Turn Autism Around

When toddlers show signs like hyperactivity, tantrums, or language delays, it can be hard to tell if it's ADHD, autism, or both. Dr. Mary Barbera shares how to spot early signs, understand the key differences, and take action before a diagnosis. Using her 4-step approach, assess, plan, teach, and evaluate, parents can start meaningful intervention right away. Whether your child has ADHD, autism, or early red flags, early support bu...

Dr. Mary Barbera explains what it means when toddlers are obsessed with the alphabet or numbers but struggle to talk. This pattern, often linked to hyperlexia, can signal giftedness or early signs of autism, especially when paired with delays in communication, pretend play, and social interaction. The key is using letter and number strengths as teaching tools while focusing on functional language, comprehension, and social skills. ...

If your child has been kicked out of daycare or preschool, you're not alone, this happens more often for kids with autism, ADHD, or developmental delays. Dr. Mary Barbera shares why expulsions happen, what it means, and how to move forward with confidence.

Learn key steps like tracking milestones, getting evaluations, and using positive ABA strategies at home. You'll also get tips on partnering with staff, preventing future expulsi...

The Barbera Early Childhood Assessment (BECA) is a free, 10-minute digital autism screener designed for parents, physicians, researchers, and autism professionals. Created by Dr. Mary Barbera, the BECA assesses self-care, language, and behavior to provide a quick, reliable snapshot of a child's development. It's ideal for early detection, tracking progress, and guiding intervention, without long waitlists or costly evaluations. Wit...

Many children with autism face hidden medical challenges that affect speech, behavior, and sleep. Dr. Richard Frye, a Harvard-trained pediatric neurologist, explains how folinic acid (leucovorin) may help, especially in kids with folate receptor autoantibodies. Backed by research, leucovorin has shown promise in improving communication and behavior. Listen in to Dr. Mary Barbera and Dr. Richard Frye and learn how to identify if you...

Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) is a profile within autism marked by extreme resistance to everyday demands due to anxiety and a need for control. Though not officially recognized in the U.S., many families find PDA-informed strategies helpful. BCBA Amelia Dalphonse shares signs of PDA, like creative avoidance, surface sociability, and hidden anxiety and offers proven strategies focused on trust, flexibility, and indirect langu...

Mary Barbera joins BCBA and autism mom Rachel Freedman, as she shares how recognizing early signs in her son Max led to an autism diagnosis at just 13 months, and how early intervention transformed his development. By acting quickly, Rachel helped Max go from nonverbal to thriving in preschool by age four. Her story highlights the importance of trusting your instincts, advocating early, and using compassionate, individualized ABA. ...

Dr. Mary Barbera talks with Suzanne Tucker of Generation Mindful about teaching emotional regulation to kids with autism. They go over how co-regulation, mindfulness, and compassionate routines can help children manage meltdowns and build emotional skills—especially when traditional methods fall short. Suzanne shares practical tools like calming corners, time-ins, and sensory strategies, while emphasizing that emotional regulation ...

Dr. Mary Barbera discusses how doctor visits can be overwhelming for children with autism, but systematic desensitization can make a big difference. This simple approach uses gradual exposure and positive reinforcement to reduce fear and build cooperation—even for kids with past medical trauma. Start with pretend play, visual schedules, and breaking visits into small steps. For emergencies, prep a go-bag and summary sheet in advanc...

If your child has a speech delay or signs of autism, you don't have to wait for a diagnosis to begin helping. Dr. Mary Barbera shares how parents can start speech therapy at home using simple daily routines like meals, getting dressed, and brushing teeth. These moments become powerful learning opportunities that build language skills, confidence, and connection. With tools like the BECA™ assessment and the Turn Autism Around® appro...

If you're a parent, caregiver, or professional supporting a child with autism, you've likely asked: can nutrition and supplements really make a difference? Dr. Mary Barbera is joined by Functional Medicine Nutritionist Denise Voigt to explore how diet, nutrient deficiencies, and functional medicine approaches can significantly impact behavior, development, and overall wellness in children with autism. They break down t...

Is your child ready for autism daycare? In this podcast, Dr. Mary Barbera—autism mom, behavior analyst, and nurse—explains how to tell if your child is ready and how to help them thrive in a daycare environment. With special guest Kelsey General, we dive into how to assess daycare readiness, what core skills to teach at home, and how to reduce anxiety through visual supports and gradual exposure. We also talk about wha...

Looking for the best toys for children with autism—and how to actually use them to boost communication, play, and social skills? In this rebroadcast, Kelsey General and Dr. Mary Barbera dive into simple strategies and toy recommendations for children with autism or early signs of autism. But spoiler alert: it's not just about the toys themselves.

It's about the procedures—how you play, how you teach, and h...

Feeling overwhelmed by behavior challenges in your classroom or at home? In this video, we're diving into practical, real-life strategies from Behavior Breakthrough by Bailey Payne—a must-read for parents, teachers, and therapists working with kids who have autism, ADHD, or developmental delays.

Bailey, a behavior analyst and clinical psychologist, breaks down 12 foundational ABA principles in a way that's...

Join Dr. Mary Barbera for an inspiring conversation with three incredible autism advocates: Kate Swenson of Finding Cooper's Voice, Adrian Wood from Tales of an Educated Debutante, and Carrie Cariello. We dive into their powerful new book Autism Out Loud: Life with a Child on the Spectrum from Diagnosis to Young Adulthood, where they share deeply personal stories of raising children with autism. Through their diverse experiences, t...

Dr. Mary Barbera discusses practical strategies for expanding intraverbals, feature function class (FFC), and language skills in children with autism or speech delays. Learn effective techniques to improve your child's conversational abilities, including using songs, real-life objects, and category-based language building. Dr. Mary Barbera also covers fluency training and how to integrate language practice into everyday activities....

Dr. 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 bri...

Dr. Mary Barbera and Julie Matthews, a leading expert in autism nutrition, discuss the critical connection between nutrition and autism management. With over 22 years of experience, Julie shares insights on how diet can significantly influence behavior, cognitive function, and overall well-being for children with autism. She covers the importance of gut health, inflammation, and mitochondrial function, as well as practical dietary ...