Next Episode
155 | autism, ARFID, and parental advocacy with Mercedes Palermo @autismoutloud
ABOUT THIS EPISODE (+ scroll for resources) š
Dr. Tay welcomes Mercedes Palermo to discuss her experiences as a parent of an autistic daughter diagnosed with ARFID. Mercedes shares her journey, from the initial diagnosis to managing daily challenges, while highlighting her advocacy efforts in spreading awareness. The episode covers key issues like understanding avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), balancing the needs of siblings, and creating supportive environments. Mercedes also talks about her initiatives, including a nonprofit providing recreational programs for individuals with disabilities, emphasizing the importance of community support and neurodiversity.
00:00 Introduction and Guest Announcement
00:28 Meet Mercedes Palermo
01:18 Dr. Tay's Background and Podcast Purpose
02:28 Mercedes' Family and Autism Journey
04:08 Diagnosis Process and Early Signs
06:59 Challenges and Advocacy
10:14 Understanding ARFID
12:50 Navigating ARFID and Family Dynamics
30:35 Community Building and Support
36:13 Final Thoughts and Resources
37:26 Closing Remarks and Next Steps
RESOURCES
ā”ļø Follow Mercedes on Instagram @autismoutloud
ā”ļø want to learn more about Dr. Tay's Whole Family Approach and current services offered? visit drtaylorday.com
ā”ļø join the Evolve Facebook community to participate in the episode Q+As >> facebook.com/groups/evolveautism
ā”ļø learn from me and submit your questions [could be featured on a future episode] >>
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