On-Time Autism Intervention Podcast

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 Malow
https://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

More Than Words - Hanen Program at UWAC

UWAC Speech-Language Therapy Webpage

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:

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 :

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: