The Autism Helper Podcast

Sasha Long, M.A., BCBA
  • 4.8 (478)
  • Education
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to The Autism Helper Podcast, where we explore different strategies to improve the lives of individuals with autism.

  1. 3d ago

    Episode 376: Most Classroom Reward Systems Accidentally Teach the Wrong Things

    What happens to behavior in your classroom when you forget the reinforcers? If the answer is 'everything falls apart' - that tells you something important about your system. In this episode, we're talking about the difference between reinforcement and bribery, how well-intentioned reward systems create dependency, and what it looks like to build toward natural reinforcers so students aren't permanently tethered to a token board or prize box. Deci, Koestner & Ryan (1999). A meta-analytic review of experiments examining the effects of extrinsic rewards. Psychological Bulletin. Cooper, Heron & Heward (2020). Applied behavior analysis (3rd ed.). Pearson. Come join the conversation! Find us on Instagram at @theautismhelper and TikTok at @theautismhelper - drop your hot take in the comments and let us know where you land on this one. ---------------------------------------------- Interested in our Year-Long Curriculum Access Subscription? Learn more about it here: https://theautismhelper.com/tah-curriculum-access/ Join the waitlist for our Professional Development Membership: https://shop.theautismhelper.com/pages/membership-waitlist Want more information about The Autism Helper Courses? Visit: https://theautismhelper.com/courses/ Looking for a specific product or resource? Find it in our new Autism Helper Store! https://shop.theautismhelper.com/ Or visit The Autism Helper store on TpT: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/The-Autism-Helper Stay up to date on all things Autism Helper by downloading our new, FREE app! Available on both the App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/the-autism-helper/id1557724340 & Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mightybell.theautismhelper&hl=en_US&gl=US Get all updates from The Autism Helper Podcast by clicking subscribe above. Head over to theautismhelper.com for more info. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest @theautismhelper. Our Sponsors: * Check out Factor and use my code factormeals.com/sasha50off for a great deal: https://www.factor75.com * Check out Talkiatry and use my code talkiatry.com/SASHA for a great deal: https://www.talkiatry.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    Episode 376: Most Classroom Reward Systems Accidentally Teach the Wrong Things

  2. Aug 10

    Episode 375: Generalization Is the Real Goal — And We Almost Never Plan for It

    If a student can label colors at your table but not point to one at snack - did they really learn colors? Generalization is the actual destination of all our instruction, and most of us plan for skill acquisition and call it done. In this episode, we talk about what generalization actually means, why we skip it, and simple ways to build it into your teaching without starting from scratch. Stokes & Baer (1977). An implicit technology of generalization. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis. Horner et al. (1988). The role of response efficiency in the reduction of problem behaviors. Journal of the Association for Persons with Severe Handicaps. Come join the conversation! Find us on Instagram at @theautismhelper and TikTok at @theautismhelper - drop your hot take in the comments and let us know where you land on this one. ---------------------------------------------- Interested in our Year-Long Curriculum Access Subscription? Learn more about it here: https://theautismhelper.com/tah-curriculum-access/ Join the waitlist for our Professional Development Membership: https://shop.theautismhelper.com/pages/membership-waitlist Want more information about The Autism Helper Courses? Visit: https://theautismhelper.com/courses/ Looking for a specific product or resource? Find it in our new Autism Helper Store! https://shop.theautismhelper.com/ Or visit The Autism Helper store on TpT: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/The-Autism-Helper Stay up to date on all things Autism Helper by downloading our new, FREE app! Available on both the App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/the-autism-helper/id1557724340 & Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mightybell.theautismhelper&hl=en_US&gl=US Get all updates from The Autism Helper Podcast by clicking subscribe above. Head over to theautismhelper.com for more info. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest @theautismhelper. Our Sponsors: * Check out Factor and use my code factormeals.com/sasha50off for a great deal: https://www.factor75.com * Check out Talkiatry and use my code talkiatry.com/SASHA for a great deal: https://www.talkiatry.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    Episode 375: Generalization Is the Real Goal — And We Almost Never Plan for It

  3. Aug 3

    Episode 374: Paraprofessionals Are the Most Underutilized Resource in Your Classroom

    Most paras spend their days doing proximity support - hovering at a student's elbow - and research is pretty clear that this actually works against independence and peer connection. But here's the thing: it's not the para's fault. In this episode, we talk about why paras default to hovering, what a well-utilized para actually looks like, and practical ways to redistribute support so your whole classroom benefits - not just one student. Giangreco et al. (1997). You're welcome: Problematic paraprofessional supports in inclusive schools. Journal of Special Education. Giangreco, M.F. (2010). Utilization of teacher assistants in inclusive schools. Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Come join the conversation! Find us on Instagram at @theautismhelper and TikTok at @theautismhelper - drop your hot take in the comments and let us know where you land on this one. ---------------------------------------------- Interested in our Year-Long Curriculum Access Subscription? Learn more about it here: https://theautismhelper.com/tah-curriculum-access/ Join the waitlist for our Professional Development Membership: https://shop.theautismhelper.com/pages/membership-waitlist Want more information about The Autism Helper Courses? Visit: https://theautismhelper.com/courses/ Looking for a specific product or resource? Find it in our new Autism Helper Store! https://shop.theautismhelper.com/ Or visit The Autism Helper store on TpT: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/The-Autism-Helper Stay up to date on all things Autism Helper by downloading our new, FREE app! Available on both the App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/the-autism-helper/id1557724340 & Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mightybell.theautismhelper&hl=en_US&gl=US Get all updates from The Autism Helper Podcast by clicking subscribe above. Head over to theautismhelper.com for more info. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest @theautismhelper. Our Sponsors: * Check out Factor and use my code factormeals.com/sasha50off for a great deal: https://www.factor75.com * Check out Talkiatry and use my code talkiatry.com/SASHA for a great deal: https://www.talkiatry.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    Episode 374: Paraprofessionals Are the Most Underutilized Resource in Your Classroom

  4. Jul 27

    Episode 373: IEP Goals Are Often Written to Be Achieved, Not to Be Meaningful

    If your student hit every IEP goal this year but still can't ask for help, order food, or navigate a transition independently - did the goals do their job? In this episode, we're getting into the compliance trap in IEP writing, why teachers write goals they know students can hit, and what truly functional and ambitious goal-writing actually looks like. This one is for anyone who's ever felt like their IEP goals were more about paperwork than progress. Ruble et al. (2010). Examination of IEP goals for children with autism. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities. Kurth & Mastergeorge (2010). Academic and cognitive profiles of students with autism. Education and Training in Autism and Developmental Disabilities. Come join the conversation! Find us on Instagram at @theautismhelper and TikTok at @theautismhelper - drop your hot take in the comments and let us know where you land on this one. ---------------------------------------------- Interested in our Year-Long Curriculum Access Subscription? Learn more about it here: https://theautismhelper.com/tah-curriculum-access/ Join the waitlist for our Professional Development Membership: https://shop.theautismhelper.com/pages/membership-waitlist Want more information about The Autism Helper Courses? Visit: https://theautismhelper.com/courses/ Looking for a specific product or resource? Find it in our new Autism Helper Store! https://shop.theautismhelper.com/ Or visit The Autism Helper store on TpT: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/The-Autism-Helper Stay up to date on all things Autism Helper by downloading our new, FREE app! Available on both the App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/the-autism-helper/id1557724340 & Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mightybell.theautismhelper&hl=en_US&gl=US Get all updates from The Autism Helper Podcast by clicking subscribe above. Head over to theautismhelper.com for more info. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest @theautismhelper. Our Sponsors: * Check out Factor and use my code factormeals.com/sasha50off for a great deal: https://www.factor75.com * Check out Talkiatry and use my code talkiatry.com/SASHA for a great deal: https://www.talkiatry.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    Episode 373: IEP Goals Are Often Written to Be Achieved, Not to Be Meaningful

  5. Jul 20

    Episode 372: Sensory Bins and Sensory Diets Are Wildly Misunderstood

    Sensory break has become a catch-all phrase we use when we're not sure what else to do - and that's a problem. In this episode, we're separating sensory-seeking behavior from escape behavior, talking about what a real OT-designed sensory diet actually involves, and getting honest about when our sensory tools might be reinforcing avoidance instead of supporting regulation. If you've ever wondered whether your sensory setup is helping or just busy work, this episode is for you. Marco et al. (2011). Sensory processing in autism. Nature Reviews Neuroscience. Watling & Hauer (2015). Effectiveness of Ayres sensory integration and sensory-based interventions. American Journal of Occupational Therapy. Come join the conversation! Find us on Instagram at @theautismhelper and TikTok at @theautismhelper - drop your hot take in the comments and let us know where you land on this one. ---------------------------------------------- Interested in our Year-Long Curriculum Access Subscription? Learn more about it here: https://theautismhelper.com/tah-curriculum-access/ Join the waitlist for our Professional Development Membership: https://shop.theautismhelper.com/pages/membership-waitlist Want more information about The Autism Helper Courses? Visit: https://theautismhelper.com/courses/ Looking for a specific product or resource? Find it in our new Autism Helper Store! https://shop.theautismhelper.com/ Or visit The Autism Helper store on TpT: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/The-Autism-Helper Stay up to date on all things Autism Helper by downloading our new, FREE app! Available on both the App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/the-autism-helper/id1557724340 & Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mightybell.theautismhelper&hl=en_US&gl=US Get all updates from The Autism Helper Podcast by clicking subscribe above. Head over to theautismhelper.com for more info. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest @theautismhelper. Our Sponsors: * Check out Factor and use my code factormeals.com/sasha50off for a great deal: https://www.factor75.com * Check out Talkiatry and use my code talkiatry.com/SASHA for a great deal: https://www.talkiatry.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    Episode 372: Sensory Bins and Sensory Diets Are Wildly Misunderstood

  6. Jul 13

    Episode 371: Parent Communication is Broken in Most Special Ed Programs

    Think about the last five things you communicated to a parent. Were any of them good news? In this episode, we're talking about why home-school communication in special ed defaults to problems, incidents, and behavior data - and what families actually want to hear. We get into the trust gap that teachers unintentionally create, and share simple shifts that build stronger partnerships and better outcomes for students. Epstein, J.L. (2001). School, family, and community partnerships. Westview Press. Hess et al. (2006). IEP facilitation: A promising practice. Teaching Exceptional Children. Come join the conversation! Find us on Instagram at @theautismhelper and TikTok at @theautismhelper - drop your hot take in the comments and let us know where you land on this one. ---------------------------------------------- Interested in our Year-Long Curriculum Access Subscription? Learn more about it here: https://theautismhelper.com/tah-curriculum-access/ Join the waitlist for our Professional Development Membership: https://shop.theautismhelper.com/pages/membership-waitlist Want more information about The Autism Helper Courses? Visit: https://theautismhelper.com/courses/ Looking for a specific product or resource? Find it in our new Autism Helper Store! https://shop.theautismhelper.com/ Or visit The Autism Helper store on TpT: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/The-Autism-Helper Stay up to date on all things Autism Helper by downloading our new, FREE app! Available on both the App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/the-autism-helper/id1557724340 & Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mightybell.theautismhelper&hl=en_US&gl=US Get all updates from The Autism Helper Podcast by clicking subscribe above. Head over to theautismhelper.com for more info. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest @theautismhelper. Our Sponsors: * Check out Factor and use my code factormeals.com/sasha50off for a great deal: https://www.factor75.com * Check out Talkiatry and use my code talkiatry.com/SASHA for a great deal: https://www.talkiatry.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    Episode 371: Parent Communication is Broken in Most Special Ed Programs

  7. Jul 6

    Episode 370: We Spend Too Much Time on Behavior Plans and Not Enough on Skill Building

    A behavior plan without a strong skill-building component isn't a plan - it's a patch. In this episode, we talk about why so many BIPs are heavy on consequences and light on replacement skills, and why that matters for long-term outcomes. We get into the skill-based treatment model, what functional communication training actually looks like in practice, and how to shift your team's thinking from reactive to proactive. Carr et al. (1994). Communication-based intervention for problem behavior. Paul H. Brookes. Rajaraman et al. (2021). Toward a universally accepted definition of skill-based treatment. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis. Come join the conversation! Find us on Instagram at @theautismhelper and TikTok at @theautismhelper - drop your hot take in the comments and let us know where you land on this one. ---------------------------------------------- Interested in our Year-Long Curriculum Access Subscription? Learn more about it here: https://theautismhelper.com/tah-curriculum-access/ Join the waitlist for our Professional Development Membership: https://shop.theautismhelper.com/pages/membership-waitlist Want more information about The Autism Helper Courses? Visit: https://theautismhelper.com/courses/ Looking for a specific product or resource? Find it in our new Autism Helper Store! https://shop.theautismhelper.com/ Or visit The Autism Helper store on TpT: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/The-Autism-Helper Stay up to date on all things Autism Helper by downloading our new, FREE app! Available on both the App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/the-autism-helper/id1557724340 & Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mightybell.theautismhelper&hl=en_US&gl=US Get all updates from The Autism Helper Podcast by clicking subscribe above. Head over to theautismhelper.com for more info. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest @theautismhelper. Our Sponsors: * Check out Factor and use my code factormeals.com/sasha50off for a great deal: https://www.factor75.com * Check out Talkiatry and use my code talkiatry.com/SASHA for a great deal: https://www.talkiatry.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    Episode 370: We Spend Too Much Time on Behavior Plans and Not Enough on Skill Building

  8. Jun 29

    Episode 369: Inclusion Isn't Always the Most Appropriate Placement - And That's Okay

    Inclusion is one of the most important values in special education - and one of the most misunderstood placement decisions. In this episode, we're unpacking the difference between inclusion as a philosophy and inclusion as a checkbox. We look at what IDEA actually says about least restrictive environment, what meaningful participation really looks like, and how to have honest LRE conversations at the IEP table without shame or judgment. IDEA (2004). Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. U.S. Department of Education. Kauffman et al. (2020). The scandalous neglect of children's mental health. Exceptionality. Come join the conversation! Find us on Instagram at @theautismhelper and TikTok at @theautismhelper - drop your hot take in the comments and let us know where you land on this one. ---------------------------------------------- Interested in our Year-Long Curriculum Access Subscription? Learn more about it here: https://theautismhelper.com/tah-curriculum-access/ Join the waitlist for our Professional Development Membership: https://shop.theautismhelper.com/pages/membership-waitlist Want more information about The Autism Helper Courses? Visit: https://theautismhelper.com/courses/ Looking for a specific product or resource? Find it in our new Autism Helper Store! https://shop.theautismhelper.com/ Or visit The Autism Helper store on TpT: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/The-Autism-Helper Stay up to date on all things Autism Helper by downloading our new, FREE app! Available on both the App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/the-autism-helper/id1557724340 & Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mightybell.theautismhelper&hl=en_US&gl=US Get all updates from The Autism Helper Podcast by clicking subscribe above. Head over to theautismhelper.com for more info. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest @theautismhelper. Our Sponsors: * Check out Factor and use my code factormeals.com/sasha50off for a great deal: https://www.factor75.com * Check out Talkiatry and use my code talkiatry.com/SASHA for a great deal: https://www.talkiatry.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    Episode 369: Inclusion Isn't Always the Most Appropriate Placement - And That's Okay
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4.8
out of 5
478 Ratings

About

Welcome to The Autism Helper Podcast, where we explore different strategies to improve the lives of individuals with autism.

Information

  • Creator
    Sasha Long, M.A., BCBA
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    376
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Autism Helper
  • Show Website
    The Autism Helper Podcast

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