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In episode 18, Jess co-hosts with Kimmy, who listeners will remember from the last episode, who is a BCBA and the older sibling of an autistic adult. Today, they welcome Heather Hazlett, PhD., a licensed psychologist who participates in clinical work and is an assistant professor at the University of North Carolina (UNC).  Her training is in child neuropsychology, and her research focuses on brain development in neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism. Dr Hazlett is a researcher in the Baby Siblings Research Consortium, and she discusses some of these research findings and how they pertain to families today with Jess and Kimmy.  We hope you enjoy the episode!    Resources – Our IBIS network website:  Infant Brain Imaging Study The BSRC website:  Home | Baby Siblings Research Consortium  Disclaimer: This podcast represents the opinions of Dr. Jessica Greenson, PhD, our cohost, and guest(s) on the show. The content here should not be taken as clinical or medical advice and is for informational purposes only. Because each child is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional with any specific questions.  Views and opinions expressed on the podcast are our own. While we make every effort to ensure that the information we are sharing is accurate, we welcome any comments, suggestions, or corrections of errors.  This podcast should not be used in any legal capacity whatsoever, including but not limited to establishing “standard of care” in a legal sense or as a basis for expert witness testimony.  No guarantee is given regarding the accuracy of any statements or opinions made on the podcast.  In no way does listening, reading, emailing, or interacting on social media with our content establish a doctor-patient relationship.

In episode 17, Jess welcomes Kelleen and Kimmy, who are both older siblings of autistic adults. Kelleen is an SLP, and Kimmy is a BCBA, both at the University of Washington’s Autism Center. In today’s discussion, they share how their experiences with their autistic siblings shaped them as people, but also as compassionate practitioners and advocates in their fields. We look at the joys and challenges they experienced as older siblings and some of the issues that continue to arise as they navigate the present and future. And last, but not least, they offer parents some helpful advice for helping their neurotypical children understand and embrace autism. We hope you enjoy the episode!       Resources – Websites for Siblings:  Sesame Street (young children) – http://autism.sesamestreet.org/  Rocking Mountain Sibs – https://www.rmsibs.com/  A Sibling's Guide to Autism – https://www.autismspeaks.org/sites/default/files/2018-08/Siblings%20Guide%20to%20Autism.pdf  Siblings of Autism – https://siblingsofautism.org/  Sibling Leadership Network – https://siblingleadership.org/  Sibling Support Project – https://siblingsupport.org/  The Organization for Autism Research has a number of sibling resources – https://researchautism.org/how-we-help/families/sibling-support/  The Arc of New Jersey has several helpful resources for siblings of all ages –  https://www.thearcfamilyinstitute.org/resources/sibling-resources/young-sibs.html  Parent to Parent – https://www.p2pusa.org/  The Sibling Transformation Project – https://www.siblingtransformation.org/  Growing Up Alongside a Sibling with a Disability –https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/11/parenting/children-sibling-disability.html    Books for Parents about Siblings:  Siblings of Children with Autism: A Guide for Families by Sandra Harris PhD & Beth Glasberg PhD  Autism Spectrum Disorder Sibling Support: 15 Practical Tips for Parents & Caregivers by Trish Thorpe  Here are links to picture book lists featuring Autistic children.   Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/maistorybooklibrary/list/14VLE2C1F0T17  Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/autism-acceptance-picture-book-list     Sibling books:  Benji, the Bad Day, and Me by Sally J. Pla  My Brother Otto by Meg Raby (preschool to early elementary)  My Brother Charlie by Holly Robinson Peete & Ryan Elizabeth Peete (elementary age)  Leah's Voice by Lori DeMonia (elementary age)  Tacos Anyone? By Marvie Ellis (elementary age) - Bilingual book  Brotherly Feelings: Me, My Emotions, and My Brother with Asperger's Syndrome by Sam Frender & Rob Schiffmiller (elementary age)  What About Me? A book by and for an Autism Sibling by Brennan & Mandy Farmer (elementary age)  Understanding Samantha: A Sibling's Perspective of Autism by Dustin Daniels (elementary age)  Everybody is Different by Fiona Bleach (elementary/middle school age)  Autism: The Invisible Cord by Barbara Cain (middle school)  Rules by Cynthia Lord (middle school)  The Reason I Jump by Naoki Higashida (middle school)  Same but Different: Teen Life on the Autism Express by Holly Robinson Peete, Ryan Elizabeth Peete, & RJ Peete (middle school/high school)  The Sibling Survival Guide: Indispensable Information for Brothers & Sisters of Adults with Disabilities by Don Meyer & Emily Holl (high school/adults)    Memoirs by Siblings:  Boy Alone: A Brother's Memoir by Karl Greensfeld  How to be a Sister: A love story with a twist of autism by Eileen Garvin  The Ride Together: A Brother & Sister's Memoir of Autism in the Family by Paul & Judy Karasik  At Home in the Land of Oz: My Sister, Autism, and Me by Anne Barnhill  Crystal Puzzle: Growing Up with a Sister with Asperger's by Ashley Nance  How autism shapes sibling relationships By Emily Laber-Warren

In this episode, Ashley and Jess talk about supporting feeding and mealtime with Dr. Yev Veverka. Yev has been both a practitioner and researcher in the area of mealtime and is an author of the book, Meaningful Mealtimes: Practical Strategies for All Young Eaters. We discuss common feeding challenges and low-pressure, practical ways to support children with mealtime. Resources: https://www.feedingmatters.org/

Summary  In episode 15 of the On-time Autism Intervention Podcast, Ashley and Jessica are excited to welcome back Luisa. Luisa is the parent of an autistic son and a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC). In episode 3, Luisa shared her journey through her son's referral and diagnosis and now she is back over 2 years later to give us an update and share insights from the other side! She reflects on what she wishes she had known back then and offers heartfelt advice on how to deal with the complicated feelings that often come from an autism diagnosis, including knowing when to act and when to pause and process. Ashley, Jessica, and Luisa also discuss ways that providers can step back and let parents "drive the bus" on the journey through diagnosis, acceptance, and support. Luisa offers her lived experience and perspective as a mental health professional working with families. There is something special about hearing from a parent who has been there, and we hope you enjoy this episode!   Resources:  Today’s guest, Luisa Bakhoum offers individual and family counseling services in Spanish and English through her practice, Conscious Family Paths. https://www.consciousfamilypaths.com/   OTAI Podcast Episode 3 (Google Podcasts) In the third episode of the On-time Autism Intervention Podcast, Jessica and Ashley dive into the parent experience and parent orientation towards a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This week they welcome a special parent guest, Luisa! Luisa describes the process of referral and diagnosis and reflects on the many feelings she has experienced throughout this new journey with her child. Regardless of what phase of the journey you are in, Luisa’s story offers valuable perspective and hope for any parent in any stage of the diagnostic process with their child. We hope you enjoy this episode!

Summary  In episode 14, Jess and Ashley welcome Sarah, MOT, OTR/L, an Occupational Therapist (OT) with the Autism Center at the University of Washington. Today, Sarah will answer the burning question, "What is occupational therapy?" In today's discussion we look at how occupational therapy strategies can support young autistic children and their families with everyday routines from tummy time to toileting, why parent coaching leads to better outcomes, and the importance of play. Sensory processing struggles can often get in the way of learning and lead to meltdowns, so Sarah will also offer strategies caregivers can try at home. And last, but not least, we will talk about the critical role of caregivers and collaboration on early intervention teams. We hope you enjoy the episode!       Resources:  At-home sensory processing tips and strategies. sensory-processing.pdf    For OTs and Early Intervention Providers: Parent coaching pioneers, Drs. Rush and Sheldon share important insights on incorporating parent coaching into early intervention practice.   https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1837&context=ojot

In this episode, Ashley and Jess get a chance to chat with Dr. Annette Estes. Dr. Estes is the Director of the University of Washington Autism Center and an expert on sleep in autism. We discuss sleep needs for children, goals for sleep health, and simple tips you can start right away to help everyone get those zzzzzz's.  Resources: Sleep Better! A Guide to Improving Sleep for Children with Special Needs by V. Mark Durand  Solving Sleep Problems in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders by Terry Katz and Beth Ann Malowhttps://www.autismspeaks.org/sites/default/files/2018-08/Sleep%20Tool%20Kit.pdf

In the second part of this conversation, speech-language pathologist Kelleen tells us about speech services for children under 3. We discuss the structure of speech sessions, prelinguistic activities that help young children communicate, and tools used for modeling communication (like Augmentative and Alternative Communication, AAC). We also delve into the roles of parent and caregivers in helping their children express themselves during and outside of speech sessions, and provide tips to best support your child in their communication journey. See the links below to some of the resources mentioned in the episode! Resources Play based toys examples https://ei.northwestern.edu/for-parents/toy-recommendations https://thedabblingspeechie.com/2022/03/cause-and-effect-toys/ More Than Words - Hanen Program at UWAC https://depts.washington.edu/uwautism/clinical-services/treatment/hanen-more-than-words-program/ UWAC Speech-Language Therapy Webpage https://depts.washington.edu/uwautism/clinical-services/treatment/speech-language-therapy/

This episode’s guest is Kelleen, a licensed and American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) certified speech-language pathologist. In our discussion, she introduces us to the world of speech language pathology and explains how this therapy helps children with autism. We discuss the differences between speech (codes), language and communication, tools and concepts for addressing each of these components with a child, what echolalia is, and what language development looks like for children under the age of three. This episode is part one of a two-part series on speech therapy, we will continue our conversation on speech pathology in the next episode! Resources: UWAC Speech-Language Therapy Webpage https://depts.washington.edu/uwautism/clinical-services/treatment/speech-language-therapy/

Our guest today is Armando, who tells us about his experiences being diagnosed with autism at 3 years old. While his parents were told he would never speak, this didn’t stop Armando from learning to do just that. He tells us about his journey from being ashamed of his diagnosis to becoming a host of his own podcast, a private consultant, and a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst. He is dedicated to showing that the experiences and potential of Autistic people are not pre-determined by what others think is possible. We discuss being both Autistic and a BCBA in a world in which ABA is often criticized by Autistic people; what it looks like to partner with families as their “co-pilot”; and how to set realistic, developmentally-appropriate goals for children who are indeed children, regardless of their diagnosis. Resources : A Different Path – Armando’s podcast   https://open.spotify.com/show/1TvFg76HNyUC9jJ3D4uxiv Autism International – consulting with Armando   www.autismintl.com Facebook/Instagram:   @autismintl Armando’s Email   [email protected]

In this episode, Jess and Ashley chat with a parent about her experience interviewing ABA providers to find the right fit for her child and family. Join us to hear this family's early journey with home-based ABA therapy. Topics discussed in this episode include: Considerations for interviewing possible ABA providers to find the right fit. What ABA looks like for one family, including examples of in-home sessions and community outings with ABA support. The importance of advocating for family priorities within ABA therapy.

In this episode Jess and Ashley chat about developmentally appropriate ABA for children under 3. Join us as we discuss some examples of what ABA might look like for young children or possible differences between ways ABA services might be structured. This episode is intended to help parents prepare for early conversations with ABA agencies and begin to consider how different recommendations and applications of ABA services align with their family. Jess and Ashley dive into the location of ABA services (home vs. clinic-based services), the intensity of service hours, and the style of therapy (play-based vs. more structured). Lastly, we explore examples of what to expect from a high-quality ABA that is developmentally appropriate and effective at improving the quality of life of children. At the end of the day, ABA services should meaningfully engage children in learning opportunities, be specifically tailored, and should align with what works best for families and individuals.

Many parents, especially those with recently diagnosed children under 3, question what is Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)? Why is this recommended for my child with autism? In Episode 8, the On Time Autism Intervention Podcast presents an introduction to ABA. Ashley and guest Dr. Ilene Schwartz, professor of Special Education at The University of Washington and the Director of the Haring Center for Inclusive Education, dive into the naturalistic, practical science of ABA. Join Ashley and Ilene in a conversation meant to broadly introduce our audience to ABA. Follow along as Ilene dives into real life examples of behavior, consequences, reinforcement, and the importance of communication.  At the end of the day, ABA strives to support families and individuals to improve their quality of life. For every family, what that means and looks like will be different and Applied Behavior Analysis is a tool for getting there. Resources Questions to ask ABA providers What parents need to know about ABA - video Finding the right autism services for your child Autism Science Foundation statement on ABA

Many parents, especially those with recently diagnosed children under 3, question what is Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)? Why is this recommended for my child with autism? In Episode 8, the On Time Autism Intervention Podcast presents an introduction to ABA. Ashley and guest Dr. Ilene Schwartz, professor of Special Education at The University of Washington and the Director of the Haring Center for Inclusive Education, dive into the naturalistic, practical science of ABA. Join Ashley and Ilene in a conversation meant to broadly introduce our audience to ABA. Follow along as Ilene dives into real life examples of behavior, consequences, reinforcement, and the importance of communication.  At the end of the day, ABA strives to support families and individuals to improve their quality of life. For every family, what that means and looks like will be different and Applied Behavior Analysis is a tool for getting there. Resources Questions to ask ABA providers What parents need to know about ABA - video Finding the right autism services for your child Autism Science Foundation statement on ABA

At the suggestion of a listener, Ashley and Jessica dive into some of the common myths about autism in Episode 7 of the On Time Autism Intervention Podcast. Take a pause with Ashley and Jessica as they challenge some commonly held beliefs about autism. To help with this exploration, Kate, a special educator for Early Supports for Infant and Toddlers (ESIT) joins to present some common questions that come from families new to an autism diagnosis. Ashley, Jessica, and Kate explore person/identity first language, what an autism diagnosis may mean for a child, questions about future communication development, and touch on origins and cultural understanding of autism. Ashley and Jessica introduce the conversation about the Neurodiversity movement and plan to explore this topic further in future episodes.  Resources:  Handout on Bilingualism and ASD https://depts.washington.edu/uwautism/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/BilingualismASD-Handout-Final-Draft.pdf

Today Jessica and Ashley have something a bit different in store for you. Join us as we take a moment to pause and breathe together. In this mini-episode, Jessica and Ashley will share a resource for parents – a guided journal for parents to use as they begin their entry into the world of parenting a child on autism spectrum. Next Jessica and Ashley will walk parents through a moment of guided deep breathing and guided full body relaxation. Feel free to return to this episode any time you need a breather – you can skip and start at minute 8 if you simply want the guided breathing and relaxation exercises! We will be back to a more regular episode soon. Stay tuned! Resources My ASD Journey Guided Journal for Parents and Caregivers: https://depts.washington.edu/uwautism/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/My-ASD-Journey-Guided-Journal.pdf