Appreciating Dr. Suzanne Goh: Family Therapy and Autism
Wednesday, January 8, 2025. This is also for Miguel, and his parents.
Suzanne Goh, M.D., is a prominent pediatric neurologist and advocate for understanding and supporting folks with autism.
Her work focuses on uncovering the neurobiological underpinnings of autism, emphasizing the need for individualized and compassionate care.
I’m a huge fan of her thinking, especially as applied to traditional family therapy models, such as Strategic and Structural family therapies.
In this post, I’ll offer a brief overview of her contributions and ideas on autism and family therapy.
The Role of Brain Plasticity: Opportunities for Growth
Goh emphasizes the brain’s extraordinary capacity for change, known as neuroplasticity, especially during early developmental stages.
She believes that this ability provides hope for significant improvement through targeted interventions. Brain plasticity is particularly important in developing communication, social engagement, and problem-solving skills, areas often impacted by autism.
Goh advocates for early intervention programs that harness this plasticity when the brain is most adaptable.
These programs might include therapies like speech-language therapy, play-based approaches, and interactive engagement techniques that encourage neural rewiring. Her view is not limited to early childhood; she believes that neuroplasticity remains relevant throughout life, offering opportunities for continued growth and adaptation even in adulthood.
Sensory Processing and Integration: The Key to Comfort
Sensory processing differences are central to the experiences of folks with autism, and Goh sheds light on how these challenges can affect behavior, learning, and emotional well-being.
Those with autism often struggle with sensory overload, where everyday stimuli such as lights, sounds, or textures can feel overwhelming. Others may experience sensory seeking, where they crave intense sensory experiences.
Goh’s approach involves therapies that help regulate and integrate sensory input. This might include sensory integration therapy or techniques like weighted blankets, noise-canceling headphones, or occupational therapy that targets specific sensory challenges.
She stresses that understanding an individual’s sensory profile is key to creating environments that reduce stress and enable better participation in daily life.
Biomedical and Holistic Approaches: Treating the Whole Person
Dr. Goh is a strong proponent of addressing the physical health and medical issues that often accompany autism.
Research has shown that folks with autism may face higher rates of gastrointestinal problems, food sensitivities, or immune dysregulation, which can exacerbate behavioral and cognitive difficulties.
Goh suggests that by addressing these underlying issues, caregivers can improve an individual’s quality of life.
Her holistic perspective includes dietary interventions, such as eliminating foods that may trigger inflammation, and introducing nutrient supplementation to address deficiencies.
For example, omega-3 fatty acids, probiotics, and certain vitamins have been explored for their potential benefits. Goh emphasizes that these interventions should be guided by thorough medical evaluations to ensure they are tailored to the individual.
Individualized Care Plans: Beyond the Spectrum
One of Goh’s core tenets is the rejection of a “one-size-fits-all” approach to autism.
She recognizes the immense diversity within the autism spectrum, emphasizing that every human has a unique combination of strengths, challenges, and needs.
This belief underscores the importance of personalized care plans that are as dynamic and adaptable as the individuals themselves.
In practice, this means that interventions should be tailored based on detailed assessments that consider sensory profiles, communication styles, and emotional regulation needs.
For example, some folks may thrive with structured routines, while others may require more flexible approaches to foster creativity and independence.
A Strengths-Based Perspective: Celebrating Neurodiversity
Dr. Goh challenges traditional deficit-focused narratives about autism, advocating instead for a strengths-based approach. Many folks with autism possess exceptional talents, such as superior memory, pattern recognition, or creative problem-solving abilities.
Goh believes that fostering these strengths can not only build self-esteem but also lead to fulfilling careers and personal growth.
For instance, those with heightened attention to detail may excel in fields like technology, art, or research. Dr. Goh’s work emphasizes helping each person and their families identify and nurture these abilities while addressing challenges in parallel.
Emotional Regulation: Building Inner Stability
Emotional dysregulation is a common challenge for individuals with autism, manifesting in behaviors such as anxiety, meltdowns, or withdrawal.
Goh emphasizes the importance of teaching emotional regulation skills as a cornerstone of autism interventions. She advocates for techniques such as mindfulness, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and emotional coaching to help folks recognize and manage their feelings.
Additionally, she stresses the role of caregivers in co-regulating emotions, particularly for younger children. By modeling calm and supportive responses, parents and teachers can help children develop tools to navigate their emotional world.
Parent Training and Family Support: Partners in Progress
Recognizing the vital role of families in supporting individuals with autism, Dr. Goh emphasizes the importance of parent training and education.
She believes that empowering parents with knowledge and strategies not only helps the autistic child, but also fosters a more supportive home environment.
Programs that teach parents how to respond to sensory challenges, encourage communication, or manage emotional outbursts can make a significant difference.
Furthermore, Goh highlights the importance of self-care for parents, acknowledging the stress that often accompanies caregiving. She advocates for community support networks and resources that allow families to share experiences and learn from one another.
It is her deep immersion in parent training, psycho-education, and the specific components of family support that makes her a natural collaborator with marriage and family therapists like me who have a particular training in neurodiversity.
Ethical and Compassionate Care: Respecting Neurodiversity
A hallmark of Dr. Goh’s work is her unwavering commitment to ethical and compassionate care.
She encourages a shift away from viewing autism as something to be “fixed” and instead emphasizes supporting folks in ways that enhance their quality of life.
This perspective aligns with the principles of neurodiversity, which celebrate the unique ways in which individuals with autism experience the world.
Goh is also a vocal critic of interventions that rely heavily on compliance-based strategies without considering a felt sense of comfort or autonomy. She advocates for therapies that prioritize trust, connection, and meaningful engagement.
Collaboration Across Disciplines: A Team-Based Approach
Dr. Goh’s vision for autism care extends beyond individual therapies.
She advocates for a collaborative model in which neurologists, therapists, educators, and families work together to create comprehensive care plans.
This team-based approach ensures that interventions are cohesive and address all aspects of development.
The Future of Autism Research and Care
Goh is optimistic about the future of autism research, particularly as advances in neuroscience, genetics, and technology continue to shed light on the complexities of autism.
She encourages ongoing research into the biological and environmental factors that contribute to autism, as well as the development of more effective interventions.
Her vision includes greater accessibility to therapies, increased public awareness about autism, and a cultural shift toward embracing neurodiversity as a valuable and enriching aspect of human diversity.
Final thoughts
Dr. Suzanne Goh’s approach to autism reflects a deep respect for the individuality and agency of each human on the spectrum.
Her emphasis on early intervention, sensory integration, biomedical support, and emotional regulation offers a comprehensive framework for improving quality of life.
Through her work, she challenges deficit-focused narratives and champions a strengths-based perspective that celebrates neurodiversity while addressing challenges with compassion and care.
Dr. Goh’s contributions continue to inspire hope, understanding, and progress in the field of autism. I am a huge fan, and I hope you found this brief overview of her ideas helpful.
Be Well, Stay Kind, and Godspeed.
REFERENCES:
Baron-Cohen, S. (2008). Autism and Asperger Syndrome: The Facts. Oxford University Press.
Dawson, G., & Bernier, R. (2013). A quarter century of progress on the early detection and treatment of autism spectrum disorder. Development and Psychopathology, 25(4), 1455-1472. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0954579413000710
Hyman, S. L., Levy, S. E., & Myers, S. M. (2020). Identification, evaluation, and management of children with autism spectrum disorder. Pediatrics, 145(1), e20193447. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2019-3447
Levy, S. E., Mandell, D. S., & Schultz, R. T. (2009). Autism. The Lancet, 374(9701), 1627-1638. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(09)61376-3
Lord, C., Elsabbagh, M., Baird, G., & Veenstra-Vanderweele, J. (2018). Autism spectrum disorder. The Lancet, 392(10146), 508-520. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(18)31129-2
Masi, A., DeMayo, M. M., Glozier, N., & Guastella, A. J. (2017). An overview of autism spectrum disorder, heterogeneity, and treatment options. Neuroscience Bulletin, 33(2), 183-193. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12264-017-0100-y
Rogers, S. J., & Dawson, G. (2010). Early Start Denver Model for young children with autism: Promoting language, learning, and engagement. Guilford Press.
Volkmar, F. R., Paul, R., Pelphrey, K. A., & Rogers, S. J. (2014). Handbook of Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Volume 2: Assessment, Interventions, and Policy. Wiley.
Weitlauf, A. S., McPheeters, M. L., Peters, B., Sathe, N., Travis, R., & Warren, Z. (2014). Therapies for children with autism spectrum disorder: Behavioral interventions update. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (US). https://doi.org/10.23970/AHRQEPCCER137
Yerys, B. E., Wolff, J. J., Moody, E., & Vaidya, C. J. (2021). Understanding emotional regulation in autism spectrum disorder: A developmental neuroscience perspective. Current Psychiatry Reports, 23(12), 82. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-021-01279-9