Tracey Hawkins became part of the autism community in 2018 when both of her sons were diagnosed with autism—just seven months apart.

When it comes to autism, structure and routine are so important. But as a mother, Tracey couldn't find the right technology to support her family's needs. She knew she couldn’t change the diagnosis, but she could improve the support system around it.

So, she created the Thrive App—a tool designed to organize the chaos and connect parents with providers. In her own home, Tracey uses the app in multiple ways: to give her older son a clear after-school schedule and to enable real-time communication with her younger son’s care team through the chat feature.

This isn't just another calendar planning app. Thrive was built through a neurodivergent lens, offering clear directions, visuals, and resources for emotional regulation throughout the day. It’s designed to create a smoother path toward independence.

The Thrive App offers a 7-day free trial, with subscription options of $7.99/month or $49.99/year. It’s a valuable tool for families of all kinds—supporting kids of all ages and needs as they learn structure, routine, and self-sufficiency.

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What’s Inside:

• An application to create structure with visual prompts.
• A seamless chat feature to connect parents and providers.
• How the Thrive App can help families organize chaos.

Mentioned In This Episode:
Thriving on the Spectrum
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Stephanie Howard, a BCBA and mother, faced a turning point when her son was diagnosed with ADHD at age five. She realized the same executive functioning tools she used professionally could support both her parenting and her son's development.

Executive functioning—skills like planning, impulse control, and focus—is often disrupted in ADHD, autism, and trauma. It’s more than behavior; it’s about how the brain organizes and responds to the world.

Stephanie shares, for listeners, the Executive Functioning Skill Questionnaire and other free resources that have helped her understand and support her son’s needs. These tools are designed to guide both parents and professionals in identifying strengths and areas for growth.

She also shares some of the specific goals she’s set at home, showing how executive functioning skills can be built through everyday routines. Programs like the Flexible and Focused Program and ROPES help break down executive dysfunction into manageable steps.

To generalize these skills, Stephanie offers practical tips: use timers and task lists, give clear warnings before transitions, and turn tasks into games to hold attention. She highlights the power of caregiver education, understanding the difference between antecedents and consequences, and working with a team.

For Stephanie, it’s not just about managing behavior—it’s about supporting the brain.

#autism #speechtherapy

What’s Inside:

• What is Executive Functioning?
• Assessment for EF skills (FREE resources).
• Goal examples to use in therapy and at home.
• Managing and supporting Executive Dysfunction.

Mentioned In This Episode:
25 Executive Skills Questionnaire — Peg Dawson & Richard Guare Step I: Read each item below and then rate that item based
Executive Skills Questionnaire – Revised (ESQ-R) – NovoPsych
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Bombarding parents or colleagues with information can shut down meaningful dialogue. Instead, Dr. Monica Gilbert shares how we can use Motivational Interviewing (MI) to foster collaboration and encourage change through using the core principles—OARS + I:

• Open-Ended Questions—Invite Discussion: "How do you see this working for you?"
• Affirmations—Reinforce strengths: "I see how much you care about this."
• Reflective Listening—Show understanding by paraphrasing their thoughts.
• Summarization—Clarify key points to ensure alignment.
• Information Exchange—Share insights in a way that invites engagement: "Would it help if I shared some strategies?"

Using motivational interviewing keeps conversations about change productive, builds trust, and supports meaningful discussions across all professional dialogue with parents and colleagues.

#autism #speechtherapy

What’s Inside:

• What is Motivational Interviewing?
• How open ended questions can build rapport and gather information
• Using Affirmations in professional dialogue

Mentioned In This Episode:

Dr. Monica Gilbert
Motivational Interviewing Academy
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ABA Speech: Home