

The Autism Helper Podcast
Sasha Long, M.A., BCBA
Welcome to The Autism Helper Podcast, where we explore different strategies to improve the lives of individuals with autism.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 31, 2018 • 14min
Episode 8: The IKEA Effect; How Staff Involvement Build Buy-In
It's happened to all of us. We went to IKEA, picked out the perfect $22 shelf, and proceeded to spend 5 hours putting it together. That shelf is now held together by masking tape but has made move after move with you because you refuse to get rid of it. You spent all of that time putting it together so it's staying with you. The IKEA effect is the idea that we place a higher value on things that we are involved in the creation of. Learn how to apply this concept to your classroom by increasing staff involvement to build buy-in. Whether it's for data collection, materials creation, and behavior plans, ownership leads to responsibility leads to buy-in.
Click here to find out more info about The Autism Helper Professional Development Membership: https://theautismhelper.com/membership/
Want more information about The Autism Helper Courses? Visit: https://theautismhelper.com/courses/
Looking for a specific product or resource? Find it in our new Autism Helper store! https://shop.theautismhelper.com/
Or visit The Autism Helper store on TpT: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/The-Autism-Helper
Get all updates from The Autism Helper Podcast by clicking subscribe above. Head over to theautismhelper.com for more info. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest @theautismhelper.
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Dec 24, 2018 • 20min
Episode 7: Q&A Session
In this episode, I answer commonly asked questions pulled from emails, social media, and blog comments. Some highlights: I discuss how to streamline your end of the day transition, what to do when a student is extremely attached to the teacher, misconceptions for using google forms, getting staff buy-in, planning for a substitute, sharing data with parents, implementing centers, and more!
Staff Training Podcast Episodes:
https://anchor.fm/theautismhelper/episodes/Episode-1-Staff-Training-e2j6ll
https://anchor.fm/theautismhelper/episodes/Episode-3-Staff-Training-Pt-II-e2j6mh
Planning for a Substitute: http://theautismhelper.com/58288-2/
Classroom Setup Blog Series: http://theautismhelper.com/category/behavior/summer-series-classroom-setup/
Click here to find out more info about The Autism Helper Professional Development Membership: https://theautismhelper.com/membership/
Want more information about The Autism Helper Courses? Visit: https://theautismhelper.com/courses/
Looking for a specific product or resource? Find it in our new Autism Helper store! https://shop.theautismhelper.com/
Or visit The Autism Helper store on TpT: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/The-Autism-Helper
Get all updates from The Autism Helper Podcast by clicking subscribe above. Head over to theautismhelper.com for more info. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest @theautismhelper.
Our Sponsors:* Check out Factor: https://factormeals.com/sasha50off* Check out Talkiatry: https://talkiatry.com/SASHAAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Dec 17, 2018 • 23min
Episode 6: Handling Student Aggression
All behavior is communication - even behavior that is disruptive, dangerous, and aggressive. Those behaviors are communicating something and they are communicating it loudly. While you are in the process of finding and implementing an effective and function-based intervention for dangerous student behaviors such as aggression or running, the day to day obstacles can be huge. Handling student aggression in a way that is respectful to the student while also keeping everyone safe is a daunting task. This can put a massive emotional and physical strain on the entire team. In this episode, learn strategies to approach these difficult situations as best as possible.
Resources:
How to Take Data on Extreme Behaviors: http://theautismhelper.com/taking-data-extreme-behaviors/
Using Google Forms to Analyze ABC Data: http://theautismhelper.com/using-google-forms-to-analyze-abc-data/
Click Counters on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2SUG17p
Click here to find out more info about The Autism Helper Professional Development Membership: https://theautismhelper.com/membership/
Want more information about The Autism Helper Courses? Visit: https://theautismhelper.com/courses/
Looking for a specific product or resource? Find it in our new Autism Helper store! https://shop.theautismhelper.com/
Or visit The Autism Helper store on TpT: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/The-Autism-Helper
Get all updates from The Autism Helper Podcast by clicking subscribe above. Head over to theautismhelper.com for more info. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest @theautismhelper.
Our Sponsors:* Check out Factor: https://factormeals.com/sasha50off* Check out Talkiatry: https://talkiatry.com/SASHAAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Dec 10, 2018 • 30min
Episode 5: Navigating Sensory Needs During the Holiday Season
In this episode, Katie, an Occupational Therapist, shares tips and strategies for navigating the overwhelming sensory experiences that can come along with the holiday season. This time of year can be challenging for everyone and we want to be sure to be proactive and sensitive to the needs of our kids and students who have sensory struggles now more than ever. Katie shares tips related to planning ahead, having a back-up plan, how to train staff, and her go-to toolkit. This strategies apply not only to the holiday season but really any new event or novel experience!
Links:
Ten Tips for Managing Sensory Needs During the Holiday Season: http://theautismhelper.com/ten-tips-for-managing-sensory-needs-during-the-holiday-season
Sensory Processing - Challenges and Red Flags: http://theautismhelper.com/sensory-processing-challenges-and-red-flags/
Ten OT Approved Holiday Gifts: http://theautismhelper.com/10-ot-approved-holiday-gift-ideas/
How to Set Up a Holiday Party: http://theautismhelper.com/focus-on-five-how-to-set-up-a-classroom-party/
Click here to find out more info about The Autism Helper Professional Development Membership: https://theautismhelper.com/membership/
Want more information about The Autism Helper Courses? Visit: https://theautismhelper.com/courses/
Looking for a specific product or resource? Find it in our new Autism Helper store! https://shop.theautismhelper.com/
Or visit The Autism Helper store on TpT: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/The-Autism-Helper
Get all updates from The Autism Helper Podcast by clicking subscribe above. Head over to theautismhelper.com for more info. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest @theautismhelper.
Our Sponsors:* Check out Factor: https://factormeals.com/sasha50off* Check out Talkiatry: https://talkiatry.com/SASHAAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Nov 20, 2018 • 23min
Episode 2: Growth Mindset for the Special Educator
With a growth mindset, effort and hard work are your keys to success. Failure and struggle are part of the process and the journey. As a special education teacher, parent, or professional, having a growth mindset is essential to excelling at your job. In this episode, we explore the benefits of having a growth mindset at work and how this can help prevent burnout and exhaustion. How do we get a growth mindset? Some tips: Celebrate and identify the little victories of your classroom to see the overall trend of your success. Start to add the word "yet" to the things you struggle with. "I'm not good at taking data... yet." "I'm not good at delegating... yet." And give yourself permission to have room to grow and develop. Lastly, add prompts for yourself. You need reminders and cues to engage in growth mindset based actions and thoughts. Read Carol Dweck's book Mindset: https://www.amazon.com/Mindset-Psychology-Carol-S-Dweck/dp/0345472322/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1542738808&sr=8-1&keywords=mindset. Watch Carol Dweck's Ted Talk: https://www.ted.com/speakers/carol_dweckThe Autism Helper Curriculum is already utilized by thousands of teachers all over the world. Now, we have created an option for schools to get access to the entire curriculum through our Curriculum Access Subscription. Find out more here: https://theautismhelper.com/tah-curriculum-access/Join the waitlist for our Professional Development Membership: https://shop.theautismhelper.com/pages/membership-waitlistWant more information about The Autism Helper Courses? Visit: https://theautismhelper.com/courses/Looking for a specific product or resource? Find it in our new Autism Helper store! https://shop.theautismhelper.com/Or visit The Autism Helper store on TpT: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/The-Autism-HelperGet all updates from The Autism Helper Podcast by clicking subscribe above. Head over to theautismhelper.com for more info. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest @theautismhelper.Our Sponsors:* Check out Factor: https://factormeals.com/sasha50off* Check out Talkiatry: https://talkiatry.com/SASHAAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Nov 20, 2018 • 21min
Episode 4: Chatting with Gina about the Big Impact of Small Changes
Gina is part of The Autism Helper team and our resident preschool teacher. Gina and I chat about the process of building a new program program from the ground up, how she readily makes changes in her room, and the importance of teaching independence (even with our littlest learners). Gina took some important steps at the start of the year to find time to implement assessments, train staff, and work one on one with students. Read Gina's post about how to set up and run centers in a preschool classroom: http://theautismhelper.com/a-close-look-at-centers-setting-up-running/.
Click here to find out more info about The Autism Helper Professional Development Membership: https://theautismhelper.com/membership/
Want more information about The Autism Helper Courses? Visit: https://theautismhelper.com/courses/
Looking for a specific product or resource? Find it in our new Autism Helper store! https://shop.theautismhelper.com/
Or visit The Autism Helper store on TpT: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/The-Autism-Helper
Get all updates from The Autism Helper Podcast by clicking subscribe above. Head over to theautismhelper.com for more info. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest @theautismhelper.
Our Sponsors:* Check out Factor: https://factormeals.com/sasha50off* Check out Talkiatry: https://talkiatry.com/SASHAAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Nov 20, 2018 • 20min
Episode 3: Staff Training Pt II
So you've been sold on this whole idea that staff training is important. Cool. Now how do you exactly go about doing that? What's the best way to teach your staff how to do something? In this episode, we get into the details of how to effectively teach your paraprofessionals everything from taking data to implementing behavior plans to prompt fading. I review the Behavior Skills Training Model: instruction, modeling, rehearsal, and feedback. Most people start and stop their staff training with instruction. But there is so much more that goes into effectively teaching someone how to do something. Learn the importance of each step and how to utilize this process effectively in your classroom. Check out my paraprofessional training guide: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Paraprofessional-Training-Manual-1361881.
Click here to find out more info about The Autism Helper Professional Development Membership: https://theautismhelper.com/membership/
Want more information about The Autism Helper Courses? Visit: https://theautismhelper.com/courses/
Looking for a specific product or resource? Find it in our new Autism Helper store! https://shop.theautismhelper.com/
Or visit The Autism Helper store on TpT: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/The-Autism-Helper
Get all updates from The Autism Helper Podcast by clicking subscribe above. Head over to theautismhelper.com for more info. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest @theautismhelper.
Our Sponsors:* Check out Factor: https://factormeals.com/sasha50off* Check out Talkiatry: https://talkiatry.com/SASHAAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Nov 20, 2018 • 21min
Episode 1: Staff Training
Why do we forget about one of the most important parts of our job? Staff training doesn't seem to be a high priority on a day to day basis but it's actually what will give you the biggest bang for your buck when it comes to the overall success of your classroom. Getting your staff on the same page has a lasting impact on all areas of your room. In this episode, let's discuss why staff training is so important and how your personal hang ups often get in the way. Feeling uncomfortable or awkward about telling your staff what to do is not an excuse for avoiding staff training. Finding time for staff training is another big obstacle most teachers face. Learn how to work with your administrators to find time either within the school day or outside of the school day. Don't be satisfied with an "okay" team, strive for having a great team every day.-------------------------The Autism Helper Curriculum is already utilized by thousands of teachers all over the world. Now, we have created an option for schools to get access to the entire curriculum through our Curriculum Access Subscription. Find out more here: https://theautismhelper.com/tah-curriculum-access/Join the waitlist for our Professional Development Membership: https://shop.theautismhelper.com/pages/membership-waitlistsWant more information about The Autism Helper Courses? Visit: https://theautismhelper.com/courses/Looking for a specific product or resource? Find it in our new Autism Helper store! https://shop.theautismhelper.com/Or visit The Autism Helper store on TpT: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/The-Autism-HelperGet all updates from The Autism Helper Podcast by clicking subscribe above. Head over to theautismhelper.com for more info. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest @theautismhelper.Our Sponsors:* Check out Factor: https://factormeals.com/sasha50off* Check out Talkiatry: https://talkiatry.com/SASHAAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy


