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Trellis provides ABA therapy to help children with autism.

ABA Blog: Autism & ABA Articles

10 Top-Performing Podcast Episodes About Autism

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In a year when the pandemic kept many families at home and on their screens, many Americans turned to podcasts to fill their downtime. At LEARN Behavioral, we’re no exception.

We recently reached our 100th podcast milestone on All Autism Talk, where we’re connecting the autism community one podcast at a time. In celebration of today—International Podcast Day—we’re launching a new podcast with Temple Grandin discussing her latest book, Navigating Autism: 9 Mindsets for Helping Kids on the Spectrum. We’re also bringing you 10 of our highly popular episodes:

1. Temple Grandin – Parenting Kids with Autism

In one of our most-listened-to podcasts, Temple Grandin, PhD, an American scientist and animal behaviorist who has been a trailblazer for people with autism, shares advice for parents raising kids on the spectrum. Drawing from her experiences growing up with ASD, she talks about everything from sensory overload and excessive screen time to the need for more 1950s-style “old-fashioned methods of parenting” full of “teachable moments.”

2. Female Life on the Spectrum – Insights from Jennifer Cook O’Toole

Jennifer Cook O’Toole was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome at age 35 and is raising three children on the spectrum. She’s the author of seven award-winning books, including Autism in Heels: The Untold Story of a Female Life on the Spectrum. In this engaging and, at times, humorous podcast, she explains why diagnosis has been widely missed in girls and women.

3. Addressing the Cultural Needs of Families with Autism

Corina Jimenez-Gomez, PhD, a behavioral scientist at Auburn University, and Lauren Beaulieu, PhD, a behavior analyst for Newton Public Schools in Massachusetts, team up on this podcast to talk about cultural competency and the importance of cultural responsiveness in ABA. They bring personal experience to the conversation, with Corina sharing stories of her experience as a mom and Venezuelan native, now living in Alabama, and Lauren discussing her marriage to an Italian immigrant. Both say relationship-building is an important part of navigating what can sometimes feel like a clash of cultures.

4. Early Identification of Developmental Delays in Children – Dr. Sharief Taraman

Dr. Sharief Taraman is a neurologist at Children’s Health of Orange County (CHOC). In this episode, he discusses how diagnostic screening can help identify developmental delays in children. Early identification and diagnosis, he says, can help families get the right treatment right away.

5. What to Expect from ABA Service Providers – with Dr. Hanna Rue

Hanna Rue, PhD, Chief Clinical Officer at LEARN Behavioral, eases parents’ minds in this conversation about what they can expect when it comes to applied behavior analysis (ABA) providers. How do providers apply our understanding of how behavior works to real situations? How do they help increase behaviors that are helpful and decrease those that are harmful for learning? Listen in to learn more.

6. The Role of Genetics in Autism, Explained

Wendy Chung, MD, PhD, director of clinical research at the Simons Foundation Autism Research Foundation, works as a molecular geneticist and physician and is something of a genetic detective who traces an individual’s symptoms to a particular genetic anomaly. In this podcast, she breaks down what we know about the causes of autism.

7. Autism Resource Mom – Autism Support and Information from the Best Expert, a Mom

A mother’s intuition and drive to advocate for her kids can make her the best expert when it comes to her child’s care. That’s something Debora Smith understands to the core. She’s raising a son on the autism spectrum, and she founded Autism Resource Mom, a nonprofit organization that helps families navigate the complex world of autism. Listen in to find out how she’s turned her passion into helping others.

8. Autism, Aggression, and Self Injury – Exploring a Mother’s Journey with ECT

More than a decade ago, Amy Lutz and her husband, Andy, struggled with a predicament no parents want to face: how could they safely keep their autistic 10-year-old son living at home any longer, considering his violent rages? Amy, a founding board member of the National Council on Severe Autism, discusses their exploration of the controversial procedure of electroconvulsive therapy, or ECT.

9. Making Social Skills (and Minecraft) More Accessible for Kids with Autism

As a single father, Stuart Duncan has been all about his kids. His oldest son has autism, and Stuart noticed that kids on the spectrum need a space online where they can play games without getting bullied. So, the Canadian dad quit his job to create Autcraft, a Minecraft server for kids with autism. His virtual community has given people on the autism spectrum the self-confidence to socialize on a safe gaming platform.

10. Medical Insurance for Autism Treatment – Understanding the Changing Landscape

Will your health insurance cover your child’s autism treatment? In this podcast, Amy Weinstock, Director of the Autism Insurance Resource Center at the University of Massachusetts, breaks down tools that can help families find out whether they are covered.

Find dozens of more episodes from All Autism Talk wherever you get your podcasts, including Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or on LEARN Behavioral’s website at www.learnbehavioral.com/allautismtalk.

Dr. Temple Grandin and Dr. Debra Moore – Navigating Autism

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Dr. Temple Grandin returns to the podcast to discuss her latest book, Navigating Autism, which is a collaboration with psychologist Debra Moore, who has done extensive work with children, teens, and adults on the autism spectrum. This episode highlights Dr. Grandin’s powerful personal insights and wisdom with practical support and help from Dr. Moore. In this lively conversation, Drs. Grandin and Moore delve into a number of topics, from how to teach your child basic skills to what you can do to identify and stretch your child’s strengths and interests. The authors also share their belief that many educators, parents, and caregivers underestimate their kids, and they offer advice on what parents can do to help their child reach their highest potential. 

Interested in ABA services for your child? Contact Us: https://lrnbvr.com/contact

Interested in a career in the ABA field? Apply Now: https://lrnbvr.com/apply-now

All Autism Talk (allautismtalk.com) is sponsored by LEARN Behavioral (learnbehavioral.com).

An Outsider’s Path to Feeling Embraced as a Hispanic-American-Autistic

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Dana Trick is on the cusp of the Millennial generation and Gen Z. She feels in between when it comes to a lot of things: being high-functioning and autistic, being white and mixed race, being adult and not-quite-grown-up.

Sometimes, she writes about those worlds colliding. She has written that “the most infuriating and biggest myth surrounding the autism spectrum is that most people believe it only affects Caucasian boys.”

In an essay she penned last year for The Art of Autism, Trick said she doesn’t really like misconceptions she sees as doing more harm than good. She has been on the receiving end of lots of labels herself.

In addition to being autistic, she is a first-generation Mexican-Canadian-American. Her coming of age has meant not only finding a way to manage her autism but also finding a way to feel embraced by her Hispanic heritage.

Finding Her Identity

Autism is under-diagnosed in the Hispanic community. The Centers for Disease Control has identified inequities when it comes to being autistic and Hispanic. Latino families face barriers when it comes to diagnosis and access to healthcare, especially if they are low-income or don’t speak English as their primary language, the CDC says.

Growing up in Moorpark, Calif., Trick did not feel any of those inequities. There was no language barrier or immigration stigma. She was diagnosed on the autism spectrum around the time she started school, just like some of her peers.

“I am mainly white-passing,” she says. “So, I haven’t much received any inequities in my diagnosis and treatment.”

But she has had trouble finding autism representation that reflects her identity. As a teen who loved watching television, the people she saw who were autistic, like the white, male, fictional physicist character Sheldon Cooper on “The Big Bang Theory,” did not look like her.

“I only had a few representations as a Mexican-American and fewer ones that I liked,” Trick says. “Recently, I’ve seen more non-white and female representation of autism, such as Abed from ‘Community’ and Entrapta from ‘She-Ra.’ I feel that my Mexican-American identity and my autistic identity are fighting over each other to be me.”

Adapting to Her Culture

Trick is aware of the realities of being a high-functioning autistic person in her culture. Over the years, she’s learned to adapt.

“Mexican-American family gatherings are always big and chaotic,” she says. “There were a lot of sounds coming from practically everyone in the house. I mostly had to hide in a somewhat quiet room until I was called, or we were leaving.”

As an adult, she tries to interact more with her relatives, though with varying results. When they speak Spanish, she says she feels like “a white friend of the family” who doesn’t understand. When things get too loud, she finds her own happy space.

“I mainly read with headphones on and hear snippets of some conversations and sometimes give my input if they are interesting,” she says. “My relatives know by now that I like routine, and our outings try to be planned and organized to the best they can, but I became more flexible with routine over time as long as they are not sudden.”

Accepting Herself

Trick, who was a history major, loves books, comics, and cultural heritage. In her quiet, introverted way, she says she likes to seek out others who are mixed heritage and autistic, because the support is cathartic.

“I think acceptance of the self is best,” she says. “And learning your heritage and your autistic community and learning how to love and be yourself all the time is the best way to cope.”

Dana Trick recently received her associate’s degree in history from California State University. She volunteers at her local library and works part-time at Chumash Indian Museum in Thousand Oaks, Calif. She loves writing poems, short stories, fairytales, and comics about being an outsider to everything. She sometimes writes about autism.

Want to know more about LEARN’s commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion? Watch our video.

Addressing the Cultural Needs of Families with Autism

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Corina Jimenez-Gomez, faculty at Auburn University, and Lauren Beaulieu a behavior analyst for 20 years join us to discuss the importance of culturally responsive services in ABA. Along with their extensive work educating others in this area, they each bring their personal experiences to this important conversation. Corina is a mother and Venezuelan native now living in Alabama. Lauren also shares insights she has gained from her marriage to an Italian immigrant. There is so much rich information about how professionals can take responsibility and action to better serve families. One bit of advice offered to those just beginning their careers was, “Do a self-assessment and then get the training and focus on those soft skills that we tend to ignore in masters programs. Focus on relationship building. You may have to step outside your program to get that.”

Training: https://institute.centralreach.com/pages/cultural-competency-in-applied-behavior-analysis​​​​​​​

Interested in ABA Services for you child? Contact Us: https://lrnbvr.com/contact

Interested in a Career in the ABA Field? Apply Now: https://lrnbvr.com/apply-now

All Autism Talk (allautismtalk.com) is sponsored by LEARN Behavioral (learnbehavioral.com).

How to Manage a Career, While Raising a Child with Autism

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When Laura Brompton’s son, Bertie, was a toddler going through the assessment and diagnosis process for autism spectrum disorder, she says she needed a job she could do without needing to be emotionally invested.

She wanted to be able to walk out and leave work at the door.

“I didn’t have the emotional capacity to juggle Bertie’s needs with a job that would need me to focus my mind,” she says. “Bertie’s needs were the priority.”

She wondered how she could ever manage the stress of a career while raising a child with autism. She knew caring for her son would be demanding and expensive. She wanted to be fulfilled in her own work and be fully engaged as a parent. She knew some semblance of a work-life balance was going to be tough to achieve. But she was willing to adapt. So, she trusted her instincts and persevered until she found the right fit.

“When Bertie started school, I realized that I had a lot more time on my hands,” she says. “The job I was working in was weekends and early mornings, but I wanted to find something that would fit into Bertie’s school day so that I was always home when he was, and so I could take him to and from school.”

She wanted the same thing many parents juggling career and family do: a stable routine.

“For me, the best solution was to also work in a school,” she says. It was a change in her career path, but it was a way for her to strike a balance between work and home life. It gave her the freedom to be available when she needed to be.

Her son is almost 6 now, and she has found her niche working in a school and running “Bertie’s Journey,” a blog on Facebook documenting the frequent highs and occasional lows of Bertie’s life on the autism spectrum and their family’s day-to-day life in the United Kingdom.

While she doesn’t claim to have all the answers, she says these tips helped her transition:

1. Talk to your employer.

Finding an understanding employer is key to having the flexibility you need as a special-needs parent.

Academic studies, such as, “Daily Experiences Among Mothers of Adolescents and Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder,” from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, have looked at daily stressors parents experience, and researchers concluded that these parents need more support from employers.

“Make it clear to your employer that you have a child with autism spectrum disorder, and there may be times where that has to come before your work,” Brompton says. That opens the door to clear communication about expectations. And it opens up the opportunity for additional emotional support at work, where your employer understands the challenges you face.

2. Find a job you enjoy.

If you find joy in your work, it will reflect in the rest of your life, Brompton says. “It will help in so many ways and allow you a bit of time to be yourself.”

If you can’t find joy in your work, you may find yourself in a category researchers refer to as “parental burnout”—a phenomenon that can have serious negative consequences because a work-life balance seems so out of reach. Researchers see it as kind of a dying battery. When you can’t recharge, the whole family feels your zapped energy.

3. Establish routines.

Having good routines in place makes all the difference in keeping everything on track, Brompton says. Like many kids on the autism spectrum, her son thrives on routine. So she worked on establishing a consistent schedule. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has some tips here about how to create consistent routines for your own family.

“Getting to work and caring for a child with ASD can be a tricky mix,” Brompton says. “Having a set routine will make this run a lot smoother.”

4. Don’t take on more than you can handle.

Even before the COVID pandemic, women took care of almost twice the load as men when it came to shopping, cooking, cleaning, and taking care of kids and parents in the household, a McKinsey Global Institute study found. And many women are burning out. Last year, a Women in the Workplace study indicated that one in four women are considering leaving the workplace or downshifting their careers.

Brompton says she has learned when to say when. Sometimes, managing the balance between a career and raising a child with special needs can be overwhelming, she says. Sometimes you need a support system.

“If things get too much,” she says, “reach out to people.”

Laura Brompton says her most important role is “mum to Bertie,” who was diagnosed with non-verbal autism, among other diagnoses, in 2018. She blogs at @bertiesjourney on Facebook.

Looking for more tips about balancing a career while raising a special-needs child? Read “Perspectives: Support Women in the Workplace During the Pandemic.”

9 Types of People Who Should Apply for an Entry-Level ABA Job

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Looking for an entry-level yet meaningful and growth-oriented job? Like many, you may not know about the growing field of applied behavior analysis (ABA), a therapy based on science—and used to help people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) learn and grow. The entry-level position for ABA is called a behavior technician, and most jobs require no prior experience.

What does a behavior tech do? As a behavior tech, you would work one-on-one with children and young adults with autism to help them build skills and become more independent. You would also be part of a team of clinicians and caregivers working to help individuals achieve unique goals and reach their potential.

Are you a good fit for a job in ABA? Read on to see if you recognize yourself in any of these nine descriptions:

1. You want to make a difference.

New behavior technicians are often blown away by the progress their clients make.  Nothing is more gratifying than knowing that your work leads to positive change in the lives of kids and families. 

2. You love children.

Many ABA jobs involve working with children. If you love children and enjoy making them smile and seeing their progress, this might be the job for you. In most ABA jobs, your training is provided at no cost, so loving children is the only requirement.    

3. You like variety at work.

Work as a behavior technician is never boring. ABA positions may be located in any of number of environments, whether in an individual’s home, workplace, school, or community—or in one of our Learning Centers. For instance, you might work with a child at home to build turn-taking skills by playing a game or practice making requests through imaginary or pretend play. Likewise, you might venture to the grocery store with an older child or young adult to practice selecting food and going through the check-out line. Whatever the case, there is no end to the types of skills you may teach, from imitating words to ordering a meal and making change in a restaurant!

4. You’re interested in special education, psychology, speech and language pathology, occupational therapy, or physical therapy. 

You don’t want to start a degree program until you’re positive it’s the field for you.  Working as a behavior tech gives you excellent experience working directly with a population of children you might encounter in any of the above fields. As a bonus, hiring managers in education and other specialty services love to see an ABA background on an applicant’s resume.

5. You want to change your field or career.

ABA training is provided on-the-job. In most cases, you don’t need to come in with any special knowledge or training—only a great attitude and a willingness to learn.    

6. You’re a current or former paraprofessional or instructional aide in a school.

Some people gravitate to education but realize that working in a classroom is not for them. ABA allows you to work with fewer children more closely in a variety of settings, not just a single classroom or school. For this reason, you have more flexibility over your schedule and can often work part-time or full-time.

7. You’re independent and enjoy a supportive work environment.

As a behavior technician in an ABA setting, you typically receive written instructions on what to do, plus regular support from your supervisor, a board certified behavior analyst (BCBA). Most days, however, you also lead teaching sessions on your own, giving you an ideal mix of support and independence.

8. You want to find meaning in your work.

There is nothing more fulfilling than supporting a person in gaining independence or helping children find their voice. Behavior technicians do important, meaningful work each and every day, and often experience a strong sense of fulfillment. 

9. You’re curious and enjoy learning—and want a career with growth potential.

Ongoing learning and problem-solving are essential parts of any ABA career, including a position as a behavior technician. As a behavior tech, you can continue in that capacity or take your career to any number of next levels, starting with a position as a managing behavior technician. From there, with a bachelor’s degree, you could become an assistant behavior analyst—and then work toward your master’s degree, while serving as a clinical fellow. Once you earned a master’s degree, you could become a board certified behavior analyst (BCBA), and work your way to a managing BCBA or even a clinical director. The sky is the limit.

As more people enter the fast-growing field of ABA, either as a behavior technician for the long-run or as a stepping stone to another professional career, ask yourself whether you fit the bill—and, if so, visit our careers page and search “behavior technician” to apply for a job today.

Female Life on the Spectrum – Insights from Jennifer Cook

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Jennifer Cook was diagnosed on the autism spectrum at the age of 35 and is raising three children on the spectrum. She is the author of seven bestselling, award-winning books. This lively conversation had our host, Katherine Johnson laughing and crying. Jennifer provides perspective on why diagnosis has been widely missed in girls and women and promotes her philosophy of helping others, “Move from feeling like a mistake to feeling like a miracle”.

For More Information:
https://www.jenniferotooleauthor.com/
https://www.sanctuary-magazine.com/autism-in-heels.html
https://www.nowyoubelong.com/welcome

All Autism Talk (allautismtalk.com) is sponsored by LEARN Behavioral (learnbehavioral.com).

This School Year, Build a Trusting Relationship with Your Child’s Teacher

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by Katherine Johnson, M.S., BCBA
Senior Director of Partnerships, LEARN Behavioral

Building a strong relationship with your child’s teacher can benefit everyone involved. In fact, studies show that parental involvement in a child’s schooling boosts their motivation and performance. Parents with positive ties to their child’s teacher can learn more about the school environment, which can help them better understand and support their child. Meanwhile, teachers benefit by having another person on the educational “team” who can provide helpful information and context about the child’s learning history and home environment.

How, then, can you nurture this valuable alliance? Here are some things to consider.    

Communicate regularly and respectfully.

As with any relationship, communication is key. Reach out to the teacher early on, and be sure to connect consistently throughout the school year. Before you send that 50-page missive though, find out the teacher’s preferred method of communication. There are so many ways to be in touch these days: email, communication logs, phone calls, chatting before or after school. Some teachers even text with parents or ask that they communicate through special apps. With all of these methods, teachers can become overwhelmed, and your thoughts become less helpful and more stressful. So, however your child’s teacher likes to exchange information, respect their preferences. Share your goals with the teacher and make sure you understand their expectations. And as important as it is to be thoughtful about how to best share your own thoughts, the most important piece of communication is always: LISTEN! 

Build good-will.

Make sure your child’s teacher feels respected and appreciated. Whenever you have a chance to recognize their hard work, don’t be shy—reach out and tell them. Teacher Appreciation Week isn’t until May; make it your mission to offer words and gestures of appreciation throughout the year. Teachers are juggling a myriad of things: children, lesson plans, IEPs, and state regulations, just to name a few. Find out how you can be useful to them and help wherever you can, whether it’s sending in a few extra boxes of tissues or volunteering to come in and help with materials. You can also show your respect for their time by preparing for meetings, organizing your thoughts ahead of time, and adhering to the meeting times. 

Handle concerns with respect.

No matter how great the teacher, there are often bumps along the way. When this happens, take your concerns to the teacher first. Don’t go over their head until after you’ve tried to resolve things first.  Schedule a meeting to discuss your concerns, and arrive with an open mind and a collaborative attitude. Share your perspective, with the understanding that it is just that: your perspective. Ask for the teacher’s perspective and take the time to listen thoughtfully. Practice active listening by restating your understanding of the teacher’s important points. This will not only make the teacher happy but also help you listen more closely so you can better grasp their position. 

Just as your child works to build a relationship with their new teacher, you can work to build a relationship, too, starting with these steps. Keep in mind the old adage, “communication is a two-way street,” and know that most teachers want to hear from you and consider you a partner in your child’s education. Although you may, at times, want to fire off a heated email, move forward with patience and respect for the teacher’s workload and preferred methods of communication, knowing that listening is a critical part of the process—and key to your success.

Looking for more advice on making the school year a success? Read “10 Tips to Transition Kids with Autism Back to In-Person School.”

10 Tips to Transition Kids with Autism Back to In-Person School

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by Michelle Mannella, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA
Behavior Analyst, LEARN/SPARKS

Wow, it’s finally here! Some of us thought this moment would never arrive. But it’s time to send our kids back to school in-person or maybe for the first time at all. In the midst of a pandemic-frenzied world, returning to school can feel scary, difficult, and exciting for both children and parents alike.

With the emotions that come with such a milestone, it’s important to think about how to prepare for this, especially when sending a child with autism to school. Many children have been at home with their families for 18 months—or longer. This transition may be unfamiliar and uncomfortable.

“It takes a village” is a concept that could not be more accurate for a situation like this. As a board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA) with many years of special education experience, that’s where I can step in with advice. Here, I offer 10 tips that you can start doing now to make the transition less stressful and more enjoyable for everyone:

Prepare your child.

Take time to talk to your child about the changes soon happening. Explain that there will be other children around, new faces, and a new environment.

Start a routine now.

Begin waking up your child at the time they would need to get up for school. Eat breakfast and lunch at regularly scheduled times, and set designated times for your activities. If necessary, use a visual schedule to help your child better understand what to expect.

Visit the school.

When I was a special education teacher, we invited families on individual tours of the school to make the start of school less overwhelming. Call your school and arrange to visit. During your visit, familiarize your child with important areas, such as the nurse’s office, bathrooms, cafeteria, classrooms, gymnasium, the playground, and the principal’s office.If you are unable to visit the school, look at and talk through pictures online with your child. Also ask your child’s teacher to take pictures of different areas of the school, and go over those areas with your child. Explain what happens in each part. For example, show a picture of the cafeteria and explain that students eat lunch there.

Have your child meet the teacher.

Ask if your child’s teacher can Zoom with you and your child, or even meet in person to put your child at ease. This way, your child’s teacher is not a brand-new face on the first day of school.

Talk to the teacher yourself.

Meet with your child’s teacher before school starts to address any concerns. You can give the teacher tools and tricks about effectively working with your child—this helps more than you might realize. After all, who knows your child better than you, right?

Plan a play date.

Depending on your level of comfort with other families, reach out to parents who have children in the same class to see if they’d like to have a play date. This would allow your child to recognize some familiar faces on the first day. If your school offers any social events before or soon after the start of the school year, make sure you attend—and use it as a chance to meet other families.

Check on your child’s learning accommodations.

When speaking to your child’s teacher and staff, make sure your child’s agreed-upon accommodations are in place. More than likely, you have already signed an IEP or a 504 plan, but the beginning of the school year can be overwhelming for everyone, and sometimes things can slip through the cracks. Don’t assume everything is understood and in place—double-check.

Practice the transportation routine.

It can help to practice going on the school bus or following your child’s transportation plan. The first day of school can feel stressful, so the more familiar your child is with their routine, the better. You can also provide their driver with any important information about your child’s needs or challenges. Try to do this on the first day of school—or if possible, before.

Attend a school open house.

If your school has an open house or other welcome events, take your child to introduce them to the new environment, meet teachers and staff, and start the process of making new friends.

Start a communication log with staff.

Before school begins, decide what type of communication and the frequency of communication you want with your child’s teacher. A communication log may be a good method of keeping in touch with your child’s teacher on a daily basis and making you feel comfortable as your child goes back to school.

As the school year approaches, these steps can help you get ready—and most importantly, enable your child embark on a successful year of learning, growth, and fun.

For more back-to-school tips for parents of kids with ASD, read “Five Steps to Help Your Child with Autism Make Friends.”