Autism, Habits, and Hope: What Every Parent Needs to Know with Mary Barbera

In this episode, I sit down with Mary Barbera — nurse, PhD, board-certified behavior analyst, bestselling author, and one of the world’s leading autism educators — for an honest and deeply practical conversation about autism, early intervention, and the power of habits.Mary shares her personal story of becoming a parent to a son with moderate-to-severe autism, and how that moment changed the direction of her life and career. Drawing on decades of experience in nursing, neuro-rehabilitation, leadership, and applied behavior analysis, she explains why early action matters, why parents must become active participants — not passive observers — and how small, consistent changes can create meaningful progress over time.You’ll learn:Why early signs should never be ignoredHow habits and systems shape long-term outcomesWhy tracking change is more powerful than relying on memoryHow one parent can become the “captain of the ship”Why safety, independence, and happiness matter more than “normal”This conversation is for parents, grandparents, educators, and anyone who wants to understand how behavior changes — and how hope is built through knowledge, structure, and community.Whether your child has autism, ADHD, learning challenges, or you simply want better tools for change, this episode offers clarity, compassion, and a way forward.Useful links:Mary Barbera's Homepage: marybarbera.comFollow Mary Barbera on Instagram: instagram.com/turnautismaround/Mary Barbera's Bestselling Book Turn Autism Around on Amazon: amazon.com/Turn-Autism-Around/dp/1788176960