The ABA Controversy Synergy Autism Podcast · Episode #49: MP - The ABA Controversy Hello. I thought I would weigh in on the controversy over ABA, also known as Applied Behavior Analysis. For those of you new to autism, ABA is now commonly prescribed by pediatricians as the 1st line of support when a child is diagnosed with autism. Families receive between 10-20 hours per week of support by an ABA trained center that is typically covered by insurance. A trained behavior technician visits the family’s home or the child attends the center for skill development. However, there are many autistic adults speaking out against the treatment, stating that it is harmful and even abusive. I am a strong advocate for listening to autistic voices, so I am definitely listening here. Especially since I personally left being an ABA provider in 2005. A little history, ABA or Applied Behavior Analysis, has been around for a very long time and has its roots in behaviorism and psychology. Basically, it is

The Today/Tomorrow Routine  Helping someone understand the passage of time and planning for the future Synergy Autism Podcast · Episode #48: MP - Today Tomorrow Routine Podcast Today, I am sharing one of my go-to tips for helping a person understand the passage of time across days as well as engaging with you in a bit of review and even planning. Let's call this the Today/Tomorrow Activity or routine. It's something I recommend doing towards the end of your day together and typically for parents to do with their children of any age. The idea is that you find a relaxed time together with few distractions. Present a blank piece of paper. Write "today" at the top. Then review together the events of the day. Write each event as simply and concretely as possible - use pictures or drawings if your child is not yet recognizing some single words. Do not write the list alone beside your child but allow their attention to shift gently to the page before writing each event. Yo

Mother’s Day Podcast Synergy Autism Podcast · Episode #47: MP - Mothers Day Podcast Happy Mother’s Day today and everyday to all the moms listening. This podcast was recorded with you in mind. It has been a tough year for everyone but my hat is off to all moms who have taken on the additional demands of stay-at-home orders including online schooling, cooking and cleaning more, and enduring the emotional roller coasters of all those in your home. I have learned so much from each of the amazing mothers who I have been blessed to get to know through my work. You are warriors for your children. You tirelessly research so much that most you should have honorary degrees in autism, neuroscience, and/or pharmacology. I know you have exhausted days when you don’t think you can do any more...but you do anyway. I know you lose your shit sometimes and find the strength to apologize. I know that you cry when no one is looking and your child is not around. I know you have times when you feel no one

Understanding autism and gender diversity What parents and professionals can do Synergy Autism Podcast · Episode #46: MP - Autism and Gender Neurodiversity I’ve been hesitant about doing a podcast this topic. It has been coming up more and more in my work and I still do not feel like I am an expert. But then I realized that as a cisgender and neurotypical Mom, I will actually never consider myself an expert on the topic of AutiGender. I can admit that and share what has helped me learn and support those who have autism and are gender diverse. As parents, our teens are discovering and exploring their identities, including gender, more than we ever did when we were growing up. Teens are amazing at challenging the status quo – especially when it might not make sense for themselves or others around them. Many of us were raised in a fairly traditional bi-nary manner regarding gender. We may find it difficult to wrap our heads around the gender fluidity in our next generation of wonderful h