The Autism Roundtable

Developmental Pediatrician Explains Autism & What Comes Next with Dr. Nallapati

What if the biggest shift in your child’s future starts with one decision you’ve been putting off? In this episode, we dive into the emotional, medical, and deeply human side of navigating neurodivergence—and what parents often get wrong (and right) along the way. In this episode of The Autism Roundtable, host Leah Gross sits down with Dr. Nallapati, a developmental pediatrician and founder of Turtle Pediatrics, to unpack the realities of diagnosing and supporting neurodivergent children. From her unconventional path into pediatrics to her innovative telehealth model, Dr. Nallapati shares how meeting families in their own environment can transform care. The conversation explores the critical importance of early intervention, while also emphasizing that it’s never “too late” to get answers. They tackle parental guilt, misinformation around autism causes, and the complexities of ADHD treatment—including the nuanced approach required for children with both autism and ADHD (AuDHD). Above all, this episode reframes diagnosis not as a label—but as a roadmap toward clarity, support, and growth. About The Guest: Dr. Nallapati is a developmental pediatrician with over 15 years of training and experience working with children across multiple clinical settings. She is the founder of Turtle Pediatrics, a telemedicine-based practice designed to evaluate and support children in their natural home environment. Her work focuses on autism, ADHD, and developmental delays, with a strong emphasis on empowering families and providing individualized care. Time Stamps: 00:00 Journey into Pediatrics and Developmental Care 03:50 The Power of Resilience in Children 07:19 Founding Turtle Pediatrics & Telehealth Model 11:37 When to Seek a Diagnosis 15:41 Why Early Intervention Matters 24:28 Parental Guilt and the Blame Cycle 30:55 Late Diagnoses and Relief in Understanding 37:13 Autism, Research, and Misinformation 46:49 Understanding ADHD and Diagnosis 52:07 Medication vs. Therapy Debate 54:50 What is AuDHD? Ready to better understand your child and take the next step with confidence? Tune in to the full episode for valuable insights.

Seeing the Child, Not the Diagnosis with Jenn Bailey

What does it look like when a parent stops fighting the diagnosis and starts seeing the child more clearly? In this episode of The Autism Roundtable, Leah Gross speaks with children’s author Jenn Bailey about parenting, perspective shifts, sensory overload, inclusion, and how stories can help children better understand themselves and each other. Leah Gross welcomes author Jenn Bailey for a thoughtful conversation about autism, parenting, and the power of literature to foster empathy. Jenn shares her family’s experience navigating her child’s diagnosis, the supports that made a difference, and the mindset changes that helped her parent with more understanding. She explains how that journey inspired her to create books centered around Henry, a child whose perspective opens a window into the inner world of kids who may experience friendship, school, and sensory input differently. Together, Leah and Jenn explore inclusion, introversion, regulation, curiosity, and the importance of seeing each child as a whole person. About The Guest: Jenn Bailey is a children’s author and mother of three whose work has brought meaningful representation of autism into children’s literature. Inspired by her own family’s journey, she wrote A Friend for Henry, which went on to receive recognition from the American Library Association’s Schneider Family Book Award. She has since expanded Henry’s story into an early reader series designed to support both autistic and neurotypical children through thoughtful, accessible storytelling. Time Stamps: 00:00 Jenn’s Personal Journey into Autism 02:30 The Diagnosis & What Changed 04:15 Parenting Shift: Seeing the Child Differently 06:10 Emotional Overload & The “Cup” Analogy 10:15 Where Frustration Turns Into Understanding 18:20 Helping Neurotypical Kids Build Empathy 22:00 Supporting Regulation & Emotional Needs 24:00 Jenn’s Message to Parents Ready to better understand the inner world of autistic children and the power of empathy-centered parenting? Tune in to the full episode for valuable insights.

Navigating the medical arena with Zahava Ginsburg

What can make a hospital visit less overwhelming for an autistic or neurodiverse child, and how can parents walk in better prepared? In this episode, Zahava Ginsburg shares how child life specialists help children and families navigate medical settings with more calm, dignity, and support. Zahava explains the unique role of child life specialists in helping children and families cope with medical experiences, especially in hospital environments that can feel overwhelming for autistic and neurodiverse patients. She shares how preparation, sensory awareness, and simple supports like fidgets, headphones, and clear planning can make a major difference. The conversation also explores support around bloodwork, surgery, grief, sibling needs, and the importance of helping families advocate for what their child needs before a medical visit ever begins. About The Guest: Zahava Ginsburg is a child life specialist in Livingston, New Jersey, and the founder of Heart of Gold, a private practice that supports children and families through medical preparation, anxiety, sibling support, and coping strategies for challenging healthcare experiences. Time Stamps: 00:00 Sensory Hospital Support 03:55 Common Hospital Visits 05:21 Plan Ahead and Advocate 08:12 Burn Unit Realities 11:02 Burn Safety at Home 16:09 Playroom and Safe Spaces 20:42 Grief and Bereavement 24:37 Saying Goodbye Options 27:48 Hospital Resources Checklist 28:16 Coping Plan Grab Bag 33:49 Using Sedation Smartly 35:14 Supporting Siblings Too 44:11 Virtual Sessions Ready to help your child feel more supported during medical visits? Tune in to the full episode for practical insights, encouragement, and tools that can make a real difference for your family.

How parents can advocate for their children with Erica Viel

What if one of the most powerful ways to help your child in school has less to do with pushing harder and more to do with communicating smarter? In this episode, Leah Gross speaks with Erica Viel about advocacy, school collaboration, dyslexia, and how parents can become confident, effective partners in their child’s educational journey. Discussion Points: 1. Erica Viel’s personal and professional journey in special education and autism support 2. What makes a teacher truly impactful for children who struggle 3. How parents can advocate effectively without creating tension 4. The purpose of IEP meetings, 504 accommodations, and school-based collaboration 5. How Erica’s own experience with dyslexia shaped her approach to advocacy and education Leah Gross sits down with Erica Viel, educator, advocate, and founder of Viel Advocacy and Consulting, for a practical and encouraging conversation about supporting children in school. Erica shares her background as a special education teacher, her work with students across a wide range of settings, and the personal experiences that led her to launch her own advocacy and consulting business. Together, they discuss how parents can build strong, collaborative relationships with teachers and therapists, why communication between home and school is essential, and how families can better prepare for meetings and decisions around services and supports. Erica also opens up about her own dyslexia diagnosis, the interventions that helped her succeed, and how that experience gave her empathy for students and families navigating learning differences today. About The Guest: Erica Viel is an educational advocate, consultant, and former special education teacher with extensive experience supporting students with autism and other learning needs. She is the founder of Viel Advocacy and Consulting, where she helps families navigate IEPs, 504s, school meetings, observations, parent coaching, executive functioning support, and more. Her personal experience with dyslexia also gives her a unique and deeply empathetic lens in the work she does. Time Stamps: 00:00 What inspired Erica to open her own advocacy and consulting business 06:15 What makes a teacher impactful for struggling students 09:20 How parents can communicate effectively with teachers 13:05 When parents should reach out and how often 16:10 Communication notebooks, digital logs, and practical systems that work 19:00 What an educational advocate does and when families may need one 33:00 What these meetings are meant to accomplish 39:10 Why collaboration across disciplines matters 44:00 Advice for parents on tone, mindset, and communication 01:01:15 Why children should be included in the process Ready to become a stronger advocate for your child in the school system? Tune in to the full episode for valuable insights.

Autism to Independence with Laura McKenna

What happens after early intervention ends? In this hopeful and practical conversation, Laura McKenna shares her journey from autism diagnosis to college acceptance, offering parents a powerful roadmap for raising confident, capable young adults on the spectrum. Key Questions Explored in the Episode: 1. How can an autism diagnosis become a tool rather than just an emotional milestone? 2. What should parents focus on during the early years that impacts long-term independence? 3. What changes during the teenage years, and why do supports need to shift? 4. What are transition programs and how do families access them? 5. What resources exist for young adults over 18, including SSI and state support programs? 6. How can parents plan earlier for independence and adulthood? Laura McKenna shares her 18-year journey as an autism mom, beginning with her son’s diagnosis at age five and progressing through adolescence, transition programming, and ultimately college. She emphasizes that while the diagnosis can be emotionally overwhelming, it opens doors to meaningful services and understanding. The conversation highlights the importance of early intervention, consistency, compassion, and long-term planning. Laura discusses how teenage years bring new challenges, particularly anxiety and social expectations, requiring renewed therapeutic support. She explains transition programs available through public education until age 21, the process of gradually introducing college expectations, and the importance of functional life skills. Laura also sheds light on critical but often overlooked resources like Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and state disability services, encouraging all eligible families to explore them. The episode concludes with hope: with baby steps, education, and sustained support, meaningful independence is possible. Laura McKenna is an autism mom, former college professor, writer, consultant, and parent support specialist at the COPE Center for Autism. After navigating her own son’s autism journey, she now supports families through diagnosis, IEP guidance, transition planning, and government benefit applications. Her work focuses on empowering parents with knowledge and practical tools for every stage of development. Key Takeaways: 1. An autism diagnosis, while emotional, is a powerful gateway to services and understanding. 2. Early intervention builds a foundation, but support must evolve during adolescence. 3. Transition programs (18–21) can provide critical life and vocational skill development. 4. SSI and state disability services can offer long-term financial and structural support. 5. Independence happens in baby steps—and consistent effort pays off over time. Time Stamps: 1. 00:02 Early Intervention Reflections and Lessons Learned 2. 09:17 Navigating the Teenage Years 3. 14:50 Transition Programs (18–21) Explained 4. 17:18 Gradually Entering College 5. 18:25 Specialized Colleges for Neurodivergent Students 6. 28:20 SSI and State Disability Supports 7. 34:29 Gaps in Services for Adults Over 21 8. 41:40 Final Message of Hope Ready to think long-term about your child’s independence? Tune in to the full episode for practical strategies, real-life insight, and hopeful guidance for every stage of the autism journey.