Making Your Home a Little Healthier: Simple Steps to Reduce Environmental Exposures for Your Child
Making Your Home a Little Healthier: Simple Steps to Reduce Environmental Exposures for Your Child  
Podcast: Magnificent Minds: Demystifying Autism with Dr. Suzanne Goh, MD, BCBA
Published On: Mon Dec 15 2025
Description: In this episode, I'm tackling the question that causes so much confusion and anxiety: What about toxins and chemicals in my child's environment? If you're raising a child with autism, this topic can feel overwhelming. You've heard everything is dangerous, but also that you're being paranoid. So what's actually real? And what can you realistically do about it?I'm joined by Meaghan O'Dea Johnson, director of advanced medical practice at Cortica, to give you clear, science-backed answers without the fear-mongering or impossible expectations. We'll cover why words like "toxins" and "detoxification" have gotten a bad reputation but are actually rooted in real biology, why children's developing brains are more vulnerable to certain exposures, which environmental factors actually matter (air quality, water, food, and household products), and practical, manageable strategies you can implement one small step at a time. I'll also explain why the early years matter so much, when your child's brain is forming connections at an incredible pace, and why certain chemicals can interfere with that development.The bottom line: you don't need perfection, you need information. Small, gradual changes in air quality, water filtration, food choices, and household products can make a real difference. The research from experts like Dr. Philip Landrigan and Project TENDR shows that reducing certain exposures supports healthy brain development, but this isn't about blame, guilt, or doing everything at once.Your child's most powerful protective force isn't a perfect environment. It's you: your love, your connection, and your presence every single day. Nothing comes close to that.This episode is for you if you're wondering what environmental factors actually matter, feeling overwhelmed by conflicting information, looking for evidence-based guidance without the fear, or simply ready to make gradual changes that support your family's wellbeing.