Turn Autism Around - podcast cover

Turn Autism Around

Dr. Mary Barberawww.marybarbera.com
Dr. Mary Barbera, RN, doctoral-level behavior analyst, best-selling author, and online course creator discusses autism and speech delays from several different angles for both parents as well as medical, educational, and behavioral professionals. Learn more at www.marybarbera.com. Each week we discuss Mary’s 4-step proven approach to tackle common parenting struggles including how to improve talking, reduce tantrums, and improve picky eating, sleeping, potty training and so much more for kids with and without autism! Topics also include what to do when a toddler is delayed and how to identify the earliest signs of autism, ADHD, sensory processing disorder, or even giftedness! And what to do if your child is diagnosed or requires early intervention or ABA therapy. So, whether you're a parent of a child or a professional such as a behavior analyst, nurse, physician, speech pathologist, or teacher, you’re going to want to listen and subscribe!
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Episodes

#203: Autism Mom Burnout with More Than a Caregiver Founders Kate Swenson and Amanda Deluca

Kate Swenson and Amanda Deluca return to the Turn Autism Around Podcast to talk about their nonprofit, The More Than Project. This project supports caregivers, siblings, teachers and those that support and provide for special needs children. We discuss how they support initiatives and big events that are so meaningful to caregivers.

Nov 22, 202242 minEp. 203

#202: How To Deal with Autism Meltdowns: Hot Seat with Zulekha Part 2

Zulekha Williams is a mom from the Autism TikTok community. Today she takes the Hot Seat as we discuss her 4 year old, non-speaking son with autism. In Part 2 of this special episode, we pick back up with the interview discussing self-injurious behavior, meltdowns, tantrums, and some feeding concerns.

Nov 15, 202241 min

#201: Assessing a Child with Non-speaking Autism: Hot Seat #7 with Zulekha

Zulekha Williams is a mom from the Autism TikTok community. Today she takes the Hot Seat as we discuss her 4-year-old, non-speaking son with autism. In Part 1 of this special episode, we review key questions from the One Page Assessment and cover topics like potty training, picky eating, table time activities and more.

Nov 08, 202248 minEp. 201

#200: Revisiting My Autism Journey: From Overwhelmed Parent to Autism Leader and Advocate - Vikram Panchal Interviews Dr. Mary Barbera

200 Episodes of the Turn Autism Around podcast! We are celebrating with a special episode in which I am being interviewed by one of our community members, Vikram Panchal! Tune in to hear about my autism journey and the evolution of my career that has not only changed my life but as Vikram said, the lives of families all over the world.

Nov 01, 202253 minEp. 200

#199: Dr. Sarah Williams: Trauma-informed ABA Therapy and Supporting Black Children with Autism

I met Dr. Sarah Williams on TikTok, where she has a huge following. She’s a BCBAD with both a master's and a doctorate in applied behavior analysis, and she is also a black woman. We talk about not only social media and her business and supporting families with and without a diagnosis, but also the unique challenges and obstacles of families who are black professionals, and especially BCBAs who might be having some challenges in a mostly white field.

Oct 25, 202240 minEp. 199

#198: Turn Autism Around, Online Autism Assessment: Try It Now!

Introducing my much anticipated software for my new online autism assessment. Learn how you can take this free assessment, whether your child has a diagnosis of autism or not. With this new autism quiz, you can plan interventions for toddlers, young children, or any age with scores based on daily activities, language and learning, and problem behaviors.

Oct 18, 202233 minEp. 198

#197: BHCOE Accreditation: Get Help Picking Out Good ABA with Dr. Ellie Kazemi

I am all about improving the lives of children with autism and autism families. Dr. Ellie Kazemi joins me today to discuss her work, experience, and knowledge with BCBAs, ABA and her focus on improving the world of Behavior Analytics. She shares about national projects with NASA, FEMA, and the accreditation program with the Behavioral Health Center of Excellence.

Oct 11, 202242 minEp. 197

#194: 6 Strategies to Increase Talking and Decrease Tantrums

Whether you’re a parent or professional, we never get it right 100% of the time. Sometimes there are going to be tantrums and problem behaviors, especially in the case of limited talking. I’ve put together a list of my 6 most used and trusted strategies for increasing talking and decreasing tantrums. I share both preventive and reactive strategies that will get these behaviors at or near 0 and keep them there.

Sep 20, 202230 minEp. 194

#193: Why Won't My Toddler Eat? Top 5 Picky Eating Q and A

Are meal times, feeding, and nutrition concerns causing stress in your family? Feeding problems and picky eating are common signs of autism, but many concerns can be addressed. Following up on last week's rebroadcast, Kelsey General joins me with the Top 5 questions from our online community about picky eaters.

Sep 13, 202250 minEp. 193

#192: Classic Rebroadcast: Autism and Eating Disorders with Dr. Keith Williams

Picky eating and autism often go hand and hand and can be a cause of concern and frustration for many families. This episode is a Classic Rebroadcast all about Autism and Feeding, with Dr. Keith Williams of the Hershey Medical Center Feeding Program. We cover Dr. Williams’ parent-centered approach, nutrient deficiencies, and other common problems with picky eating.

Sep 06, 202257 minEp. 192

#191: Autism TikTok- Parenting without Power Struggles with @thefamilybehaviorist

Since joining TikTok in June 2022, I have not only been able to create my own videos and reach a new audience, I have been able to find and meet others in the autism field who align with my strategies. Mandy Grass, @TheFamilyBehaviorist, SPED teacher and BCBA joins me to discuss her journey on TikTok and some of her most viewed videos. We cover common problems and strategies for both parents and professionals, including the importance of tone, accepting no, and reducing power struggles.

Aug 30, 202234 minEp. 191

#190: ABA Data Collection Made Easy

I often talk a lot about data and the importance of data collection in changing and preventing behavior. Data is an important piece of two of my steps in the Turn Autism Around approach. Today I am talking about assessments, 4 easy ABA data collection methods, and some important dos and don'ts when it comes to taking and analyzing data.

Aug 23, 202245 minEp. 190

#189: ABA Courses Online for Autism Therapists with Will Overfelt

Parents and professionals can truly benefit from joining our online course and community. Will Overfelt, a friend and BCBA, shares his positive review and experience of the Verbal Behavior Bundle. This episode is packed with wisdom from certifications in the autism field, CEU information, insight on my online course and community, and some important advice for parents and professionals alike.

Aug 16, 202244 minEp. 189

#188: Top 5 Q and A series: Teaching Play and Social Skills

If you missed last week's episode, go back and check it out for a refresh on a classic episode about play and social skills. Kelsey General joins today to discuss and answer the top 5 questions about teaching play and social skills from our online community. We cover milestones, sharing, myths about daycare, peer to peer play, why your child isn’t playing with toys, and much more.

Aug 09, 202243 minEp. 188

#187: Classic Rebroadcast: Teaching Play Skills to Young Children with Autism

In this classic rebroadcast of episode 79, we are revisiting play skills in young children with autism. I share how you might notice delays in play skills, what to look for in play skills development, and ideas for intervention and teaching play skills. This episode is being shared as a refresher before we dive in with some commonly asked questions regarding play and social skills, next week.

Aug 02, 202228 minEp. 187

#186: Shannon Penrod: Autism Advice for Parents

Here at Turn Autism Around, we are familiar with denial and other feelings of guilt surrounding autism. Today Shannon Penrod, podcast host, author, and comedian, joins me to share her journey of hope with her son Jem. We discuss her personal stories as well as some important advice surrounding coping with feelings as an autism parent.

Jul 26, 202247 minEp. 186

#185: How to Stop a Toddler from Throwing Things and Hitting Me - Solving Problem Behaviors

We all want to be good parents and good professionals, dealing with problem behaviors can be difficult and have you doubting your skills. You are not alone! Rachel Smith, the Turn Autism Around Program Director, joins me today to discuss her first-hand experience with stopping problem behaviors for her three-year-old son Everett. We discuss real strategies and tips that can help any child with or without Autism.

Jul 19, 202238 minEp. 185

#184: Solving Speech Delays in 4-year-olds and Autism Denial: Hot Seat #6 with Vikram

For the first time ever in a hot seat, we’re hearing from an Autism Dad. Vikram from Melbourne, Australia joins me to discuss his son Nahum’s concerns, his assessments, and his progress since starting my courses and applying the early learner materials. We talk a lot about language skills, as well as meal time concerns, self-care and pottying, and autism denial, something a lot of parents struggle with when working toward a diagnosis.

Jul 12, 20221 hr 5 minEp. 184

#183: Global Autism Project - Supporting Families with Autism in Ukraine with Molly Ola Pinney

The War in Ukraine is a serious crisis in today’s world, within that population, there are families with children with autism facing severe struggles due to loss of therapy service and extreme disruption to normalcy and routine for their family. Molly Ola Pinney of the Global Autism Project has been to Poland, spoken with displaced Ukrainian families, and is working to create new opportunities for safety, services, and therapy that these families and children need. Listen for how YOU can help an...

Jul 05, 202228 minEp. 183

#182: Teaching Autoclitics and Manding for Information with Dr. Sarah Lechago

Manding for information is an important skill for intermediate learners. Today, I am joined by Dr. Sarah Lechago to discuss her research and trials teaching learners to mand for information. We talk about what manding is, the prerequisite manding skills that come before manding for information, how to use autoclitics, how to practice manding in your natural environment, and a lot of other great tips for both parents and professionals.

Jun 28, 20221 hr 2 minEp. 182

#181: Medications for Autism : Top 5 Questions and Answers

Last week we circled back to podcast 28 from 2019 with Dr. Michael Murray, talking all about medications and autism. Kelsey is back to feature 5 more big questions on medications for autism that we get in our community. If you’re considering medications for your child, wondering if they will work, and just how to get them to take them, we’ll shed light on these answers and more!

Jun 21, 202228 minEp. 181

#180: Is There Medication for Autism? with Psychiatrist Dr. Michael Murray

Originally aired in 2019, today’s episode is a rebroadcast of episode 28, and one of my favorite, most referenced podcasts. Dr. Michael Murray, the first medical doctor I had the pleasure of interviewing and whom I actually worked with to successfully find the right medication for my son, Lucas. In this classic episode, he shares great information on autism and medication, and genetic testing that can eliminate the hard work of trial and error that can come with finding the right medication....

Jun 14, 202252 minEp. 180

#179: Help, My Toddler is Waking Up at Night! And Other Frequently Asked Questions about Sleep Issues in Autism

If sleep has become a sore subject and a constant struggle for you and your child, you are not alone! Today, Kelsey General and I are answering top FAQs on sleep issues from our online community. We go over important questions to ask when assessing your child’s sleep situation, how to break the cycle of constant night wakings, why up-to-date blood work is important for understanding sleep, and how to build strong sleep routines for your child to last a lifetime.

Jun 07, 202238 minEp. 179

#178: Theresa Richard: Medical SLP and Autism Mom

A Medical SLP specializing in Swallowing Disorders shares her personal story of her son’s autism diagnosis. Theresa Richards is an SLP, Podcaster, Author, and Autism mom of a son with a rare chromosomal abnormality. She shares their unique journey to diagnosis and finding the perfect therapy team. Theresa also shares some valuable knowledge on Medical SLPs and swallowing and how she is contributing to the field.

May 31, 202235 minEp. 178

#177: Teaching Children with Autism Using Table Time: Frequently Asked Questions

Table time is an integral part of my Turn Autism Around approach that differs from other providers and approaches. If you’re curious on how to start table time, what it’s all about, or maybe you’re really struggling with it now that you’ve started, you need to listen to these frequently asked questions. Community Manager, Kelsey General, joins me to ask these top questions from our community all about table time.

May 24, 202243 minEp. 177

#176: A Story of Hope: Reducing Autism Self Injury, Autism Homeschooling, and Lessons Learned with Kelsey General

Last week we re-broadcasted episode 3, where Kelsey General, our community manager, first shared her journey with her two boys and applying my techniques and approach. Now it’s three years later, Kelsey is more involved than ever in our community and is back to share an update on Brentley and Lincoln. If you haven't yet, be sure to listen to last week's episode and then join us for this awesome update on the progress Kelsey and her family have made.

May 17, 202237 minEp. 176

#175: Navigating Autism : Failed M-Chat Score, Toddler Headbanging, and Parent Led Therapy with Kelsey General

Enjoy this look back at episode 3, where Kelsey General first shared her autism journey with her sons, Brentley and Lincoln. She talks about early signs, the M-Chat, finding therapy, tackling severe safety concerns, and what she did when therapy just wasn’t working. Since discovering our community and courses, Kelsey has become the captain of her ship and seen incredible progress in both her sons, allowing her family to lead a happier and less stressed life.

May 10, 202253 minEp. 175

#174: Global Development Delay and Autism: Hot Seat #5 with Grandma Tina

When grandparents are able to collaborate with their families for the benefit of a child, it is really amazing. In this hot seat, I am talking with Grandma Tina about her 2 and a half year old Grandson Wyatt, diagnosed with Global Delays and Autism Spectrum Disorder before the age of 2. We are going over Wyatt's One-Page Assessment and some of the struggles they are facing despite some great progress already.

May 03, 202256 minEp. 174
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