What if the biggest shift in your child’s future starts with one decision you’ve been putting off? In this episode, we dive into the emotional, medical, and deeply human side of navigating neurodivergence—and what parents often get wrong (and right) along the way.
In this episode of The Autism Roundtable, host Leah Gross sits down with Dr. Nallapati, a developmental pediatrician and founder of Turtle Pediatrics, to unpack the realities of diagnosing and supporting neurodivergent children. From her unconventional path into pediatrics to her innovative telehealth model, Dr. Nallapati shares how meeting families in their own environment can transform care.
The conversation explores the critical importance of early intervention, while also emphasizing that it’s never “too late” to get answers. They tackle parental guilt, misinformation around autism causes, and the complexities of ADHD treatment—including the nuanced approach required for children with both autism and ADHD (AuDHD).
Above all, this episode reframes diagnosis not as a label—but as a roadmap toward clarity, support, and growth.
About The Guest:
Dr. Nallapati is a developmental pediatrician with over 15 years of training and experience working with children across multiple clinical settings. She is the founder of Turtle Pediatrics, a telemedicine-based practice designed to evaluate and support children in their natural home environment. Her work focuses on autism, ADHD, and developmental delays, with a strong emphasis on empowering families and providing individualized care.
Time Stamps:
00:00 Journey into Pediatrics and Developmental Care
03:50 The Power of Resilience in Children
07:19 Founding Turtle Pediatrics & Telehealth Model
11:37 When to Seek a Diagnosis
15:41 Why Early Intervention Matters
24:28 Parental Guilt and the Blame Cycle
30:55 Late Diagnoses and Relief in Understanding
37:13 Autism, Research, and Misinformation
46:49 Understanding ADHD and Diagnosis
52:07 Medication vs. Therapy Debate
54:50 What is AuDHD?
Ready to better understand your child and take the next step with confidence?
Tune in to the full episode for valuable insights.
