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Global Development Delay and Autism: Hot Seat #5 with Grandma Tina

Free Workshop

Increase Talking &
Decrease Tantrums

in Young Children with

Autism &/or Speech Delays

Grandma Tina has been a listener and follower of my programs for a while, and has aspired to become a “Gung-Ho Grandparent”, after this conversation I certainly think she is. Tina is the grandma to 2 and a half year old Wyatt, who was diagnosed with Global Developmental Delays at 13 months and autism at 19 months. Since then, Tina and Wyatt’s parents have been applying my course work and ABA therapy and have seen some major successes. Today we go over Wyatt’s One-Page Assessment and we discuss his strengths as well as some key issues they are looking to overcome.

Feeding Issues and Autism

The advice in this episode is purely for information purposes and I encourage families to rule out all medical issues before continuing with any feeding program. Wyatt eats only smooth baby food fed directly to him and drinks only water squeezed out to him through a straw. 

Tina shares that they do in fact already feed him from containers other than a labeled jar but is willing to try my suggestion on feeding from styrofoam cups or another container that will block the ability to anticipate color or consistency before being fed. We also discuss trying a thicker, chunkier consistency, as well as moving to real food puréed at home as a next step.

Wyatt is currently able to hold a cup but is unable to drink from the straw independently, I suggested sports cap nozzles as well as introducing juice as a sweet encouragement to suck from the straw. Tina and the family have listened to the episode with feeding specialist Dr. Keith Williams and have even been successful with solutions he has offered to them.

Language and Self-Care

Wyatt currently has some language, Tina and I talk about his clear and unclear words and turning them into Number 1/ Number 2 words lists that clearly outline and define the words Wyatt knows or is working on. Wyatt already has a great deal of strengths that contribute to his success in learning language, he participates and enjoys table time and imitation but he struggles with allowing hands-on prompting. This creates some issues when it comes to learning self-care tasks, such as self-feeding, handwashing, teeth-brushing, and getting dressed. The best thing to do when prompting for these skills is to come from behind the child, working with them the same way they would independently. Also, make it fun, pair videos, songs, etc. to get the child excited about what they are doing.
Global Development Delay and Autism: Hot Seat #5 with Grandma Tina

Grandma Tina On The Turn Autism Around Podcast

Tina is a grandparent to Wyatt who was diagnosed with global delays at 13 months, and ASD at 19 months. She found my online courses when her grandson was 13 months and began table time. Currently, Wyatt has 13 hours of ABA therapy per week. Three days a week at his house, and two days a week at his grandparent’s house. They do table time any day that Wyatt is at their home.

Tina is passionate about working with Wyatt and his family to get him the therapy he needs and continue to see progress. She urges other families to communicate and collaborate together with each other and with professionals for the best interests of their child. Not only is she able to learn from me by taking my course but by listening to this podcast she has expanded her resources to the many other professionals who have been featured and the great information they have to share.

This episode is Hot Seat #5 and I had special permission from Tina and Wyatt’s parents to discuss him and his case by name. You can find any of the assessment tools we discussed in today’s episode in my book, Turn Autism Around, or through the courses.

You’ll Learn

  • How involved grandparents can make a different in a child’s therapy and progress.
  • What are Global Development Delays?
  • Ideas for improving feeding issues.
  • Ideas for encouraging self feeding and drinking.
  • Ideas for improving specific language skills.
  • Ideas for prompting self-care skills.
  • The importance of collaboration with parents and grandparents and professionals.

Resources

Free Workshop

Increase Talking &
Decrease Tantrums

in Young Children with

Autism &/or Speech Delays