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

Suzanne Goh
  • 4.8 (12)
  • PARENTING
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

I'm Dr. Suzanne Goh—pediatric neurologist and Chief Medical Officer at Cortica. Magnificent Minds brings science, heart, and clarity to conversations about autism and child development. Each episode, I break down the research and answer the questions parents actually ask—from early signs and diagnosis to medical therapies and evidence-based treatments. If you're looking for honest, compassionate, science-backed guidance, you're in the right place.

  1. APR 13

    Autism Is Not One Thing: Subtypes and How to Determine Your Child's Subtype

    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.

    20 min

  2. MAR 30

    Preparing Your Autistic Child for Adulthood with Dr. Haley Masterson and Meaghan O'Dea Johnson

    In this episode, I'm exploring a question that weighs on so many parents: What will the future look like for my autistic child? Whether your child is a toddler, in elementary school, or already a teenager, the thought of adulthood can feel overwhelming. You may wonder when to start planning, what skills to focus on, and how to prepare without letting anxiety take the wheel. I'm joined by two wonderful colleagues from my team at Cortica: Meaghan O'Dea Johnson, pediatric nurse practitioner and dietitian, and Dr. Haley Masterson, pediatric neurologist, both of whom work closely with children, adolescents, and families navigating this very transition. Together, we'll cover why the skills that support independence in adulthood begin developing in childhood and why it's never too early to start building them, how to break big goals into small, attainable steps instead of approaching adulthood like a cliff, the powerful role of extracurriculars like Special Olympics and barrier-free theater in building community, friendships, and purpose, why development doesn't stop at 18 (or any age) and how motivation, interests, and new environments continue to unlock growth, how to approach topics like dating, consent, and relationships with directness and respect from an early age, and the systemic changes we need in employment, education, healthcare, and public perception to better support autistic adults. The bottom line: adulthood is not a cliff. It's a gradual, ongoing process that families can prepare for one small step at a time. With the right supports and intentional scaffolding, autistic individuals continue to learn, grow, and surprise us well into adulthood. As Dr. Masterson shares through her own brother's story, new skills and meaningful experiences can emerge at any stage of life. And perhaps the most important takeaway: keep your expectations high, and simply adjust your understanding of what supports may be needed to get there. A positive mindset isn't just comforting; it's evidence-based. If you're struggling to see the progress, talk to your child's provider and borrow a little of their optimism. This episode is for you if you're wondering when to start thinking about your child's transition to adulthood, feeling anxious about what independence will look like for your family, looking for practical strategies to build daily living skills at any age, wanting guidance on navigating legal transitions, higher education, or relationships, or simply ready to hear that with the right supports, autistic individuals can build extraordinary lives filled with purpose, connection, and joy.

    27 min

  3. MAR 9

    The Early Autism Awareness Questionnaire for Parents of Infants and Toddlers

    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.

    18 min

  4. FEB 23

    Are Inflammation and Autism Connected?

    In this episode, I'm taking you inside one of the most important and often overlooked pieces of the autism puzzle: inflammation. I walk you through the brain science behind why the immune system matters so much for development (the brain has its own immune cells called microglia that literally sculpt the neural pathways behind language, memory, and behavior), and more importantly, what that means for your child right now. We break down what inflammation actually is, how it can become chronic or misdirected, and how conditions like gut issues, allergies, and disrupted sleep can quietly drive neuroinflammation. I also share a real case study of a child named Mateo, whose learning, regulation, and sleep all shifted once his immune health was finally addressed. This episode is for you if: you've heard the word "inflammation" thrown around but no one has explained what it actually means, your child struggles with sleep, digestion, or sensory overwhelm and you're not sure why, you want to understand the biology behind your child's behavior, or you're looking for a science-backed framework that goes beyond behavior alone. Throughout, I want you to remember: understanding your child's biology is not about finding something wrong. It's about seeing your child more completely so you can support them more powerfully.

    26 min

  5. FEB 9

    ADHD vs Autism: How to Tell the Difference

    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.

    26 min

  6. JAN 26

    The 10 Most Asked Questions About Early Intervention for Autism

    In this episode, I'm speaking directly to parents with young children ages 2, 3, or 4 who are either beginning to explore autism intervention or are already in it and wondering whether your child is getting what they truly need. I know this can be an overwhelming stage. The decisions feel big, the stakes feel enormous, and everywhere you turn, someone is telling you something different. Do this therapy, don't do that therapy, go to school, avoid school, do 40 hours of ABA, never do 40 hours. Today, I want to help you cut through all the noise. I walk you through why early intervention matters so profoundly (hint: time is brain), how to choose between school-based and center-based programs, why neurotypical peers aren't always the best early match, what individualized whole child intervention really looks like, and how Cortica Jumpstart was designed. This episode is structured as an interview, meaning I ask and answer the top ten questions parents ask me most frequently in the clinic, as if you and I were sitting together in my office. I cover everything from ideal therapy hours and the three pillars of autism care to whether you can decline school programs and how to ensure early social experiences are positive and successful. This episode is for you if you have a young child with autism and are trying to navigate early intervention options, feeling overwhelmed by conflicting advice, wondering whether school or clinic-based therapy is right, or simply need clarity on what your child truly needs during these critical early years when their brain is developing fastest.

    21 min

  7. JAN 12

    10 Things to Look for in an ABA Program with Michelle Hascall, MA, BCBA, LBA

    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.

    1h 8m

  8. 12/29/2025

    This is What to Do After Your Child is Diagnosed with Autism

    In this episode, I'm speaking directly to parents who may be in a tender place right now. Maybe you just received your child's autism diagnosis last week, last month, or you're still processing something you heard months ago. I know you've been on quite a journey, months of appointments, years of wondering, and now you've finally heard it confirmed. I've sat with hundreds of families right after diagnosis, and I can tell you there's no single way to react. Some feel relief at finally having answers. Others feel grief, confusion, or fear. I want you to hear me say this: it is okay to feel all of it. There's no right way to respond. In this episode, I walk you through what comes next, step by step, not in an overwhelming way. I explain what an autism diagnosis actually is (and what it isn't), how to build the right care team, what therapies actually help, why understanding your child's biology matters, and how to take care of yourself. Throughout our conversation, I emphasize that a diagnosis is not an ending, it's a beginning. It's finally getting the roadmap that helps us understand how your child's brain works so we can build support that truly fits who they are. This episode is for you if you've recently received your child's autism diagnosis and are wondering what comes next, feeling overwhelmed by where to start, looking for hope and practical guidance without judgment, or simply need to hear that you're doing a good job and your love matters most.

    38 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.8
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

I'm Dr. Suzanne Goh—pediatric neurologist and Chief Medical Officer at Cortica. Magnificent Minds brings science, heart, and clarity to conversations about autism and child development. Each episode, I break down the research and answer the questions parents actually ask—from early signs and diagnosis to medical therapies and evidence-based treatments. If you're looking for honest, compassionate, science-backed guidance, you're in the right place.

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