Big Abilities is a podcast dedicated to helping parents of children with developmental disabilities understand how to help their child overcome their struggles while also focusing on their strengths.
Rose is an ASHA certified Speech-Language Pathologist and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. She divides her time between a public school and her own private practice- ABA SPEECH. ABA SPEECH provides specialized in person and teletherapy speech therapy services across 10 states including California, Ohio and Florida. Rose is the creator of the Autism OutreachContinue reading Pod 36: My Conversation with Rosemarie Griffin of ABA Speech →
In this episode, I have a conversation with Aaron Wright, author of the book Thirteen Doors.Continue reading Pod 35: Aaron Wright, Author of Thirteen Doors →
In this episode, I have a conversation with Zafer Elcik, co-founder of Otsimo, an award-winning educational app for children with special needs.Continue reading Pod 34: Zafer Elcik Co-Founder of Otsimo →
Listen for my top 10 takeaways, tips and tricks from 2020 to help your family thrive in 2021!Continue reading Pod 33: 10 Takeaways From 2020 for 2021 for Families of Children With Exceptional Needs →
in this episode, I speak with interior designer, Wendy Valente, of Live Well Designs. After Wendy's oldest daughter was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Wendy began to realize the unique needs of those on the spectrum including those with Sensory Processing Disorder and ADHD. She decided to create a niche within her company called Designing Interiors for Autism, where she helps families create spaces that fill those unique needs. From sensory areas, to bedroom design and more, Wendy can help you create spaces where your exceptional needs loved ones will thrive!Continue reading Podcast 32: Designing Interiors for Autism with Wendy Valente →
Explaining Autism Spectrum Disorder to children can be challenging as ASD is so complex. So I created a resource to help make it easier. I took the familiar story of Goldilocks, giving her characteristics that someone on the spectrum might exhibit. This free resource includes an audio version of the story, a free downloadable PDF of the story and a detailed Discussion Guide. Continue reading How to Explain Autism Spectrum Disorder to Children – Part 2 →
Explaining Autism Spectrum Disorder to children can be challenging as ASD is so complex. So I created a resource to help make it easier. I took the familiar story of Goldilocks, giving her characteristics that someone on the spectrum might exhibit. This free resource includes an audio version of the story, a free downloadable PDF of the story and a detailed Discussion Guide. Continue reading How to Explain Autism Spectrum Disorder to Children – Part 1 →
In this episode, Amy shares her interview with Jessica Barisano, founder of Collaborative Corner for Exceptional Children.Continue reading Podcast 29: Jessica Barisano of Collaborative Corner for Exceptional Children →
In this episode, Amy shares the program her son's behavior therapy team developed to help him tolerate wearing a face mask.Continue reading Podcast 28: Helping a Child With Autism Tolerate Wearing a Face Mask →
In this episode, Amy shares why she is temporarily hitting the pause button on her blog and podcast. She also offers tips and suggestions for how you can also hit the pause button on what may be impacting your ability in filling the needs of your child while also protecting your mental health during thisContinue reading Podcast 27: Hitting the Pause Button →
Amy interviews "The Autism Dad" Rob Gorski about their recent shared experiences at the DoubleTree Orlando and Sea World to review both facilities' Certified Autism Center accreditation in addition to talking about the challenges of vacationing with children with autism and how children who are prone to wondering add a layer of concern to being outside your families comfort zone.Continue reading Podcast 25: Vacationing With Children With Autism Featuring “The Autism Dad” Rob Gorski (including a review of DoubleTree Orlando at Sea World and Sea World) →
Amy shares what families of children impacted by developmental disabilities, such as ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder, wish their friends and families knew. Continue reading Podcast 23: What Parent’s of Children With Special Needs Wish You Knew →
Amy shares her guest appearance on the podcast "Thriving in the Midst of Chaos" where she talks with host Jessica Temple about the importance of building a support system and how to make it happen.Continue reading Podcast 24: Guest Appearance on “Thriving the Midst of Chaos” with Jessica Temple →
"Their Stories" is a series that focuses on the strengths of children with developmental disabilities such as ADHD and autism. In this first episode, Amy interviews her husband, Brent, about their nearly 5-year-old son Barclay's big abilities.Continue reading Podcast 22: Their Stories “Barclay” →
In this episode, Amy shares what her research uncovered about autism functioning labels.Continue reading Podcast 21: Autism and Functioning Labels →
In this episode, Amy shares her guest appearance on Bethany Clemenson's Dialed IN! Podcast.Continue reading Podcast 20: Guest Appearance on Dialed IN! Podcast “Big Life” Series with Bethany Clemenson →
In this episode, Amy shares how if you have more than one child, and one has a developmental disability, that it is important you spend quality time with your other children since the quantity of your time is most likely being spent with the child with special needs.Continue reading Podcast 19: Your Other Kids →
Amy shares how when you have a child with a developmental disability such as ADHD or autism forward-thinking can help you have a more positive mindset.Continue reading Podcast 18: How Forward-Thinking Can Impact Your Mindset →
Amy shares what inspired her to write the book It Takes a Village: Get Your Hands Dirty and Builds Yours From the Ground Up and how her book can help you.Continue reading Podcast 17: Why I Wrote the Book It Takes a Village and How It Can Help You →
Amy shares how a screen-free play area filled with open-ended toys can foster creativity and imagination in your child.Continue reading Podcast 16: The Importance of Open-Ended, Fantasy, and Creative Play →
In this episode, Amy shares how she came to realize her son needed to focus on interests and strengths as much as well as overcoming his challenges. She encourages families of children with developmental disabilities, such as ADHD and Autism, to do the same.Continue reading Podcast 15: Your Child’s Strengths →
In this episode, Amy shares how using reinforcers can help encourage positive behavior. She talks about the difference between reinforcement and bribery. She then gives practical tips in how you can begin to use reinforcers to help your child overcome challenging behaviors. Continue reading Podcast 14: Using Reinforcers to Improve Behaviors →
In this episode, Amy shares how parents can turn sedentary screen time into an interactive and engaging experience.Continue reading Podcast 13: TV, Toys, and Cognitive Development (Part 1 of 2: Part 2 will be How to Use Open-Ended Toys to Foster Creative and Fantasy Play) →
Amy shares some reasons why children with autism spectrum disorder can become very rigid and non-flexible with routines and then offers some strategies for helping them cope when those routines become disrupted.Continue reading Podcast 12: Autism and Rigid Routines →
Amy shares how you can build a support system for you and your child and includes a three week program to help you get started.Continue reading Podcast 11: Building Your Village →
Amy shares tips and strategies for decreasing noncompliance and increasing compliance in children with ADHD and ASD.Continue reading Podcast 10: 3 Tips for Increasing Compliance in Children with ADHD and ASD →
Amy talks with Bethanne Weiss, author of Move Your Assets From the Chair Not the Bank, about the importance of self care for parents of special needs children.Continue reading Podcast 09: Self Care with Bethanne Weiss aka the Asset Queen →
In this episode, Amy shares steps you can take to be sure you are finding the best resources for your child.Continue reading Podcast 08: The Resources Won’t Come to You: How to Take the Initiative to Find the Resources Your Child Needs →
In this episode, Amy interviews Bobbi Barber, co-founder of ABC for Autism and author of the book Autism, Adolescence and Adulthood about the red flags of autism, why a diagnosis is so important and what course of action to take if your child does receive an autism diagnosis.Continue reading Podcast 07: Red Flags of Autism with Bobbi Barber →
In this episode, Amy welcomes special guest, Elder Law Attorney, Danielle Faller of Hemness Law. Danielle gives information all parents of special needs children need to know.Continue reading Podcast 06: Planning for Your Special Needs Child’s Future, with Elder Law Attorney, Danielle Faller →
In this episode, Amy shares strategies and approaches she has learned from parenting a child with ADHD and Autism that would greatly benefit parents of neurotypical children.Continue reading Podcast 05: I Wish I Knew Then →
In this episode, Amy shares how having a child with a developmental disability, such as ADHD or Autism, means that you more than likely will have to redefine what normal looks like for your family.Continue reading Podcast 04: Defining Your New Norm →
In this episode, Amy shares how parenting special needs children with developmental disabilities such as ADHD and ASD can make social outings challenging and that sometimes you need to say "no", but you also need to create experiences you can say "yes" to.Continue reading Podcast 03: Saying “No” is a Big “Yes” →
In this episode, Amy tries to help parents of special needs kids move from thinking their child is just special needs, to believing their child is just special.Continue reading Podcast 02: Your Child is Special →
In this episode, Amy shares the stages she went through as her son was diagnosed with Childhood Apraxia of Speech, then Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and ultimately Autism Spectrum Disorder. Continue reading Podcast 01: At Peace →
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