Navigating Autism : Failed M-Chat Score, Toddler Headbanging, and Parent Led Therapy with Kelsey General

Free Workshop

Increase Talking &
Decrease Tantrums

in Young Children with

Autism &/or Speech Delays

We have recently reached 750,000 downloads of this podcast since its launch three years ago. In celebration of that and to continue educating listeners, both old and new, I am rebroadcasting classic episodes that I reference frequently on the show. Today’s episode is a look back at episode 3 with Kelsey General and her journey of navigating autism with her boys, Brentley and Lincoln.

Early Signs of Autism and the M-Chat

Like many parents, Kelsey tracked her son Brentley’s development from the very beginning, watching for milestones and paying attention to questions during well-check visits with her pediatrician. It was with this diligence that she began to see signs that something bigger was going on with her son. A hospitalization and regression at 13 months ultimately led Kelsey on a journey of over a year to receive the right referrals and receive a diagnosis for her eldest son. With the help of a friend, she administered the M-Chat to Brentley, and she was able to get the answers she needed that secured a diagnosis and allowed her access to funding for support.

My Toddler Bangs Head on Floor When Upset

On this show we discuss a variety of signs of autism but the first and foremost symptoms and behaviors that need to be dealt with are those associated with safety. As a toddler, Brentley was banging his head upwards of 100 times a day. We cannot begin to work with any other skills until safety concerns such as head banging, escaping, and severe tantrums are addressed. Kelsey shares her experience working with a behavior specialist and clinic that did not address these critical needs. With this approach, therapy was just not working for Brentley. After finding my courses, Kelsey knew what needed to be done and when her clinic would not consider the approach that was right for Brentley, she began administering therapy on her own through her education of my courses.

Parents of Children with Autism Can Reduce Stress by Learning How to Help

Kelsey became I as I like to say, “The Captain of the Ship”. Equipped with the tools from my courses, videos, online community, and book, she has provided meaningful and impactful therapy for her son Brentley and her youngest son Lincoln after he received his diagnosis. Today she works with a team of behavior analysts that support her and her children through ABA and both of her children are able to attend daycare with varying levels of support. Kelsey urges parents to get educated and help their children. Ask the right questions and maintain involvement in your child’s therapy because you are their teacher and advocate for life.

I hope you enjoyed this look back at episode 3 of the Turn Autism Around podcast. Be sure to stay tuned for next week when Kelsey General joins me for a much anticipated update on herself, Bentley and Lincoln!

Failed M-Chat Score, Toddler Headbanging, and Parent Led Therapy with Kelsey General

Kelsey General On The Turn Autism Around Podcast

Kelsey is a single mom to two boys, living in BC, Canada. In 2016 her oldest son was diagnosed with autism at 25 months old. After learning he would not qualify for the support he needed, Kelsey began her journey of learning how to help him. Since then, Kelsey has continued her education in the field in order to provide her children and others in the community the direct intervention they needed. Now, Kelsey homeschools both her kids with support from a team of consulting professionals, while also working with other families providing behavior analytic services and parent coaching services. Kelsey and her boys enjoy spending their free time exploring and in nature hiking, biking, camping, and snowboarding. You can follow her adventures and learn more about getting children with autism outside safely on her Instagram page, www.instagram.com/littleadventurefamily.

You’ll Learn

  • What are the early signs of autism?
  • Is it important to know developmental milestones?
  • What is the M-Chat?
  • What to do when your child is banging their head.
  • What to do when you have concerns about your child’s therapy.
  • Why addressing safety is the first step in turning autism around.
  • How to find the right ABA providers.
  • How you can become the captain of your own ship.

Resources

Free Workshop

Increase Talking &
Decrease Tantrums

in Young Children with

Autism &/or Speech Delays