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Are you parenting a child on the autism spectrum. This interview will give you insight and hope. We talk with Dr. Lynn Koegel, a clinical professor at the Stanford University School of Medicine, and author of Hidden Brilliance: Unlocking the Intelligence of Autism. She is the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.

In this episode, we cover:

• What are some of the variations in the way autism presents in humans?
• What are some of the symptoms or signs of autism at different ages? 
• We so often focus on the weaknesses of children with autism and overlook their strengths. Why is this a problem for children on the autism spectrum?
• How is autism diagnosed, and what are the limits to this testing?
• What can parents do to make sure that the testing more clearly reflects their child’s strengths as well as weaknesses?
• The absence of speaking starting at around age one and struggles with communicating are common with people with autism. What can parents do to help improve spoken language?
• How to teach social connectedness? 
• The inability to express their needs verbally can lead to behavioral issues such as screaming, aggression, and tantrums. What works to help the child and improve these behaviors? 
  • The first question is what the behavior is trying to communicate.
  • Teach replacement behaviors. How do you find and teach this?
  • Environmental manipulation. Change what you can.
  • Priming
  • Self-management
• Working with the school
• Prognosis
• Causes of autism

Resource:
Hidden Brilliance: Unlocking the Intelligence of Autism

This podcast is produced  by www.CreatingaFamily.org. We are a national non-profit with the mission to strengthen and inspire adoptive, foster & kinship parents and the professionals who support them. Creating a Family brings you the following trauma-informed, expert-based content:

• Weekly podcasts
• Weekly articles/blog posts
• Resource pages on all aspects of family building

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Please leave us a rating or review. This podcast is produced by www.CreatingaFamily.org. We are a national non-profit with the mission to strengthen and inspire adoptive, foster & kinship parents and the professionals who support them.

Creating a Family brings you the following trauma-informed, expert-based content:

• Weekly podcasts
• Weekly articles/blog posts
• Resource pages on all aspects of family building