Podcast Summary: Tony Mantor – Why Not Me?

Episode: Theresa Lyons – Navigating Autism: Science, Hope and Advocacy

Date: January 14, 2026
Guest: Dr. Theresa Lyons (Yale-trained scientist, medical strategist, autism parent, author)
Host: Tony Mantor

Main Theme

This episode delves into the personal and professional journey of Dr. Theresa Lyons, whose daughter’s autism diagnosis propelled her into global advocacy, scientific research, and resource-building for autism families. The conversation explores how evidence-based approaches, parental intuition, and community are vital in navigating the complexities of autism, while dispelling myths and empowering parents worldwide.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Dr. Lyons' Personal Start: Diagnosis and Initial Response

• Receiving the Diagnosis ([03:31]–[04:52]):

  • Her daughter was diagnosed at 3.5 years, with more profound autism.

  • No definitive medical test for autism—diagnosis was “process of elimination.”

  • Getting the diagnosis was just the start; there was no post-diagnosis plan.

  • Lyons’ scientific and pharma background proved crucial in her approach.

    “When we were given this diagnosis, I’m like, okay, what’s next? And that’s really when there wasn’t a plan.” — Theresa Lyons [04:41]

2. Confronting Systemic Gaps & Obstacles

• Navigating Misinformation and Self-Doubt ([06:46]–[08:47]):

  • Lyons describes how early mainstream articles painted autism as a bleak, lifelong verdict, conflicting with scientific literature suggesting otherwise.

  • Contacted a Yahoo article author, learning his information was minimally researched.

  • Her own beliefs and willingness to question sources became both an obstacle and a turning point.

    "...I might be in an entirely different place now... So it’s really important when you're talking to someone who's giving you maybe advice to understand how often they keep up to date with the literature, how current are they?" — Theresa Lyons [09:28]

• Importance of Evidence-Based Research

  • PubMed and scientific sources are frequently 30 years ahead of mainstream practice.
  • Assembling knowledge and a healthcare team requires critically vetting sources and doctors.

3. Trusting Parental Intuition

• Community and Information Filtering ([09:28]–[11:17]):

  • Emphasizes discerning where to seek support and advice.

  • Urges parents to listen to their “gut,” as intuition is often downplayed in favor of social or medical opinions.

    “As parents, a lot of times, we know there's something wrong with our child and... family and friends... say, 'oh, kids develop differently'... that's where parents learn to negate their intuition. So really cultivating that.” — Theresa Lyons [10:48]

4. Guidance for Newly Diagnosed Families

• First Steps: Pause and Prepare ([12:09]–[14:23]):

  • Encourages families to process the diagnosis and assemble support thoughtfully, not frantically.

  • Suggests telling only a few trusted people initially, and having different supporters for different needs (practical, emotional, informational).

  • Action should be taken from a “logical, strategic” standpoint, not panic.

    "Really taking a pause and coming to terms with it yourself before trying to take action. Because when someone tries to take action when they're in panic mode... it's really hard to be successful in anything when you're taking action in that way." — Theresa Lyons [12:13]

5. Building Navigating Awe-tism: Blog, Book, and Global Advocacy

• From Parent to Advocate ([14:36]–[18:54]):

  • Doctors recommended she write a blog/book to share her methodical, science-based process with others; she initially found this idea “nuts.”

  • Reframed “autism” as “AWE-tism” to highlight awe, strength, and positive reframing as her daughter’s health improved.

  • Created a growing directory of functional medicine doctors, sharing these resources in her writing.

    “I knew myself, I need to change how I think about autism. ...as my daughter started getting healthier... I could see her strength and her determination. That’s really when autism shifted for me.” — Theresa Lyons [15:27]

• Book Details and Aims ([20:18]):

  • Book published in 2020, update due 2026.
  • Explains that autism does not always have to be a lifelong diagnosis; offers scientific references, organizational tools, and a healthcare provider directory.
  • Addresses misconceptions, introduces the “navigating autism matrix” to organize healthcare, diet, supplements, mindset, school, etc.

6. Challenging the “Lifelong” Myth & Redefining Normal

• Latest Science and Labels ([22:16]–[22:58]):

  • Research shows up to 37% of diagnosed children “lose” the diagnosis over time—a message new to many parents.

  • “Optimal outcome” and “non-pervasive autism” are emerging terms in the literature.

  • Critiques the notion of a universal “normal,” advocates for individualized standards.

    "I don't like using the word normal. The normal is not anything I aspire to whatsoever." — Theresa Lyons [22:37]

7. Health, Quality of Life, and Comprehensive Care

• Beyond the Diagnosis ([23:19]–[24:53]):

  • Many treatable health issues (sleep, anxiety, diet) are often lumped under the autism label, leading to substandard care.

  • Even “subtle” progress, like improved sleep, can dramatically improve symptoms and quality of life.

    "...There's always things that can be improved in health that maybe doesn't push the needle to 37%, but maybe you take a child who wasn't able to sleep during the night, who sleeps during the night... that is... worth it." — Theresa Lyons [23:19]

8. Parental Mindset, Intuition, and "Awe"

• Core Advice to Listeners ([25:09]):

  • Trust your parental intuition, even when it runs counter to mainstream or social advice.

  • Seek out the sense of awe in your child’s persistence and determination, even amid real challenges.

  • Autism's “superpower” is often determination and intense focus—but recognize the associated real-world risks (mental health, safety, life expectancy).

    "Listen to that intuitive voice, that gut... that's really that important aspect that I want parents to understand, and also to really understand autism from that awe sense..." — Theresa Lyons [25:09]

9. Strengths, Superpowers, and Real-World Risks

• Super Focus and Determination ([26:30]–[27:21]):

  • Many autistic adults consider autism a “superpower,” citing focus and perseverance.

  • However, suicide and accidents drastically reduce life expectancy, and these realities must remain in view alongside celebrating strengths.

    "...life expectancy of someone who retains an autism diagnosis is greatly reduced... for people who are on the more high functioning side, death by suicide is something that is..." — Theresa Lyons [26:53]

10. Ensuring Opportunity and Equity

• Differential Outcomes and Aspirations ([28:04]):

  • Not all autistic children can access their “superpowers” due to barriers in communication, education, and support.

  • Equity means everyone should have the chance to pursue their strengths and passions.

    "Everyone should have that chance in life to find what they really love and focus on it and become determined and successful, whatever interests them." — Theresa Lyons [28:51]

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• “When we were given this diagnosis, I’m like, okay, what’s next? And that’s really when there wasn’t a plan.” — Theresa Lyons [04:41]
• "The information that's in PubMed is typically 30 years ahead of what's being practiced in mainstream medicine." — Theresa Lyons [06:32]
• "I was the obstacle because I allowed myself to be swayed by information that wasn't really accurate." — Theresa Lyons [08:21]
• "You have to be prepared...when you start telling people, then lots of opinions come flooding at you." — Theresa Lyons [12:44]
• "I started making this directory of doctors who were really good in focusing on autism and also functional medicine...That’s really what I published in the book." — Theresa Lyons [16:09]
• "I don’t like using the word normal. The normal is not anything I aspire to whatsoever." — Theresa Lyons [22:37]
• "Listen to that intuitive voice, that gut...that's really that important aspect that I want parents to understand..." — Theresa Lyons [25:09]
• "Life expectancy of someone who retains an autism diagnosis is greatly reduced...for people who are on the more high functioning side, death by suicide is something that is..." — Theresa Lyons [26:53]
• "Everyone should have that chance in life to find what they really love and focus on it..." — Theresa Lyons [28:51]

Important Segments and Timestamps

• Dr. Lyons’ introduction and background: [03:19]–[04:52]
• Obstacles and importance of scientific literacy: [06:38]–[11:17]
• Advice for newly diagnosed families: [12:09]–[14:23]
• Origins of her advocacy/blog/book: [14:36]–[18:54]
• Book contents and changing scientific terminology: [20:18]–[22:13]
• Perspective on “lifelong” autism and redefining normal: [22:16]–[23:19]
• Integrating whole-child care (health, diet, sleep): [24:09]–[24:53]
• Empowerment, superpowers, and real-life challenges: [25:09]–[27:50]
• Equity and aspirations for all autistic individuals: [28:04]–[29:02]

Tone and Takeaways

Friendly, supportive, and direct—both Lyons and Mantor emphasize hope through evidence, community, and realism. Lyons draws from deep research but keeps her insights actionable for everyday families. The episode balances honest talk about challenges (health inequity, stigma, risk) with empowering tools and strategies for parents and caregivers to transform their journey.

In Summary

This episode serves as both a beacon of hope and a practical guide for families navigating autism. Dr. Lyons combines her scientific background, personal experience, and advocacy to demystify the diagnosis, encourage critical thinking and intuition, and offer concrete steps toward better care and community. Her reframing of “autism” as “AWE-tism” underlines the mission: to replace fear with awe, and isolation with informed action.