Magnificent Minds

The New Whole-Child Approach to Autism

By: Suzanne Goh MD

Narrated by: Suzanne Goh MD

An essential primer based on a renowned new model of care that is comprehensive and research based, while honoring the uniqueness of every child

An estimated one in thirty-six children in the United States is diagnosed with autism. New research has shed light on the many factors that determine a child’s trajectory—but many parents are still navigating this complex terrain without a road map. Pediatric neurologist Dr. Suzanne Goh has spent decades working with autistic children, and in this practical and research-based guide she shares her renowned and revolutionary model of care: an innovative, whole-child approach that combines optimal medical treatment with the most effective strategies for advancing cognition, communication, and behavior.

Demystifying a wide range of diagnostics and therapies and offering new insights into the neurological, biochemical, behavioral, and social factors that play a role in successful outcomes, the book is an essential resource for understanding all of autism—a strengths-based approach that helps parents design a comprehensive treatment plan. It is also a celebration of what each autistic person brings to the world—and how parents can best nurture the remarkable uniqueness of their child while setting them up for the future they envision.

©2024 Suzanne Goh, MD (P)2024 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“Dr. Suzanne Goh is an extraordinary scientist, researcher, and clinician whose pioneering work in autism is changing our thinking about how to best support a child, not only focusing on behavior but also on neurobiology, biochemistry, and physiology. Whether your child is newly diagnosed with autism or you’re simply looking for fresh insights and a new way forward, this book is a treasure.”–Dr. Mark Hyman, MD, author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Young Forever

“Dr. Goh's approach to the care of a child with autism is extraordinarily wise. It considers the whole child—the genetics, biology, family context, interpersonal relationships, cognitive abilities, and emotional life that interact with one another throughout development. This is a much-needed guide for parents and professionals on how best to intervene in ways that will help the child reach his or her greatest potential and experience inner fulfillment.”–Dr. Bradley S. Peterson, MD, Director of the Institute for the Developing Mind and Chief of Child Psychiatry at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and the Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California

“In Magnificent Minds, Dr. Suzanne Goh presents a refreshing brain-body wholesome biological perspective of autism with timely, practical information for parents and caregivers seeking the best care for autism. It’s an essential resource. And I personally love the drawings throughout the book!”–Dr. Elizabeth Torres, PhD, Professor, Rutgers University Department of Psychology, and Director of the Sensory Motor Integration Lab

informative and great performance

Very well organized book regarding cognitive abilities/autism information coupled with a great performance by the author herself. You will learn tremendously about how to spot different types of autism (highlighted by real life examples) and gain more interest in learning more about autism.

Shallow guidance on autism

Overall this book offers very shallow guidance on autism. As the book says - similar to a brain stroke, lost time is lost mental function; to get all the biological testing done ASAP. This testing is ignored by all standard care. But bafflingly the book completely skips the details of this critical part. All except, the small subset and what the author studies - genetic mitochondria disfunction.

Instead the book instructions:
* autism as neurodivergence, and to accept the difference
* standard approaches such as Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)

I recommend the the following book to understand the biological testing and the potential root causes vs superficial treatment:
* Healing the New Childhood Epidemics, by Dr Kenneth Bock