Ask Dr. Doreen

Autism Network ®

World renowned autism expert Dr. Doreen Granpeesheh answers viewers questions in real time. Dr. Doreen Granpeesheh is a visionary in the field of autism spectrum disorders and has spent 40+ years helping individuals and families to overcome challenges in order to lead their best lives. She is an outspoken advocate for those on the spectrum, fighting for them to have access to interventions that are compassionate, fair and meaningful. She is a licensed clinical psychologist and renowned behaviorist who as been at the forefront of acknowledging and treating medical issues as an essential component of successful autism treatment in addition to top quality intensive behavioral intervention.

  1. 5 hr ago

    Ask Dr Doreen: How does ABA effect high functioning teens?

    On today's show autism expert Dr. Doreen Granpeesheh answers questions from viewers around the world about how ABA can be beneficial even for kiddos and teens who are considered "high functioning." 00:00 Welcome + Show Intro  04:01 California Autism Budget Changes Explained 05:03 Proposed ABA Limits (25 Hour Cap, Diagnosis Requirement, Transport Limits) 06:18 Why These Changes Could Harm Kids 08:10 Medicaid Fraud & Impact on ABA Services 08:44 Urgent Call to Action (Contact Governor) 10:02 How to Speak Up & What to Say 12:24 Topic: ABA for "High Functioning" Kids & Teens 13:18 Parent Question: Is ABA a Waste of Time? 14:07 Why ABA Is Essential (Even for Higher Functioning Kids) 15:21 Different ABA Approaches Based on Needs 17:27 Teaching Social, Communication & Executive Skills 19:01 Choosing the Right ABA Provider 21:05 Common Misconceptions About ABA 23:00 Is 13 Too Late for ABA? 23:45 Why Teens Still Benefit from ABA 26:07 Does ABA Make a Real Difference Long-Term? 27:49 Real-Life Outcome Comparison (With vs Without ABA) 28:43 Why Early Intervention Matters 30:01 "Compound Interest" of ABA Learning Explained 33:31 When Parents Disagree About ABA 34:42 Understanding Resistance & Fear Around Therapy 36:35 Talking to Other Parents for Perspective 40:35 Is ABA Only for Nonverbal Kids? 40:57 Advanced Skills ABA Can Teach 44:04 What ABA Actually Looks Like (In Home & Clinic)  44:56 Why Early Sessions Can Look Challenging 46:41 Behind-the-Scenes ABA Video Series Mention 49:30 Rethinking Assumptions About ABA 50:21 "What Happens If You Do vs Don't Try ABA?" 52:36 ABA Conference Highlights (San Francisco) 53:38 Importance of Intensity in ABA 55:05 Running a Quality ABA Program 56:21 Challenges Facing ABA Today 58:03 Closing Thoughts & Gratitude 59:06 Tomorrow's Topic: Water Safety 59:29 Outro & Weekly Schedule

    59 min
  2. 5 May

    Ask Dr Doreen: ABA for Teenagers

    In this episode, Dr. Doreen fields questions about ABA for teenagers.   00:00 – ABA Therapy for Teens & Autism | Ask Dr. Doreen Introduction 01:18 – Can ABA Help Teenagers with Autism? (Yes—Here's How) 02:28 – Watch Ask Dr. Doreen on YouTube, Podcast & Ad‑Free Options ABA for Teenagers & Young Adults 03:13 – Is ABA Appropriate for a 16‑Year‑Old with Autism? 04:09 – What ABA Really Is (Not Just for Little Kids) 06:18 – Teaching Real Social Skills with ABA (Not Memorization) 07:36 – How Teens Learn Social Awareness & "Reading the Room" 09:24 – Perspective Taking & Theory of Mind in Autism 11:00 – Rigid Thinking, Flexibility & Anxiety in Autistic Teens 14:19 – CBT for Autism & Anxiety: Changing Stress‑Producing Thoughts 17:06 – Why ABA + CBT Works Better Together for Teens 18:18 – How to Spot Low‑Quality ABA for Teenagers 19:57 – Motivation in Autism Therapy: What Teens Actually Want Aggression, Non‑Speaking Teens & Communication 26:09 – Can ABA Help Aggression in a 12‑Year‑Old with Autism? 28:25 – Why Aggression Is a Form of Communication 30:23 – How AAC & Communication Devices Reduce Aggression 33:09 – Functional Behavior Assessments (FBA) Explained 34:31 – Is It Too Late for ABA? Why Starting Now Still Matters Late Autism Diagnosis & Girls on the Spectrum 34:52 – Teenage Girls with Autism: Signs Missed in Early Childhood 36:28 – Why Autism Often Becomes Visible in the Teen Years 38:07 – Autism Assessments That Reveal Social & Anxiety Challenges 40:50 – ABA vs CBT for Autism: Choosing the Right Therapy 41:50 – Anxiety Medication for Autistic Teens: When to Consider It Parents, Genetics & High‑Functioning Autism 43:33 – When Autism Runs in Families (Parents & Children) 45:26 – High‑Functioning Autism and Hidden Support Needs ABA for Older Teens & Adults 46:31 – Is 18 Too Old to Start ABA Therapy? 47:50 – "ABA Is for Little Kids" — How to Reframe Therapy for Teens 49:33 – ABA at 19: Consent, Motivation & Adult Independence 50:54 – Using Personal Goals to Teach Life Skills in Autism 54:17 – Case Study: Why Motivation Changes Everything in ABA Closing 56:46 – Final Autism Advice & Upcoming Episodes 58:10 – Watch Ask Dr. Doreen Live Every Week

    58 min
  3. 14 Apr

    Ask Dr Doreen: Challenging Behaviors

    On today's ASK Dr. Doreen autism expert Dr. Doreen Granpeesheh answers parents' questions about challenging behavior in the classroom.  What can a parent do?  What's the best way to get back on track?  0:00 Welcome & Show Disclaimer 0:35 Meet Shannon Penrod & Doctor Doreen 1:26 Today's Topic: Challenging Behavior 2:15 Where to Watch & Listen (Podcast Info) 4:08 Autism Acceptance Month & Education Context 5:10 Parent Story: Child Punished at School 7:03 Why This Punishment Is Not Okay 8:36 Emergency IEPs & School Accountability 9:59 Understanding a Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) 12:22 Why Teachers Often Don't Follow IEPs 14:16 Making the BIP Visible for Teachers 18:13 High School Incident: Social Rules & Suspension 19:49 Theory of Mind vs "Bad Behavior" 21:27 When Schools Get Zero‑Tolerance Wrong 22:15 Teaching Skills Instead of Punishment 23:40 Social Skills & Perspective Taking  28:13 What Behaviors Belong in the Classroom? 29:35 Restrictive vs Least Restrictive Environment 32:10 Pull‑Out vs Push‑In Services Explained 34:09 Why ABA Prepares Kids for School 35:33 Using ABA Alongside School 36:03 Can Teachers Get Autism Training? 37:31 Training Teachers Through Advocacy 39:14 Online Training & AI Tools for Teachers 48:37 What to Look for in a Teacher 50:23 Why Self‑Esteem Matters Most in School 51:29 Using Back‑to‑School Nights Strategically 52:34 Trusting Your Parent Instincts 56:41 Final Tips for School Success 57:22 What's Coming Next on Autism Live 57:40 Farewell & Sign‑Off

    58 min

About

World renowned autism expert Dr. Doreen Granpeesheh answers viewers questions in real time. Dr. Doreen Granpeesheh is a visionary in the field of autism spectrum disorders and has spent 40+ years helping individuals and families to overcome challenges in order to lead their best lives. She is an outspoken advocate for those on the spectrum, fighting for them to have access to interventions that are compassionate, fair and meaningful. She is a licensed clinical psychologist and renowned behaviorist who as been at the forefront of acknowledging and treating medical issues as an essential component of successful autism treatment in addition to top quality intensive behavioral intervention.

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