MHNRN | Apple Podcasts | Spreaker | Episode #27
I’m so thrilled to share that I had the opportunity to be a guest on Angel Wilson’s SPARC Out podcast! Angel and I had such a rich, heartfelt conversation about autism advocacy, the challenges families face in getting timely diagnoses, and the ways we, as providers and parents, can come together to bridge those gaps.
In this episode, I shared not only my professional journey as a pediatrician and autism specialist but also my personal story as a mom and wife in a neurodiverse family. We touched on racial disparities in autism diagnoses, why early intervention matters so much, and the critical need for more training and awareness in the pediatric world.
If you’re a parent navigating this journey or a provider looking to make an impact, I hope this discussion encourages and equips you. I’m excited to invite you to listen in as we tackle these important topics together!
[00:00 – 01:15] Introduction: Angel Wilson welcomes listeners to SPARC Out and introduces Dr. Mary Jones, a board-certified pediatrician and autism advocate.
[01:15 – 03:10] Dr. Mary’s Background: Dr. Mary shares her experience as a pediatrician for nearly 20 years and her personal connection to autism. She discusses how her son and spouse were diagnosed with autism, influencing her passion for advocating within the Black community and addressing disparities in diagnosis.
[03:10 – 07:15] Knowledge of Pediatricians on Autism: Dr. Mary highlights the limited training pediatricians receive in autism during residency. She describes how she pursued additional training, such as ADOS-2 certification, to diagnose and treat autism and ADHD.
[07:15 – 09:20] Access to Diagnoses: Angel and Dr. Mary discuss the lack of professionals specializing in autism diagnoses and the long wait times, especially in underserved areas. Dr. Mary mentions her efforts to make diagnoses more accessible through online evaluations across states.
[09:20 – 12:45] Dr. Mary’s Son’s Diagnosis: Dr. Mary shares her son’s late autism diagnosis at age 11. She reflects on how his challenges were dismissed as “normal boy behavior” and the eventual realization of shared traits with her husband, leading to both diagnoses.
[12:45 – 13:00] Advice for Parents: Dr. Mary encourages parents to trust their instincts, advocate for their child, and push for autism screenings and evaluations if they suspect neurodivergence. Early intervention helps set the child up for success.
[13:00 – 15:30] Challenges in Finding Specialists: Dr. Mary explains how parents often struggle to find developmental pediatricians and other specialists. She provides advice on accessing resources and highlights the role of pediatricians as gatekeepers for referrals and pediatric autism screenings, emphasizing the benefits of early intervention.
[15:30 – 18:40] Future of Autism Care in Pediatrics: Dr. Mary discusses the need for better pediatric training in autism, emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis and intervention. She calls for more pediatricians to step up, address gaps in care, and enhance pediatric autism screening.
[18:40 – 22:00] Disparities in Autism Diagnoses: Dr. Mary highlights the racial disparities in early autism diagnosis, noting that Black children are diagnosed three years later on average than their white peers. She shares her passion for bridging this gap and ensuring equity in care.
[22:00] Closing: Angel Wilson thanks Dr. Mary for her insights and encourages listeners to check out Dr. Mary’s podcast for further discussions on autism advocacy.
Find out More: www.sparcguidance.com
Connect with Us:
- Dr. Mary’s Social Media: Facebook, Instagram, & Linkedin
- Mental Health News Radio Network
HEY SIS!
As a devoted pediatrician, specializing in neurodevelopmental disorders, my focus is on guiding and supporting families who have received an autism or ADHD diagnosis.
I am a PCCI trained life and leadership coach.
– Dr Mary
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