Time for a super important topic: Spotting those early signs of autism in kiddos! If you've been feeling something's a bit different with your little one or maybe a friend or teacher has raised some questions, you're definitely not alone and this is the episode for you!

We'll share our insights as clinicians in the field, giving you the lowdown on what to watch for, how to approach it, and how to trust your gut without jumping to conclusions. Plus, we'll provide you with practical tips and resources to help navigate this journey together. So, whether you're a parent or a professional, tune in for some great advice on recognizing those early signs and fostering connection and communication with your child.

Timestamps:

(01:25) - Welcome & Introduction

(13:05) - Understanding Autism: Communication and Interaction

(21:35) - Understanding Sensory Differences in Children

(31:28) - Looking At Earliest Months Of Life

(33:36) - Understanding Parental Gut Feelings

(35:05) - Where To Start & First Steps To Take

(37:00) - Things to Try At Home

(39:34) - Visual Support Strategies

(40:39) - Setting Up Predictable Routines

(41:25) - Our Closing Message

Mentioned In This Episode:

Kennedy Krieger Institute, Early Signs of Autism Video

Articles:

• Gale, C. M., Eikeseth, S., & Klintwall, L. (2019)1. Children with autism show atypical preference for non-social stimuli2. [Journal title, volume, issue, and page/article numbers not explicitly provided in source excerpts].
• Okoye, C., Obialo-Ibeawuchi, C. M., Obajeun, O. A., Sarwar, S., Tawfik, C., Waleed, M. S., Wasim, A. U., Mohamoud, I., Afolayan, A. Y., & Mbaezue, R. N. (2023). Early diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder: A review and analysis of the risks and benefits. Cureus, 15(8), e43226.
• Salgado-Cacho, J. M., Moreno-Jiménez, M. d. P., & de Diego-Otero, Y. (2021). Detection of early warning signs in autism spectrum disorders: A systematic review. Children, 8(2), 164.
• Shultz, S., Klin, A., & Jones, W. (2018)45. Neonatal transitions in social behavior and their implications for autism67. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 22(5)45, 451–46945.
• Supekar, K., Kochalka, J., Schaer, M., Wakeman, H., Qin, S., Padmanabhan, A., & Menon, V. (2018)1011. Deficits in mesolimbic reward pathway underlie social interaction impairments in children with autism12. Brain11. [Volume, issue, page numbers, and DOI not explicitly provided in source excerpts].
• Volkmar, F. R., & van der Wyk, B. (2017)13. Understanding the social nature of autism: From clinical manifestations to brain mechanisms13. In J. B. Leaf (Ed.)13, Handbook of Social Skills and Autism Spectrum Disorder13 (pp. 11–25)13. Springer International Publishing AG13.

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Join us as we sit down with the incredible Mercedes Palmero, the founder behind Autism Out Loud. As a registered nurse and dedicated mom to her autistic daughter, Mercedes shares her inspiring journey toward creating a platform that champions inclusivity & awareness for neurodiverse individuals across the globe.

We dive deep into her personal experiences—navigating the joys and challenges of parenting an autistic child, the common misconceptions about autism, and the crucial importance of early diagnosis and acceptance. With a sprinkle of humor and a whole lot of heart, Mercedes emphasizes how vital it is for society to shift its perspective on autism from one of stigma to one of understanding and celebration. So, grab your headphones and get ready for a conversation that’s not just enlightening but also a reminder of the beauty in neurodiversity!

Timestamps:

(01:34) - Welcome

(11:10) - Autism: The Unique Experience of Autistic Girls

(18:18) - Autism Diagnosis and Acceptance

(21:55) - Navigating Early Signs of Autism

(29:45) - Challenges of Autism

(39:36) - Empowering Perspectives on Autism and Motherhood

(43:48) - Unique Experiences in Parenting

Mentioned In This Episode:

Articles:

• What is ARFID
• Emily Oster: Is Tylenol Safe in Pregnancy? Addressing links to autism and ADHD

Book Recommendations For Kids:

• Different, A Great Thing to Be (Heather Avis)
• Wonderfully Wired (Stacey Lucas-Toumbourou)
• A Day With No Words (Tiffany Hammond)
• I'm Still Me (Mary Raso)
• All My Stripes (Shaina Rudolph)
• My Brother Otto (Meg Raby)
• Jo's Special Gifts (Mariam Shapera)

Book Recommendations For Adults:

• Poems of the Neurodivergent Experience (Jaclyn Pensiero)
• The Reason I Jump (Naoki Higashida)
• Sincerely Your Autistic Child (Edited by Emily Paige Ballou)
• Off the Spectrum (Gina Rippon)

Autistic Voices To Follow On Socials:

• @fidgets.and.fries
• @audhd_academic
• @_soundoftheforest_
• @patrick.casale
• @morgaanfoley
• @audhd.fnd_andme
• @thejumpyautist
• @theautizztichabibbaddie
• @autistic_stitch
• @nigh.functioning.autism
• @sunitatheiss
• @blackspectrumscholar
• @autism.conmigo
• @honestlyiwasspeechless
• @autistic.mykie
• @savvylifeskills
• @theneurodiversitymom
• @aut2ask

Follow Autism Out Loud:

• Instagram: @autismoutloud
• Facebook: Autism Out Loud

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Visit The Sensory Supply for the best in sensory products to soothe, stimulate, and inspire.

Learn about our clinic Elemenoe where we work to reach milestones together through speech, language, behaviour & learning.

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Transitioning from one task to another can feel like climbing Mount Everest for our young kiddos, whether neurodiverse or neurotypical. In this episode, we'll dive into the core of why these transitions can be such a tough nut to crack and share some real-life strategies that both parents and professionals can use to smooth out those bumps along the road.

Transitioning isn't just about changing gears; it's a whole mental gymnastics routine! In this episode, we'll discuss the various systems at play, from executive functioning to emotional regulation, highlighting that asking kids to shift their focus is a big ask, especially when they’re leaving something they love, like their favorite toy or an exciting game. We'll talk about how both parents and professionals can step in to ease these transitions with real-life strategies that are both practical and, dare we say, fun! We'll also sprinkle in some personal anecdotes and a few laughs, because hey, we’re all in this together, right? So, if you're looking to make those tricky transitions a little easier for your kiddos, you’re in the right place because this episode is all about success, not stress.

Timestamps:

(01:24) - Welcome

(03:43) - Understanding Why Transitions Can Be So Hard

(06:54) - Rich vs. Lean Conditions

(13:35) - It's Not That They're Stubborn or "Bad"

(23:34) - "Three Term Contingency"

(28:00) - Our Go-To Transition Strategies

(35:25) - Tip: Shifting The Focus To What's Next

(41:05) - Tip: Get In Early With Reinforcement

(46:43) - Tailoring Strategies To Your Child

(47:41) - Tip: Staying Connected & Calm

(51:33) - Practicing Strategies In Different Contexts

(55:22) - Get Into Your Kiddos Mindset

Mentioned In This Episode:

• Our Transition Toolkit (Summer Edition)
• Banda, D. R., & Grimmett, E. (2008). Enhancing social and transition behaviors of persons with autism through activity schedules: A review. Education and Training in Developmental Disabilities, 43(3), 324–33312.
• Jessel, J., Hanley, G. P., & Ghaemmaghami, M. (2016). A translational evaluation of transitions. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 49(2), 359–37656.
• Lequia, J., Wilkerson, K. L., Kim, S., & Lyons, G. L. (2014). Improving transition behaviors in students with autism spectrum disorders: A comprehensive evaluation of interventions in educational settings. Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions, 1, 1–1378.
• Sevin, J. A., Rieske, R. D., & Matson, J. L. (2015). A review of behavioral strategies and support considerations for assisting persons with difficulties transitioning from activity to activity. Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 2, 329–342910.
• Tullis, C. A., Cannella-Malone, H. I., & Payne, D. O. (2014). Literature review of interventions for between-task transitioning for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities including autism spectrum disorders. Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 2,...