Dr. Suzanne Goh

Dr. Suzanne Goh Dr. Suzanne Goh is a board-certified pediatric behavioral neurologist, a neuroscience researcher, and author.

She has dedicated her career to researching and developing therapies for neurological conditions that impact childhood brain development.

06/26/2026

Comment "ABA" and I'll send you the links to Episode 17!

In this clip from Episode 17 of Magnificent Minds, I discuss a 2026 study examining outcomes for children receiving care through Cortica’s medically integrated, whole-child model. Researchers found significantly greater gains in communication, daily living skills, socialization, and overall development compared to a national sample of autistic children.

One of the most important findings? The difference wasn't more ABA hours. It was a more integrated model of care.

Rather than asking, "How do I get my child the most ABA?" a better question may be, "How do I get my child the best care?" For many children, lasting progress comes when ABA is part of a coordinated, interdisciplinary care program tailored to their unique needs.

The full episode of Magnificent Minds is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. Comment “ABA” and I’ll send you the links to the episode!

06/23/2026

Comment “ABA” and I’ll send you the links to the new episode!

In this clip from Episode 17 of Magnificent Minds, I discuss one of the most common misconceptions in autism care: that more ABA hours always lead to better outcomes.

While research has shown that intensive ABA can benefit some children, that does not mean every autistic child needs 30–40 hours per week. The science supports individualized care, with therapy recommendations based on each child’s unique strengths, challenges, and goals.

When evaluating providers, it’s important to ask whether recommendations are being driven by your child’s needs and the clinical evidence.

The full episode of Magnificent Minds is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. Comment “ABA” and I’ll send you the links to the episode!

For decades, autism was thought to be more common in boys. A new study just upended that idea.Published in The BMJ in Fe...
06/18/2026

For decades, autism was thought to be more common in boys. A new study just upended that idea.

Published in The BMJ in February 2026, researchers tracked nearly every person born in Sweden from 1985 to 2020. What they found: before age 10, boys were diagnosed 3x more often than girls. But by adulthood, the gap had nearly closed.

Girls were diagnosed roughly 5 years later.

This matters because the diagnostic system was built around how autism presents in boys. Girls who don't fit that picture have been missed, dismissed, or misdiagnosed with anxiety, depression, or eating disorders first. And late diagnosis is associated with worse mental health outcomes.

What often gets overlooked: strong masking and copying of peers, intense interests in topics that look "typical," internalized distress rather than outward behavior, and friendships that look fine on the surface but require enormous effort.

"She has friends." "She makes eye contact." "She's doing well academically." None of these rule out autism.

If you've ever wondered about your daughter, your sister, or yourself, the data are now on your side. Ask for a referral to someone who specializes in autism in girls and women. Adult diagnosis is valid and increasingly common.

06/17/2026

Comment “SENSORY” and I’ll send you the links to Episode 16!

In this clip from Episode 16 of Magnificent Minds, I’m joined by Christine Adintori, occupational therapist and Senior Manager of Clinical Excellence at Cortica, to walk through what the science says about how autistic children take in and make sense of the world.

Feeding is one of the most sensory-rich experiences we have. Taste, smell, texture, appearance, and even the complex motor skills required for chewing and swallowing all play a role in how a child experiences food.

That’s why feeding therapy for autistic children looks beyond picky eating. It considers each child’s unique sensory profile, preferences, and challenges to help them safely expand their diet, participate in mealtimes, and build a healthy relationship with food. When we understand feeding through a sensory lens, we can better support children and families with compassion and confidence.

The full episode of Magnificent Minds is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. Comment “SENSORY” and I’ll send you the links to the episode!

Probiotics are one of the most commonly asked-about supplements in our clinics, and for good reason.The gut-brain connec...
06/16/2026

Probiotics are one of the most commonly asked-about supplements in our clinics, and for good reason.

The gut-brain connection plays a meaningful role in many autistic children's health. Probiotics may help support digestive health, regulate inflammation, ease constipation and diarrhea, support immune function, and improve nutrient absorption.

Signs that your child's gut may need support include constipation, bloating, gas, food sensitivities, frequent infections, skin flare-ups, sleep disturbances, and increased irritability.

Key strains to look for: Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Streptococcus.

Food sources include yogurt with live active cultures, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, miso, tempeh, and kombucha.

06/15/2026

Comment “SENSORY” and I’ll send you the links to Episode 16!

In this clip from Episode 16 of Magnificent Minds, I’m joined by Christine Adintori, occupational therapist and Senior Manager of Clinical Excellence at Cortica, to discuss how sensory processing differences can sometimes be mistaken for behavior problems.
A tantrum and a sensory-driven meltdown may look similar on the surface, but they have very different root causes. While tantrums are often tied to wanting something specific, meltdowns can be the result of sensory overload. Understanding the difference can change how we support a child in the moment.

When we look beyond the behavior and consider what a child may be experiencing sensory-wise, we can respond more effectively and compassionately.

The full episode of Magnificent Minds is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. Comment “SENSORY” and I’ll send you the links to the episode!

Is your child giving one-word answers when you ask them a question?Most of us talk to our kids in questions and demands:...
06/12/2026

Is your child giving one-word answers when you ask them a question?

Most of us talk to our kids in questions and demands: "What color is that?" "Say ball." "Where's the dog?" When interactions start to feel like tests, kids often go quiet.

There's a simple change that makes a world of difference: declarative language.

Instead of pulling language out, you share, notice, and wonder out loud. There's no pressure to respond, but you're still inviting communication.

Try this:
Instead of "Say more" → "Looks like you want more crackers."
Instead of "What is this?" → "Wow, that tower is so tall."

The 9-to-1 Challenge: Pick one short routine (bath time, car ride, snack time). For 5 minutes, aim for 9 comments to every 1 question or demand.

You might be surprised how much more your child opens up when the pressure is off.

06/10/2026

Comment “SENSORY” and I’ll send you the links to the new episode!

In this clip from Episode 16 of Magnificent Minds, I’m joined by Christine Adintori, occupational therapist and Senior Manager of Clinical Excellence at Cortica, to discuss what the science says about how autistic children take in and make sense of the world.

Sensory processing differences are among the earliest features of autism we can observe, sometimes as early as 6 to 10 months of age. Beyond the five familiar senses, we explore proprioception (body awareness), the vestibular system (balance and movement), and interoception (internal body signals like hunger and thirst).

These sensory systems play a powerful role in how children experience their bodies, their environments, and daily life.

The full episode of Magnificent Minds is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. Comment “SENSORY” and I’ll send you the links to the episode!

"Will AAC hold my child back from talking?"This is a common fear from parents and caregivers. And I understand it. The w...
06/10/2026

"Will AAC hold my child back from talking?"

This is a common fear from parents and caregivers. And I understand it. The worry that a device will replace the desire to speak is real and deeply felt.

But here's what the research tells us: AAC does not impede speech. In many children, it actually increases spoken language.

A 2024 systematic review of 29 studies and 517 autistic children found that language outcomes for children in interventions WITH AAC were larger than for those without it. And a landmark randomized trial showed that when AAC was introduced from the start of intervention, language outcomes were significantly better than when it was held in reserve.

The takeaway: earlier is better. Don't wait for speech to stall before trying AAC.

Without a way to communicate, children with minimal speech can't fully participate in language-learning interactions. AAC gives them a way in.

Good AAC means adults modeling it (not just kids using it), vocabulary that grows with the child, using it for commenting and sharing (not just requesting), keeping it always available, and matching it to the child's strengths.

For more, listen to Episode 15 of the Magnificent Minds Podcast: "Autism and Language: What Every Parent Needs to Know" with Laura Bierck, SLP-BCBA. Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

Could your child read before they could speak?This early, often advanced ability to recognize letters, numbers, or words...
06/05/2026

Could your child read before they could speak?

This early, often advanced ability to recognize letters, numbers, or words is called hyperlexia, and about 5-20% of autistic children experience it.

Why does it happen? Many autistic children have strong visual processing. Spoken words come and go, but written words stay still, giving the brain something solid to anchor language to.

Here's a real moment from one of our Cortica clinics: A boy kept repeating "I have to go to the bathroom" right after returning from the bathroom. Spoken reassurance didn't help. What worked? His care team wrote it down for him. He read it, understood it, and the repetition stopped.

If your child is a visual learner, try labeling everyday items with written words, using choice boards with text, typing key words as you say them, and pairing spoken language with something they can see.

Understanding how your child processes language is one of the most powerful things you can do.

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