Homebase Hope: All About Autism

HBH 19: All About Asperger’s With Tony Attwood

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 has worked with thousands of individuals of all ages with Asperger’s syndrome or an Autism Spectrum Disorder and today he is sharing his wisdom and insight with us.
The post HBH 19: All About Asperger’s With Tony Attwood appeared first on The Wellness Couch.

HBH 18: Ditch Homework For More Play

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 early childhood and inclusive education teacher who specialises in the brain-body connection. She helps the children the system leaves behind – those with learning, attention​, ​developmental ​and behavioural challenges. Her message is simple; children need more movement and play in the early years of life. And when we’re able to deliver this, children begin to thrive.
The post HBH 18: Ditch Homework For More Play appeared first on The Wellness Couch.

HBH 17: Movement Therapy, Waking Up The Brain & Job Skills with Joanne Lara

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 benefit a child’s communication, cognitive function, behaviour and motor skills. And she show’s us how this is possible!
Joanne is just as passionate about empowering people on the spectrum to find suitable employment. As the Executive Director for Autism Works Now! – she has lots of good tips on teaching pre-employment skills to teenagers and young adults.
The post HBH 17: Movement Therapy, Waking Up The Brain & Job Skills with Joanne Lara appeared first on The Wellness Couch.

HBH 16: Visual Supports For Children With Autism

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, I encourage you to strap in for some really practical advice as I chat with the amazing Shae Rodgers from Small TALK Speech Therapy based in Newcastle.
The post HBH 16: Visual Supports For Children With Autism appeared first on The Wellness Couch.

HBH 15: Autism And The Stress Effect

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 a revolutionary empowering approach which can be used on the most complex cases of autism, yet the approach itself is quite simple in nature. It focuses on a lifestyle approach. She walks us through her 4 step approach to reducing stress and implementing tools for self-regulation. This episode is FULL of gems you do not want to miss.
The post HBH 15: Autism And The Stress Effect appeared first on The Wellness Couch.

HBH 14: Inflammation & Autism – A Holistic Approach with Dr Madiha Saeed

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 really holistic approach and this is exactly what we are delving into today!
Today we are talking to the most enthusiastic, most passionate doctor I have ever met! You just can’t help get excited when you hear her speak. Her energy is seriously contagious! Today we are talking to Dr Madiha Saeed an integrative holistic family physician, but most importantly a mother of four boys under the age of nine.
The post HBH 14: Inflammation & Autism – A Holistic Approach with Dr Madiha Saeed appeared first on The Wellness Couch.

HBH 13: The Truth About EMF And How You Can Protect Your Kids

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 – Functional Medicine practitioner and Doctor of Chiropractic – who explains exactly what EMF is and how you can start to reduce your exposure.
This episode is jam-packed with useful tips so you can take back control over your families health – today.
The post HBH 13: The Truth About EMF And How You Can Protect Your Kids appeared first on The Wellness Couch.

HBH 12: Reframe Your Thinking Around Autism

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. A.R.T seeks to change the narrative: from one of ‘what’s wrong’ to ‘how to grow and thrive’. Rather than working from a ‘brain deficit’ model of autism, Holly starts from the premise that every student can upgrade their mind/body connection, if they are given the right tools and are treated respectfully, positively, and creatively. I can’t wait for you to soak up Holly’s incredible insight and wisdom!
The post HBH 12: Reframe Your Thinking Around Autism appeared first on The Wellness Couch.

HBH 11: The Out-Of-Sync Child & Sensory Processing Strategies

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 Out-of-Sync Child – which has sold over 1 million copies. It is an absolute privilege to be chatting to her and picking her brain on all things sensory processing. In our chat she talks us through the different types of sensory processing disorders and empowers you with strategies to support your child today.
The post HBH 11: The Out-Of-Sync Child & Sensory Processing Strategies appeared first on The Wellness Couch.

HBH 10: Let’s Talk Toileting

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 toilet refusal. All your questions are answered and you are given practical tips that you can implement today to help your child with toileting independently. We talk about medication, establishing routines, sensory processing issues and how to gain your child’s cooperation. This is a must listen if your child is having challenges with this massive life transition!
The post HBH 10: Let’s Talk Toileting appeared first on The Wellness Couch.

HBH 9: From Autism Awareness To Autism Inclusion

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 one friend. This broke Randa’s heart, but served as rocket fuel for her autism mission. Randa developed a program called MATES (Mates Assisting To Engage Socially) which facilitates friendship between two students by pairing a student on the autism spectrum with another student who does not have an intellectual disability.
This much needed program promotes a sense of belonging and inclusion in the school community. Randa is a beautiful passion driven mum who is changing the the landscape of how children on the spectrum experience school life. Her incredibly resilient and talented son Richard, is an autism advocate and sought-after speaker who travels to schools to spread awareness and a message of inclusion.
The post HBH 9: From Autism Awareness To Autism Inclusion appeared first on The Wellness Couch.

HBH 8: Gut Health & Autism: Restoring A Healthy Gut

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 founder of Kultured Wellness – a company who makes beautiful cultures and is on a mission to spread the message about gut health far and wide. Her fascination with the gut began when her son was diagnosed with autism. Kirsty took the road less travelled when she began exploring ways of addressing the root cause for her son’s behaviours and symptoms through nutrition and lifestyle change. In this episode, Kirsty talks about her personal journey, detecting gut issues, probiotics, leaky gut and healing the gut for overall health and vitality.
The post HBH 8: Gut Health & Autism: Restoring A Healthy Gut appeared first on The Wellness Couch.