Ever been told your child is “bad” in the checkout line while you’re just trying to make it through the day? We dive into the real story behind behavior with BCBA and parent coach Kia Lee, exploring how meltdowns, eloping, and even aggression can be signals of unmet needs rather than defiance. Together, we unpack the everyday moments that push families to the brink and share clear, compassionate steps to bring calm, confidence, and connection back home.

We talk through what actually works outside the clinic: visual schedules that make mornings smoother, timer cues that ease transitions, and simple ways to preview change so kids aren’t ambushed by the day. Kia explains why collaboration beats compliance in ABA, how to build treatment plans that respect your culture and capacity, and why parents deserve as much reinforcement as their kids. You’ll hear practical tools to handle noisy stores, long lines, and critical stares, plus concrete ideas for co-regulation, from breathing techniques to short affirmations that help you steady yourself before you steady your child.

If you’ve felt isolated by public judgment or let down by strategies that worked at therapy but fell apart at home, this conversation offers a grounded reset. We reframe behavior as communication, teach replacement skills that fit the child’s strengths, and show how to pick one priority for 6–8 weeks so progress doesn’t feel like a second job. The big takeaway: your child isn’t against you, and you don’t have to do this alone. Subscribe for more real-world autism support, share this episode with a parent who needs a boost today, and leave a review to help other families find these tools.

Support the show