196 Oxytocin, Autism, and how Autism Research works
Non Linear Learning - Rethinking Education for Neurodivergent Learners
Release Date: 11/07/2025
199 Evidence, Rage, and Relief: A Mom–Son Team on Finding Spelled Communication
Non Linear Learning - Rethinking Education for Neurodivergent Learners
When 8-year-old non-speaking autistic Rafael found text-based communication, he didn’t just start “answering questions.” He started telling the truth about his body, his anxiety, and the frustration of being misunderstood. If you’ve ever looked at your non-speaking child and thought, “I know there’s more in there… I just don’t know how to reach it,” this conversation is for you. Today I’m joined by Daria and her 8-year-old autistic, non-speaking son Rafael, co-creators of on Substack and Instagram. After discovering text-based communication, they...
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198 How Understanding Apraxia changes your child's Education - with Dana Johnson
Non Linear Learning - Rethinking Education for Neurodivergent Learners
I first spoke with Dana Johnson nearly 4 years ago, and that conversation completely changed how I saw vision and learning. I call it my "ocular motor awakening" when I truly understood that vision has three components, and only one of them is corrected by glasses. Dana is the co-creator of the Spellers Method and the founder of multiple centers dedicated to helping non-speaking individuals communicate and learn with purpose. As both an occupational therapist (OT) and a Spellers Method practitioner, she brings a unique approach to supporting individuals with autism, apraxia, dyspraxia, and...
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197 Beyond Burnout: GABA Support, Mitochondria, and Realistic Help for Parents of Autistic Kids
Non Linear Learning - Rethinking Education for Neurodivergent Learners
If you're parenting an Autistic child and living in a state of constant alert (sensory overwhelm, dysregulation, sleepless nights, meltdowns, and the never-ending to-do list), this episode gives you a concrete biochemical map for how to get back to baseline. In today’s conversation,I’m joined by Dr. Scott Sherr board certified internal medicine physician, certified practitioner of Health Optimization Medicine, and COO of Troscriptions, a company making physician formulated, precision-dosed buccal troches for focus, stress, sleep, and immune function. We talk about: What is the...
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196 Oxytocin, Autism, and how Autism Research works
Non Linear Learning - Rethinking Education for Neurodivergent Learners
In this episode, psychiatrist and researcher Dr. Eric Strobl joins Dr. Vaish Sarathy to talk about a new re-analysis of the SOARS-B trial on oxytocin and autism. While earlier studies found no clear benefit, Dr. Strobl’s fine-grained, item-level analysis using machine learning uncovered consistent evidence that oxytocin can enhance social-emotional reciprocity the ability to engage, connect, and respond in social contexts. Together, they discuss: Why most autism drug trials fail to show benefit What “blunt outcome measures” really mean in clinical research How machine...
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195 What’s Your Excuse? Lessons on Problem-Solving, Asking for Help, and Doing the Next Thing
Non Linear Learning - Rethinking Education for Neurodivergent Learners
This may be the most heartfelt episode I’ve ever recorded. In this deeply human conversation, Maxwell Ivey: The Blind Blogger, and I talk about what it means to keep moving when life doesn’t hand you easy options. Maxwell lost his sight as a child, taught himself to code, built a business, and learned to ask for help without shame. We talk about the quiet power of asking, the courage to act before conditions are perfect, and a rare take on gratitude-not as politeness, but as the willingness to use what’s been given. Somewhere along the way, we find ourselves...
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194 Every Skill Can Be Built: Inside Non Linear Education with Daria Kotenko
Non Linear Learning - Rethinking Education for Neurodivergent Learners
before doors close (Friday 11:59 PM PT)
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193 The Myth of Readiness: Why Waiting Holds Our Kids Back
Non Linear Learning - Rethinking Education for Neurodivergent Learners
How long have you been waiting for your child to be ready? Ready to sit still, focus, or “start learning”? In this episode, Dr. Vaish Sarathy dismantles one of the most persistent myths in special education: the idea that readiness must come before learning. Drawing on neuroscience and real-world experience, she explains experience-driven neuroplasticity how the brain builds readiness through meaningful action, not waiting. You’ll learn 3 practical ways to start teaching complex ideas right now no perfect calm, no perfect focus required. If you’re ready to move from waiting to...
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192 The Cost of Low Expectations (and the #1 Shift to Break Free)
Non Linear Learning - Rethinking Education for Neurodivergent Learners
The biggest barrier in your child’s education isn’t Autism, Down syndrome, or even learning disabilities. It’s low expectations. When a 12-year-old is handed board books or toddler math, the hidden message is: “This is all I think you can do.” That belief shapes motivation, behavior, trust, and hope for the future. In this episode of Non Linear Learning, Dr. Vaish Sarathy unpacks the true cost of low expectations and shares the #1 shift to break free: speaking to your child with age appropriate language. You’ll hear: Why “presuming competence” isn’t enough How low...
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191. When Compliance Fails: Dr. Robin Harwick on Democratic Education for Neurodivergent Teens
Non Linear Learning - Rethinking Education for Neurodivergent Learners
In this episode of Non Linear Learning, Dr. Vaish Sarathy speaks with Dr. Robin Harwick, founder of , a groundbreaking online school designed for teens who don’t fit into traditional education especially autistic, ADHD, and otherwise neurodivergent learners. Together, we explore: Why compliance-based systems harm learning (and why they persist) How democratic education gives back autonomy, voice, and safety What it actually looks like to co-create curriculum with neurodivergent students How to spot when your child’s IEP is a red flag, not a lifeline Why some students with PDA or...
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190. Exploring the science of Failure for you and your Autistic learner
Non Linear Learning - Rethinking Education for Neurodivergent Learners
In this edition of Non Linear Learning, Dr. Vaish Sarathy and co-host Searmi Park unpack the buzz around “productive failure”and flip it on its head for neurodivergent learners. Inspired by Manu Kapur’s work and , Vaish and Searmi explore when failure can deepen learning, when it harms, and why the word we’re actually looking for is exploration, not failure at least for this audience. In this episode Productive failure what we think it means Why we don’t “design failure” for autistic students Parents as the ones who “fail productively” Real-life stories A...
info_outline- Why most autism drug trials fail to show benefit
- What “blunt outcome measures” really mean in clinical research
- How machine learning can extract signal from noise in complex data
- What oxytocin actually does (and doesn’t do) in real life
- How future studies could use more nuanced, individualized measures
- Study Discussed:Strobl E et al. (2024). “Item-Level Analysis Reveals Oxytocin Improves Social-Emotional Reciprocity in Autism Spectrum Disorder.” Preprint
- Parker KJ et al. (2017). “A Randomized Clinical Trial of Oxytocin in Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder.” Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA Psychiatry) Link
- Related Reading:
- On machine learning in psychiatry: Nature – Machine learning in mental health research
Key Takeaways- Oxytocin may help but not for everyone. Its most reliable effect seems to be reducing social anxiety and improving comfort in social exchanges.
- Measurement matters. “Blunt” outcome scales can bury meaningful results under noise. Item-level, data-driven analysis reveals nuance traditional methods miss.
- Autism heterogeneity is real. The same outward behavior can stem from different root causes - so future trials need precision tools, not averages.
- Hope through better science. New methods aren’t about hype—they’re about accuracy, compassion, and smarter research design.
- Instagram: @drvaishsarathy
- Free Guide: Turn ON Your Child’s Learning Switch
- Join the Non Linear Education Waitlist: Get on the list here →