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.

Autism looks different in every child, and many families spend months wondering if what they're noticing is "normal" bef...
03/28/2026

Autism looks different in every child, and many families spend months wondering if what they're noticing is "normal" before bringing it up with a doctor. If something feels off, you're allowed to ask questions. You don't need to wait for a diagnosis, a second opinion, or permission.

Early intervention services can begin as soon as there's a concern, and research consistently shows that earlier support leads to better outcomes. A conversation with your pediatrician is always the right first step. In episode 10 of Magnificent Minds, I share a questionnaire that you can use to look at early biological and developmental risk factors for autism in your child. The results can help shape decisions on follow-up and support to infants, toddlers, and young children who may benefit from autism diagnostic and therapeutic services. It is not a diagnosis itself, and there are no right or wrong answers. Tune in on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube!

03/20/2026

Comment “TOOL” and I’ll send you the links to the full episode!

In this clip from Episode 10 of Magnificent Minds, I walk through early social communication signs we look for in infants and toddlers.

We’re looking at skills like responding to their name, making eye contact to share interest, using gestures, following a point (joint attention), and using communication to truly connect, not just label. We also pay close attention to any loss of previously gained skills.

These early signals don’t provide a diagnosis on their own, but they help us recognize when a child may benefit from closer monitoring or earlier support.

Because in early childhood, noticing these patterns sooner can make a meaningful difference in how we support development.

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

03/19/2026

Comment “TOOL” and I’ll send you the links to the full episode!

In this clip from Episode 10 of Magnificent Minds, I walk through part of the Early Autism Awareness Questionnaire focused on early health and medical history.

We look at factors like seizures or unusual staring spells, feeding challenges, early motor delays, genetic findings, and environmental exposures. Each of these can offer important clues about how a child’s brain and body are developing.

None of these factors alone mean a child has autism. But together, they help us better understand a child’s unique profile and guide how closely we monitor development and when to intervene.

This is about gathering information so we can act early, thoughtfully, and with intention.

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

There's a new way to answer the question, "What causes autism?" Dr. Bob Naviaux and his team of researchers at UC San Di...
03/18/2026

There's a new way to answer the question, "What causes autism?"

Dr. Bob Naviaux and his team of researchers at UC San Diego have proposed a new 3-part model for understanding autism's biological roots.

Part 1: Genetic predisposition. Certain inherited genes can make a child's mitochondria and cellular signaling pathways unusually sensitive to stress. This alone doesn't cause autism. It creates vulnerability.

Part 2: An early environmental trigger. During pregnancy or early infancy, a stressor — an infection, immune activation, significant metabolic stress — activates a built-in cellular program in the developing brain.

Part 3: A sustained stress response. Rather than resolving, the cellular emergency mode becomes chronic. Over time, that persistent biological stress shapes how the brain wires itself during its most critical window.

This model reframes autism as a neurometabolic and neuroimmune condition. That distinction matters, because if biological stress is part of the story, addressing it thoughtfully becomes part of good care.

It doesn't mean autism is a problem to be fixed. It means the whole child deserves to be understood and supported.

03/17/2026

Comment “TOOL” and I’ll send you the links to the full episode!

In this clip from Episode 10 of Magnificent Minds, I walk through the first section of the Early Autism Awareness Questionnaire, focused on family and genetic background.

Autism has one of the strongest genetic contributions of any neurodevelopmental condition. When autism or related traits are present in siblings, parents, or extended family members, it can provide important context for a child’s development.

This does not mean a child will have autism. But it does mean we can be more aware, monitor development more closely, and seek support earlier when needed.

This is about awareness, not fear. The more we understand patterns across generations, the better we can support children early, when the brain is most capable of change.

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

If there's one thing I want every parent of a young child to hear, it's this: the timing of a diagnosis matters enormous...
03/14/2026

If there's one thing I want every parent of a young child to hear, it's this: the timing of a diagnosis matters enormously.

The brain has a window. And it opens early.

Research consistently shows that interventions during the first 12 to 48 months of life produce the greatest gains in cognition, language, and adaptive behavior. A 2022 study found that children diagnosed before 2.5 years were three times more likely to show meaningful improvement in social symptoms over 12 years compared to those diagnosed later.

And yet the average age of autism diagnosis is still after age 4. That's two or more years of missed opportunity during the most plastic, most responsive window the brain will ever have.

Early diagnosis protects mental health too. Research links delayed diagnosis to significantly higher rates of anxiety and depression. This is especially true in girls, who are already less likely to receive an early evaluation.

If you have concerns, trust your instincts and ask for an evaluation. You are not overreacting. You are paying attention.

Share this with a parent who needs it. 💚

The relationship between the immune system and autism is one of the most important areas of research right now.Here are ...
03/11/2026

The relationship between the immune system and autism is one of the most important areas of research right now.
Here are 4 things the research now tells us:

1️⃣ Low-level neuroinflammation appears in some autistic brains. Studies have found evidence of chronic, subtle immune activation in certain brain regions. This is not universal, but meaningful.

2️⃣ The gut microbiome looks different in autism. About 70% of the immune system lives in the gut, and these microbial differences directly influence how the immune system, including the brain, functions.

3️⃣ Maternal inflammation during pregnancy can influence fetal brain development. Research following nearly 1.8 million children found associations between serious maternal infections and autism.

4️⃣ A specific autoimmune process can block folate from reaching the brain. Folate receptor autoantibodies are testable and treatable. More research is still needed to understand how often this co-occurs with autism.

This is not about blame. It's about understanding the biology more fully so we can do more. Questions? Drop them in the comments below.

This weekend! I'll be joining an incredible panel at Association of Professional Behavior Analysts Connect to talk about...
03/10/2026

This weekend! I'll be joining an incredible panel at Association of Professional Behavior Analysts Connect to talk about what value-based care actually looks like for ABA providers—from building KPI strategies that predict meaningful change, to aligning clinical data with performance goals, to maintaining consistency across teams without losing the individualized nature of ABA.

Come find me in the Grand Ballroom on Saturday, March 14 at 10:50 AM. See you there!

03/10/2026

Comment “TOOL” and I’ll send you the links to Episode 10!

In this episode of Magnificent Minds, I introduce a tool I created called the Early Autism Awareness Questionnaire for Parents of Infants and Toddlers.

This short questionnaire is not a diagnostic test. It is designed to help parents think through early biological and developmental risk factors using insights from autism research.

Too often, children are not identified until age three or four, even though meaningful early signs can appear as early as 12 to 15 months. Those early years matter enormously. The brain in the first two years of life is incredibly capable of growth and change.

This tool is meant to move us from fear to awareness, from waiting to noticing, and from uncertainty to informed action.

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

Did you know your brain has an intricate immune system?Microglia are specialized immune cells that live inside the brain...
03/09/2026

Did you know your brain has an intricate immune system?

Microglia are specialized immune cells that live inside the brain and spinal cord. Think of them as the brain's gardeners: constantly pruning connections, clearing debris, and protecting tissue. Every skill your child builds — language, memory, emotional regulation — depends on them doing their job well.

Here's what's especially important for parents of autistic children to know: microglia are most active during the first few years of life. The same window when the brain is wiring at breathtaking speed. The same window when early signs of autism typically appear.

In some autistic children, research shows microglia may stay in a state of chronic, low-level activation. The immune response doesn't fully turn off. Over time, that can shape how the brain develops.

The good news? We can support microglia and the body's entire immune system. Nutrition, gut health, sleep, and movement all influence immune function. You don't have to overhaul everything at once. Start with what feels most accessible. SWIPE to learn more!

03/06/2026

Comment “INFLAMMATION” and I’ll send you the links to Episode 9!

In Episode 9 of Magnificent Minds, I share the story of a young patient at Cortica whose progress changed dramatically once we addressed underlying inflammation and supported his immune system.

Within just a few months, his parents noticed he was calmer, sleeping better, more present, and beginning to engage in new ways. As his biology stabilized, he was able to participate more fully in therapies like speech, occupational therapy, and ABA, and his language and learning began to improve.

This is why whole child care matters. When we evaluate the full health picture, including immune health, nutrition, sleep, digestion, and inflammation, we can better support the brain’s ability to learn and develop.

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

See you next week at Association of Professional Behavior Analysts' 2026 Convention! Everyone is talking about value-ba...
03/05/2026

See you next week at Association of Professional Behavior Analysts' 2026 Convention!

Everyone is talking about value-based care, but what does it actually mean for ABA providers on the ground? As our field moves beyond "hours delivered" as the primary measure of success, behavior analysts and clinical leaders are being asked to demonstrate outcomes in ways that truly resonate with families, payers, and staff.

I'll be joining a panel of leaders from diverse ABA service models to explore how to build a KPI strategy that balances clinical precision with organizational sustainability. We'll talk about which metrics actually predict meaningful change, how to align clinical data with performance goals, and how to maintain consistency across teams without losing sight of the individualized nature of ABA.

This session is designed to be a real conversation. Expect live polling, guided discussion, and a dedicated open Q&A because the people doing this work every day have the most important insights to share. Hope to see you there!

Date: Saturday, March 14
Time: 10:50 AM CST
Location: Grand Ballroom, APBA Connect 2026

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San Diego, CA

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+18582517901

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