If you've ever felt dismissed during a doctor's visit, struggled to explain your child's symptoms clearly, or wondered if that "stomach ache" is anxiety or something more serious—this conversation is for you.
In this episode of The Parenting Cipher Podcast, host Genie Dawkins sits down with Dr. Timothy McKnight, a retired pediatrician with decades of experience in pediatric emergency medicine and hospital care. Dr. McKnight now serves as Executive Director of Cleveland State University's Pathways to Practice program, dedicated to increasing diversity in healthcare.
Together, they unpack critical strategies every parent—especially those raising neurodiverse children—needs to navigate the medical system with confidence, clarity, and courage.
Dr. McKnight opens with a powerful message that validates what many parents already feel deep in their gut:
"I always listen to that mother's intuition. I've seen a lot of doctors get burned by dismissing it."
He shares stories from his years in the ER where mothers brought their children in multiple times, insisting something was wrong—only to discover serious conditions like meningitis. One parent drove through Rock Creek Park with the windows down, temporarily lowering her son's fever, which led doctors to dismiss her concerns. She returned three times in one night before her child was properly diagnosed.
Genie adds a critical layer to this conversation: the bias many Black families face when seeking medical care. She recounts taking her son to the ER, visibly in pain and needing a wheelchair, only to be met with skepticism and dismissiveness.
"Sometimes I feel like because of my color, you're not taking me seriously. You're not taking my child seriously."
This is why advocacy isn't optional—it's essential. And Dr. McKnight offers practical tools to help parents show up prepared and empowered.
One of the most actionable takeaways from this episode? Start keeping a health journal for your child.
✅ Stock your medicine cabinet: Motrin, Tylenol, and a functioning thermometer
✅ Keep a symptom diary: Use a notebook or voice notes on your phone
✅ Track key details:
When you walk into an appointment or ER with documented details, you're no longer relying on memory under stress. You have data—and data demands to be taken seriously.
Dr. McKnight explains:
"80% of the time, you can get the diagnosis based on history before you even touch the patient. You need to get the story right."
By arriving prepared, you help the doctor see the full picture and avoid having to repeat your story to multiple providers.
A major theme in this episode is the often-overlooked connection between gut health and neurodiversity, particularly for children with autism, ADHD, anxiety, and sensory processing challenges.
Many neurodiverse children are picky eaters due to sensory sensitivities. This can lead to:
Genie shares her own experience: her son, who has autism and sensory processing disorder, ended up in the ER with severe stomach pain. The doctors initially dismissed it as constipation, but she knew it was more. The pain was real—and debilitating.
Dr. McKnight introduces his line of pediatric wellness products at McKnightMD.com, specifically designed to address these gaps:
Genie asks a question many parents have: Aren't gummies bad because of the sugar?
Dr. McKnight's response is refreshingly practical:
"You're worried about one gummy? Let's talk about that bowl of cereal, that soda, that Capri Sun. Come on."
The point? Don't let perfection be the enemy of good. A fiber gummy with a small amount of sugar is far better than a child suffering from chronic constipation or vitamin deficiency.
Bring your symptom log. Be specific. Use timelines. Example:
If something doesn't make sense, ask for clarification. You're not being difficult—you're being responsible.
If you feel something is wrong, keep advocating. Seek a second opinion if needed. Don't leave until your concerns are addressed.
As one of Dr. McKnight's patients said:
"I have two doctors: my regular pediatrician and Dr. McKnight—my acute care doctor."
It's okay to have multiple trusted providers. Find someone who respects your voice.
Dr. McKnight shares a deeply personal story about growing up as the youngest of nine children in a family of high achievers. His father, a 1945 graduate of Howard Medical School, practiced medicine at a time when Black doctors couldn't touch white patients and were barred from many hospitals.
Today, Dr. McKnight is a second-generation physician—and he's helping create pathways for the next generation.
Through Cleveland State University's Pathways to Practice, Dr. McKnight works to increase representation of underrepresented minorities in medicine. The program:
When children see doctors who look like them, trust increases—and so does the quality of care. Representation isn't just symbolic; it's life-saving.
"We only make up 5% of practicing doctors. In dentistry, it's even worse—3.8%."
Programs like Pathways to Practice are working to change that.
Dr. McKnight defines urban health as addressing the systemic barriers that prevent equitable healthcare access, particularly in Black and Brown communities:
The pandemic exposed these disparities in stark terms. Black and Brown communities had:
Dr. McKnight's sister, a healthcare professional, died of advanced-stage cancer because she didn't have insurance as an independent contractor. Had the Affordable Care Act existed earlier, she might still be alive.
"Healthcare disparities are real. I've lived it. I've seen it. And it's something we have to get better at."
📝 Start a health journal (notebook or voice notes)
🩺 Stock your medicine cabinet with basics: Motrin, Tylenol, thermometer
🦠 Consider probiotics and fiber if your child has GI issues or picky eating
🛌 Try melatonin-based sleep support if bedtime is a nightly battle
🗣️ Practice telling your child's story clearly and confidently
✅ Write down questions before you go
✅ Bring your symptom log
✅ Ask for clarification when needed
✅ Don't leave until your concerns are addressed
✅ Seek a second opinion if you feel dismissed
🎓 Talk to your children about careers in STEM and healthcare
🏥 Seek out diverse healthcare providers when possible
💬 Share your experiences to help other parents navigate the system
📢 Support programs like Pathways to Practice that increase representation
🔗 McKnightMD.com – Pediatric wellness supplements including probiotics, fiber, multivitamins, and sleep support
🔗 Cleveland State University's Pathways to Practice Program – Supporting underrepresented minorities in medicine
🔗 Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) – Affordable, accessible healthcare for underserved communities
🔗 Free Symptom Tracker Template – Download from The Parenting Cipher
🔗 IEP and Medical Advocacy Toolkit – Available at The Parenting Cipher
💬 "I always listen to that mother's intuition. I've seen a lot of doctors get burned by dismissing it." — Dr. Timothy McKnight
💬 "Sometimes I feel like because of my color, you're not taking me seriously. You're not taking my child seriously." — Genie Dawkins
💬 "80% of the time, you can get the diagnosis based on history before you even touch the patient." — Dr. Timothy McKnight
💬 "You're worried about one gummy? Let's talk about that bowl of cereal, that soda, that Capri Sun." — Dr. Timothy McKnight
💬 "Representation matters. When our kids see doctors who look like them, they know they can dream bigger." — Genie Dawkins
💬 "Healthcare disparities are real. I've lived it. I've seen it. It's something we have to get better at." — Dr. Timothy McKnight
Host of The Parenting Cipher Podcast, special education advocate, and mom to two neurodiverse sons. Genie helps families decode complex systems—from IEPs to medical advocacy—and find peace and power in the process.
Connect with Genie:
🎙️ The Parenting Cipher Podcast
📧 Email: info@theparentingcipher.com
📱 Instagram/Social: @theparentingcipher
Retired pediatrician, pediatric ER physician, and medical equity advocate. Dr. McKnight spent 15–20 years as a pediatric hospitalist and now serves as Executive Director of Cleveland State University's Pathways to Practice Program, working to uplift underrepresented minorities into medicine. He's also the founder of McKnightMD, a line of pediatric wellness products.
Connect with Dr. McKnight:
🌐 McKnightMD.com
🎓 Cleveland State Pathways to Practice
📱 Instagram/TikTok: @mcknightmd
🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts
🎧 Listen on Spotify
Did this episode resonate with you?
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📥 Free Symptom Tracker for Doctor Visits
📥 Medical Advocacy Letter Templates
📥 IEP Meeting Prep Checklist
🎙️ Episode Title: Navigating IEP Meetings with Confidence
🎙️ Episode Title: Understanding Sensory Processing Disorder
Advocating for your child's health isn't about being confrontational—it's about being prepared, persistent, and trusting your parental instincts. Whether you're navigating an ER visit, managing chronic GI issues, or simply trying to get your pediatrician to listen, your voice matters.
As Dr. McKnight reminds us: "You have to listen to that intuition."
And as Genie powerfully adds: "Your advocacy—even without all the medical terms—can be life-saving."
You know your child best. Trust that. Document it. Speak up. And never stop fighting for the care they deserve.
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