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

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...

Duration: 00:50:53

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...

Duration: 00:43:07

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 fe...

Duration: 01:43:13

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: 

Leu...

Duration: 00:29:40

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 ne...

Duration: 00:09:23