Turn Autism Around
Dr. Mary Barbera
If you're a parent with a child diagnosed with Level 1, 2, or Level 3 autism or worried about speech delays, tantrums, autism signs, hitting, potty training struggles, picky eating, meltdowns, sensory issues, or toddler behavior that feels confusing or overwhelming, you're in the right place: www.marybarbera.com
Hosted by Dr. Mary Barbera — RN, doctoral-level Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA-D), best-selling author, and creator of widely used online programs for toddlers and preschoolers — this bi-weekly podcast breaks down complex child development topics into simple, actionable steps any parent or professional can use immediately.
Every other week, Mary shares her proven 4-step approach to help children (with and without autism or ADHD) make measurable progress at home, school, and in the community. Episodes cover highly searched topics such as:
🗣️ Speech & Language Development
How to get your toddler to talk
What to do when your toddler isn't talking
Late talking, first words, echolalia, scripting, and vocal stimming
Strategies to build interaction, joint attention, and social engagement
😭 Behavior & Tantrums
How to stop hitting, biting, throwing, and daily meltdowns
What causes tantrums and how to reduce them
Simple behavior plans any parent can use
Emotional regulation for toddlers and preschoolers
🧠 Autism, ADHD & Early Signs
Early signs of autism in toddlers
What to do if you suspect autism — or if someone told you to "wait and see"
Screening vs. diagnosis
Sensory processing disorder, hyperlexia, giftedness vs. autism traits
Navigating early intervention, speech therapy, OT, or ABA therapy
👶 Daily Life Skills
Potty training for toddlers with speech delays or autism
Picky eating and feeding challenges
Sleep issues and bedtime routines
Safety, wandering, transitions, and managing hard outings
Preparing for doctor, dentist, or haircut visits
👨👩👦 Parent Coaching & Real-Life Stories
Real parent success stories (like toddlers going from 0 words to hundreds)
How to create calm, confident routines at home
Reducing stress for the whole family
Mindset support for overwhelmed parents
This show is designed to help parents, but is also widely followed by behavior analysts, speech-language pathologists (SLPs), occupational therapists, teachers, pediatricians, nurses, and early-intervention professionals who want child-friendly, research-backed strategies that work in real homes.
Whether you're dealing with a diagnosis of autism or a late talker with frequent tantrums, sensory challenges, or early signs of autism… or you simply want a clear, compassionate, step-by-step plan to help your child thrive — this podcast is here to guide you.
Subscribe and learn how to improve talking, reduce problem behaviors, and help your child gain confidence, independence, and skills — starting today.
Hosted by Dr. Mary Barbera — RN, doctoral-level Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA-D), best-selling author, and creator of widely used online programs for toddlers and preschoolers — this bi-weekly podcast breaks down complex child development topics into simple, actionable steps any parent or professional can use immediately.
Every other week, Mary shares her proven 4-step approach to help children (with and without autism or ADHD) make measurable progress at home, school, and in the community. Episodes cover highly searched topics such as:
🗣️ Speech & Language Development
How to get your toddler to talk
What to do when your toddler isn't talking
Late talking, first words, echolalia, scripting, and vocal stimming
Strategies to build interaction, joint attention, and social engagement
😭 Behavior & Tantrums
How to stop hitting, biting, throwing, and daily meltdowns
What causes tantrums and how to reduce them
Simple behavior plans any parent can use
Emotional regulation for toddlers and preschoolers
🧠 Autism, ADHD & Early Signs
Early signs of autism in toddlers
What to do if you suspect autism — or if someone told you to "wait and see"
Screening vs. diagnosis
Sensory processing disorder, hyperlexia, giftedness vs. autism traits
Navigating early intervention, speech therapy, OT, or ABA therapy
👶 Daily Life Skills
Potty training for toddlers with speech delays or autism
Picky eating and feeding challenges
Sleep issues and bedtime routines
Safety, wandering, transitions, and managing hard outings
Preparing for doctor, dentist, or haircut visits
👨👩👦 Parent Coaching & Real-Life Stories
Real parent success stories (like toddlers going from 0 words to hundreds)
How to create calm, confident routines at home
Reducing stress for the whole family
Mindset support for overwhelmed parents
This show is designed to help parents, but is also widely followed by behavior analysts, speech-language pathologists (SLPs), occupational therapists, teachers, pediatricians, nurses, and early-intervention professionals who want child-friendly, research-backed strategies that work in real homes.
Whether you're dealing with a diagnosis of autism or a late talker with frequent tantrums, sensory challenges, or early signs of autism… or you simply want a clear, compassionate, step-by-step plan to help your child thrive — this podcast is here to guide you.
Subscribe and learn how to improve talking, reduce problem behaviors, and help your child gain confidence, independence, and skills — starting today.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Nov 29, 2022 • 51min
#204: Severe Autism in Adults: A Parent's Key to Happiness with Denise D
If you have a young child with autism it can be scary to think about the demands of the future. Denise D is a positive light in the autism community. Her TikTok highlights her adult son Vincent who has severe autism and requires 24/7 care. She shares how she stays positive and navigates the needs of the family.
Nov 22, 2022 • 42min
#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 15, 2022 • 41min
#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 8, 2022 • 48min
#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 1, 2022 • 53min
#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.
Oct 25, 2022 • 40min
#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 18, 2022 • 33min
#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 11, 2022 • 42min
#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 4, 2022 • 46min
#196: My Child is Suddenly Crying in the Bath: Desensitizing Baths, Doctors Visits and Haircuts with Michelle C.
Following up from last week's rebroadcast all about desensitization, we are hearing from Michelle C. Michelle talks about her daughter Elena, who is featured in several chapters of Turn Autism Around, and her experience desensitizing bath time, doctors and dentist visits, and other important medical procedures.
Sep 27, 2022 • 26min
#195: Systematic Desensitization Rebroadcast: Helping Kids Who Struggle with Haircuts, Doctors and Dentist Visits
In this Classic Rebroadcast Series, we are talking about desensitization. Recorded in 2019, this podcast replay and solo episode has great tips for helping your child prepare and tolerate important tasks for self-care, safety, and medical procedures.
