Turn Autism Around
Dr. Mary Barbera
If you're a parent with a child diagnosed with Level 1, 2, or Level 3 autism or worried about speech delays, tantrums, autism signs, hitting, potty training struggles, picky eating, meltdowns, sensory issues, or toddler behavior that feels confusing or overwhelming, you're in the right place: www.marybarbera.com
Hosted by Dr. Mary Barbera — RN, doctoral-level Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA-D), best-selling author, and creator of widely used online programs for toddlers and preschoolers — this bi-weekly podcast breaks down complex child development topics into simple, actionable steps any parent or professional can use immediately.
Every other week, Mary shares her proven 4-step approach to help children (with and without autism or ADHD) make measurable progress at home, school, and in the community. Episodes cover highly searched topics such as:
🗣️ Speech & Language Development
How to get your toddler to talk
What to do when your toddler isn't talking
Late talking, first words, echolalia, scripting, and vocal stimming
Strategies to build interaction, joint attention, and social engagement
😭 Behavior & Tantrums
How to stop hitting, biting, throwing, and daily meltdowns
What causes tantrums and how to reduce them
Simple behavior plans any parent can use
Emotional regulation for toddlers and preschoolers
🧠 Autism, ADHD & Early Signs
Early signs of autism in toddlers
What to do if you suspect autism — or if someone told you to "wait and see"
Screening vs. diagnosis
Sensory processing disorder, hyperlexia, giftedness vs. autism traits
Navigating early intervention, speech therapy, OT, or ABA therapy
👶 Daily Life Skills
Potty training for toddlers with speech delays or autism
Picky eating and feeding challenges
Sleep issues and bedtime routines
Safety, wandering, transitions, and managing hard outings
Preparing for doctor, dentist, or haircut visits
👨👩👦 Parent Coaching & Real-Life Stories
Real parent success stories (like toddlers going from 0 words to hundreds)
How to create calm, confident routines at home
Reducing stress for the whole family
Mindset support for overwhelmed parents
This show is designed to help parents, but is also widely followed by behavior analysts, speech-language pathologists (SLPs), occupational therapists, teachers, pediatricians, nurses, and early-intervention professionals who want child-friendly, research-backed strategies that work in real homes.
Whether you're dealing with a diagnosis of autism or a late talker with frequent tantrums, sensory challenges, or early signs of autism… or you simply want a clear, compassionate, step-by-step plan to help your child thrive — this podcast is here to guide you.
Subscribe and learn how to improve talking, reduce problem behaviors, and help your child gain confidence, independence, and skills — starting today.
Hosted by Dr. Mary Barbera — RN, doctoral-level Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA-D), best-selling author, and creator of widely used online programs for toddlers and preschoolers — this bi-weekly podcast breaks down complex child development topics into simple, actionable steps any parent or professional can use immediately.
Every other week, Mary shares her proven 4-step approach to help children (with and without autism or ADHD) make measurable progress at home, school, and in the community. Episodes cover highly searched topics such as:
🗣️ Speech & Language Development
How to get your toddler to talk
What to do when your toddler isn't talking
Late talking, first words, echolalia, scripting, and vocal stimming
Strategies to build interaction, joint attention, and social engagement
😭 Behavior & Tantrums
How to stop hitting, biting, throwing, and daily meltdowns
What causes tantrums and how to reduce them
Simple behavior plans any parent can use
Emotional regulation for toddlers and preschoolers
🧠 Autism, ADHD & Early Signs
Early signs of autism in toddlers
What to do if you suspect autism — or if someone told you to "wait and see"
Screening vs. diagnosis
Sensory processing disorder, hyperlexia, giftedness vs. autism traits
Navigating early intervention, speech therapy, OT, or ABA therapy
👶 Daily Life Skills
Potty training for toddlers with speech delays or autism
Picky eating and feeding challenges
Sleep issues and bedtime routines
Safety, wandering, transitions, and managing hard outings
Preparing for doctor, dentist, or haircut visits
👨👩👦 Parent Coaching & Real-Life Stories
Real parent success stories (like toddlers going from 0 words to hundreds)
How to create calm, confident routines at home
Reducing stress for the whole family
Mindset support for overwhelmed parents
This show is designed to help parents, but is also widely followed by behavior analysts, speech-language pathologists (SLPs), occupational therapists, teachers, pediatricians, nurses, and early-intervention professionals who want child-friendly, research-backed strategies that work in real homes.
Whether you're dealing with a diagnosis of autism or a late talker with frequent tantrums, sensory challenges, or early signs of autism… or you simply want a clear, compassionate, step-by-step plan to help your child thrive — this podcast is here to guide you.
Subscribe and learn how to improve talking, reduce problem behaviors, and help your child gain confidence, independence, and skills — starting today.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Aug 8, 2023 • 29min
#240: How to Treat Autism: 25 Years Later
Dr. Mary Barbera reflects on 25 years of experience in treating autism and parenting a child with autism. The episode explores significant changes in autism treatment, including the increasing prevalence of autism, improvements in ABA therapy insurance coverage, and the importance of early intervention. We also discuss criticism of ABA therapy and advocates for positive, child-friendly approaches in early intervention, emphasizing the role of behavior analysts and parent training. This episode aims to inspire progress in autism treatment, fostering growth and development for individuals on the autism spectrum.
Aug 1, 2023 • 32min
#239: The Power of Gene Therapy: Unlocking Hope for Rett Syndrome and ASD
Dr. Mary Barbera and Monica Coenraads explore the potential of gene therapy to transform the lives of individuals with Rett Syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Learn about the similarities and differences between Rett Syndrome and autism, emphasizing the specific gene mutation associated with Rett Syndrome. The episode features Monica Coenraads, co-founder of the Rett Syndrome Research Foundation, who shares her personal journey with Rett Syndrome and her insights on gene therapy's promising impact. This educational and inspiring podcast sheds light on the power of gene therapy in offering hope and advancements for those affected by these conditions.
Jul 25, 2023 • 20min
#238: 18 Month Old Not Talking? 5 Action Steps for Speech Delays
Dr. Mary Barbera offers practical steps to address speech delays in 18-month-old children. Action Step 1 advises staying calm and objectively assessing the child's development. Step 2 involves understanding typical milestones and language expectations. Step 3 highlights early signs of autism to differentiate between delays and autism. Step 4 introduces a digital assessment tool for valuable insights. Finally, Step 5 urges seeking professional guidance from pediatricians and early intervention services. Together, we aim to support parents, caregivers, and professionals in helping children with speech delays, ensuring positive outcomes for their language development.
Jul 18, 2023 • 39min
#237: Speech Delay and Autism in Bilingual Toddlers; How Olga Helped Her Daughter
I heard from Olga M. on a Q&A call with our community, and I had to have her on the show. Olga M shares her daughter's ASD diagnosis story and how she got her from under 5 words after a speech regression to speaking conversationally in Russian and nearly fluent in English. Stay tuned for some really great tips to keep working with more advanced learners on stretching those language skills.
Jul 11, 2023 • 60min
#236: ACT Therapy for Kids with Brian Middleton
Have you heard of ACT - Acceptance and Commitment Therapy? Brian Middleton, BCBA, Father, and neurodivergent human, joins me to share how he uses ACT for kids with autism, even those that are nonverbal and nonvocal.
Jul 4, 2023 • 44min
#235: The BEST Autism Toys and How To Use Them
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.
Jun 27, 2023 • 1h 3min
#234: Autism Sensory Differences and Picky Eating: Hot Seat #8 with Lauren E
The Turn Autism Around approach is not just for the early signs and youngest learners; these practices are great for learners of any age. Lauren Emmett is a mother of two, and she sits in the Hot Seat for this episode to discuss her 9 year old son Wilson. This is a great opportunity to walk through a 1 page assessment of an older child and hear how a plan can be developed by really prioritizing their strengths, weaknesses, and needs.
Jun 20, 2023 • 54min
#233: Autism Marriage Counseling: The Struggles Parents of Children with Autism Face
Is autism, or signs of autism, putting stress on your marriage? This episode is a lecture I prepared for a conference for marriage counselors. I talk about my journey through the diagnosis and why my husband and I started counseling. This is helpful information for parents who are considering counseling or even as a resource for professionals who might recommend counseling to their clients' caregivers.
Jun 13, 2023 • 54min
#232: Ethics for Behavior Analysts: The Top 3 Mistakes We Make With Behavior Babe, Dr. Amanda Kelly
As BCBAs, we are often faced with ethical dilemmas. There is not always one right answer; sometimes it's gray. Dr. Amanda Kelly, Behavior Babe, returns to the podcast to discuss the ABA code of ethics and some common mistakes behavior analysts make. We discuss scenarios and solutions that are relevant not just to BCBAs and professionals but also to families.
Jun 6, 2023 • 37min
#231: Top 5 Questions About Stimming and Scripting
Join us for this new take on the Top 5 questions, where Kelsey and I talk via Facebook Live. We're answering questions all about stimming and scripting. This episode will help you get clear on what is stimming in autism. Whether you're noticing stimming in your child and have concerns of autism OR stimming and vocal stimming has become excessive or dangerous, we have some great information to help you move forward.
