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 —…
Dr. Mary Barbera shares the story of her sons Lucas and Spencer, two boys who looked very similar as toddlers but had very different outcomes. Through their journey, she explains why parents can't predict a child's future with a "crystal ball," but should still take action early when they notice speech delays, autism signs, or developmental concerns. She also introduces her 5 Weeks to More Talking…
Dr. Mary Barbera interviews Amol Deshpande, creator of the Frontera app and father of a son with autism, about his mission to improve early autism detection and access to care. They discuss biomarker testing that may help identify autism risk as early as birth, the importance of parent support, the role of AI and technology, concerns about misinformation, and why earlier intervention could…
Dr. Mary Barbera reflects on nearly three decades in the autism world as both a mom and professional. She shares how denial, long waitlists and limited early support can delay progress for children with autism or developmental delays. She emphasizes the importance of assessment, early action, parent-led intervention and individualized plans, while introducing the free Barbera Early Childhood…
Dr. Mary Barbera speaks with Dr. Joseph Cautilli about autism research, including cautious optimism around university-based stem cell studies and stronger evidence for early behavioral intervention. They discuss a 2023 study showing some children diagnosed as toddlers were no longer diagnosable by age five, especially with early intervention and parent-supported engagement. The conversation…
"He'll probably be fine." That's what most parents hear when their toddler shows early signs of autism. After 25 years in the field - and raising a son who looked "mild" at 2 but needs 24/7 care at 30 - Dr. Mary Barbera explains why that reassurance may be the most dangerous sentence in child development. In this video, Dr. Mary Barbera breaks down: Why the question "Can autism be prevented or…
Joint attention is the shared focus between a child and another person, and it is one of the most important foundational communication skills for children with autism and developmental delays. Dr. Mary Barbera talks with Rose Griffin, who explains why joint attention matters, how it supports language, play, and social interaction, and how parents and professionals can build it through simple daily…
#342: The Autism Tipping Point - 3 Trends Changing Everything Autism is now 1 in 31 - and three massive forces are about to reshape everything parents and professionals think they know. Episode Summary In this episode of Turn Autism Around , host Dr. Mary Barbera breaks down the three megatrends converging to create what she calls the autism tipping point. You'll learn why rising autism rates…
ABA therapy is the science of behavior and learning, not just a treatment for autism. Dr Mary Barbera clears up four common myths about ABA, explains why the science is always at work, and shows how quality, child-friendly implementation matters most. Mary also highlights that ABA can be used at home, in school, and in daily life as well so parents can learn practical strategies to increase…
Teaching manners to children with autism is important, but teaching them too early can interfere with communication development. Before focusing on words like "please" and "thank you," children should first be able to request what they want, use simple phrases, and show basic learning skills like imitation and labeling. Dr. Mary Barbera explains common mistakes parents make, why phrases like "I'm…
Parent training is one of the most important drivers of progress in autism intervention because parents are with their children far more than therapists are. Dr. Mary Barbera and Leanne Page explain how autism professionals can improve parent training by keeping strategies simple, using clear language, showing empathy, modeling skills, practicing together, and ending each session with a realistic…