Autism Weekly Podcast

In this episode, we talk with leadership expert and award-winning author, Tim Schenider, about ‘the great resignation’ and its impact on the world of Applied Behavior Analysis (or ABA therapy) and other autism services.  Applied Behavior Analysis is the most commonly prescribed treatment for Autism Spectrum Disorder. ABA helps children with autism learn new skills - those might include communicati...

This week we welcome Adam Davis to the podcast to talk to us about the awesome ways games can be used as a fun way to help people with autism develop social & Interpersonal skills, regulate emotions, and increase mindfulness. Adam is the executive director of a nonprofit called Game to grow. In addition to his work with Game to Grow, Adam developed the CoRe Gaming program at the Atlantic Street Ce...

This week we welcome Jerrod Brown, Ph. D. to the podcast to talk with us about the vulnerabilities some autistic individuals may have when it comes to suggestibility, compliance, naivety, and gullibility. Jerrod is a professor, trainer, and consultant with considerable experience working with criminal justice-involved populations. The reality is that there are dishonest people out there that try t...

This week we welcome Board Certified Behavior Analyst, CEO and Co-Founder of IGCN Healthcare Partners, and National University professor, Cameron Nesbitt, to the podcast to talk to us about what goes into becoming a board certified behavior analyst. I hope this episode is helpful to parents of kiddos on the spectrum that are getting introduced to their treatment team as well as helpful for individ...

Making friends and building meaningful relationships is an important skill for both neurotypical and neurodivergent children. So how can parents and clinicians help? One way is to provide opportunities to be around other kiddos around the same age with similar interests. Today we are excited to talk with Emily Bruce about playdates! Emily is a board-certified behavior analyst and founder of the ap...

This week we welcome Dr. Nicole Williams and Dr. Ashley Shayter from the Behavioral Health Center Of Excellence (or BHCOE for short) to talk with us about the amazing ways an ABA therapy program and IEP plan can work together to help children with autism learn.  Learn More About the BHCOE: https://bhcoe.org/ COMING SOON From the BHCOE: School Standards  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Au...

This week we welcome the program director of the College Internship Program, Jenna Knauss to the podcast to talk to us about the ways parents can help their teens get ready for adulthood and the community resources that might be available to help. The College Internship Program has locations across the country. They have focused on helping young adults on the spectrum find success in college, empl...

In this episode, we welcome autism self-advocate and author Sam Farmer BACK to the podcast to talk about how to rise above bullying. Bullying can impact people of all ages and Sam has empowering advice that can help in all kinds of scenarios. Sam first joined our podcast back on episode 27 where we discussed his path towards autism awareness and acceptance. Sam is an author of a book titled “A Lon...

This week we are excited to welcome Co-CEO of Ascend Behavior Partners, Jonathan Mueller, to the podcast to talk about the future of Autism care. Jonathan shares Jeff's same mission of making high-quality ABA therapy as accessible as possible to children and families in need. This episode breaks down access to care, how to tackle long waitlists, as well as how technology can improve the way we pro...

This week we are excited to welcome Dr. Peter Faustino to the podcast to talk to us about what an Individualized Education Plan (or IEP) can do to open up new opportunities for your child.  Dr. Faustino is a school psychologist and works as an expert advisor for the new Autism Speaks IEP guide. He operates his own private practice working with students and families with developmental delays. Downl...

This week I am excited to welcome the CEO of the Behavioral Health Center of Excellence to the podcast, Sarah Litvak, and welcome back her colleague, and VP of Government Relations Anna Boulard! Download the podcast today to learn about the incredible ways the BHCOE is advancing the field of ABA from both the parent and the provider perspective. Sarah Litvak is a behavior analyst based out of sout...

This week we welcome BCBA, Amanda Taylor to the podcast to share some tips on how to help kiddos on the spectrum learn social skills and ultimately make friends. Amanda is an assistant director at our Cottonwood Heights ABA Therapy Center where she helps create opportunities for children on the spectrum to learn, socialize, and meet their goals. Social skills are just one of the many important are...

Back to school is right around the corner. For parents of children on the autism spectrum, that might mean adjusting to a new schedule, developing a relationship with new education professionals, and creating an IEP plan for the upcoming school year. This week we are excited to talk to psychologist, Taryn Nicksic-Springer, or Dr. T. for short, about how parents can start the school year off right....

The Olympics are in full swing in Tokyo which makes this week’s podcast episode especially timely! We are excited to talk with behavior analyst, Mariah Alden, about the amazing ways sports help individuals on the spectrum find joy and learn new skills. Sports can help build social skills, fine motor skills, and daily living skills but really the benefit found by both volunteers and by athletes see...

This week we are excited to welcome Amy Gravino to the podcast to help break down what it’s like to date and find love on the spectrum. We also cover the importance of sex ed and how parents can start the conversation with their teens. Amy is a Certified Autism Specialist and relationship coach Rutgers University for individuals on the autism spectrum as well as the owner of A.S.C.O.T Consulting....

This week we welcome professional magician, Cody Clark, to the podcast to talk about how he mystifies and educates audiences with his magic and autism self-advocacy.  He combines magic with comedy and storytelling to give a first-person perspective on what living with autism is like. He hosts a show titled “A different way of thinking” and performs across the country. Download the podcast and list...

This week we welcome Dr. Matt Brodhead to the podcast to talk with us about the importance of matching patient needs with providers. We will talk about the broadness of ABA yet the specificity of care. Every child with autism is different, and each provider needs to think critically about the care they are providing.  Dr. Brodhead is an associate professor at Michigan State University and the Rese...

This week we welcome Maren Jacobson and Francisco Chavez to the podcast to celebrate ABS Kids’ 10th Anniversary and talk about where autism care started out, where it is now and what’s next. They have seen it all - They experienced the transition from paper to digital data taking - Insurance reform - and have developed a company culture focused on helping children reach milestones and realize thei...

This week we welcome Joel Manwill to the podcast to talk about the 4th of July weekend and the unique sensory experiences that children with autism might face and how to handle them so that the whole family can have a fun weekend. Joel is an occupational therapist based out of Layton Utah. He operates his own home-based occupational therapy practice called Children’s Ability Services.  Learn More...

This week we welcome Amanda Garrett-Baker to the podcast to talk about what parents need to know about instructional control. Simply put, Instructional control is an ABA term “for how likely your child is to listen to you and follow directions”. If the answer is “not likely” then this podcast episode is for you!  Check out Amanda's Instagram & Twitter to get more helpful parenting tips!  Twitter:...

Working with incredible kids on the spectrum can be fun, rewarding, and provide a unique working experience each day. It can also pose challenges, and require creativity in working through complex situations.  This week we welcome Megan Marks to the podcast to talk to us about what a career in the ABA field looks like. Megan is a former Registered Behavior Technician or “RBT,” and now recruits ind...

This week we welcome Rachel Grondin-Martinez to the podcast to talk about Summer Fun and Creativity in ABA Treatment Delivery. Rachel has been in the field of ABA for the past 7 years and has seen firsthand how powerful summer learning can be for a child on the spectrum. We are thrilled to learn more about how families can get the most out of their ABA therapy program while still having an awesome...

This week we welcome Dr. Debbie Bilder from URADD, The Utah Registry of Autism and Developmental Disabilities, to the podcast to discuss the value of knowing the prevalence rates of autism and how data can benefit the community as a whole!  Dr. Bilder’s clinical expertise is in psychiatric assessment and treatment for individuals with severe neurodevelopmental disabilities across their lifespan. D...

This week we welcome Leticia Moreno and danyelle beal from BABA to the podcast. BABA is hosting its first annual Black Applied Behavior Analyst conference in June. BABA aims to reduce barriers for African American students, professionals, and parents within the ABA community. Download the podcast today to listen to our discussion about the upcoming conference and the importance of diversity in ABA...

This week we welcome Dr. Chanti Waters to the podcast to discuss the characteristics of a quality ABA therapy program and the important role the prescription plays in treatment. We also dive into the role that 'having fun' plays in treatment and how being a total goofball can improve the connection clinicians have with their patients.  Chanti is a Doctoral- Level Board Certified Behavior Analyst w...