The ABA Speech Podcast - Easy Strategies For Parents and Professionals

Tracey Hawkins became part of the autism community in 2018 when both of her sons were diagnosed with autism—just seven months apart.When it comes to autism, structure and routine are so important. But as a mother, Tracey couldn't find the right technology to support her family's needs. She knew she couldn’t change the diagnosis, but she could improve the support system around it.So, she created the Thrive App—a tool designed to organize the chaos and connect parents with providers. In her own home, Tracey uses the app in multiple ways: to give her older son a clear after-school schedule and to enable real-time communication with her younger son’s care team through the chat feature.This isn't just another calendar planning app. Thrive was built through a neurodivergent lens, offering clear directions, visuals, and resources for emotional regulation throughout the day. It’s designed to create a smoother path toward independence.The Thrive App offers a 7-day free trial, with subscription options of $7.99/month or $49.99/year. It’s a valuable tool for families of all kinds—supporting kids of all ages and needs as they learn structure, routine, and self-sufficiency.#autism #speechtherapy What’s Inside:An application to create structure with visual prompts.A seamless chat feature to connect parents and providers.How the Thrive App can help families organize chaos. Mentioned In This Episode:Thriving on the SpectrumMembership - ABA Speech  ABA Speech: HomeThe BriefAll your family’s pressing concerns and questions, answered in one place. Mike...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Stephanie Howard, a BCBA and mother, faced a turning point when her son was diagnosed with ADHD at age five. She realized the same executive functioning tools she used professionally could support both her parenting and her son's development.Executive functioning—skills like planning, impulse control, and focus—is often disrupted in ADHD, autism, and trauma. It’s more than behavior; it’s about how the brain organizes and responds to the world.Stephanie shares, for listeners, the Executive Functioning Skill Questionnaire and other free resources that have helped her understand and support her son’s needs. These tools are designed to guide both parents and professionals in identifying strengths and areas for growth.She also shares some of the specific goals she’s set at home, showing how executive functioning skills can be built through everyday routines. Programs like the Flexible and Focused Program and ROPES help break down executive dysfunction into manageable steps.To generalize these skills, Stephanie offers practical tips: use timers and task lists, give clear warnings before transitions, and turn tasks into games to hold attention. She highlights the power of caregiver education, understanding the difference between antecedents and consequences, and working with a team.For Stephanie, it’s not just about managing behavior—it’s about supporting the brain.#autism #speechtherapy What’s Inside:What is Executive Functioning?Assessment for EF skills (FREE resources).Goal examples to use in therapy and at home.Managing and supporting Executive Dysfunction. Mentioned In This Episode:25 Executive Skills Questionnaire — Peg Dawson & Richard Guare Step I: Read each item below and then rate that item based Executive Skills Questionnaire – Revised (ESQ-R) – NovoPsych Membership - ABA Speech  ABA Speech: HomeThe BriefAll your family’s pressing concerns and questions, answered in one place. Mike...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

In this engaging discussion, Dr. Monica Gilbert, a licensed psychologist and author on motivational interviewing, shares transformative techniques to enhance communication with parents and colleagues. She highlights the OARS + I principles, such as open-ended questions and affirmations, to foster collaboration and understanding. Dr. Gilbert emphasizes the importance of building rapport and trust through reflective listening and summarization. Listeners discover how to keep conversations about change constructive and inclusive, ultimately enhancing professional relationships.

At the ASHA conference in Seattle, I had the opportunity to meet Gabriella Cameron and Jennifer Kent, who presented on their Theme-Based Collaborative Groups within the Endeavour Program at Ivymount, a nonpublic, publicly funded special education environment serving students aged 5–21.Gabriella and Jen’s theme-based groups are embedded within Endeavour, offering structured but flexible learning experiences tailored to each student. Any student who can tolerate working in a group is a candidate, as the focus is on skill exposure rather than mastery, creating opportunities for participation at varying levels.Each group consists of 5–6 students, each supported by a 1:1 aide, alongside a specialist (SLP, OT, PT) and a group leader. The framework includes:Selecting a theme (e.g., Martin Luther King Jr.).Adapting a story/song for accessibility.Identifying vocabulary using a language board.Asking WH-questions, allowing responses through speech or AAC.Engaging in a supplemental activity, such as an OT craft or a PT movement task.Looking ahead, Gabriella and Jen are exploring ways to measure skill acquisition, enhance motivation, incorporate high-tech AAC, and share their resources more broadly—paving the way for more inclusive and meaningful learning experiences.#autism #speechtherapyWhat’s Inside:Small groups foster an inclusive learning approach.The repeatable framework of theme-based collaborative groups.The value of skill exposure.An environment that increases multidisciplinary support.  Future goals for theme-based collaborative groups. Mentioned In This Episode:Membership - ABA Speech  ABA Speech: HomeThe BriefAll your family’s pressing concerns and questions, answered in one place. Mike...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

JD Barker, New York Times bestselling author, was diagnosed with autism at 22—a late discovery that brought long-overdue clarity to challenges he’d faced since childhood. Early in his career, a stint in anger management led a counselor to suggest autism, prompting JD to begin therapy. There, he worked on basics like making eye contact and organizing his thoughts—skills that helped him better navigate both personal life and the demands of his writing career.He began as a ghostwriter and book doctor, eventually becoming a bestselling author in his own right. JD credits autism for giving him a unique mental edge—he can juggle eight books at once, all meticulously organized in his head. While public speaking remains a challenge—he once went two years without speaking to anyone—he now co-hosts Writers Inc., a podcast where he interviews fellow authors about their creative journeys.As a therapist who works to make learners successful across the lifespan, it’s interesting and encouraging to hear from autistic adults. You can find more about JD at his website or follow him @JDBarker on all social media.#autism #speechtherapyWhat’s Inside:The impact of a late autism diagnosis.How autism-related skills positively impact JDs career.Working through social skills as an autistic adult. Mentioned In This Episode:J.D. BarkerMembership - ABA Speech  ABA Speech: HomeThe BriefAll your family’s pressing concerns and questions, answered in one place. Mike...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Dr. Matt Zakreski, PsyD, joins me to explore neurodiversity—a term often used, but not always fully understood. Neurodivergent individuals, including those with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, bipolar disorder, and more, experience measurable differences in how their brains function. It’s not about won’t, but can’t—and that distinction matters.In classrooms, teachers frequently encounter neurodiverse learners, yet most lack proper training to support their unique needs. Dr. Matt addresses this gap through his conference talks, educator training, and his book, The Neurodiversity Playbook.Expecting neurodivergent students to thrive without tailored support is like asking a child to ride a bike without training wheels or a helmet. Their brains aren’t wired to naturally absorb social and emotional skills in the same way neurotypical peers do. But research shows that with intentional, structured support, these learners become more social, adaptable, and engaged.This creates a powerful cycle: when students do better, they feel better—and when they feel better, they do even better.Dr. Matt offers practical resources for neurodivergent individuals and those who support them, aiming to foster environments where every learner can succeed.#autism #speechtherapyWhat’s Inside:What is Nuerodivergent and does it apply to?Outlining the manifestations of ADHDSupporting learners in social emotional learning.Mentioned In This Episode:Dr Matt ZakreskiDr. Matt Zakreski on Facebook Matthew Zakreski on LinkedIn Dr. Matt Zakreski (@drmattzakreski) on InstagramABA Speech: HomeThe BriefAll your family’s pressing concerns and questions, answered in one place. Mike...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

​​As professionals, we inevitably face contentious subjects across the field. Today I am sharing a recent example of disagreement met with collaboration. In this case, an SLP determined that a Gestalt Language Processor (GLP) was not yet in the Natural Language Acquisition stage to answer questions. Meanwhile, the BCBA set a goal for the learner to respond to Personal Safety Questions. The team ultimately collaborated to prioritize safety-related questions as a goal important for this specific learner. This case highlights an essential responsibility: ethical collaboration to support the best possible outcomes for our learners.I also encourage you to check out the Systematic Review on Gestalt Language Processing published in December 2024. The review summary concluded that there is currently insufficient empirical evidence to support GLP as an effective intervention. As providers, it’s our duty to evaluate emerging practices while ensuring our approaches remain evidence-based.At ABA Speech, our mission is to equip professionals with the tools they need to help autistic learners communicate with the world. We do this one CEU at a time. If you haven’t taken our ethics course, “Navigating Conflict Ethically,” which focuses on AAC, Verbal Imitation, and Gestalt Language Processing, consider exploring it through the ABA Speech Connection Membership.By fostering collaboration, prioritizing ethics, and staying informed, we can create meaningful communication opportunities for every learner.#autism #speechtherapyWhat’s Inside:What is GLP? What is NLA?Specific case study for conflict surrounding GestaltSystematic Review on Gestalt Language Processing. Mentioned In This Episode:Take the ethics course by joining the ABA Speech Connection Read the systematic review ABA Speech: HomeThe BriefAll your family’s pressing concerns and questions, answered in one place. Mike...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Are the learners in your class or therapy room engaging in behaviors that create barriers to learning? What can you do?Bailey Payne, author of Behavior Breakthrough: 12 Skills to Transform Behavior at Home and in the Classroom, offers data-driven, evidence-based strategies to help parents and educators reshape their responses, modify environments, and create lasting change. Her book makes Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) concepts accessible, empowering caregivers and teachers to foster a more peaceful learning space.Where to start?Bailey emphasizes teaching essential skills using a clear framework: Why is it important? What is it? How does it look in practice? Today, we explore descriptive praise—a powerful tool for guiding children toward positive behaviors. Unlike general praise, descriptive praise explicitly recounts a child’s actions, showing them how to access attention appropriately without resorting to behaviors that produce a barrier to learning.With teachers already overwhelmed, strategies like descriptive praise offer a simple yet proactive way to remove learning barriers. By intentionally reinforcing desired behaviors, educators can create a more structured, supportive environment—one where every child has the opportunity to succeed.#autism #speechtherapyWhat’s Inside:How to break through barriers to learning.Teaching skills to transform behavior.What is descriptive praise, and how can it help?Mentioned In This Episode:Behavior Breakthrough: 12 Skills to Transform Behavior at Home and in the ClassroomBailey PayneBehavior Breakthrough with Bailey Payne (@behavior_breakthrough) on Instagram BehaviorBreakthrough (@behaviorbreakthro) on TikTokABA Speech: HomeJoin the aba speech connection membership The BriefAll your family’s pressing concerns and questions, answered in one place. Mike...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

I’m talking with Jessica DeMarco about outside-of-the-box thinking to promote and teach social skills while enriching students’ lives. Project Social Code is a unique program that uses block coding to help children develop teamwork, problem-solving, and communication skills while exploring STEM. Funded by a $2.5 million, five-year grant, it ensures that kids of all abilities, including those with disabilities who are often excluded from traditional STEM programs, have the opportunity to engage, learn, and grow.Block coding provides a visual, user-friendly way for students to collaborate, think critically, and express creativity. Through structured lesson plans designed for every skill level, students practice parallel play, teamwork, and problem-solving while building confidence in a fun and supportive environment. Teachers receive free resources, professional development, and in-class demos to integrate coding into their classrooms effortlessly.At the heart of the program is DASH, a special robot (there’s a virtual version too) that students bring to life through their own coding. DASH moves, makes sounds, and responds to their commands, making coding an interactive, hands-on experience that reinforces both technical and social skills.Project Social Code is more than just a STEM program—it’s an opportunity for every child to develop essential life skills, build new interests, and be part of an inclusive learning experience. And best of all, it’s free. Learn more and access resources at Project Social Code’s website.#autism #speechtherapy What’s Inside:What is Project Social Code?How can you use block coding to work on social skills?Free information, resources, and tools.Mentioned In This Episode:Project Social CodeABA Speech: HomeJoin the aba speech connection membership The BriefAll your family’s pressing concerns and questions, answered in one place. Mike...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Dr. Michael C. Selbst and Dr. Jennifer Cruz from Behavior Therapy Associates joined me to explore Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), a subtype of autism spectrum characteristics marked by an anxiety-based drive for control. PDA triggers a fight, flight, or freeze response to both explicit and implied demands, making traditional interventions ineffective. Individuals with PDA often have highly sensitive nervous systems and struggle with the removal of control, leading to heightened anxiety.While there are no evidence-based strategies yet, emerging approaches emphasize collaboration over compliance. Rather than coercion, effective support comes from building trusting relationships, presenting expectations in a meaningful way, and embedding socio-emotional learning opportunities. The focus is not just on moving away from discomfort but helping individuals experience it with compassion and cooperation. As caregivers and clinicians, we must lend our calm, practice emotional intelligence, and reflect on how we show up in these interactions.Although research in the U.S. is still developing, Dr. Selbst and Dr. Cruz recommend the UK-based PDA Society as a valuable resource for further information. #autism #speechtherapy What’s Inside:What is PDA?What causes Anxiety Based Drive for Control?What strategies can be used to work with learners with PDA?Do all learners with PDA have autism?Mentioned In This Episode:Dr. Selbst and Dr. Cruz have the authority to practice interjurisdictional telepsychology (APIT) from the PSYPACT commission, allowing her to provide telepsychology to clients in many states. To see if your state is included, please click on this link: https://psypact.site-ym.com/page/psypactmap PDA SocietyBehavior Therapy AssociatesABA Speech: HomeJoin the aba speech connection membershipThe BriefAll your family’s pressing concerns and questions, answered in one place. Mike...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify