Autism Weekly Podcast

ABS Kids

Autism Weekly brings you weekly conversations with researchers, clinicians, and families at the forefront of the autism community. Each episode explores a new perspective on autism news, therapy, inclusion, and life. Presented by ABS Kids. New episodes every week. Send us your feedback at marketing@abskids.com.

  1. 2d ago

    Family Engagement and Advocacy: Building Real Inclusion for Autistic Individuals

    This week on Autism Weekly, host Jeff Skibitsky sits down with Amy Kelly, National Director of Family Engagement at Devereux and mother of three, including her daughter Annie, who was diagnosed with autism just before her second birthday. With nearly 20 years working directly with families and a career built out of her own experience navigating the system, Amy brings both professional expertise and lived experience to a conversation about what real inclusion looks like. Resources X Handle: @Devereux_Natl  Link: https://x.com/Devereux_Natl Instagram Handle: @devereuxnational Link: https://www.instagram.com/devereuxnational/ Facebook Handle: @DevereuxNational Link: https://www.facebook.com/DevereuxNational LinkedIn Handle: @devereux  Link: https://www.linkedin.com/company/devereux  Amy and Jeff explore what family engagement actually means in practice, not just as a program feature but as a standard organizations should hold themselves to. They discuss the difference between token inclusion and full participation, how to prepare for and navigate an IEP meeting with confidence, and specific questions families should be asking depending on where their child falls on the spectrum, from communication device access on school buses to Extended School Year services and social skills programming. Amy also shares practical strategies for advocating effectively without being labeled the "difficult parent," why evidence-based practices matter, and how documenting a child's progress can shift conversations with school districts. She closes with a reminder that autism is a family diagnosis, and that supporting the whole family, not just the individual, is central to long-term success. Whether you're just starting the IEP process or years into advocating for your child, this episode offers grounded, practical guidance from someone who has lived both sides of it. ............................................................... Autism weekly is now found on all of the major listening apps including apple podcasts, stitcher, Spotify, amazon music, and more. Subscribe to be notified when we post a new podcast. Autism weekly is produced by ABS Kids. ABS Kids is proud to provide diagnostic assessments and ABA therapy to children with developmental delays like Autism Spectrum Disorder. You can learn more about ABS Kids and the Autism Weekly podcast by visiting abskids.com.

  2. Jul 10

    Ethics, Skill Building, and Collaboration | With Dr. Mary Jane Weiss

    This week we're joined by Dr. Mary Jane Weiss, a psychologist and board certified behavior analyst who has spent her career advancing the science of applied behavior analysis and its application to autism. Dr. Weiss serves as executive director of programs in ABA and autism and directs a Ph.D. program in the field. Her work focuses on the philosophical and scientific foundations of ABA, ethical decision-making in professional practice, and collaboration across disciplines. Today we'll talk about what compassionate, humane, and effective ABA actually looks like in practice. Download latest episode to learn more! Resources Mentioned in This Episode BACB Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts Dr. Mary Jane Weiss discusses the four core principles of the BACB Ethics Code: benefit others; treat others with compassion, dignity, and respect; behave with integrity; and ensure competence. BACB Ethics Code landing page: https://www.bacb.com/ethics-information/ethics-codes/ Full PDF: https://www.bacb.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Ethics-Code-for-Behavior-Analysts-240830-a.pdf Learn More About Dr. Mary Jane Weiss Endicott College faculty page: https://www.endicott.edu/about/faculty-staff-directory/m/mary-jane-weiss Melmark bio: https://www.melmark.org/staff/mary-jane-weiss/ Further Reading Rohrer, J. L., Marshall, K. B., Suzio, C., & Weiss, M. J. (2021). Soft Skills: The Case for Compassionate Approaches or How Behavior Analysis Keeps Finding Its Heart. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-021-00563-x Rohrer, J. L., & Weiss, M. J. (2022). Teaching Compassion Skills to Students of Behavior Analysis: A Preliminary Investigation. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-022-00748-y ............................................................... Autism weekly is now found on all of the major listening apps including apple podcasts, stitcher, Spotify, amazon music, and more. Subscribe to be notified when we post a new podcast. Autism weekly is produced by ABS Kids. ABS Kids is proud to provide diagnostic assessments and ABA therapy to children with developmental delays like Autism Spectrum Disorder. You can learn more about ABS Kids and the Autism Weekly podcast by visiting abskids.com.

  3. Jun 30

    Social Memory and Autism: Inside the Brain | Dr. Marilena Griguoli #235

    This week we're joined by Dr. Marilena Griguoli, a neuroscientist whose research is helping us understand something that sits at the very heart of autism: how the brain processes social experiences and builds social memory. Dr. Griguoli's work, funded by the Autism Research Institute, is looking at the specific brain circuits involved in social behavior and how they can be supported. Social connection is one of the most meaningful and complex areas for autistic individuals and their families. Today, we are exploring what the science reveals about why. Download latest episode to learn more! Resources Resources Mentioned & Further Reading Learn more about Dr. Marilena Griguoli’s research: Dr. Marilena Griguoli — ResearchGate Profile Featured research: Medial Septum: Relevance for Social Memory Related autism research funding: Autism Research Institute — ARI-Funded Research Studies Institutional research profile: Dr. Marilena Griguoli — CNR / Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology Researcher bio: Dr. Marilena Griguoli — European Brain Research Institute ............................................................... Autism weekly is now found on all of the major listening apps including apple podcasts, stitcher, Spotify, amazon music, and more. Subscribe to be notified when we post a new podcast. Autism weekly is produced by ABS Kids. ABS Kids is proud to provide diagnostic assessments and ABA therapy to children with developmental delays like Autism Spectrum Disorder. You can learn more about ABS Kids and the Autism Weekly podcast by visiting abskids.com.

  4. Jun 12

    When Anxiety and Autism Collide: What Families Can Do | With Dr. Lauren Moskowitz #233

    This week we're joined by Dr. Lauren Moskowitz, a clinical psychologist and researcher at St. John's University who studies something so many families know firsthand: the intersection of autism and anxiety. For many autistic children and teens, anxiety isn’t just a side challenge. It can be one of the biggest barriers to daily life, school, friendships, and feeling like they belong. Dr. Moskowitz and her team have developed a therapy program specifically designed to treat anxiety and other mental health challenges in autistic individuals. Today we're getting into what that looks like and what families can do right now. Download latest episode to learn more!  Resources Mentioned in This Episode SPIRIT-ID/A Training Program (Drexel University/Lerner Lab) – An online CBT training program for mental health practitioners working with individuals with intellectual disability and autism, co-led by clinicians and autistic providers. lernerlab.com/spirit-ida.html SPIRIT-ID/A Research Program (A.J. Drexel Autism Institute) – Information on the research program behind SPIRIT-ID/A within Drexel's Life Course Outcomes research area. drexel.edu/autisminstitute/research/ResearchPrograminLifeCourseOutcomes/SPIRITIDA Facing Your Fears Program (JFK Partners, CU Anschutz) – A group CBT program for autistic youth with anxiety, with versions for clinic, school, and IDD populations, plus provider training options. medschool.cuanschutz.edu/jfk-partners/clinical-services/facing-your-fears-program UCLA META (Meya) Autism Intervention Lab – YouTube Channel – Videos from UCLA's autism intervention research lab. youtube.com/@uclameyaautismintervention1480/videos ............................................................... Autism weekly is now found on all of the major listening apps including apple podcasts, stitcher, Spotify, amazon music, and more. Subscribe to be notified when we post a new podcast. Autism weekly is produced by ABS Kids. ABS Kids is proud to provide diagnostic assessments and ABA therapy to children with developmental delays like Autism Spectrum Disorder. You can learn more about ABS Kids and the Autism Weekly podcast by visiting abskids.com.

5
out of 5
23 Ratings

About

Autism Weekly brings you weekly conversations with researchers, clinicians, and families at the forefront of the autism community. Each episode explores a new perspective on autism news, therapy, inclusion, and life. Presented by ABS Kids. New episodes every week. Send us your feedback at marketing@abskids.com.

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