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 23, 2022 • 45min
#190: ABA Data Collection Made Easy
I often talk a lot about data and the importance of data collection in changing and preventing behavior. Data is an important piece of two of my steps in the Turn Autism Around approach. Today I am talking about assessments, 4 easy ABA data collection methods, and some important dos and don'ts when it comes to taking and analyzing data.
Aug 16, 2022 • 44min
#189: ABA Courses Online for Autism Therapists with Will Overfelt
Parents and professionals can truly benefit from joining our online course and community. Will Overfelt, a friend and BCBA, shares his positive review and experience of the Verbal Behavior Bundle. This episode is packed with wisdom from certifications in the autism field, CEU information, insight on my online course and community, and some important advice for parents and professionals alike.
Aug 9, 2022 • 43min
#188: Top 5 Q and A series: Teaching Play and Social Skills
If you missed last week's episode, go back and check it out for a refresh on a classic episode about play and social skills. Kelsey General joins today to discuss and answer the top 5 questions about teaching play and social skills from our online community. We cover milestones, sharing, myths about daycare, peer to peer play, why your child isn't playing with toys, and much more.
Aug 2, 2022 • 28min
#187: Classic Rebroadcast: Teaching Play Skills to Young Children with Autism
In this classic rebroadcast of episode 79, we are revisiting play skills in young children with autism. I share how you might notice delays in play skills, what to look for in play skills development, and ideas for intervention and teaching play skills. This episode is being shared as a refresher before we dive in with some commonly asked questions regarding play and social skills, next week.
Jul 26, 2022 • 47min
#186: Shannon Penrod: Autism Advice for Parents
Here at Turn Autism Around, we are familiar with denial and other feelings of guilt surrounding autism. Today Shannon Penrod, podcast host, author, and comedian, joins me to share her journey of hope with her son Jem. We discuss her personal stories as well as some important advice surrounding coping with feelings as an autism parent.
Jul 19, 2022 • 38min
#185: How to Stop a Toddler from Throwing Things and Hitting Me - Solving Problem Behaviors
We all want to be good parents and good professionals, dealing with problem behaviors can be difficult and have you doubting your skills. You are not alone! Rachel Smith, the Turn Autism Around Program Director, joins me today to discuss her first-hand experience with stopping problem behaviors for her three-year-old son Everett. We discuss real strategies and tips that can help any child with or without Autism.
Jul 12, 2022 • 1h 5min
#184: Solving Speech Delays in 4-year-olds and Autism Denial: Hot Seat #6 with Vikram
For the first time ever in a hot seat, we're hearing from an Autism Dad. Vikram from Melbourne, Australia joins me to discuss his son Nahum's concerns, his assessments, and his progress since starting my courses and applying the early learner materials. We talk a lot about language skills, as well as meal time concerns, self-care and pottying, and autism denial, something a lot of parents struggle with when working toward a diagnosis.
Jul 5, 2022 • 28min
#183: Global Autism Project - Supporting Families with Autism in Ukraine with Molly Ola Pinney
The War in Ukraine is a serious crisis in today's world, within that population, there are families with children with autism facing severe struggles due to loss of therapy service and extreme disruption to normalcy and routine for their family. Molly Ola Pinney of the Global Autism Project has been to Poland, spoken with displaced Ukrainian families, and is working to create new opportunities for safety, services, and therapy that these families and children need. Listen for how YOU can help and what the Global Autism Project has planned, make donations at UkraineAutismRelief.com
Jun 28, 2022 • 1h 2min
#182: Teaching Autoclitics and Manding for Information with Dr. Sarah Lechago
Manding for information is an important skill for intermediate learners. Today, I am joined by Dr. Sarah Lechago to discuss her research and trials teaching learners to mand for information. We talk about what manding is, the prerequisite manding skills that come before manding for information, how to use autoclitics, how to practice manding in your natural environment, and a lot of other great tips for both parents and professionals.
Jun 21, 2022 • 28min
#181: Medications for Autism : Top 5 Questions and Answers
Last week we circled back to podcast 28 from 2019 with Dr. Michael Murray, talking all about medications and autism. Kelsey is back to feature 5 more big questions on medications for autism that we get in our community. If you're considering medications for your child, wondering if they will work, and just how to get them to take them, we'll shed light on these answers and more!
