#311: Autism Coach for Families: 5 Lessons from High Touch Coaching
Release Date: 03/04/2025
#339: Parent Training for Autism: The Key to Faster Progress Autism Professionals Need to Know!
Turn Autism Around
Parent training is one of the most important drivers of progress in autism intervention because parents are with their children far more than therapists are. Dr. Mary Barbera and Leanne Page explain how autism professionals can improve parent training by keeping strategies simple, using clear language, showing empathy, modeling skills, practicing together, and ending each session with a realistic plan. When parents feel supported and empowered instead of overwhelmed, they are more likely to follow through and help their child make meaningful progress across everyday routines.
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#338: Autism Safety: Solving elopement, PICA, Fire Safety & More with Dr. Amy Foxman
Turn Autism Around
Children with autism face increased safety risks, including wandering, drowning, fire emergencies, PICA, and traffic dangers. In this podcast, Dr. Mary Barbera and Dr. Amy Foxman explain why safety skills should be a top priority and how parents and professionals can begin teaching them using practical, evidence-based strategies like Behavior Skills Training. They also highlight the SAFE-T Assessment, a free tool that helps identify a child’s most urgent safety risks so families can take meaningful steps to improve safety, independence, and emergency preparedness.
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#337: Real Advice to Get a Toddler Talking and Melting Down Less From a Behavior Analyst
Turn Autism Around
Dr. Mary Barbera sits down with Elissa in this rebroadcast to show exactly how to help a late-talking toddler using a clear 4-step plan. After identifying that Lexi understood more than she could say, Elissa used structured table time, fun materials, and the “1 word × 3” strategy to build imitation, requesting, and labeling. By assessing skills, creating predictable learning routines, and tracking language, Lexi went from babbling to consistent word approximations in just weeks, which is progress any parent can start working toward at home.
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#336: The 10 Early Signs of Autism
Turn Autism Around
Dr. Mary Barbera outlines 10 early signs of autism in toddlers, such as lack of pointing and joint attention, language delays, excessive tantrums, not responding to name and poor imitation skills. She explains how these signs can overlap with speech delay or ADHD, why they matter for social communication, and how parents and professionals can use the Turn Autism Around® approach to take action and start early intervention now.
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#335: Child Not Talking? The Imitation Skills You Need to Build First for Children with Autism
Turn Autism Around
Imitation is a crucial early skill for language, play and social development. Delays in imitation are common in toddlers with autism or signs of autism. Dr. Mary Barbera breaks down the 4 key steps to building imitation skills: assessment, planning, teaching, and simple data collection. She shares practical tips, real examples, and tools from her Turn Autism Around book and course to help parents and professionals teach this pivotal skill in a fun, gentle, and effective way. Early intervention matters, and building imitation can create powerful learning momentum for young children.
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#334: Concerned About a 4 Year Old Speech Delay? Start Here
Turn Autism Around
If you're worried that your 4-year-old isn’t talking or meeting speech milestones, you’re not alone and you don’t need to wait. By age four, kids should be speaking in full sentences, asking questions, and using language to solve problems. Speech delays at this age often signal a need for targeted support, not just time. Dr. Mary Barbera explains key signs to watch for, how to tell if autism may be involved, and what parents can do right now to help. With the right strategies, you can turn everyday routines into powerful opportunities for communication and independence, whether your...
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#333: What is level 3 autism? Everything you need to know!
Turn Autism Around
A Level 3 autism diagnosis means a child currently needs very substantial support, not that their future is fixed or limited. Dr Mary Barbera explains what Level 3 autism is, how it differs from Levels 1 and 2, common traits and evidence‑based treatment options. Autism levels describe present support needs, not intelligence or long‑term outcomes and levels can change over time. With early intervention, effective therapies, and strong parent involvement, many children make meaningful progress. The goal is clarity, realistic expectations, and hope grounded in action rather than fear.
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#332: 5 Autism Rants You Need to Hear in 2026 | Unpopular Autism Opinions That Improve Progress
Turn Autism Around
Dr. Mary Barbera shares five “autism rants” based on her 27 years of experience as a mom, nurse, and BCBA-D. These unpopular opinions challenge outdated advice and highlight what truly helps children with autism make progress, like acting early, using one cohesive plan, and empowering parents to lead daily routines. Whether you're overwhelmed by delays, therapy contradictions, or mixed messages, this guide gives you the clarity and tools to take effective action now.
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#331: 18 month old not talking? 5 Steps you need today!
Turn Autism Around
Is your 18-month-old not talking yet? Dr. Mary Barbera shares five essential action steps to help parents navigate early speech delays with clarity and confidence. From checking developmental milestones to understanding early signs of autism and using a free digital assessment, this guide empowers you to take early, effective action without panic or overwhelm. Whether your child has a diagnosis or not, these strategies can spark real progress at home. Early help leads to big gains!
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#330: How to Stop Toddler Hitting and Throwing in Just 2 Days!
Turn Autism Around
Dr. Mary Barbera and Rachel Smith share a simple, effective 3-step plan to stop toddlers from hitting and throwing things, even when they're overwhelmed or frustrated. Based on positive parenting and behavior science, this approach helps toddlers with or without delays learn calm behavior fast. Rachel used it to stop her son’s hitting and throwing in just two days, and it can work for you too.
info_outlineDr. Mary Barbera shares five key lessons she has learned from working with high-wealth families navigating autism. These insights are applicable to all parents, regardless of financial status, and offer strategies for managing an autism diagnosis, implementing therapy options, and addressing problem behaviors. Dr. Barbera also explains the creation of her High Touch Coaching program, a personalized, hands-on support system that bridges the gap between learning and real-world application for families seeking individualized guidance. See how you can move forward in your autism journey with proven techniques and expert advice.