What if the story of autism could shift from confusion and limitation to clarity and hope? In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Theresa Lyons, founder of Navigating AWEtism and a scientist with both professional expertise and personal experience as a parent. Our conversation unpacks the multidimensional nature of autism — from genetic and environmental influences to the critical role of gut health, diet, and supportive healthcare networks. Dr. Lyons emphasizes why early diagnosis matters and why focusing on root causes, rather than symptoms alone, can change the trajectory for families. We also discuss innovative approaches, including how treatments like Leucovorin may impact speech development, and explore the idea that autism may not always be lifelong. Dr. Lyons makes a compelling case for parents becoming informed advocates, armed with science-backed tools to help their children thrive. Listeners will walk away with fresh insights, renewed hope, and a deeper understanding of how autism care can move beyond labels to unlock potential. Key Takeaways:

• Early Diagnosis is Key: Autism can be reliably diagnosed as early as 18 months, which can significantly affect outcomes by allowing earlier intervention.

• Multidimensional Causes: Autism results from a mixture of genetic and environmental factors, making personalized and multifaceted treatment approaches essential.

• Gut-Brain Connection: The gut's health is fundamental, with issues like leaky gut and dietary sensitivities notably affecting autism spectrum disorder (ASD) symptoms.

• Holistic Management Strategies: Dr. Lyons suggests a seven-step matrix addressing areas such as diet, healthcare teams, supplements, probiotics, educational approaches, mindset, and celebrating success.

• Recent Advances in Treatment: The FDA approval of Leucovorin for children with autism underscores progress toward treating specific symptoms linked to folate metabolism.

More About Dr. Theresa Lyons: Dr. Theresa Lyons, MS, MS, PhD is the founder and CEO of Navigating AWEtism, a groundbreaking platform dedicated to turning autism complexity into clarity. With a Ph.D. in Computational Chemistry from Yale University and a deep personal connection as a parent to a daughter with autism, Dr. Lyons combines rigorous science with real-world experience to empower families navigating autism. Through Navigating AWEtism, Dr. Lyons has worked with parents in 21+ countries to access structured, science-backed strategies that cut through the noise and focus on what truly matters for their child. Her mission is bold: to organize the world’s scientific information about autism and make it accessible and useful for every parent.

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