Dr. Mary Barbera reviews new research and gives a critical analysis of Gestalt Language Processing (GLP), going over its definition and implications for children with autism. Dr. Barbera discusses what she has learned about the Natural Language Acquisition Protocol (NLA) teaching methods for GLP and evaluates whether these are the best approaches.
Dr. Mary Barbera highlights three common mistakes with teaching pronouns: introducing pronouns too early, using turn-taking pronouns like “my turn” and “your turn” with minimal language skills, and starting with receptive pronouns instead of expressive ones. She provides strategies to avoid these pitfalls, focusing on building vocabulary first, using simple language, and starting with expressive pronouns. By following these steps, children can effectively learn pronouns without confusion or pron...
Taking a child with autism to the dentist can be challenging, but it doesn’t have to be. In this episode, Dr. Mary Barbera share five steps to make dentist visits positive experiences. Learn why holding kids down at the dentist should be avoided, and strategies for desensitizing dental visits, creating realistic plans, and practicing in familiar settings. With preparation and gradual exposure, dental visits can become manageable and even enjoyable for your child.
Dr. Mary Barbera shares three effective tips for improving sleep issues in children with autism, drawing from her personal experience with her son, Lucas. These tips include preventing bed entry, calmly returning the child to their bed, and using positive reinforcement. She also discusses common sleep problems in children with autism, such as irregular melatonin levels, sensory sensitivities, and behavioral patterns, and emphasizes the importance of consistent bedtime routines and provides resou...
Dr. Mary Barbera interviews Nadia, a mother who successfully supported her 2-year-old son Muhammad's speech development and managed his autism-related behaviors using Dr. Barbera’s verbal behavior techniques. Nadia shares her journey from Pakistan to Australia, the challenges of long waitlists, and how her son’s speech and behavior have improved significantly. Dr. Mary Barbera covers strategies for early diagnosis, intervention, using effective reinforcers, and addressing picky eating, highlight...
Dr. Mary Barbera interviews Rose Griffin, a Speech-Language Pathologist and Board Certified Behavior Analyst, about solving speech articulation errors in children, particularly those with autism and speech delays. They discuss the importance of early identification and intervention, typical speech sound development, and practical strategies for improving speech articulation. Rose emphasizes the need for a structured, individualized approach, integrating playful techniques, and ensuring generaliz...
Dr. Mary Barbera goes over the importance of timing and effective methods for teaching colors. Teaching colors too early to children with autism or speech delays can hinder language development, it’s important to wait until children have a solid vocabulary of 50-100 nouns and are developmentally ready (typically around 30 months). You should also be focusing on using sorting activities with construction paper to teach colors separately from nouns, and pairing and labeling colors before combining...
Dr. Mary Barbera compares her two bestselling autism books, "The Verbal Behavior Approach" and "Turn Autism Around." Mary also touches on which book best fits your needs for supporting children with autism. You'll learn about unique strengths and insights each book offers, discussing their differences.
In this rebroadcast, Dr. Mary Barbera discusses how to use techniques from Miss Rachel's popular YouTube channel, "Miss Rachel Songs for Littles," to support children with speech delays or autism. Miss Rachel's videos, which employ video modeling and proven speech therapy methods, offer valuable resources for language development. While screen time should be limited, using educational content like Miss Rachel's can be beneficial. Creating personalized videos can also help to enhance speech skill...
Dr. Mary Barbera interviews Dr. Erin Michaud, an expert in autism research, discussing early detection and intervention for developmental delays and autism. They cover topics such as recognizing early markers like eye contact and cooing, the importance of parent training, and tailored interventions such as speech and behavioral therapy. Dr. Michaud also highlights the differences between developmental delays and autism, emphasizing early action and continuous support to improve outcomes.
Struggling with picky eating in your child? You’re not alone. In this episode, Dr. Mary Barbera discusses the common causes of picky eating, the link between autism and selective eating, and the potential for serious issues like failure to thrive. Learn seven practical tips to address picky eating, including conducting assessments, creating an easy-medium-hard food list, stopping snacking between meals, introducing nutrient-dense foods, maintaining a consistent feeding schedule, and gradually in...
In this classic rebroadcast, Dr. Mary Barbera goes over six strategies based on Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to manage toddler tantrums and enhance communication. There are three preventative measures focused on positive reinforcement, one-word repetition, and structured interactions to reduce tantrum occurrences. There are also three reactive strategies emphasizing safety, stopping attention, and planned ignoring to handle tantrums effectively. Using these tools to create a positive learning...
Dr. Mary Barbera covers how to enhance speech therapy goals for children with delays. Learn from real-life experiences, including insight from Lucas’s speech therapy journey. Avoid common pitfalls like generic goal banks and ensure goals are tailored to each child’s unique needs, strategies for toddlers, emphasizing realistic milestones and parental involvement. Use these tips and see how therapy sessions become more effective and empowering for children's development.
Dr. Mary Barbera discusses contrasting methods of gentle parenting and Positive Toddler Parenting™ in addressing toddler behavior, focusing on the response to hitting. While gentle parenting emphasizes empathy and teaching moments, Positive Toddler Parenting™ advocates for immediate intervention and minimal acknowledgment of negative emotions during the incident.Both approaches aim to nurture emotionally intelligent children, yet differ in their strategies for managing challenging behaviors.
Struggling with toddler biting? Dr. Mary Barbera offers a 4-step method to address biting behavior, emphasizing understanding the underlying causes and implementing positive strategies. Learn why biting isn't just a phase and explore assessments to determine triggers and give proactive responses and alternatives to prevent and manage biting incidents, fostering positive behavior in toddlers. Tune in to stop biting and promote a safe, supportive environment for your toddler's development.
Today, Dr. Mary Barbera offers three simple assessments for parents concerned about their toddler's behavior. These assessments include language sampling, baseline video recordings of play, and the Barbera Early Childhood Assessment™ (BECA). By utilizing these tools, parents can gain insights into their child's development and identify potential areas of concern or strength. These assessments empower parents to take proactive steps in supporting their child's development and seeking further guid...
In today's rebroadcast, learn effective strategies to address toddler hitting and throwing behaviors. Join Dr. Mary Barbera and Rachel Smith, Program Director for Positive Toddler Parenting™, as she shares her experience with her son Everett and discusses child-friendly solutions, prevention techniques, neutral discussions, and attention removal strategies to curb problem behaviors. These methods, adaptable for children with or without developmental delays, aim to promote positive interactions a...
Dr. Mary Barbera and Rachel discusses how to start preparing toddlers for a new sibling. You'll learn about timing considerations, practical strategies, emphasizing safety and smooth transitions. These tips include involving children in preparations, maintaining routines, and fostering a supportive environment. All of these tips should help ease your child into the addition of a new family member more readily.
In this episode, Dr. Mary Barbera announces the end of the Turn Autism Around® podcast, but embraces a new journey as Positive Toddler Parenting™. The transition reflects a broader focus on toddler development and parenting, aiming to support all families. The rebranding introduces the Barbera Early Childhood Assessment (BECA)™ tool and offers practical solutions for various developmental challenges. While still valuable for autism families, the podcast now caters to a wider audience. Join us in...
Learn about the essence of social skills development with BCBA Kelly McKinnon-Birmingham. She and Dr. Mary Barbera go over the significance of joint attention beyond mere eye contact and its role in transitioning to group learning, effective classroom management strategies and the power of positive reinforcement in fostering a conducive learning environment. Learn about Kelly's unique stress reduction practices, including the transformative concept of non-contingent Sundays for family well-being...
Dr. Mary Barbera explores the intricacies of love and autism with insights from "Love on the Spectrum" Season 2. Learn about the series' portrayal of love, challenges, and misconceptions surrounding autism, highlighting the significance of representation and support in media. The show involves and empowers autistic adults while showcasing the diverse spectrum of experiences.
Dr. Mary Barbera interviews her son Spencer, sharing his experiences growing up with a brother with autism. Spencer, now entering medical school, offers valuable insights and advice for siblings of autism, highlighting resilience, compassion, and the importance of family support. Discover their journey, challenges, and decisions regarding guardianship for Lucas. A touching exploration of sibling dynamics and the strength of family bonds in navigating autism.
Dr. Mary Barbera explores the latest in autism research, focusing on Dr. Karen Parker's study on intranasal vasopressin. Despite challenges, such as translating animal model research to human application, vasopressin shows promise in improving social behavior and reducing anxiety in children with autism. Supported by the Simons Foundation, this research highlights potential breakthroughs in autism treatment. Join the movement through initiatives like the SPARK program, fostering collaboration an...
Mary Barbera and Lisa Houseworth, an ABA expert, mother, and blogger from Cruising with Kruz discuss navigating autism preschool choices. From recognizing early signs to embracing intensive ABA therapy, Lisa discusses the transformative impact of personalized interventions. Discover the challenges of transitioning to school-based programs and the importance of parental advocacy. Lisa's journey offers practical advice and hope for families seeking the right placement for their children with autis...
Dr. Mary Barbera discusses the realities of autism waitlists and steps to navigate them effectively in this podcast. She addresses the emotional toll of waiting, reasons for long waitlists, and strategies for proactive engagement while waiting. Learn how to leverage resources and advocate for your child's needs, transforming waiting time into a proactive path toward support and understanding.
Dr. Mary Barbera goes over the importance of early autism detection and treatment through Dr. Ami Klin's groundbreaking work in this rebroadcast. Learn about the impact of early intervention on a child's developmental trajectory, focusing on the crucial birth to age 3 period. Dr. Klin's insights on preventing behavioral and speech disorders, emphasizes the significance of treating autism early.
Learn the #1 self-care tool for teaching children with autism essential skills like hand washing and tooth brushing. The Turn Autism Around® approach helps showcase the importance of task analysis in breaking down tasks. Embrace consistent practice, positive reinforcement, and personalized teaching methods for effective learning. For anyone supporting the development of self-care skills in children with autism or toddlers showing signs, this episode is a must watch.
Dr. Mary Barbera discusses 5 crucial legal and financial tips for parents of children with autism. From establishing a will and special needs trust to managing finances for social service eligibility, Dr. Barbera covers key strategies to secure your child's future. Learn about the importance of staying within the school system, accessing public benefits, and advocating for your child's education and healthcare needs. Empower yourself with knowledge to make informed decisions and avoid common pit...
Today Dr. Mary Barbera goes over the essential three autism assessments, providing immediate support for children with autism. These free and user-friendly assessments are crucial for determining the right starting point in intervention. Dr. Mary Barbera emphasizes the significance of baseline videos, language samples, and an online digital assessment to monitor progress effectively. With clear instructions and accessible resources, this episode guides parents and caregivers on leveraging these ...
Dr. Mary Barbera addresses the top five questions surrounding a child's recent autism diagnosis. From processing emotions and seeking support to navigating systems and managing expectations, the episode provides essential guidance for families. The discussion emphasizes proactive planning, personalized intervention approaches, and the importance of communicating the diagnosis to family and friends.
