Parenting Shrink Wrapped
Parenting Shrink Wrapped is your all-access pass to the wild and wonderful journey of raising kids! Hosted by Dr. Melissa Wellner, a double board-certified psychiatrist and child and adolescent psychiatrist, and Samantha Straub, a licensed therapist, educator, and parenting coach, this dynamic duo brings a perfect mix of professional expertise and mom humor. With five kids between them—and thousands more they’ve supported in their professional roles—they’re here to share practical strategies and real-life stories that will help you navigate everything from tantrums to teen drama. Whether you're handling sleepless nights or the chaos of carpool, you'll find relatable advice and a good laugh along the way. Strap in, because parenting is a ride, and we're here to make it a little smoother!
Parenting Shrink Wrapped
#19: Raising Kids on the Autism Spectrum with Dr. Taylor Day
An autism diagnosis can feel overwhelming for families—but what if there was a better way to navigate it? In this episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, Sam and Melissa sit down with Dr. Taylor Day (Dr. Tay), a licensed psychologist specializing in neuroaffirming care for autistic kids and their families.
Dr. Tay shares her personal journey of growing up with a younger brother on the spectrum, how that shaped her approach to autism care, and why she created her whole-family model to support not just autistic children, but their parents and siblings as well. They also discuss early signs of autism, common misconceptions, concerns about ABA therapy, and how to create affirming environments for neurodivergent kids.
If you’re a parent, teacher, or caregiver looking for a more compassionate, informed approach to autism support, this episode is packed with expert insights and practical strategies.
About Taylor
Dr. Taylor Day is a licensed psychologist specializing in neuroaffirming care for autistic children and their families, including very early diagnosis and early intervention. She has a Ph.D. in clinical psychology and is the CEO and founder of Dr. Tay Concierge Clinical Care. Her practice integrates The Whole Family Approach, a process she created utilizing evidence-informed principles after seeing a gap in autism care. Her passion for child psychology and her focus on autism is in many ways tied to her own personal experience growing up with a brother who was diagnosed at 23 months of age.
Connect with Taylor
Website: drtaylorday.com
Instagram: @the.dr.tay
Get expert support, fresh strategies, and a judgment-free parent community—so you can stop feeling stuck and start parenting your teen with more clarity, confidence, and connection.
You know when your kid screws up in some way, and you're sure of the lesson you want them to learn from it....but you’re not sure how to say it in a way they’ll actually hear?
Download Sam's free video guide that walks you through a simple, step-by-step process for handling these tough conversations called the L.O.V.E.D. framework.
Contact us: parentingshrinkwrapped@gmail.com
Follow us:
Work with Us:
Sam: Teen Savvy Coaching
- Join The Teen Savvy Parent Hub
- Sam's free video guide: How to Have a "You Screwed Up" Conversation with your Child or Teen
- Sam's free e-book: Beyond Nagging: Empowering Parents to Transform Teen Homework Headaches
Dr. Melissa: Annapolis Psychiatry
Follow & Review the Pod: Click to follow on Apple Podcasts or to follow on Spotify.
You can use those same links to leave us a review! So easy and so appreciated!