Homebase Hope: All About Autism

Welcome to the very last episode of Homebase Hope. What a journey it has been! I have loved every minute of this podcast – from the interviews to the editing – knowing that this is a resource that will live on forever for parents of children on the spectrum. I started this podcast to reach Listen In The post HBH 43: Defiance & Challenging Behaviours with Ariella Lew appeared first on The Wellness Couch.

Today we are talking about one of the most important topics I think we can cover – big feelings and self regulation! It doesn’t matter what age or stage your child is at, this podcast is going to be relevant. I’m super excited to be speaking with Katie Crosby – an Occupational Therapist based in Listen In The post HBH 42: Big Feelings And Self Regulation with Katie Crosby appeared first on The Wellness Couch.

Masturbation, erections, orgasms, puberty and sexual relations are NOT taboo in this podcast episode!! We cover it all in an open conversation with Nelle Francis, special needs educator and mum to a 29-year-old autistic son. We talk about how puberty presents in both girls and boys on the spectrum, common vulnerabilities, how to initiate these Listen In The post HBH 41: Puberty & Relationships On The Spectrum appeared first on The Wellness Couch.

Today we are talking all about sensory processing disorder and I am thrilled to be talking to Allison Davies on this topic! Allison is a Neurologic Music Therapist, educator, advocate and speaker. She has 15 years experience working as both a therapist and educator in childhood intervention and aged care, and specialises in anxiety and Listen In The post HBH 40: Sensory Processing Disorder – The Lived Experience with Allison Davies appeared first on The Wellness Couch.

You can go to all the therapy sessions in the world, but at the end of the day if the family home environment isn’t functioning well…..therapy certainly won’t be as helpful! Meet Sharon Collon. She’s an ADHD coach passionate about helping parents create home environments that are functional and joyful and by streamlining the day Listen In The post HBH 39: Calming The Chaos At Homebase appeared first on The Wellness Couch.

Today we are talking to Jeremy Samson who has turned his tough childhood experience into a learning program for children on the autism spectrum. As a kid, Jeremy had trouble understanding sarcasm and jokes. He says his brain worked in a curious way that often got him into trouble. He was bullied and he engaged Listen In The post HBH 38: Time To Train The Brain with Jeremy Samson appeared first on The Wellness Couch.

So what really is SPD?  Today we dive deep into Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), what it can look like and what you can do to help your child. We uncover the different subtypes of SPD; sensory modulation disorder, sensory-based motor disorder and sensory discrimination disorder.  I’m chatting with two energetic and insightful Occupational Therapy Assistants Listen In The post HBH 37: Making Sense Of SPD appeared first on The Wellness Couch.

As we become more interested in a whole body, whole child approach to autism, it becomes important to look at what is happening at a biological level. Good food is good for everyone, we know that. But what kinds of nutritional supplementation may be beneficial for kids on the autism spectrum? What kinds of dietary Listen In The post HBH 36: Supplements & Nutritional Supports with Peter Mullen appeared first on The Wellness Couch.

If your child is diagnosed with ADHD or if you think your child fits the ADHD criteria, or even if you’re noticing signs of hyperactivity and inattention…then this podcast is for you! Today we talk all about the behaviour you may see in a child with ADHD and what strategies you can use at home, Listen In The post HBH 35: ADHD – Beyond The Maze With Paula Burgess appeared first on The Wellness Couch.

Oxidative stress & mitochondria; what on earth are they and how do they relate to autism? Today we are going to make sense of this in really easy to understand language. No need to dust off the old textbook, just listen in to find out the latest research in this area. Today’ you’ll learn what Listen In The post HBH 34: Oxidative Stress, Mitochondria & Autism appeared first on The Wellness Couch.

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be an autistic female? Or what’s it like to receive a diagnosis later in life? If so, buckle up, because today we are soaking up the lived experiences of the insightful Kristy Forbes! Kristy dives deep into her personal journey, why she prefers ‘autistic’ over ‘person with Listen In The post HBH 33: Autistic Females & A Late Diagnosis appeared first on The Wellness Couch.

Hands up if you have a little fussy eater? Does your child only eat beige, bland carb-loaded foods? Or are they limited to certain brands? Maybe they will only tolerate crunchy foods? Do they survive on a diet of 20 or less different types of food? Do they crave junk food? Then this episode is Listen In The post HBH 32: Feeding Fussy Eater with Ashley Thurn appeared first on The Wellness Couch.

Today we are soaking up all the practical advice and insights into how to make school a success, with the amazing Sue Larkey. We dive into anxiety, transitions, adjustments for tests, sensory tools and SO MUCH MORE! I have subscribed to Sue’s newsletter 7 years ago when I had my first pediatric caseload at a Listen In The post HBH 31: Making School A Success with Sue Larkey appeared first on The Wellness Couch.

Chloe Hayden, better known as Princess Aspien, is a 21 year old girl with Aspergers Syndrome. Chloe struggled throughout her childhood and early teenage years feeling outcast and unable to connect with anyone. She suffered relentless bullying at school which landed her in hospital.  When Chole was 18, she came to the realisation that she Listen In The post HBH 30: Dear Teachers, What I Wish You Knew with Princess Aspien appeared first on The Wellness Couch.

Sara Harvey aka Agony Autie is autistic and was diagnosed at the age of 26 after her sons diagnosis. Sara is completely unguarded when it comes to advocating for the neurodiverse. She openly and courageously shares what’s in her heart and on her mind. Sara is shedding light on autistic behaviours and the different experiences Listen In The post HBH 29: Unapologetically Autistic with Agony Autie appeared first on The Wellness Couch.

When the brain and body are overloaded with toxins they don’t have the opportunity to function optimally. Our modern day world is full of chemicals which although are often hard to avoid, there is a great deal you can be doing to safely navigate the chemical maze. We conversation dives deep into the common toxic Listen In The post HBH 28: Navigating The Chemical Maze appeared first on The Wellness Couch.

Kids on the spectrum are drawn to digital devices, and lets face it, many kids prefer the virtual world over the real world. Electronic devices can provide predictability where kids feel safe, secure and can play a game tailored to their current interest. This sounds far more appealing than the real world which is full Listen In The post HBH 27: Techno Tantrums, Safe Screen Time And Raising Our Kids In A Digital World appeared first on The Wellness Couch.

We need to look at autism through a completely different lense. We need to unlearn what we have known to be true. We need to challenge deeply ingrained belief systems and embrace a whole child approach to the complexities of autism. Today it’s just you and me! I chat about how my understanding of autism Listen In The post HBH 26: The eyes are useless when the mind is blind- Unlearning What We Know About Autism appeared first on The Wellness Couch.

We know genes play a major role in autism, but are you aware that autism is also heavily influenced by environmental factors? The more we learn about autism as an epigenetic condition – the more we start to realise that lifestyle really matters! This is a really empowering model to work from – because it Listen In The post HBH 25: Lifestyle Matters For Autism- Exploring Epigenetics with Shandy Laskey appeared first on The Wellness Couch.

Does your child often feel isolated and have low self esteem? Chris Varney is 31 years old and has Asperger’s Syndrome. He grew up with a group of mentors who pushed him to think ‘I CAN’ and is driving a rethink of autism, from ‘I Can’t’ to ‘I CAN’!! In today’s episode Chris empowers you Listen In The post HBH 24: Creating An “I Can” Network With Chris Varney appeared first on The Wellness Couch.

We know diet impacts gut health, but what else influences the state of the gut? ….It’s so much more than we think! Today we chat with Kirsty Wirth – Gut Health Guru, Founder of Kultured Wellness and mother to a child on the autism spectrum. She talks us through all the things that can help Listen In The post HBH 23: Healing The Gut – Beyond Dietary Intervention with Kirsty Wirth appeared first on The Wellness Couch.

Today we are viewing autism through the lens of a teen on the spectrum. Clay Lewis is 16, girl crazy, car mad, loathes school and lives for music. Just your typical teenager. He’s also on the autism spectrum and is just realising he’s a person his peers want to get to know. Clay has his Listen In The post HBH 22: Teenage Life On The Spectrum appeared first on The Wellness Couch.

Children on the spectrum are easy targets for school bullies. I feel it is SO necessary that we shed light on what can be such a dark topic and spend a whole episode equipping you with the tools to approach bullying. We show you how you can bully proof your child! Susan Hyde is our Listen In The post HBH 21: How To Bully Proof Your Child appeared first on The Wellness Couch.

Today we are delving right into nutrition for kids and getting some really practical advice. Beck Warke, an incredibly knowledgable and passionate functional nutrition consultant walks us through the types of foods we should be packing into the lunchbox. We dive into the foods that sustain our kiddies energy and attention, how to navigate food Listen In The post HBH 20: Changing Lives, One Lunchbox At A Time appeared first on The Wellness Couch.

Today we are diving into the world of Asperger’s with none other than Professor Tony Attwood. We delve into how our understanding of autism has changed over the years, what autism actually is, how you can celebrate Asperger’s, managing your child’s ‘challenging behaviour’, supporting your child through anxiety and depression ….and SO MUCH MORE! Tony Listen In The post HBH 19: All About Asperger’s With Tony Attwood appeared first on The Wellness Couch.

Do our kids actually need homework? Is it really doing them any favours? Today we are talking to a fabulous teacher who’s based down in Adelaide and she’s not afraid to speak up when it comes to ditching homework and replacing it with more time to relax, connect, move and play. Clare Crew is an Listen In The post HBH 18: Ditch Homework For More Play appeared first on The Wellness Couch.

Music and movement combined has the power to re-map the brain! Autism Movement Therapy® is a program designed by Joanne Lara – a professional dancer turned classroom education specialist turned university professor! The program is based on interhemispheric sensory integration to help children reach their potential. Music and movement can literally rewire the brain to Listen In The post HBH 17: Movement Therapy, Waking Up The Brain & Job Skills with Joanne Lara appeared first on The Wellness Couch.

Impaired communication is a core challenge for children with autism. However, many kids on the spectrum learn effectively through the use of visual supports. Visuals can increase predictability, reduce anxiety, improve listening and independence and empower children to effectively communicate their message. Whether you are currently using visuals or you are curious to learn more, Listen In The post HBH 16: Visual Supports For Children With Autism appeared first on The Wellness Couch.

Children with autism often experience very high stress levels which can lead to problem behaviours and a decline in their physical and emotional health. Dr Hamlin is the Associate Executive Director at The Centre for Discovery, a premier specialty centre for children and adults with complex developmental disabilities including autism spectrum disorders. Today she discusses Listen In The post HBH 15: Autism And The Stress Effect appeared first on The Wellness Couch.

Today we are talking all about inflammation. Many children on the spectrum experience chronic stress caused by everyday stressors such as transitions, social situations, a diet high in processed foods and poor quality sleep. And this constant stress day after day can cause inflammation in their little bodies. Eliminating inflammation from the body requires a Listen In The post HBH 14: Inflammation & Autism – A Holistic Approach with Dr Madiha Saeed appeared first on The Wellness Couch.

We live in a toxic soup of EMF (electromagnetic fields). We’re surround by mobile phones, phone towers, wireless Internet and power lines. It is almost impossible to escape in today’s technology-driven society. EMF interferes with our very biology and may even contribute to autism. Today I have the pleasure of chatting with Dr. Libby – Listen In The post HBH 13: The Truth About EMF And How You Can Protect Your Kids appeared first on The Wellness Couch.

In today’s podcast, we look at autism a little bit differently. Holly Bridges, author of ‘Reframe Your Thinking Around Autism’ and founder of Autism Reframe Technique (A.R.T), shares her new and optimistic approach to working with children on the spectrum. Her method is founded on the advances in neuroscience and our understanding of mind-body connections. Listen In The post HBH 12: Reframe Your Thinking Around Autism appeared first on The Wellness Couch.

Sensory processing can be a huge piece of the autism puzzle and when you can understand why certain behaviours may be occurring, instead of reacting to the behaviour you can bring a sense of understanding, offer strategies and learn to appreciate the difference. Carol Stock Kranowitz is the author of the best selling book, The Listen In The post HBH 11: The Out-Of-Sync Child & Sensory Processing Strategies appeared first on The Wellness Couch.

It’s time we talk all about toileting. Poos and wees. Yep. We’re going there! Because the reality is, toiling is often a big deal for kids – particularly kids on the spectrum. Today I chat with the ever so knowledgable Occupational Therapist, Di Collis. We cover the topics of chronic constipation, soiling, poo withholding and Listen In The post HBH 10: Let’s Talk Toileting appeared first on The Wellness Couch.

There are many other parents who have travelled the path before you, and one mother in particular is making massive positive change within the schooling system to better support our kids on the spectrum. Randa Habelrih openly shares her story of how her son, Richard, experienced chronic bullying and completed high school without ever making Listen In The post HBH 9: From Autism Awareness To Autism Inclusion appeared first on The Wellness Couch.

Gut health and autism – how do they relate? Autism is a brain condition, right? If you are curious about how the health of your child’s gut can impact the core characteristics of autism – then you have to tune in to today’s informative and empowering chat with the wonderful Kirsty Wirth. Kirsty is the Listen In The post HBH 8: Gut Health & Autism: Restoring A Healthy Gut appeared first on The Wellness Couch.

This week I have the absolute privilege of chatting with Kari Dunn Buron, the inventor of the Incredible 5-Point Scale! Parents of children with autism and teachers around the globe are using this practical scale to teach self-regulation skills and reduce challenging behaviours. Kari explains how this incredible scale can be used for children on Listen In The post HBH 7: Social Behaviour & The Incredible 5-Point Scale with Kari Dunn Buron appeared first on The Wellness Couch.

You’re in for a super practical podcast today! I chat with Tarryn an Occupational Therapist and Renee a Speech Pathologist, who developed the online resource store ‘My Diffability Australia’. Tarryn and Renee teamed up to develop the online store as a direct result of working with families and recognising that many stores were selling products Listen In The post HBH 6: All About Resources For Children With Autism appeared first on The Wellness Couch.

In this week’s podcast, Rhiannon chats to Darrielle Maree – a special needs mother and the founder of “Mums Reborn”. Darrielle shares her personal story of sadness, exhaustion and burnout following her daughter’s diagnosis. She recognised that this was not serving herself or her family well. Darrielle made a conscious decision to find a happier Listen In The post HBH 5: The Life-Changing Magic Of A Mother’s Mindset appeared first on The Wellness Couch.

This week, Rhiannon speaks with Angela Hanscom, a paediatric Occupational Therapist based in the US and founder of Timbernook – an award winning developmental nature based program. Angela is extremely passionate about reconnecting children with nature and her book ‘Balanced and Barefoot’ highlights the importance of nature based play. Angela tells of how she first Listen In The post HBH 4: The Therapeutic Benefits Of Nature with Angela Hanscom appeared first on The Wellness Couch.

Rhiannon speaks with Kris Barrett who wears a lot of hats including certified health and nutrition coach, bio individual nutrition practitioner, MINDD practitioner and certified GAPS practitioner. She is also an author of two books – No Cows Today and High Thrive Me! Kris specialises in helping families living with children on the spectrum through Listen In The post HBH 3: Autism & Diet – The Foundations Of Healing with Kris Barrett appeared first on The Wellness Couch.

This week Rhiannon speaks with Jeanette Purkis, an autism advocate, author, renowned public speaker, radio presenter, group facilitator and the 2016 ACT volunteer of the year. Jeanette shares her personal story of growing up feeling “a bit different”, trying to “fit in” and being secluded and bullied by her peers. Jeanette shares how a late Listen In The post HBH 2: Life On The Spectrum & Autism Advocacy with Jeanette Purkis appeared first on The Wellness Couch.

The first podcast of the series sees Rhiannon talking with Claire Gilmour and Francine McNabb from STEPS Autism Treehouse based on the Sunshine Coast of QLD, Australia. STEPS Autism Treehouse was born following Claire’s son’s diagnosis and the daunting feeling of not knowing where to turn for services and support. Its evolution has seen the Listen In The post HBH 1: Autism Awareness & A Tight-Knit Community appeared first on The Wellness Couch.

I am so excited to share this brand new podcast series with you! Homebase Hope: All About Autism will inspire you to think differently when it comes to autism. I will be interviewing leading world experts who aren’t held back by conventional dogmas. I will be chatting to inspirational and courageous parents and people on Listen In The post HBH 0: A Sneak Peek at Homebase Hope: All About Autism! appeared first on The Wellness Couch.