183 | holistic approaches to co-occurring health conditions in autistic individuals with Dr. Melissa Houser

ABOUT THIS EPISODE (+ scroll for resources) 👇In this episode, Dr. Tay is joined by Dr. Melissa Houser, founder and executive director of All Brains Belong, to discuss co-occurring medical conditions in autistic individuals. The conversation covers Dr. Houser's personal and professional journey, the interconnected nature of conditions like hypermobility, POTS, mast cell activation syndrome, and the importance of holistic and inclusive healthcare. Together, they emphasize the value of community and explore the diverse resources offered by All Brains Belong to support both children and adults. Dr. Houser provides practical advice for parents and professionals seeking to improve care for neurodivergent individuals and shares impactful stories from their work.00:00 Introduction to Co-Occurring Medical Conditions with Autism00:50 Meet Dr. Melissa Houser: An Autistic Physician's Journey01:21 Dr. Tay's Personal and Professional Background02:29 Dr. Mel's Medical Background and Autism Diagnosis04:04 The Founding of All Brains Belong05:19 Challenges in Healthcare for Neurodivergent Individuals05:40 The Importance of Self-Identification and Formal Evaluation07:20 Conflicting Access Needs in Neurodivergent Families07:59 Mission and Impact of All Brains Belong20:41 Common Co-Occurring Conditions in Autistic Individuals24:35 Understanding the Cluster of Conditions25:10 Challenges in Medical Collaboration25:59 Resources for Patients and Families27:46 Impact of Long COVID on Neurodivergent Individuals28:30 Cardiovascular Risks in Autistic Individuals30:34 Advocacy and Self-Acceptance37:32 Community Programs and Support42:55 Final Thoughts and Resources RESOURCES⚡️ resources from Dr. Melissa Houser>>Everything is Connected to Everything: Improving the Healthcare of Autistic & ADHD Patients - resources for patients & cliniciansKid & Teen Connections - free customized friend-matching program for ages 4-17 based on shared interestsBrain Club® - weekly virtual community education program for adults ⚡️ keep connecting with Dr. Houser on her website and Instagram @allbrainsbelongvt  ⚡️ Zerbo et al. (2015) mentioned on the episode ⚡️ learn more about Dr. Tay's Whole Family Approach and current clinical services offered as well as her new educational membership? visit drtaylorday.com ⚡️ continue learning from me and submit any questions >>Instagram @the.dr.tayTikTok @the.dr.tay