Turn Autism Around

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 off...

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 childre...

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 a...

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 in...

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...

Dr. Charles Barbera, autism dad and husband to Dr. Mary Barbera, opens up about their family's autism journey. From breaking through denial to dealing with grief, Charles shares his perspective and the lessons learned. The discussion touches on challenges in setting up the future for their son, pride in unique achievements, and valuable advice for autism dads navigating family dynamics post-diagno...

Today, Dr. Mary Barbera shares an interview with author and advocate Carrie Cariello. As a mother to five children, including Jack, diagnosed with autism at 18 months, Carrie shares her journey and insights from her latest book, "Half My Sky." Explore topics like raising children with autism, managing relationships, and sibling dynamics and get valuable perspectives on autism, marriage, and siblin...

Michelle C. shares her journey with her daughter Elena's autism diagnosis at the age of two. From initial dismissals to remarkable progress through early intervention and Dr. Mary Barbera's course, Michelle discusses the challenges and successes of transitioning Elena into kindergarten, the decision not to disclose her autism to the school, Michelle reflects on Elena's language development and soc...

Dr. Mary Barbera reveals the top 10 Turn Autism Around podcast episodes in 2023, as determined by listens, downloads, and views. These episodes give helpful insights for parents on the autism journey, covering subjects ranging from the gestalt language processing dispute to toilet training tactics and the influence of curated information. Dr. Barbera questions conventional wisdom about autism as a...

Dr. Mary Barbera sheds light on the research suggesting that nearly 40% of diagnosed toddlers may no longer meet autism criteria between ages five and seven. Explore the controversies, impacts of adaptive skills, and the critical role of early intervention. Dr. Mary Barbera goes over the intricacies of autism recovery, intervention nuances, and potential long-term effects.

Mary Barbera covers the benefits of early assessment through a free digital assessment tool, the challenges of pacifier addiction, and explore the importance of tackling adaptive skills in autism. My guest Izzy's experience highlights the significance of early intervention, finding the right therapy provider, and the role of parents in creating a supportive environment.

In this episode, I cover the decision of whether to pay for private speech therapy or ABA therapy for children with autism. Going into U.S. regulations, I explore avenues for free speech therapy through early intervention programs and school districts. Emphasizing parental involvement and awareness, I also discuss potential insurance coverage for therapy services.

Today's topic is on teaching life skills to children with autism featuring Julie Swanson, The Life Skills Lady. Julie shares her personal journey advocating for her son with autism, leading to her expertise in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and special education law. The episode emphasizes the importance of incorporating life skills into Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and addresses chal...

Dr. Mary Barbera and Rachel Smith discuss practical tips for traveling with children, addressing concerns for parents, including those with children on the autism spectrum. Rachel shares her recent travel experience with her two sons, offering valuable insights into keeping kids occupied during flights. The episode covers desensitizing kids to wearing headphones, essential items for air travel, an...

Dr. Mary Barbera shares valuable insights about using books to enhance language skills in toddlers, including those with autism or signs of autism, emphasizing the importance of pairing books with reinforcement and provides guidance on selecting the best books for different developmental stages.

In this rebroadcast, Dr. Mary Barbera discusses the importance of building expressive language skills in toddlers with autism. She shares insights from her experience and her books, emphasizing the need to start with one-word utterances and gradually progress to two-word phrases to create a strong foundation for language development.

Dr. Mary Barbera discusses speech development in two-year-olds. You'll learn the crucial milestones children should meet at this age and what to do if a 2-year-old isn't talking. Dr. Barbera emphasizes the significance of considering expressive and receptive language skills, highlighting the impact of prematurity on developmental delays.

In today's episode, Dr. Mary Barbera speaks with Rose Griffin about the innovative ABA Speech Action Builder cards, designed to help autistic learners generalize language skills. The importance of planning and generalization when teaching action verbs is emphasized, promoting independent communication. This episode highlights collaboration between speech therapists and behavior analysts and offers...

Dr. Mary Barbera addresses the top five questions regarding teaching self-care skills to children with autism or those displaying signs of autism. Learn about the significance of self-care in child development, debunking the misconception that language is a prerequisite for its teaching.

Dr. Mary Barbera presents three invaluable toys for speech therapy at home including the shoebox program, a hands-on, multisensory learning activity that aids children's language development, Potato Head, a simple yet powerful tool for language and body part recognition and inset puzzles for building vocabulary and fostering engagement.

Dr. Mary Barbera discusses Emily's autism coaching journey with her. Emily shares her touching journey as a parent of a child recently diagnosed with autism and how the Turn Autism Around® approach transformed their lives. They discuss early signs, toddler regression, and the vital role of early identification and intervention. This episode highlights the power of collaboration, communication, and...

In this rebroadcast, Dr. Mary Barbera shares personal experiences and common mistakes to avoid when teaching manners, like chaining phrases together and teaching manners too early. Learn about the importance of assessing a child's language abilities before introducing polite phrases like "please," "thank you," and "excuse me."

Dr. Mary Barbera and Kelsey General tackle the task of finding quality therapy for children with autism or signs of autism. They address the top five questions about locating effective therapy, emphasizing the need for early intervention and tailoring therapy to individual needs. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy is recommended as evidence-based, but flexibility, collaboration, and positive...