211 | does my child need supplements? how to support nutrition in autistic kids with Brittyn Coleman
EVOLVE with Dr. Tay: the podcast for parents of autistic kidsShow Notes
about this episode (+ scroll for resources) 👇 if your child is a selective eater… you’ve probably wondered: are they getting the nutrients they actually need? and if not, what are you supposed to do about it? in this episode, Dr. Tay welcomes back registered dietitian Brittyn Coleman to break down one of the most common (and confusing) questions parents have: when to consider supplements, what actually matters nutritionally, and how to make informed decisions without getting lost in the noise. because while selective eating is common in autistic kids, we can't ignore the impact it has on their body, regulation, and overall well-being. this conversation will help you understand when to trust your gut, what to look for, and how to approach supplementation in a way that actually supports your child... without overwhelm. ✨ ORDER BEST PART HERE (USE CODE "DRTAY" FOR 10% OFF YOUR FIRST ORDER) ✨ in this episode, you’ll hear: why selective eating is so common in autistic children and how sensory sensitivities play a role how limited diets can lead to nutrient gaps, even when kids are growing “normally” a key marker (the “20 food rule”) to help you decide when to seek additional support how nutrient deficiencies can impact regulation, energy, and overall functioning when supplementation might be helpful and how it fits alongside feeding therapy why bloodwork can be helpful (but shouldn’t be a barrier to getting started) what to actually look for in a high-quality multivitamin why bioavailable nutrients and chelated minerals matter for absorption common pitfalls in supplements (including misleading marketing + hidden ingredients) how to build trust with your child when introducing supplements what makes a supplement safe, effective, and worth considering
timestamps 00:00 understanding nutritional concerns for autistic children 05:51 identifying when to seek help 10:50 the role of supplements in nutrition 14:51 navigating nutritional testing and its challenges 17:02 choosing the right supplements for your child 24:52 navigating supplement labels 28:18 understanding nutrient absorption 31:39 building trust in supplementation 34:13 the importance of third-party testing 36:46 the development of Best Part 41:54 empowering parents in nutrition resources from today's episode ⚡️ Use code "DRTAY" to get 10% off of Best Part | sensory-friendly vitamins for kids >> order here. ⚡️ follow Brittyn on Instagram @autismdietitian and Best Part @bestpartkids ⚡️ interested in Brittyn's picky eating membership? learn more here
keep learning from Dr. Tay ⚡️join EVOLVE the membership and submit your questions for Dr. Tay to answer ⚡️learn more about Dr. Tay’s whole family approach + clinical services ⚡️ follow on >> instagram → @the.dr.tay tiktok → @the.dr.tay
More from EVOLVE with Dr. Tay: the podcast for parents of autistic kids
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about this episode (+ scroll for resources) 👇 this episode kicks off a three-part series on autistic burnout. dr. tay shares what she sees clinically when autistic kids are in burnout, why it can be so confusing for parents, and why traditional approaches to depression, behavior, or school refusal may not fully capture what is happening. this is a primer episode to help you understand what autistic burnout can look like, what makes it different, and why recovery often requires time, nervous system repair, reduced demands, and support for the whole family.
about this episode (+ scroll for resources) 👇 if your child is melting down, resisting, avoiding, running, crashing, or seeming impossible to support, sensory may be part of the story. in this episode, dr. tay welcomes laura petix, occupational therapist and author of The Sensory Code, back to the podcast to talk about sensory regulation, sensory profiles, meltdowns, and how parents can start building sensory support into daily life in a way that actually fits their child.
about this episode (+ scroll for resources) 👇 this episode is for the moms who feel like some weeks they can do it all… and other weeks everything feels harder. dr. tay shares a vulnerable, real-time reflection from the depths of her luteal phase and explains why cycle tracking can be such a powerful tool for understanding mood, energy, capacity, productivity, and parenting. because your hormonal health is not separate from your autism parenting journey. your body, your nervous system, your capacity, and your regulation are all part of the ecosystem your child is living in. you’ll hear about: why the luteal phase can impact mood, energy, and capacity how cycle tracking can help reduce shame and increase self-understanding the connection between hormones, mental health, and neurodivergence why parenting often requires so much “output” energy how to adjust expectations, support, and routines around your cycle why your capacity matters in the whole-family support picture