Autism: 10 Lessons for the Course of Life
For over 25 years, Dr. Rick Solomon, a developmental and behavioral pediatrician, and founder of The P.L.A.Y. Project, has witnessed the course of life for hundreds of children, adolescents, and young adults with autism and their families. In this podcast series Autism: 10 Lessons for the Course of Life, Dr. Rick shares his insights but, more importantly, he interviews and invites the families—parents, siblings, and those children and young adults with autism—to share their amazing insights and how they’ve navigated the stages of their journeys. These interviews are touching, deep, and authentic. The families really tell it like it is. Throughout each of the episodes we hope to give you practical advice using the 10 lessons as our themes so that your child, adolescent, or young adult with autism can grow, make progress, live a meaningful life, and reach a level of development that is their potential whatever that may be.
Media
Lesson #7: How to be School Savvy - Give The Children M&M’s (Meaning and Motivation)
Lesson #7: "How to be School Savvy - Give The Children M&M’s (Meaning and Motivation)"
In this episode, Educational Consultant and Advocate Sara Huvaere speaks with Dr. Rick about how to advocate for your child's educational accommodations, knowing your rights as a parent, and how to help make your child's education meaningful and motivating.
Show Notes
Sara Huvaere, M.Ed. Educational Consulting & Advocacy
- Website: https://www.sarahuvaere.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarahuvaereconsultation/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-huvaere-59974326/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahuvaereconsultation/
- Telephone: 313-401-7267
Complaint Filing
Wrightslaw
Media
Lesson #6: Learn to Read then Read to Learn: The critical importance of the 3 R’s
Lesson #6: "Learn to Read then Read to Learn"
In this episode, meet 3 families who share their practical insights on how to help children on the spectrum ‘learn to read and then read to learn’. The twins, Amelia and Abigail, are homeschooled and learn to read fairly early with lots of creative ideas from their parents, especially mom; Alex has a reading disability but learns to read later in his school career because the family was persistent and found the right teachers; and Kate was hyperlexic and could read phonically at a very young age but had trouble with reading comprehension. Please note that a substantial number of autistic children will not be able to read because they are not developmentally ready but if the child shows the ability described in this podcast as being at Greenspan levels 6 to 7, they have the potential to read.
Media
Lesson #5: Welcome Misbehavior: The Immature Expression Of Legitimate Feelings!
In Lesson #5: "Welcome Misbehavior: The Immature Expression Of Legitimate Feelings!" In this episode of 10 Lessons, Dr. Rick talks with The McCarthy family about misbehavior, how it often manifests as a result of children not having the means to express their legitimate feelings, and the importance of recognizing those feelings. He also discusses the 3 types of parenting patterns, the 3 types of behavior, and the importance of not ruling by emotions.
Show Notes
Media
Lesson #4: Please! Delay Kindergarten!
In Lesson #4: "Please! Delay Kindergarten!" For the child with autism, delaying kindergarten offers them an opportunity to make a full year of developmental progress as they get ready for the academic and social demands of school. In this episode Dr. Rick describes the 7 Habits of Highly Successful Kindergarteners and interviews two sets of parents who describe the creative ways they helped their children with autism and worked with the schools to promote those 7 habits. Sharing the diagnosis with classmates is also discussed.
Show Notes
Media
Lesson #3: When will my child talk? Interaction, Imagination, and Emotion, O My!
In Lesson #3: "When will my child talk? Interaction, Imagination, and, Emotion, O My!" In this episode, Dr. Rick interviews Dr. Sheryl Rosin - a highly accomplished speech and language pathologist. This interview goes in depth on the unique challenges that children with autism face when learning how to communicate, the importance of meeting children with autism where they are, and to not force speech and language on them when they aren't ready for it.
Show Notes
Media
Lesson #2: The Whole Family Matters
In Lesson #2: "The Whole Family Matters: Parents who take care of themselves take better care of their families" In this episode, Dr. Rick interviews Dawn and Alex Ham-Kucharski. Dawn is an author with a new book, Autism from Diagnosis to Adulthood and Alex is Dawn and Rich Ham Kucharski’s son, a young adult with autism. The lesson in this episode is that the whole family matters. Dr. Rick, Dawn, and Alex explore the paradox that focusing too much on the needs of the child with autism is not the best way to meet the needs of the child with autism! The interview focuses on how to increase the ‘love charge’ of the family by nurturing the husband and wife relationship, acknowledging the three common sibling reactions to autism, and balancing the autistic child’s needs with the needs of the rest of the family. Both Dawn and Alex tell it like it is with all the ups and downs of coping with autism and its impact their family’s life.
Media
Lesson #1: When You Do What The Child Loves, The Child Will Love To Be With You
In Lesson #1: “When you do what the child loves, the child with autism will love to be with you.” Dr. Rick interviews Jeff and Heather about their daughter Kate and what it takes to get started with a successful intervention program. They share their struggles with grief and getting Kate’s diagnosis of autism, about trying out different therapies until they found what worked, and how intensive early intervention and playfulness (doing what the child loves) helped Kate to improve in her ability to form relationships and develop a sense of belonging with her friends and classmates. Dr. Rick introduces the key methods that help all children on the spectrum connect with others and grow developmentally.
Show Notes