223 | why getting started is the hardest part
EVOLVE with Dr. Tay: the podcast for parents of autistic kidsShow Notes
about this episode (+ scroll for resources) 👇 if you've ever found yourself researching, planning, making lists... but still feeling stuck, this episode is for you. whether it's making changes to screen time, starting therapy, sending the email you've been avoiding, or finally taking the first step toward a recommendation, the hardest part of behavior change is almost always getting started. in this episode, dr. tay shares a theme that unexpectedly emerged during a group therapy session: thinking isn't action. she explores why overthinking often keeps parents stuck, how to create momentum through small, meaningful steps, and why progress doesn't require the perfect plan... it simply requires getting started.
in this episode, you'll hear: why getting started is often the hardest part of behavior change how overthinking and over-researching can keep parents stuck practical ways to decide what first step to take the difference between researching and creating real change how to build momentum through small, intentional actions examples of applying this mindset to screen time, therapy, school, and everyday parenting decisions
timestamps 0:00 the hardest part is getting started 1:34 overthinking vs. action 2:37 example with overthinking screen time and over-accommodation 7:22 three strategies for getting unstuck and creating momentum 12:52 over-researching as a form of self-sabotage 16:19 call-to-action to do one thing NOW! resources ⚡️ listen to the screentime masterclass by joining EVOLVE the membership ⚡️ explore dr. tay's clinical services and other resources at drtaylorday.com ⚡️ follow dr. tay on instagram @the.dr.tay for practical autism education and parenting insights
More from EVOLVE with Dr. Tay: the podcast for parents of autistic kids
about this episode (+ scroll for resources) 👇 this episode wraps up our three-part series on autistic burnout. dr. tay is joined by amanda diekman, author of The Parent's Handbook for Kids in Burnout, to talk about what burnout recovery can actually look like over time and why healing is rarely linear. amanda breaks down the phases of burnout, how support needs change across each phase, what “deep rest” can look like for kids, and why parents may need to continually recalibrate between accommodation, capacity-building, safety, and trust.
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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