The ABA Speech Podcast - Easy Strategies For Parents and Professionals

Having an autistic adult on the podcast is always an opportunity to learn how we, as practitioners, can do our best for our clients. Joining me today is Larissa Minner, a passionate and experienced disability rights advocate, speaker, and consultant. Burnout is commonly talked about, and I've even done an episode where we talked about professional burnout in the field. Larissa talks about Autistic Burnout and Neurodivergent Burnout and what that looks like for many individuals. Signs and symptoms of Autistic (or Nuerodivergent) Burnout can include feeling drain in all aspects of life, an increase in executive functional challenges, a lowered coping skill level, regression and loss of skills, brain fog, physical fatigue, mimicking and causing depression/anxiety, and even being a factor involved in suicidal ideation. This causes a lot of problems for autistic individuals, like finding a job or making their way through university. So what can we do? As professionals, we can provide Neuro Affirming Environments. A Neuro Affirming Environment applies to social, emotional, and physical aspects, and Larissa explains some ways to do that without putting the burden on the autistic person. Firstly, use the person's preferred language, whether they prefer Autistic Person or Person with Autism. Also developing language that is not based on a person’s deficit; for example, Larissa uses the term Strategic Explorer to verbalize her preference for routine. Additionally, consider sensory friendly rooms with adjustable lighting and noise accommodations, validations in different listening and communicating skills, and always giving ample warning when it comes to events and changes. Larissa is active in making changes across the field for both autistic children and autistic adults when it comes to healthcare, education, and career opportunities. This is a great conversation that shares some less talked about advocacy for autistic people and encourages professionals to check themselves when it comes to providing compassionate care.  #autism #speechtherapy  What’s Inside:What is Autistic Burnout?What are signs and symptoms of Autistic Burnout?What is a Neuro Affirming Environment?How can providers be Neuro Affirming?Advocacy goals for education, healthcare, and career finding.The importance of preferred language surrounding autism and disabilities. Mentioned In This Episode:You can participate in her ongoing research study at Shape in Healthcare Survey (Healthcare Equality)You can find out more about Larissa and her work at: https://linktr.ee/larissaminnerThe BriefAll your family’s pressing concerns and questions, answered in one place. Mike...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

My guest today Dr. Cody Morris is an asset to the field, his goals include improving the practice of BCBAs, by Improving assessment and treatment methodologies regarding problem behavior and addressing organization challenges in delivering services.Today we discuss Assent, its importance, and how to gain Assent even when a client is not yet speaking.  Dr. Morris makes a very important comparison in definitions between Consent and Assent. Consent: the affirmation that an individual who is legally authorized gives permission for themselves or another person to participate.Assent: the affirmation that an individual who is not legally authorized to provide their own consent, affirms their willingness to participate.Both of these are incredibly important, Consent has many legalities that affirm participation. Assent on the other hand, can be difficult to confirm when a child has limited or no communication skills. There are multiple ways to gain assent. 1, through Verbal statements or 2, through Behavior Allocation. Assent can be obtained when a student's behavior allocated the confirmation to engage through choice. Choice does not mean the student decides all goals and treatment, but as Dr. Morris and I discuss small choices that affirm engagement and build to grander decision making skills. In our conversation today, Dr. Cody Morris and I discuss some important fundamentals of behavior analysis that heavily involve Assent as a best practice. You can find out more about Dr. Morris’s work and research in the provided links. #autism #speectherapyWhat’s Inside:Consent versus Assent in affirming participation.How to gain assent with children who are not yet speaking?Tools and tips for gaining assent.Assent through choice in treatment.Assent through behavior allocation.How to provide gradual choice despite communication skills.Mentioned In This Episode:Dr. Cody Morris on LinkedInCody MORRIS | Assistant Professor | Ph.D. | Salve Regina University, Rhode Island | Department of Psychology | Research profileThe BriefAll your family’s pressing concerns and questions, answered in one place. Mike...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Welcome to the fourth and final part of my Autism Case Study Series. I am going back over my last 20 years of experience in public education, non-public programs, and teletherapy working with autistic learners. The last learner I want to talk about is a 3 year old boy that I saw in-home with my private practice, ABA Speech. When I first began services, the child had received an autism diagnosis, was not yet speaking, and was attending ABA services. After two years of working with this child, he had begun to speak in sentences and enjoy group activities.I saw this child weekly for 35 minutes of instruction and 10 minutes of parent coaching. In my very first session with this learner, I focused on Joint attention using my 3 pronged approach: Music, Books, and Play. We sang Wheels on the Bus with motions, we read Pete the Cat, and we played with bubbles! These are some of my go-to resources. The child at first was not engaged or interested at all, but I continued to observe and take data, and engagement increased over time.We even saw this child’s first spontaneous word during a play section of therapy. Playing with mini objects in a bag, the child reached in and pulled out a miniature shoe and said the word “shoe”! After that, engagement continued to increase. We played with miniature objects in many different ways, shaking them up in bags and hiding them in the learning space. This series has been designed to help you resonate and feel inspired to help your clients or children develop a way to communicate with the world. What do you think of solo shows? Send me a DM on Instagram, an email, or please take time to leave a review. Stay tuned for the launch of my community membership coming in Fall 2023; send me an email if you want to get in early.  #autism #speectherapyWhat’s Inside:Speech services for toddlers with autism.The 3 prong approach to joint attention.Learning through music, books, and play.From not yet speaking to spontaneous language.How to structure in-home therapy.Mentioned In This Episode:Start Communicating Today- Toddler and Preschool CourseThe BriefAll your family’s pressing concerns and questions, answered in one place. Mike...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Welcome to Part 3 of 4 of my Autism Case Study Series. I am going back over my last 20 years of experience in public education, non-public programs, and teletherapy working with autistic learners. Today I am sharing about an elementary learner from a non-public program. He came to me with no communication and unsafe behaviors that were a barrier to his learning, community, and school environment. This student actually brought with him a beautifully set up AAC on his iPad but had zero tools for utilization. As we worked with this student in this non-public program, we collaborated with his parents, his home district (a rural area 1 hour away), and he was in a private classroom with 2 male assistants to keep everyone safe. I worked with this child for 1 hour a week in his classroom. We began work on building receptive language, requesting, understanding basic vocabulary: nouns and actions, joint attention, social engagement, and utilizing his iPad. Several things helped me be successful with this learner. I was able to meet the learner where he was and engage in a way that was respectful of his preferences. I helped him with modified leisure skills like modified memory, where we used video modeling. During my work with this student, my idea for Action Build Cards also came to life.Things took a big turn when this student realized his AAC was his voice. He began to use his iPad with pride. We even took community based outings to lunch places where the learner was able to use his AAC with a cashier to order his lunch. If you’ve taken my course, Help Me Find My Voice, you may have even seen this learner in some of my videos.Stay tuned for Part 4 of this case study series next week, where I will share about a 2 year old learner!#autism #speectherapyWhat’s Inside:A case study from a non public program.Working with learners with unsafe behaviors.Finding a learner's voice with barriers to learning, community, and school environment.Teaching a learner to utilize AAC.From zero communication to AAC utilization at home, school, and the community.Teaching modified leisure with modified memory.Action Builder Cards for action phrase vocabulary.Mentioned In This Episode:Social skills for students with autism- Modified MemorySchool-Age CourseAction Builder CardsThe BriefAll your family’s pressing concerns and questions, answered in one place. Mike...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Welcome to Part 2 of 4 of my Autism Case Study Series. I am going back over my last 20 years of experience in public education, non-public programs, and teletherapy working with autistic learners. Today I am sharing about an 8-year-old nonverbal learner I worked with in a non-public program. This learner came to me with no way to communicate with the world and various behaviors that were barriers to safety and learning. He really struggled with the learning environment, and I had to be creative.Building rapport and getting to know your learner is so important. My usual iPad videos and sensory toys were not interesting to this learner, so I had to think outside the box. Listening to country music, special light up sensory toys, small objects to carry, and even mirrors ended up being some of the learners biggest interests and reinforcers. I saw this learner in two 30-minute sessions across their school day, individually in my office. We started communication with AAC using an app on a device, which we really had to adapt this learner to. We also used visual prompts in an AAC binder with laminated pictures of familiar and favorite things. These solo sessions were built around these three goals and activities:Focus on interests (requesting and orienting on the iPad)Following one step directions/ functional routines in the larger school environmentJoint attention with turn taking activities, modified leisure skills like Modified Connect Four, where I used video modeling.As time progressed over several years, we worked on labeling, verbal imitation, and vocational skills. Eventually we segued into ½ individual and ½ group sessions where this learner became a shining star in more modified leisure games like Musical Chairs, Simon Says, and the Grocery Store game.Stay tuned for part 3 of this Autism Case Studies series! #autism #speectherapyWhat’s Inside:Thinking outside the box for interests and reinforcers.Helping learners find their voice with AAC.Practicing joint attention with modified leisure skills.The structure of speech therapy in a non-public program.A progression of therapy goals over time. Mentioned In This Episode:Connect Four Modified - YouTubeSocial skills game for mixed groups - ABA SpeechSave $100 on our autism courses!Toddler & Preschool Course - ABA SpeechSchool-Age Course - ABA SpeechThe Advanced Language Learner - ABA Speech

Welcome to Part 1 of 4 of my Autism Case Study Series. I am going back over my last 20 years of experience in public education, non-public programs, and teletherapy working with autistic learners. In this case study, I discuss a middle school learner in public education. He had recently come to the country and was completely nonverbal. I first began with AAC to give him a voice and start communication. He did have to shape up his point with OT to make this accessible, but from there we began to build rapport. I also started using sign language and the resource LifePrint for his teaching area.For assessment, I did the VB-Mapp and collaborated on this with his teacher, paraprofessional, and BCBA. The collaborative piece was so important, and we were all working really hard to help this learner find his voice. The VB-Mapp is a great gauge of expressive, receptive, and social language skills. I structured our therapy around functional goals for this learner involved in leisure skills, requesting, and sharing activities. I worked with this learner in solo sessions in his classroom setting twice a week, and once with group activities. I used a variety of resources that were tailored to the likes and interests of the learner to gain verbal imitation, and from there I inventoried his sounds and began to build more words and phrases.The focus of these case studies is to help and inform therapists on how to work with our hard learners. We can make this fun and functional, give these learners their voice, and change their lives. Stay tuned for part 2.#autism #speectherapy What’s Inside:A Case Study Series of autistic learners.From nonverbal to words and phrases to power of speech therapy and collaboration.Session samples for a nonverbal learner.The assessment process for an autistic learner.A case study from public education.Mentioned In This Episode:LifePrintSave $100 on our autism courses!Toddler & Preschool Course - ABA SpeechSchool-Age Course - ABA SpeechThe Advanced Language Learner - ABA SpeechThe BriefAll your family’s pressing concerns and questions, answered in one place. Mike...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Technology can feel intimidating, but there are so many tools available on your common devices that you might not even consider using them in therapy. Joan Green is an SLP, assistive technology specialist, and online tech advisor. In this episode, she shares 10 tech tips that anyone can use to utilize technology and enrich your therapy sessions. As SLPs, it's important for us to know and understand the assistive apps and accessibility features available, especially functions that are useful across the lifespan. As Joan explains these tips, she shares examples, scenarios, and easy ways to integrate these technology features into therapy with various ages.Ten Tech Tips:Maps: show your learner about their neighborhood, city or other places they might be interested in.Photos: This can be a leisure activity by looking through photos or even a way to communicate by snapping pictures and sending them.Calendar: scheduling and visual calendars like the iOS or Google Calendar are great tools that can be used across the lifespan.Speech to text: visual power of words; let your learner see the words they are speaking.Text to Speech: This feature can make any digitally written word become read aloud.Captions: this is an important accessibility feature, available for free on most devices and audio platforms.Video Calls: this can help with visual cues in a phone call format and empower individuals to make calls.Smart Assistance: Alexa, Siri, and Google can all be used with voice commands and can be empowering to impact action and have voice recognition.Engaging activities with fun learning apps: these are great ways to use side by side with accessibility devices for joint attention, Joan recommends Khan Academy Kids on iOS and Android.AAC devices and apps: these devices and applications can give your learner a voice, or assist when speech may be stressful in certain circumstances.Joan offers a ton of information on technology and some awesome ways she helps professionals in the field. Be sure to download the free PDF for today’s listeners to learn all about these 10 tech tips and check out her platforms online. #autism #speectherapyWhat’s Inside:10 tech tips for your therapy sessions today.Understanding important accessibility features.How can simple, everyday tech be used in therapy?How to incorporate devices into therapy?How to utilize AAC devices and apps for different situations.Mentioned In This Episode:10 Tech Tips to Enhance CommunicationInnovative Speech TherapyIST Tech Savvy Solutions Public Group | FacebookAmazon.com: Assistive Technology in Special Education: Resources to Support Literacy, Communication, and Learning DifferencesSave $100 on our autism courses!Toddler/Preschool Course School- Age CourseThe Advanced Language LearnerThe BriefAll your family’s pressing concerns and questions, answered in one place. Mike...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Dr. Hank Schlinger has an extensive list of impressive and valuable contributions to the field. Today he joins me to discuss his brand new book, How to Build Good Behavior and Self-Esteem in Children. Parenting is so hard and along with it comes responsibility that will span your child’s entire life. Whether your child has an autism diagnosis or not, parenting is parenting. Dr. Schlinger discusses the idea of intentional parenting, in which, as parents, we consistently reinforce and model good behavior and set clear boundaries. Dr. Schlinger also goes over 5 common problems parents face that contribute to behavior and self-esteem.Parents are unaware of how their child's behavior affects them and vice versa.Parents believe just telling their kids what to do should work.Parents teach their child to ‘be the boss’Parents ignore good behavior and reinforce bad behaviorParents think that a good kid or a bad kid is just the luck of the draw.During this awesome conversation, Dr. Schlinger discusses each of these problems and offers solutions for parents to be more intentional as well as build good behavior and self-esteem. You can find his book on Amazon or find out more by visiting the book's website.#autism #speectherapy What’s Inside:What is intentional parenting?5 common problems that parents face.Parenting practices to build good behavior and self-esteem.How to reinforce good behavior instead of bad behavior.Mentioned In This Episode:Self-Esteem in ChildrenHOW TO BUILD GOOD BEHAVIOR AND SELF-ESTEEM IN CHILDREN: Schlinger Jr., Dr. Henry D.The BriefAll your family’s pressing concerns and questions, answered in one place. Mike...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Rita Soronen is a National Child Welfare Advocate working with the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption (DTFA). She advocates for the abused, neglected, and vulnerable children in the foster care and juvenile justice system. There are 117,000 children in North America freed for adoption and 77% of those children have some sort of medically identified need, including autism. These children belong to a special division of DTFA, Wendy’s Wonderful Kids. This division is an initiative to advocate for and support children most at risk of aging out of the foster care system—teenagers, sibling groups, and those with special needs.During this conversation, Rita not only explains the wonderful work done for these children but also shares a story of hope. CJ is a child with autism who was adopted at age 9 by a loving and caring adoptive mom, D. Now 20 years old, CJ, who was nonverbal at the time of adoption, is thriving as a college student and productive adult. 1 in 36 children has autism, and there are many children in the child welfare system with an autism diagnosis or other special needs that need support and care. You can learn more by visiting the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption website or calling their information hotline. #autism #speechtherapy What’s Inside:The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption.An initiative for children most at risk in the child welfare systems.CJ’s Story: A story of hope for children with autism awaiting adoption.Advocating for special needs children in the foster care system.Mentioned In This Episode:Dave Thomas FoundationDave Thomas Foundation for Adoption on FacebookCall: 1-800-ASK-DTFAThe BriefAll your family’s pressing concerns and questions, answered in one place. Mike...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

What a pleasure it was to have Sandy and Ben Hartranft on the show! Sandy is the proud mom of three sons, one of whom is Ben. Ben is 24 years old and was diagnosed with autism at the age of 2.20+ years ago, Sandy knew something was off, limited speech and no response to his name led her to pursue check-ins with her son’s doctors and an official appointment with a developmental pediatrician. Soon, it all came together, and the signs began to make sense with his new-found diagnosis. Ben found support through early intervention and through the rest of his school years with OTs, SLPs, The Talk Institute, and even his bus driver, who helped him make a plan to get on the regular education bus. When you hear what Ben is up to now, you will be amazed! He has been on the Ellen show, worked extensively with the Philadelphia Eagles and their autism advocacy events, and gone on solo trips, including cross country to California to win big on The Price is Right! He even owns his own company, Benergy. In which he provides presentations and public speeches for organizations to spread awareness and advocacy for autism.This duo is full of inspiration, kindness, and positivity. You can check out Sandy’s book, Swinging From the Chandelier: Finding Joy in the Journey through Autism, for more of the story of this incredible family.#autism #speectherapyWhat’s Inside:Sandy and Ben’s journey through autism.A story of inspiration, kindness, and positivity.Getting an autism diagnosis in the 90s.Benergy; Ben’s public speaking company for autism awareness.Opportunities and possibilities for adults with autism.Mentioned In This Episode:Ben Hartranft Join our Start Communicating Today Live Course On June 20th and June 21st from 7-9:30 pm est. Register here. The BriefAll your family’s pressing concerns and questions, answered in one place. Mike...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify