The Autism Helper Podcast

Functional means designed to have practical use and used to development of a larger whole. Is your literacy instruction hitting these two things? In this episode, we discuss what functional actually means. Functional doesn’t mean vocational or having low expectations. Learn how to teach academics in a functional way at all ages. We live in a text rich environment and we need to be teaching literacy at every age in some way. Use the text you see every day as a teaching tool to work on generalizing and applying the literacy skills you teach. Consider students’ learning history, strengths, interests, and long term opportunities when selecting literacy goals. My call to action: evaluate you literacy instruction today. Link to Functional Literacy Curriculum: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Functional-Literacy-Leveled-Daily-Curriculum-BUNDLE-3954814 Click here to find out more info about The Autism Helper Professional Development Membership: https://theautismhelper.com/membership/ Want more information about The Autism Helper Courses? Visit: https://theautismhelper.com/courses/ Looking for a specific product or resource? Find it in our new Autism Helper store! https://shop.theautismhelper.com/ Or visit The Autism Helper store on TpT: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/The-Autism-Helper Get all updates from The Autism Helper Podcast by clicking subscribe above. Head over to theautismhelper.com for more info. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest @theautismhelper. Our Sponsors:* Check out Factor: http://factormeals.com/sasha50off* Check out Ohio State University: https://go.osu.edu/AutismHelper* Check out Talkiatry: https://talkiatry.com/sashaAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode, learn how BCBA Leanne Page incorporates her knowledge of Applied Behavior Analysis into her daily parenting life. Leanne shares easy to understand action items that parents, teachers, or clinicians can utilize right away. Leanne’s approach is focused on using evidence based practices to build up the good that’s there. She relies on positive and proactive strategies that will make your life easier. This episode is filled with useful information on everything from token economy best practices to establishing successful bedtime routines.  Find Leanne at parentingwithaba.com. Check out her book, Parenting with Science. Click here to find out more info about The Autism Helper Professional Development Membership: https://theautismhelper.com/membership/ Want more information about The Autism Helper Courses? Visit: https://theautismhelper.com/courses/ Looking for a specific product or resource? Find it in our new Autism Helper store! https://shop.theautismhelper.com/ Or visit The Autism Helper store on TpT: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/The-Autism-Helper Get all updates from The Autism Helper Podcast by clicking subscribe above. Head over to theautismhelper.com for more info. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest @theautismhelper. Our Sponsors:* Check out Factor: http://factormeals.com/sasha50off* Check out Ohio State University: https://go.osu.edu/AutismHelper* Check out Talkiatry: https://talkiatry.com/sashaAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Rethink your ideas about time out. Instead of viewing this intervention as harsh and aversive instead reframe time out as “time away from reinforcement.” When used in the correct situations, this strategy can be extremely effective to reduce dangerous and disruptive behaviors. In this episode learn how and why to conduct through baseline data so you are only using this strategy in the appropriate situations. Identify the reasons why a “time away from reinforcement” works and how this plays out naturally in the real world. Also, learn tips for utilizing visuals, adding a criteria for exiting a time out, removing the power struggle, and how to ensure that reinforcing aspects are actually removed. It’s time for a new school perspective on this intervention.  Behavior Edition Social Story Adapted Books: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Social-Story-Adapted-Books-Behavior-Edition-2198330 Visual Social Story Set: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Visual-Social-Story-Packet-for-Children-with-Autism-Behavior-Set-293770 Behavior Management Visuals: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Ultimate-Packet-of-Behavior-Management-Visuals-for-Children-with-Autism-271597 Click here to find out more info about The Autism Helper Professional Development Membership: https://theautismhelper.com/membership/ Want more information about The Autism Helper Courses? Visit: https://theautismhelper.com/courses/ Looking for a specific product or resource? Find it in our new Autism Helper store! https://shop.theautismhelper.com/ Or visit The Autism Helper store on TpT: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/The-Autism-Helper Get all updates from The Autism Helper Podcast by clicking subscribe above. Head over to theautismhelper.com for more info. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest @theautismhelper. Our Sponsors:* Check out Factor: http://factormeals.com/sasha50off* Check out Ohio State University: https://go.osu.edu/AutismHelper* Check out Talkiatry: https://talkiatry.com/sashaAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

A limiting belief is a little voice in your head that negatively shapes your behavior and your path to success. The first step to change is becoming aware of your own limiting beliefs and then reframe your way of thinking about the topic. In this episode, I discuss the 7 limiting beliefs that may be sabotaging your work day before it even starts. The same old thinking leads to the same old results. Identify your limiting beliefs and how you can be changing the way you think to lead to more positive thinking and a more positive effect on your behavior.  Click here to find out more info about The Autism Helper Professional Development Membership: https://theautismhelper.com/membership/ Want more information about The Autism Helper Courses? Visit: https://theautismhelper.com/courses/ Looking for a specific product or resource? Find it in our new Autism Helper store! https://shop.theautismhelper.com/ Or visit The Autism Helper store on TpT: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/The-Autism-Helper Get all updates from The Autism Helper Podcast by clicking subscribe above. Head over to theautismhelper.com for more info. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest @theautismhelper. Our Sponsors:* Check out Factor: http://factormeals.com/sasha50off* Check out Ohio State University: https://go.osu.edu/AutismHelper* Check out Talkiatry: https://talkiatry.com/sashaAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this Q&A episode, I answer commonly asked questions sourced through social media and my email. We discuss how to approach situations with parents who don’t agree with a behavior plan and how to reframe the way you think about parent relationships. Next, step up new methods for creating materials and a plan that logistically makes the most of every spare minute. Finally, we review some behavioral strategies for transitioning away from preferred items and to non-preferred tasks as well as how to begin to teach the skill of independent work.  Click here to find out more info about The Autism Helper Professional Development Membership: https://theautismhelper.com/membership/ Want more information about The Autism Helper Courses? Visit: https://theautismhelper.com/courses/ Looking for a specific product or resource? Find it in our new Autism Helper store! https://shop.theautismhelper.com/ Or visit The Autism Helper store on TpT: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/The-Autism-Helper Get all updates from The Autism Helper Podcast by clicking subscribe above. Head over to theautismhelper.com for more info. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest @theautismhelper. Our Sponsors:* Check out Factor: http://factormeals.com/sasha50off* Check out Ohio State University: https://go.osu.edu/AutismHelper* Check out Talkiatry: https://talkiatry.com/sashaAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

If you are in the special ed world, utilizing visuals isn’t a new concept. You are probably an expert on how and why using visuals is important. But let’s go one level deeper. The goal for all of our students and kids is independence. In this episode, we discuss how visuals help develop independent skills and how to translate this strategy to the real world. Evaluate the visuals you already have and assess where you need more or better visuals within your classroom or home. Then teach and fade. Visuals are a tool that need to be taught and once successful teaching is complete, pull back. Learn some essential tips to get your whole team on the same page for this important endeavor.   Links: Behavior Contingency Maps: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Behavior-Contingency-Maps-1050661?aref=p52qv46l Facebook Video Team Mission Statement: https://www.facebook.com/theautismhelper/videos/1665383556917547/ Click here to find out more info about The Autism Helper Professional Development Membership: https://theautismhelper.com/membership/ Want more information about The Autism Helper Courses? Visit: https://theautismhelper.com/courses/ Looking for a specific product or resource? Find it in our new Autism Helper store! https://shop.theautismhelper.com/ Or visit The Autism Helper store on TpT: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/The-Autism-Helper Get all updates from The Autism Helper Podcast by clicking subscribe above. Head over to theautismhelper.com for more info. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest @theautismhelper. Our Sponsors:* Check out Factor: http://factormeals.com/sasha50off* Check out Ohio State University: https://go.osu.edu/AutismHelper* Check out Talkiatry: https://talkiatry.com/sashaAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode, Brigid McCormick, BCBA shares valuable ways to improve your instruction, decrease your staff training time, and increase the overall enjoyment of learning all by spending time pinpointing behaviors. Brigid is the founder and clinical director of Precision ABA and passionate about utilizing Precision Teaching. Brigid shares what Precision Teaching is and how all teachers, parents, and clinicians can utilize the first step of Precision Teaching to create a detailed and specific definition of the behavior you are trying to increase. She shares how 4 words can be clearer and easier to understand than 20 when it comes to IEP goals. We discuss best practices on creating IEP benchmarks and objectives, learning channels, and what to do when your IEP goals aren’t getting mastered. This episode is loaded with examples and amazing lightbulb moments!  Links:  Learning Channel Matrix: https://theautismhelper.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Matrix-Academic-1.pdf Click here to find out more info about The Autism Helper Professional Development Membership: https://theautismhelper.com/membership/ Want more information about The Autism Helper Courses? Visit: https://theautismhelper.com/courses/ Looking for a specific product or resource? Find it in our new Autism Helper store! https://shop.theautismhelper.com/ Or visit The Autism Helper store on TpT: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/The-Autism-Helper Get all updates from The Autism Helper Podcast by clicking subscribe above. Head over to theautismhelper.com for more info. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest @theautismhelper. Our Sponsors:* Check out Factor: http://factormeals.com/sasha50off* Check out Ohio State University: https://go.osu.edu/AutismHelper* Check out Talkiatry: https://talkiatry.com/sashaAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Learn from my missteps during my first year in the classroom. In this episode, I share 5 major mistakes that wreaked havoc on my first year and how you can avoid these. Trying to “do it all” really never works but it definitely doesn’t work when you have no clue what you are doing Learn how to tackle small projects one at a time and avoid the “hamster wheel” syndrome. Ignoring staff training is one big mistake I made my first year. This mistake is now shifted into one of my passions. I am so into staff training because I know first hand how disastrous it can be if you avoid it. Not asking for help and being the lone wolf are two other mistakes I made my first year. Being part of the school community is essential. Learn how to reach out for support while building rapport with your colleagues. Lastly, understand the importance on safety. This was something I didn’t realize in my naive first year. Don’t learn this the hard way. Plan now.  Links:  https://theautismhelper.com/planning-worst-case-scenario/  https://theautismhelper.com/episode-6-crisis-plan/ Click here to find out more info about The Autism Helper Professional Development Membership: https://theautismhelper.com/membership/ Want more information about The Autism Helper Courses? Visit: https://theautismhelper.com/courses/ Looking for a specific product or resource? Find it in our new Autism Helper store! https://shop.theautismhelper.com/ Or visit The Autism Helper store on TpT: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/The-Autism-Helper Get all updates from The Autism Helper Podcast by clicking subscribe above. Head over to theautismhelper.com for more info. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest @theautismhelper. Our Sponsors:* Check out Factor: http://factormeals.com/sasha50off* Check out Ohio State University: https://go.osu.edu/AutismHelper* Check out Talkiatry: https://talkiatry.com/sashaAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Back in the day as a new teacher, I thought the bulk of my job would be actually teaching my students. I was so wrong. This job encompasses so much more - managing staff, paperwork, collaborating with clinicians, etc. And now we have one more title to add to the list: publicist. Take a second and think about what most of your school thinks about your students. Does the teacher down the hall know that Sam just mastered his colors after weeks of working on it? Do the other 3rd grade students know that Jenny knows everyone’s birthday in your class? Does everyone see the personalities, quirks, and other great qualities of your students that you experience on a daily basis? The other teachers and students in your school most likely remember the tantrum one of your students had in the middle of an assembly last month. The vice principal remembers that you running down the hallway with a bag of plastic gloves, wipes, and adult diapers when you need to toilet on of your students while your paras were at lunch. The rest of the 6th graders remember when your student went around and touched everyone’s ears at gym class. They unfortunately probably don’t have a correct perception of your class. You can’t blame them. People remember the bad things over the good things in general. And sometimes our bad things are pretty loud and dramatic to put it nicely. In this episode, learn how to spread the word about the awesome, amazing, stellar, impressive, and down right fantastic things your kids are doing. Learn how to advocate for your students by educating your entire school community in a positive and proactive why. Be your classroom’s publicist and spread some good PR.  Staff Special Education Presentation: http://theautismhelper.com/making-time-for-staff-training-now/?fbclid=IwAR068ZohhMh188oVuTPSWTx7B8yKJgJeb9fTGw1bMD1EsrvhuSre5PbwL5A  Autism Awareness Unit: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Autism-Awareness-Unit-Help-Raise-Understanding-and-Knowledge-608226?aref=nfvcvvc3 Click here to find out more info about The Autism Helper Professional Development Membership: https://theautismhelper.com/membership/ Want more information about The Autism Helper Courses? Visit: https://theautismhelper.com/courses/ Looking for a specific product or resource? Find it in our new Autism Helper store! https://shop.theautismhelper.com/ Or visit The Autism Helper store on TpT: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/The-Autism-Helper Get all updates from The Autism Helper Podcast by clicking subscribe above. Head over to theautismhelper.com for more info. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest @theautismhelper. Our Sponsors:* Check out Factor: http://factormeals.com/sasha50off* Check out Ohio State University: https://go.osu.edu/AutismHelper* Check out Talkiatry: https://talkiatry.com/sashaAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

My name is Sasha and I am a problem behavior causer. As a parent and a teacher, I have caused increases in problem behaviors. This happens because I negotiate, I give in, or I give attention. And guess what? This works for me in the moment. Negotiating or giving in gets that meltdown or negative behavior to stop. That’s what I want. I want that behavior to stop. But it does something else too - it teaches that child that negative behaviors result in something awesome. So they keep at it. Let’s change this contingency. In this episode, learn how to look to a long term instead of short term solution for behavior change. Negotiating or giving in may work in the moment but it doesn’t teach a positive alternative way for your child to communicate his wants and needs. It doesn’t promote long term success. I share specific strategies to respond, not react when behavior episodes occur and how to apply this to your everyday life. Click here to find out more info about The Autism Helper Professional Development Membership: https://theautismhelper.com/membership/ Want more information about The Autism Helper Courses? Visit: https://theautismhelper.com/courses/ Looking for a specific product or resource? Find it in our new Autism Helper store! https://shop.theautismhelper.com/ Or visit The Autism Helper store on TpT: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/The-Autism-Helper Get all updates from The Autism Helper Podcast by clicking subscribe above. Head over to theautismhelper.com for more info. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest @theautismhelper. Our Sponsors:* Check out Factor: http://factormeals.com/sasha50off* Check out Ohio State University: https://go.osu.edu/AutismHelper* Check out Talkiatry: https://talkiatry.com/sashaAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy