

Turn Autism Around
Dr. Mary Barbera
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!
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!
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 3, 2022 • 56min
#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.

Apr 26, 2022 • 49min
#173: Dr. Cheryl Tierney : Explaining the New CDC Milestones
The recent changes made to the CDC Developmental Milestones are not a cause for concern as shown recently on social media. This important interview with Dr. Cheryl Tierney explains the research and experts involved in the change, what the change really means, and why this milestone surveillance is so important for identifying delays in young children. Dr. Cheryl Tierney also debunks a viral myth, are COVID restrictions causing widespread developmental delays

Apr 19, 2022 • 43min
#172: Jess Plus the Mess on Supporting Special Needs Caregivers
A child is only as healthy as their caregiver, this is Jess Ronne’s motivation to support caregivers of special needs families. Jess is an author, documentary producer, podcaster and mother of 8. In this interview, she shares her story and caregiver advocacy journey. Jess has great advice, ideas, and tips on how we can come together to rally around an often unseen community.

Apr 12, 2022 • 49min
#171: Tackling Autism Tantrums and Other Common Problem Behaviors: Q and A Series
Kelsey General, Community Manager, joins me again on the podcast to tackle the top 5 questions on common behavior problems. As a mom of two boys diagnosed with autism, she has great insight and perspective. We provide examples and resources, as we talk about behavior prevention and keeping kids safe among serious behavior concerns.

Apr 5, 2022 • 35min
#170: Forever Boy, A New Autism Memoir with Kate Swenson
From the creator of Finding Cooper’s Voice, comes the book Forever Boy. Kate Swenson joins me for the second time on the Turn Autism Around podcast to share her new book, available now. Forever Boy is an autism memoir about Kate’s real experiences navigating parenting and life with her son Cooper, pre-diagnosis and beyond. Kate shares a beautiful excerpt in today’s interview, along with some insight on the inspiration behind the book and the reality of having a large social media following.

Mar 29, 2022 • 34min
#169: Why Timeouts Don't Work and Alternatives You Can Use Instead
Timeouts, punishment, and threats of punishment are an overused and ineffective strategy for changing problem behavior. Today, I am sharing the three big reasons timeouts do not work. I cover the base level problems with punishment, discipline, and why I do not recommend these strategies. You can find out more about this topic in my brand new online mini course, No More Time Out.

Mar 22, 2022 • 49min
#168: Using a Behavior Change Contract to Promote Positive Behaviors with Dr. William Heward and Dr. Jill Dardig
"Sign Here", you may have heard your child say with a loose leaf scribbled contract in hand to get something they desire. This is actually a research based tool that you can use to get real change and meet real goals. Today I am interviewing Dr. William Heward and Dr. Jill Dardig, authors of the book, Let's Make a Contract, a family friendly book about changing your child's behavior in a positive way. We get into what a behavior contract is, who it's for, and how you can make it work.

Mar 15, 2022 • 58min
#167: How To Help Your Toddler Talk! Hot Seat #4 with Elissa
Do you have a toddler who was recently diagnosed with ASD? Elissa M is in the hot seat to share her beginnings of early intervention with her 2 and a half-year-old Lexi. After reading my book, Turn Autism Around, and working on my online Toddler Course, Elissa is ready to review Lexi’s assessments and discuss how her therapy is going and what Lexi’s future therapy may look like for Early Intervention ABA. Not only do we discuss all of the assessments included in my free book resources, we go over tips and new activities to get Lexi talking!

Mar 8, 2022 • 30min
#166: 10 Early Warning Signs of Autism
Are there signs that can lead to an early diagnosis of autism? In chapter two of my book, Turn Autism Around, I discuss possible warning signs for autism. I am going over these 10 signs in today's episode. These signs include lack of pointing, speech delays, and many more. Having these signs does not automatically mean autism but even without a diagnosis they can be worked on to help your child with my proven four-step approach, Turn Autism Around.

Mar 1, 2022 • 56min
#165: Research Topics in ABA for Practitioners with Dr. Amber Valentino
Research and new research conducted by practitioners working within the field is critical to the development of practice and the betterment of our children. In this interview with Dr. Amber Valentino of Trumpet Behavior Health, we are discussing applied research, the importance of conducting studies, the barriers for practitioners, and getting published. We discuss some of my own peer-reviewed journal articles and other studies I've completed. The goal of the research is to share knowledge, procedures that work, and make the world a better place.