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Turn Autism Around

Turn Autism Around

An Action Guide for Parents of Young Children with Early Signs of Autism
by Mary Lynch Barbera 2021 254 pages
3.95
100+ ratings
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Key Takeaways

1. Early intervention is crucial for children showing signs of autism or developmental delays

Speech and social delays (which are often the earliest signs of autism) are an emergency.

Recognizing the signs. Early signs of autism or developmental delays include lack of pointing, limited eye contact, speech delays, excessive tantrums, and repetitive behaviors. These signs can appear as early as 12-18 months of age.

Acting quickly. Research shows that early intervention can significantly improve outcomes for children with autism or developmental delays. The sooner you start implementing strategies, the better the chances of reducing the severity of symptoms or even preventing a diagnosis of autism.

  • Don't wait for a formal diagnosis to begin intervention
  • Start with 15-minute daily sessions using the Turn Autism Around approach
  • Seek professional help, but don't rely solely on waiting lists for evaluations

2. Assess your child's strengths and needs using the Turn Autism Around (TAA) approach

You can and should assess your child, but you must.

Comprehensive assessment. The TAA assessment form provides a quick overview of your child's abilities in various areas, including language, self-care, and social skills. This assessment helps you identify your child's strengths and needs, allowing you to create a tailored intervention plan.

Ongoing evaluation. Regularly reassess your child's progress using:

  • Language samples
  • Short baseline videos
  • ABC (Antecedent, Behavior, Consequence) data charts
  • Self-care checklists

By consistently evaluating your child's development, you can adjust your intervention strategies and track improvements over time.

3. Create a positive learning environment and establish a routine for table time sessions

The most important thing to remember about table time is that it needs to be fun!

Setting up the environment. Create a dedicated learning area with minimal distractions. Use a child-sized table and chair, and keep learning materials organized and out of reach when not in use.

Pairing and reinforcement. Make table time enjoyable by:

  • Using preferred items and activities as reinforcers
  • Providing praise and positive attention
  • Gradually introducing demands while maintaining a high level of reinforcement

Start with short 3-5 minute sessions and gradually increase the duration as your child becomes more comfortable and engaged in the learning process.

4. Focus on preventing problem behaviors and increasing communication skills

If a problem behavior occurs, it's almost always because the demands are too high and the reinforcement is too low.

Prevention strategies. Spend 95% of your time on preventing problem behaviors by:

  • Providing ample reinforcement for desired behaviors
  • Keeping demands low and gradually increasing them
  • Creating a structured and predictable environment

Communication skills. Teach your child to communicate their wants and needs effectively:

  • Start with teaching manding (requesting) skills
  • Use the "One Word x3 Strategy" to encourage vocal language
  • Incorporate sign language or picture communication systems if needed

By focusing on prevention and communication, you can reduce tantrums and other challenging behaviors while increasing your child's ability to express themselves.

5. Develop social skills through structured play and interaction

Social skills cannot be taught in isolation.

Building foundational skills. Focus on developing:

  • Joint attention
  • Imitation skills
  • Turn-taking
  • Parallel play

Structured activities. Use activities like:

  • Pretend play (e.g., birthday party, toy kitchen)
  • Simple games with clear rules
  • Reading books together

Incorporate social skill development into daily routines and interactions, gradually increasing the complexity of social situations as your child progresses.

6. Teach language skills using multiple control procedures and errorless teaching

The Turn Autism Around approach uses multiple control procedures in each activity.

Multiple control. Combine different types of language skills in teaching activities:

  • Manding (requesting)
  • Tacting (labeling)
  • Echoics (repeating)

Errorless teaching. Prevent errors by:

  • Providing immediate prompts
  • Gradually fading prompts as the child becomes more proficient
  • Using transfer trials to build on existing skills

Implement these strategies during table time sessions and throughout daily activities to maximize language learning opportunities.

7. Address self-care skills like feeding, sleeping, and potty training systematically

Focusing on feeding and improving nutrition is a lifelong goal for many of us and certainly not a once-and-done task.

Feeding interventions. Tackle picky eating by:

  • Gradually introducing new foods
  • Using differential reinforcement
  • Addressing sensory issues

Sleep interventions. Establish a consistent bedtime routine and use strategies like:

  • Creating a sleep-conducive environment
  • Gradually fading parental presence
  • Using positive reinforcement for staying in bed

Potty training. Implement a structured approach:

  • Assess readiness skills
  • Create a consistent routine
  • Use positive reinforcement for success
  • Gradually increase independence

Address these self-care skills systematically, adapting your approach based on your child's individual needs and progress.

8. Desensitize your child to challenging situations like doctor visits and haircuts

Any person, place, object, procedure, or activity can be paired or re-paired with time, practice, and patience.

Task analysis. Break down challenging situations into small, manageable steps.

Gradual exposure. Systematically desensitize your child to aversive stimuli:

  • Start with low-intensity exposures
  • Use positive reinforcement
  • Gradually increase the difficulty of the task

Practice and preparation. Use strategies like:

  • Role-playing
  • Social stories
  • Video modeling

By addressing these challenges proactively, you can reduce anxiety and improve your child's ability to tolerate necessary procedures and activities.

9. Become your child's best advocate and collaborate with professionals effectively

Advocacy should not be the same as fighting. It shouldn't be "us against them."

Building a support team. Collaborate with professionals while maintaining your role as the "captain of the ship":

  • Share your assessment data and progress reports
  • Be open to professional advice while advocating for your child's needs
  • Seek second opinions or independent evaluations when necessary

Ongoing advocacy. Continuously educate yourself and others about your child's needs:

  • Keep detailed records of assessments, interventions, and progress
  • Attend relevant workshops and support groups
  • Stay informed about educational rights and available resources

Remember that advocacy is a lifelong process, and your role as your child's primary advocate will evolve as they grow and develop.

Last updated:

FAQ

What's Turn Autism Around about?

  • Early Intervention Focus: Turn Autism Around by Mary Lynch Barbera emphasizes the critical importance of early intervention for children showing signs of autism, providing actionable steps for parents.
  • Empowering Parents: The book aims to empower parents with tools and strategies to help their children develop communication and essential skills, encouraging active parental involvement.
  • Comprehensive Guidance: It covers language development, social skills, and managing problem behaviors, guiding parents through early autism intervention stages effectively.

Why should I read Turn Autism Around?

  • Practical Strategies: The book offers research-based strategies that parents can implement immediately, leading to significant improvements in communication and behavior.
  • Real-Life Experiences: Dr. Barbera shares personal anecdotes and case studies, making the content relatable and applicable for parents.
  • Expert Insights: Combining professional expertise with personal experience, Dr. Barbera provides valuable insights into challenges and solutions for families.

What are the key takeaways of Turn Autism Around?

  • Urgency of Early Signs: Early signs of autism should be treated as an emergency, with parents encouraged to act quickly without waiting for a formal diagnosis.
  • Immediate Action: Parents can start interventions at home without needing a diagnosis or professional team, using the book's step-by-step instructions.
  • Communication Focus: Emphasizes teaching children to communicate needs through mands (requests) and tacts (labels) to reduce problem behaviors and enhance social interactions.

What specific methods does Dr. Barbera recommend in Turn Autism Around?

  • One Word x3 Strategy: Involves saying a word up to three times in an animated way before delivering a desired item, encouraging word-object associations.
  • Sh, Label, and Give Procedure: Used to manage tantrums by calming the child, labeling the desired item, and then giving it, reinforcing positive behavior.
  • ABC Data Tracking: Suggests using ABC (Antecedent, Behavior, Consequence) data to analyze problem behaviors, helping parents understand triggers and consequences.

How does Turn Autism Around address feeding issues?

  • Picky Eating Solutions: Provides strategies for addressing picky eating, emphasizing repeated taste exposure to help children accept new foods.
  • Food Journals: Encourages parents to track eating habits and preferences, using this data to inform feeding interventions.
  • Reinforcement During Meals: Suggests using reinforcement to encourage trying new foods, creating positive associations with eating.

What techniques does Turn Autism Around suggest for improving sleep?

  • Bedtime Routine Importance: Highlights the need for a consistent bedtime routine to help children transition to sleep, reducing anxiety and promoting relaxation.
  • Sleep Pattern Assessment: Encourages parents to assess sleep patterns and behaviors to identify specific interventions needed for better sleep quality.
  • Reinforcement for Staying in Bed: Recommends using reinforcement to encourage children to stay in their own beds, rewarding successful nights of sleep.

How can I desensitize my child to medical visits according to Turn Autism Around?

  • Task Analysis: Suggests creating a task analysis of medical visit steps to identify anxiety-causing parts.
  • Practice Sessions: Encourages conducting practice sessions at home, using role-playing and toys to simulate the medical environment.
  • Positive Reinforcement: Reinforcement is crucial during desensitization, providing rewards for successful practice sessions to create positive associations.

What are the early signs of autism mentioned in Turn Autism Around?

  • Communication Delays: Delays in speech and social communication, such as not pointing or responding to their name, are critical indicators.
  • Social Interaction Issues: Lack of interest in playing with peers or engaging in joint attention activities can be early signs.
  • Behavioral Concerns: Excessive tantrums, difficulty with transitions, and self-injurious behaviors warrant immediate attention.

How does Turn Autism Around suggest handling tantrums and problem behaviors?

  • Understanding Behavior Functions: Emphasizes understanding the functions behind problem behaviors to address root causes.
  • Positive Reinforcement: Recommends reinforcement strategies to encourage positive behaviors and reduce tantrums.
  • Data Collection: Encourages collecting data on problem behaviors to identify patterns and triggers, informing interventions.

What role do parents play in the strategies outlined in Turn Autism Around?

  • Active Involvement: Parents are encouraged to take an active role in their child's learning and development, implementing strategies at home.
  • Continuous Learning: Parenting is a continuous journey of learning, with parents urged to adapt approaches as their child grows.
  • Collaboration with Professionals: While parents are primary teachers, collaborating with professionals is essential for cohesive intervention plans.

What are some common misconceptions about autism addressed in Turn Autism Around?

  • Myth of Control: Misconception that a child's future is out of the parent's control; early intervention can lead to significant improvements.
  • Need for Diagnosis: Myth that parents must wait for a formal diagnosis before taking action; the book encourages immediate interventions.
  • Time Constraints: Belief that parents lack time to make a difference; even short, focused sessions can lead to meaningful progress.

What are the best quotes from Turn Autism Around and what do they mean?

  • “Speech and social delays are an emergency.”: Urges immediate action on developmental delays rather than waiting for evaluations.
  • “You do not need a diagnosis or a team of professionals to begin treatment.”: Empowers parents to take charge of their child's development with proactive steps.
  • “There is no finish line for me as a parent.”: Reflects the ongoing journey of parenting a child with autism, emphasizing continuous learning and adaptation.

Review Summary

3.95 out of 5
Average of 100+ ratings from Goodreads and Amazon.

Turn Autism Around receives mixed reviews, with an overall rating of 3.96/5. Many readers find it helpful for early intervention, praising its practical strategies and resources. Some parents report improvements in their children's communication and behavior. However, critics argue the book promotes harmful practices and outdated language. Concerns are raised about the author's dismissal of opposing views and lack of scientific evidence. The book is generally seen as more useful for parents of young children with mild autism symptoms rather than those with severe cases.

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About the Author

Mary Lynch Barbera is the author of Turn Autism Around. She is a mother of an autistic son and a behavioral analyst with extensive experience working with children on the autism spectrum. Barbera advocates for early intervention and emphasizes a method of assessment, planning, teaching, and evaluation to track a child's progress. She provides resources through her website, including forms, assessments, and video introductions to her process. Barbera has written other books on autism and maintains an online presence through podcasts, video blogs, and social media. She actively seeks feedback on her work and considers this book her best to date.

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