Teaching Body Parts to Children with Autism

Teaching children with autism to label and touch their body parts is one of the most important skills to teach. No matter if a child is very young and has no language or if a child is older and has some language. As both a parent of a son with autism, a registered nurse, and […]
Autism and IQ Scores | Supporting Children with Intellectual Disabilities

There seems to be a lot of confusion about autism and intellectual disabilities, which is an IQ score of under 70. What does it mean if a child is diagnosed with both autism and an intellectual disability? Do we need to be seeking a diagnosis with both? Today, I’m talking all about autism and IQ […]
Speech Sound Development & First Sounds in Children with Autism Using ABA Techniques

As you may know, I’m an autism mom and Board Certified Behavior Analyst. I am also the author of The Verbal Behavior Approach: How to Teach Children with Autism and Related Disorders. As a Behavior Analyst, I know that any behavior (including speech sound development) can be increased using proven ABA strategies. In this week’s […]
Increasing Language in Children with Autism Through a Shoebox

As some of you may know, I’ve been a behavior analyst since 2003 and worked for the Pennsylvania Verbal Behavior Project, which was a statewide grant from 2003 to 2010. When I left the project, I began working in the early intervention field with very young children through a contract with the birth to 3 […]
Teaching a Child with Autism to Talk

Over the years I’ve seen parents and professionals call a child nonverbal. They would put a lot of emphasis on augmentative communication devices but no emphasis on vocal language. I never give up on vocal language, even in “nonverbal children.” So, today I’m going to answer your questions about teaching a child with autism to […]