EP3: Understanding Autism from a Developmental Paediatrician's Perspective with Dr. Rajini

In this second part of our conversation with Dr. Rajini Sarvananthan, Consultant Developmental Pediatrician, we dive deeper into what every parent needs to understand about autism—not just the diagnosis, but the emotional, practical, and societal layers that come with it.Whether you're still waiting for answers or already navigating your child’s journey with ASD, this episode offers much-needed clarity, compassion, and encouragement.Make sure you stay till the end for some pleasant surprise.🧠 What you will learn:The difference between speech delay and autism-related communication impairmentWhat Global Developmental Delay (GDD) really means—and why it confuses so many parentsThe impact of the pandemic on children’s developmentWill too much screen time cause children to have Autism?How long it takes parents to accept a diagnosis—and why denial can delay progressThe role of parental acceptance in enabling early intervention and long-term supportHow to think about the OKU card (disability card) in Malaysia, what it helps with and some common concerns.👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Why This Matters:We normalize real conversations about autism—from labels and therapy access to parent guilt, time constraints, and societal misunderstandings. This is not just an episode about facts, but also about support, lived experience, and resilience.🎙️ Hosted by Kevin Neoh, Carmen Loke, and Gan Xin Yi.📌 If you haven’t listened to Part 1 yet (Episode 2), we strongly recommend starting there before continuing with this episode.📩 Got a question or experience to share? Drop us a message—we’d love to hear from you.InstagramEmailResources: ⁠Spotify: Episode 2- Part 1 with Dr. Rajini⁠⁠Apple Podcast: Episode 2 - Part 1 with Dr. Rajini⁠Chapters00:00 Introduction00:37 Introduction 02:30 Delay vs. Diagnosis: What’s the Difference? 06:35 GDD, ASD, ADHD — Understanding the Labels 10:10 Why More Children Are Being Diagnosed Today 14:15 Did the Pandemic Cause Autism? 19:15 Screen Time: Misconceptions, Guidelines & Real Talk 24:10 Parental Acceptance vs Denial: What It Means for Your Child 28:13 The OKU Card in Malaysia: Benefits, Myths & Concerns 35:57 Final Words from Dr. Rajini + Her Personal Side 37:42 Wrap up38:45 Artwork by Individuals with Special Abilities