You don’t have to go out and buy a ton of new toys to help your child play! We talk about common examples you may already have in your playroom! The key is all about how you play with your autistic child. Kelsey and I share the best toys for autism, like cause and effect toys, and ideas for making them fun, engaging, and language enriched.  

#235: The BEST Autism Toys and How To Use Them

Dr. Mary Barbera, RN, doctoral-level behavior analyst, best-selling author, and online course creator discusses autism and speech delays from several different angles for both parents as well as medical, educational, and behavioral professionals. Learn more at www.marybarbera.com.

Each week we discuss Mary’s 4-step proven approach to tackle common parenting struggles including how to improve talking, reduce tantrums, and improve picky eating, sleeping, potty training and so much more for kids with and without autism!

Topics also include what to do when a toddler is delayed and how to identify the earliest signs of autism, ADHD, sensory processing disorder, or even giftedness! And what to do if your child is diagnosed or requires early intervention or ABA therapy.

So, whether you're a parent of a child or a professional such as a behavior analyst, nurse, physician, speech pathologist, or teacher, you’re going to want to listen and subscribe!

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In this classic rebroadcast, Dr. Mary Barbera goes over six strategies based on Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to manage toddler tantrums and enhance communication. There are three preventative measures focused on positive reinforcement, one-word repetition, and structured interactions to reduce tantrum occurrences. There are also three reactive strategies emphasizing safety, stopping attention, and planned ignoring to handle tantrums effectively. Using these tools to create a positive learning environment and minimize attention to negative behavior, parents and educators can foster better communication and reduce tantrums in kids.

#282: 6 Strategies for Stopping Toddler Tantrums and Improving Language

Dr. Mary Barbera covers how to enhance speech therapy goals for children with delays. Learn from real-life experiences, including insight from Lucas’s speech therapy journey. Avoid common pitfalls like generic goal banks and ensure goals are tailored to each child’s unique needs, strategies for toddlers, emphasizing realistic milestones and parental involvement. Use these tips and see how therapy sessions become more effective and empowering for children's development.

#281: 3 ways to improve speech therapy goals

Dr. Mary Barbera discusses contrasting methods of gentle parenting and Positive Toddler Parenting™ in addressing toddler behavior, focusing on the response to hitting. While gentle parenting emphasizes empathy and teaching moments, Positive Toddler Parenting™ advocates for immediate intervention and minimal acknowledgment of negative emotions during the incident.Both approaches aim to nurture emotionally intelligent children, yet differ in their strategies for managing challenging behaviors.

#280: gentle parenting...can it help stop tantrums?

Struggling with toddler biting? Dr. Mary Barbera offers a 4-step method to address biting behavior, emphasizing understanding the underlying causes and implementing positive strategies. Learn why biting isn't just a phase and explore assessments to determine triggers and give proactive responses and alternatives to prevent and manage biting incidents, fostering positive behavior in toddlers. Tune in to stop biting and promote a safe, supportive environment for your toddler's development.

#279: OUCH! How to stop toddler biting

Today, Dr. Mary Barbera offers three simple assessments for parents concerned about their toddler's behavior. These assessments include language sampling, baseline video recordings of play, and the Barbera Early Childhood Assessment™ (BECA). By utilizing these tools, parents can gain insights into their child's development and identify potential areas of concern or strength. These assessments empower parents to take proactive steps in supporting their child's development and seeking further guidance if needed.

#235: The BEST Autism Toys and How To Use Them

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