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

• National Clearinghouse for Autism Evidence and Practice (NCAEP, 2020): A complete reference for evidence based interventions. Check out Parent Implemented Interventions (PII) in the Evidence Based Practices Report: https://ncaep.fpg.unc.edu/
• Early Intervention Services: https://ectacenter.org/partc/partc.asp
• Special Education Services: https://www.parentcenterhub.org/partb/
• Identification, Evaluation, and Management of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/145/1/e20193447/36917/Identification-Evaluation-and-Management-of?autologincheck=redirected
• The PLAY Project: https://www.playproject.org Check out ‘Resources’ & ‘Welcome to The PLAY Project Course’

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.

Show Notes

• Autism From Diagnosis To Adulthood by Dawn Ham-Kucharski
• Autism: The Potential Within by Richard Solomon MD <>

In Lesson #3: “When Will My Child Talk? Interaction, Imagination, and Emotion, O My!” 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.

Show Notes

• Autism From Diagnosis To Adulthood by Dawn Ham-Kucharski
• Autism: The Potential Within by Richard Solomon MD <>

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

• Show Notes
• The 7 Habits of Highly Successful Kindergarteners (free pdf): https://playproject.org/shop/7-habits-of-highly-effective-kindergarteners/
• Kindergarten Readiness Article (free pdf): https://playproject.org/shop/kindergarten-readiness/
• Autism, Literacy, and Emotional Thinking (free eBook): https://playproject.org/shop/autism-literacy-and-emotional-thinking-e-book/
• Wrights Law: https://www.wrightslaw.com/
• How to help with your child's IEP/em>: https://www.wrightslaw.com/info/iep.disputes.popup.htm

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

• How to Talk So Little Kids Will Listen: A Survival Guide to Life with Children Ages 2-7 (2017) Jo Anna Faber & Julie King
• How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk (2012) Adele Faber & Elaine Maslish
• Carol Gray Social Stories: https://carolgraysocialstories.com/
• Dr. Rick's 20 Transition Tricks: https://playproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Chapter-18-Dr.-Rick%E2%80%99s-20-Transition-Tricks.pdf
• Autism: The Potential Within (see Section 3: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly), Richard Solomon MD:: https://playproject.org/playstore/
• The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly: A Course by Richard Solomon MD: https://playproject.org/project/good-bad-ugly/

Lesson #6: "Learn to Read then Read to Learn: The critical importance of the 3 R’s" 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.

Show Notes

• Autism, Literacy, and Emotional Thinking (free ebook) by Richard Solomon MD, Lulu Press, 2021 https://lulujr.com/blogs/lulu-junior-blog/autism-literacy-and-emotional-thinking-free-ebook >
• The 10 best online reading programs https://www.earlychildhoodeducationzone.com/best-online-reading-programs/
• Eeboo: books and puzzles that promote learning and literacy. https://www.eeboo.com
• Khan Academy: for math https://www.khanacademy.org
• Other private pay academic readiness programs:
• Kumon
• Sylvan
• Lindamood-Bell—especially good for kids with learning disabilities

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
• https://www.michigan.gov/-/media/Project/Websites/mde/specialeducation/DRO/StateComplaints_ProceduresModelForms.pdf?rev=21bed1f5d6f843a7a9b20c6ed0d93635/
• Wrightslaw
• https://www.wrightslaw.com/blog/free-resources-for-parents/

Lesson #8: "Making Friends: How to Promote Social and Self Awareness (Who Cares About Theory of Mind?)" In this episode, Dr. Rick speaks with Jeff, Heather, and Kate; as well as Jill and Liam about their experiences with forming friendships, as well as social and self awareness.

Show Notes

• Winner, Michelle. https://www.socialthinking.com/ – This website has a large number of options for children of all ages to help with social thinking.
• Carol Gray Social Stories: https://carolgraysocialstories.com/
• The Penguin Project—Drama for kids with autism: https://penguinproject.org/
• Myles, Brenda, Trautman, Melissa and Schelvan, Ronda. The Hidden Curriculum: Understanding Unstated Rules in Social Situations, 2024 Autism Asperger Publishing Co.
• McAfee, Jeanette. Navigating the Social World. (2005) Future Horizons
• Sussman, Fern. TalkAbility: People skills for verbal children on the autism spectrum (2006) A Hanen Centre Publication. – A guide for parents.
• The Leap Model: https://challengingbehavior.org/webinar/leap-preschool-an-inclusive-model-of-early-autism-intervention/
• Neurotribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity

Lesson #9: "Getting Ready for True Academics: 5th grade - If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere." In this episode, Dr. Rick talks with the McCormick family about their perspectives on how they successfully navigated their children through school.

Show Notes

• Stanley Greenspan MD and Serena Weider PhD, Engaging Autism, 2006 - gives a good description of the higher functional emotional developmental capacities.
• Autism: 10 Lessons for the Course of Life: Lesson # 7 on School Advocacy and related resources: https://aadl.org/10lessons-lesson7/
• Certificate or Diploma? Wright's Law: https://www.wrightslaw.com/blog/certificate-instead-of-a-diploma-is-this-ok/
• Staying Longer in School to get a Diploma: https://www.research.chop.edu/car-autism-roadmap/are-four-years-of-high-school-enough-when-to-stay-longer/

Lesson #10: "Plan For The Life Ahead: High School and Young Adulthood" In this final episode of 10 Lessons, Dr. Rick summarizes the lessons covered throughout the podcast, and speaks with three families about how they each navigated their children on the spectrum through high school and beyond. Other areas of discussion include Diploma vs Certificate, Guardianship, and College.

Show Notes

Organizations and Support Groups

• Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN): ASAN is a community organizing, self-advocacy, and public policy advocacy and education organization for autistic youth and adults, run by and for autistic adults.
• Asperger/Autism Network (AANE): AANE offers support groups for autistic teens, parents, and adults, providing both free and fee-based options, with financial assistance available for some groups.
• Autism Empowerment: Autism Empowerment works with individuals, families, and professionals to help people with Asperger Syndrome and similar autism spectrum profiles build meaningful, connected lives.
• Autism Support Center (ASC): ASC services are for families with children or young adults who have a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Transition to Adulthood and Employment:

• U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services: This office provides a transition guide to postsecondary education and employment for students and youth with disabilities.
• Social Security Administration's Youth Resources: This page connects youth and young adults with disabilities to important resources and information to achieve education, career, and life goals.
• Ticket to Work Program: This program supports career development for Social Security disability beneficiaries age 18 through 64 who want to work.
• PACER's National Parent Center on Transition and Employment: This center educates parents on several aspects of the transition to adulthood for youth with disabilities, including finding a job, employment supports, and disability rights.
• The Center for Pursuit: This organization provides customized employment planning and assistance for transitioning youth and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), autism, and other similar conditions.
• WorkMAP Employment Coaching: AANE offers free WorkMAP coaching for post-high school autistic young adults (between the ages of 18 and 30) with employment-related goals in certain areas.

Other Helpful Resources:

• Autism Resources Miramichi Inc. (ARM): ARM offers helpful free resources to individuals with an Autism Spectrum Disorder, their families, community support workers and professionals throughout Northumberland County.
• Exceptional Lives: Exceptional Lives offers a free Resource Directory, a searchable online database of disability programs and providers, and free How-to Guides.
• Know Yourself Series: This series offers free resources (videos, PDFs, worksheets) to support autistic teenagers in understanding what being autistic means to them.
• Adult Autism Health Resources (AAHR): AAHR has more information on legal matters, common medical conditions, communication strategies and many other topics.
• Autism Social Space: The National Autistic Society provides Autism Social Space, which is free for Autistic adults to join and provides a safe space to meet like-minded people.

Great Reference:

• Pelicano E, Unsa F, et al (2022) A capabilities approach to understanding and supporting autistic adulthood. Nature Reviews/Psychology. Nov, Vol 1 624-639 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/363286009_A_capabilities_approach_to_understanding_and_supporting_autistic_adulthood/