In honour of World Autism Level Up Month, I was delighted to be interviewed by Sharon McCarthy for Autism Journeys Podcast. We explored strategies to support behaviour, anxiety and emotional wellbeing, how to make a ‘Back to Basics' and ‘Social Connection' plan, the 1% improvement secret and much more.
2:15 How the work of autistic adults has helped me see that I'm a novice in autism after working in the area for 19 years
5:40 Be curious not furious – a person's behaviour is a window into their nervous system – and what to do about it
11:00 Hidden signs of anxiety
13:00 Three step approach to anxiety management
18:00 Three core needs for wellbeing
20:00 Why the pandemic and school closures have had such a big impact on First Years in secondary school
22:00 How and why you should make a ‘Back to Basics' plan to help young people cope with stress and anxiety
24:20 How and why you should make a ‘Social Connection' plan
26:00 Supporting children with remote learning – environment design, sensory strategies, music for focus
31:15 Supporting young people's psychological wellbeing by layering protective factors
34:00 How to counteract our inbuilt negativity bias
37:00 Simple ways to make the ordinary extraordinary
39:00 The 1% improvement secret
40:30 Self care as the foundation to good parenting – how and why to make a selfcare plan
42:40 Be the adult you want your children to become
44:40 Supporting kids to get back to school
46:20 Creating a supportive environment in school
48:40 Free parent club
49:30 Reclaim Parenthood membership with masterclasses, Q&A sessions and guest expert sessions
50:45 Why I don't recommend reward charts, time outs and punishment and what I recommend instead
52:00 The most effective discipline approach – High Structure, High Nurture
54:40 Sibling fighting, emotion coaching and conflict resolution
1:03:30 My top tips for parenting autistic children