Mandy Mason joins me in this episode from Perth, Australia to talk all about Autism Spectrum Disorders in Australia. She is a BCBA, CEO and Director of FIT Learning in Australia, and mother of two daughters, one of which has a diagnosis of severe autism. Mandy shares her journey with her youngest’s diagnosis in Australia and how working with her fueled the fire for her passion and involvement in the autism world today.
Mandy’s daughter is now 17 but was diagnosed at the age of 20 months in 2006. At that time, Mandy had many concerns and although she wasn’t as knowledgeable about autism as she is now, she knew she was seeing signs and finally found the right doctor after 13 previous. Current rates in Australia show a diagnosis for autism as 1 in 90. Mandy shares her opinion on what’s going on with getting a diagnosis and what to do about treating signs or symptoms even when you don’t have a diagnosis yet. We share the same view, the earlier therapy begins the better.
As with many things, you’ll find that processes have many similarities and also differences in different countries. Mandy shares her experience with ABA processes in Australia. The controversy surrounding ABA is just as prevalent in Australia as it is here. We discuss why that is and how proper training for therapists providing ABA is critical for the success of the therapy and the child. Science and training is coming a long way for educating therapists but we have access to more universities and programs here in the United States.
Make their NO your Yes. Just the type of powerful mantra needed for a force of nature; single mother of 2 gorgeous girls (one with severe autism), transformer of lives using the power of the science of human behavior and world-class masters sprinter and record holder. It’s a mantra that drives Mandy Mason (extremely fast over 100 and 200m) daily in her personal and professional life. Who would have thought that a 3-letter word could describe a person perfectly? Personally FIT and professionally FIT, Mandy has a powerful story to tell of transformation and not taking no as an answer. But you will need to be quick to catch her because emails, calls, texting, coffee, even talking, like sprinting, has to be done very fast when you’re on a journey to transform lives.
