
232 | your cycle might be impacting your parenting more than you realize
EVOLVE with Dr. Tay: the podcast for parents of autistic kidsShow Notes
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
timestamps 00:00 why dr. tay is talking about her luteal phase on an autism podcast 04:16 what the luteal phase is and why cycle tracking matters 08:15 tracking mood and energy, and medication adjustments 16:46 what happens hormonally before your period 23:25 why the luteal phase is harder for some people 27:32 how this connects to parenting and capacity 31:32 adjusting expectations, support, and routines around your cycle 36:36 why this belongs in the autism parenting conversation 38:28 EVOLVE support and closing reflections resources ⚡️ EVOLVE the membership — ongoing education, monthly masterclasses, and weekly Q+A support for parents of autistic kids ⚡️ explore dr. tay’s clinical services, parent resources, and support at drtaylorday.com ⚡️ follow dr. tay on instagram @the.dr.tay for practical autism education, behind-the-scenes reflections, 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.
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about this episode (+ scroll for resources) 👇 what does it mean for a child to be twice exceptional, or 2e? in this episode, dr. tay is joined by dr. megan helmen, a pediatric neuropsychologist and founder of Developmental Discoveries, to talk about 2e profiles, giftedness, autism, and why these kids are so often misunderstood. dr. megan explains how giftedness is not just “being smart,” but can involve a different way of thinking, processing, feeling, and moving through the world. when giftedness overlaps with autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, or other developmental differences, children may have areas of incredible strength alongside areas where they need significant support. this conversation explores why 2e autistic children may be missed, how they use strengths to compensate, why school performance does not always tell the full story, and how parents can better understand and support their child’s unique brain. in this episode, you'll hear: what 2e, or twice exceptional, means how giftedness and autism can overlap why 2e autistic children are often missed or misunderstood how high intelligence can mask support needs why overall IQ scores may not capture the full picture what “subtle but significant autism” can look like how 2e kids may use compensation strategies in social situations why hard things may feel easy and “easy” things may feel hard the importance of including children in the feedback and diagnostic process how to support 2e kids through strengths, accommodations, interests, and belonging why parents of 2e children deserve compassion and grace