Ask Dr Doreen: When Behavior Escalates: What Parents Should Do in the Moment?

When a child continues to struggle with challenging behaviors despite ABA intervention, it's important to ask another question: Could an underlying medical issue be contributing? Pain, constipation, sleep problems, medication side effects, and other health concerns can affect behavior — especially for children who have difficulty communicating what they're feeling. On this week's Ask Dr. Doreen, we're exploring medically enhanced ABA and why looking at the whole child can be an essential part of understanding persistent behaviors. Sometimes, the next step isn't simply changing the behavior plan. It's investigating what might be happening medically, too.  Have you ever discovered that a medical issue was contributing to your child's behavior? Share your experience in the comments. #AskDrDoreen #MedicallyEnhancedABA #Autism #ABA #AutismParenting #BehaviorSupport #AutismAcceptance 00:00 Introduction & Welcome 02:21 Celebrating 17 Years of Ask Dr. Doreen 05:19 All Ghouls Gala Recap & Sponsors 10:39 Highlights from the Gala Gift Bags 13:07 Why the All Ghouls Gala Was the Best Yet 16:33 What Is Medically Enhanced ABA? 18:28 The Evolution of Autism Treatment Approaches 22:28 Medical Issues, GI Health & Learning Readiness 29:36 Can a 22-Year-Old Eventually Live Independently? 34:07 Severe Sleep Challenges & Sleep Study Advice 38:25 Is Diet Really a Big Deal for Autism? 46:05 Supporting BJ Korros & Community Advocates 49:22 Double Vision, Learning & Developmental Optometry 51:15 Toe Walking, Prism Glasses & Other Causes 54:43 Preview: Burnout in Caregivers and Children in Therapy

Your child is melting down. Everyone is watching. You're exhausted, and nothing seems to be working. What do you do next? On Ask Dr. Doreen, we're talking about what parents can do in the moment when challenging behavior escalates—and how to respond in ways that support their child without making the situation worse. 00:00 Ask Dr. Doreen: When Behavior Escalates 03:31 Autism Care Today & the All Ghouls Gala 09:46 What to Do When Challenging Behavior Escalates 11:55 Staying Calm During Public Tantrums 15:42 ABC Data: Understanding Why Tantrums Happen 19:07 Different Causes Require Different Responses 20:49 Prioritizing Safety During a Tantrum 23:48 Attention-Seeking Behavior & When to Ignore 27:06 Teaching Better Ways to Communicate 29:04 How to Ignore Challenging Behavior Correctly 32:30 How Adult Reactions Can Reinforce Tantrums 40:04 When to Give In, Negotiate, or Stand Your Ground 44:10 What to Do When Behavior Becomes Dangerous 49:55 Helping an Autistic Child With Reading Comprehension 54:11 Challenging Behavior in Adults & Teaching Communication   Ask Dr. Doreen • Practical strategies for autism families   Hashtags: #AskDrDoreen #Autism #AutismParenting #AutismAwareness #AutismAcceptance #ABA #BehaviorSupport #ChallengingBehavior #ParentingTips #AutismParents #Neurodiversity #PositiveParenting #EmotionalRegulation #BehaviorIsCommunication #ParentSupport    

On this episode of Ask Dr. Doreen, Shannon Penrod sits down with Dr. Doreen Granpeesheh to talk about one of the most important questions we can ask when a challenging behavior happens: What is the function of the behavior? How can parents begin to figure out why a behavior is happening? What clues should they look for? And how can understanding the function help us respond in a way that actually teaches new skills? We'll explore questions like: 🔹 Is your child trying to escape or avoid something? 🔹 Are they seeking attention or connection? 🔹 Are they trying to get access to something they want? 🔹 Could the behavior be providing some kind of sensory input? 🔹 What happens right before the behavior—and what happens right after? Join Shannon and Dr. Doreen for a practical conversation about learning to become a behavior detective and looking beyond what a child is doing to better understand why. 00:00 Intro & Show Welcome 02:46 All Ghouls Gala Announcement 05:05 Meet Dr. Doreen Granpeesheh 07:32 What Is a Behavior Trying to Tell You? 09:15 Function #1: Attention-Seeking Behaviors 10:05 Function #2: Escape and Avoidance 10:56 Function #3: Access to Desired Items & Activities 11:46 Function #4: Automatic & Sensory Behaviors 13:24 Teaching Better Ways to Communicate 14:40 How Parents Can Identify Behavior Functions 21:45 Using AI and Functional Assessments 24:02 ABA Funding, Generalization & School Support 35:55 Zoo Safety, Elopement & Teaching Danger Awareness 40:18 ODD vs. the Need for Control 48:10 Bilingual ABA, Crying Behaviors & Final Takeaways    Ask Dr. Doreen — helping families find the clues behind the behavior. #AskDrDoreen #Autism #AutismParents #ParentingAutism #ABA #Behavior #BehaviorIsCommunication #AutismSupport #Neurodiversity #ParentToParent    

Behavior is communication. But what is your child trying to tell you? Meltdowns, aggression, refusal, and other challenging behaviors don't happen without a reason. This week, Dr. Doreen will answer your questions about understanding the "why" behind behaviors and what you can do to help. 00:00:00 Welcome & Show Introduction 00:03:20 All Ghouls Gala 2026 Preview 00:08:05 Autism Care Today Mission & Family Grants 00:09:25 Back to the Gala & Community Celebration 00:12:20 Challenging Behaviors Are Not Part of Autism 00:14:40 Behavior Is Communication 00:17:20 ABA, Functional Assessments & Finding the Why 00:18:45 Group Homes, Safety & Severe Behaviors 00:24:20 Teaching Replacement Behaviors 00:28:35 Kindergarten Anxiety & School Meltdowns 00:33:10 Identifying Hidden Causes of Meltdowns 00:36:00 Teaching Skills vs. Changing the Child 00:40:10 Parent Training Resources & Support 00:50:00 Blended Families, Aggression & Safety Concerns 00:55:45 School Refusal, Morning Routines & Final Q&A

Is your child relying on prompts for everything? Whether it's getting dressed, brushing teeth, completing homework, or learning daily living skills, independence is possible! Join Dr. Doreen as she shares strategies for fading prompts and helping children become more confident and self-sufficient. Bring your questions—we're here to help! 00:00 Intro & Welcome to Ask Dr. Doreen 00:01 Dr. Doreen's Impact on the Autism Community 00:01:54 Today's Topic: Building Independence Without Constant Prompting 00:03:57 All Ghouls Gala & ACT Today Fundraiser 00:07:45 ACT Today Grants: How to Apply Successfully 00:09:12 Understanding Prompting and Prompt Dependence 00:12:11 My Teen Can't Do Anything Without Prompting 00:16:45 Sleep Problems in a 6-Year-Old: First Steps 00:18:08 Child Meltdowns When Told What To Do 00:25:19 Mom vs. Dad: Different Prompting Styles 00:29:18 Investigating Night Wakings and Sleep Tracking 00:34:41 When Caregivers Overprompt Other People's Children 00:39:02 Teaching Skills vs. Expecting a Child to "Just Know" 00:46:12 AAC, Spelling, and Facilitated Communication Debate 00:55:37 Prompt Fading, Communication Independence & Closing Thoughts  

What question have you always wanted to ask an autism expert—but were afraid to say out loud? On today's show, nothing is off limits. Join Shannon Penrod and Dr. Doreen as they answer your most honest questions with compassion,  science, and hope. 00:00:37 Introduction: The Questions Parents Are Afraid to Ask 07:24 The Emotional Reality of Autism Parenting 09:24 Will My Child Ever Have Friends? 15:03 Friendship vs. Romantic Relationships 17:40 Will My Child Ever Live Independently? 22:10 Building Independence: Real-Life Success Stories 24:59 Planning for Life Beyond the Family Home 28:26 Am I Doing Enough for My Child? 30:22 Prioritizing the Skills That Matter Most 35:38 What If Therapy Isn't Working? 38:20 How to Evaluate a Quality ABA Program 44:43 Parent Guilt, Plateaus, and Staying Motivated 48:27 When Progress Stops: Don't Accept Stagnation 53:06 What If I'm Exhausted? Building Your Support Village 54:41 Will We Ever Feel Okay Again? Hope for Parents

On Today's show Dr. Doreen Granpeesheh answers questions about teaching independence to individuals on the autism spectrum. 00:00 Introduction & Show Opening 04:32 Parker's Question About Autism Diagnoses 08:56 Dr. Doreen on the Autism Spectrum Continuum 12:07 Concerns About Misdiagnosis and Public Perception 14:07 Independence, Grief, and Different Family Experiences 18:04 Supporting Individuals with Profound Autism 23:22 Where Independence Begins 24:04 Safety vs. Independence 28:26 Parent Question: Feeling Left Behind 29:55 Adjusting Expectations and Finding Support 35:00 Acceptance and the Autism Journey 9:11 Keeping Hope Alive 43:14 Teaching Independence One Skill at a Time 49:31 Teen Question: My Parents Won't Let Me Try 54:10 Letting Go and Empowering Independence 57:54 Wrap-Up and Upcoming Shows

On today's Ask Dr. Doreen, Dr. Doreen Granpeesheh answers questions about romance, love, dating, and relationships for those on the spectrum.  00:00 Show Intro + Topic Overview (Dating on the Spectrum) 03:29 How to Watch, Submit Questions & Podcast Info 05:02 Teaching a 12-Year-Old About Dating (Where to Start) 07:17 Body Awareness, Privacy & Safety Basics 10:54 Real Risks of Missing Social Boundaries 13:36 Teaching Relationship Types & Social Rules 16:47 Consent Explained in Simple Terms 20:33 Boundaries in Dating (Inappropriate Behavior Example) 23:16 Short-Term Attention vs Real Relationships 25:56 Dating After Divorce (What to Disclose & When) 29:26 Healthy Relationships & Emotional Alignment 39:47 Teens Not Interested in Dating (Should You Push?) 41:47 Modern Dating Reality (Apps, Social Media) 45:37 Handling Rejection & Building Dating Skills 48:27 Dating Psychology: Resilience & Confidence 56:30 Balancing Safety vs Fear in Relationships

On today's show autism expert Dr. Doreen Granpeesheh answers questions from viewers around the world about how ABA can be beneficial even for kiddos and teens who are considered "high functioning." 00:00 Welcome + Show Intro  04:01 California Autism Budget Changes Explained 05:03 Proposed ABA Limits (25 Hour Cap, Diagnosis Requirement, Transport Limits) 06:18 Why These Changes Could Harm Kids 08:10 Medicaid Fraud & Impact on ABA Services 08:44 Urgent Call to Action (Contact Governor) 10:02 How to Speak Up & What to Say 12:24 Topic: ABA for "High Functioning" Kids & Teens 13:18 Parent Question: Is ABA a Waste of Time? 14:07 Why ABA Is Essential (Even for Higher Functioning Kids) 15:21 Different ABA Approaches Based on Needs 17:27 Teaching Social, Communication & Executive Skills 19:01 Choosing the Right ABA Provider 21:05 Common Misconceptions About ABA 23:00 Is 13 Too Late for ABA? 23:45 Why Teens Still Benefit from ABA 26:07 Does ABA Make a Real Difference Long-Term? 27:49 Real-Life Outcome Comparison (With vs Without ABA) 28:43 Why Early Intervention Matters 30:01 "Compound Interest" of ABA Learning Explained 33:31 When Parents Disagree About ABA 34:42 Understanding Resistance & Fear Around Therapy 36:35 Talking to Other Parents for Perspective 40:35 Is ABA Only for Nonverbal Kids? 40:57 Advanced Skills ABA Can Teach 44:04 What ABA Actually Looks Like (In Home & Clinic)  44:56 Why Early Sessions Can Look Challenging 46:41 Behind-the-Scenes ABA Video Series Mention 49:30 Rethinking Assumptions About ABA 50:21 "What Happens If You Do vs Don't Try ABA?" 52:36 ABA Conference Highlights (San Francisco) 53:38 Importance of Intensity in ABA 55:05 Running a Quality ABA Program 56:21 Challenges Facing ABA Today 58:03 Closing Thoughts & Gratitude 59:06 Tomorrow's Topic: Water Safety 59:29 Outro & Weekly Schedule

On today's show Dr. Granpeesheh answers questions from the audience about the 2 numbers that come with an autism diagnosis.  Why does it seem like people are only using 1 number?  Can two numbers really be useful, can one.  Also discussed, this weekend's ABAI conference. 00:00 Intro & Welcome 00:52 Dr. Doreen's Background in Autism  01:53 How to Watch & Join the Show 03:05 Podcast + Ad-Free Option 03:54 Event Announcement: All Ghouls Gala 06:16 Conference Preview (ABA International) 09:05 Whole Child Approach & Medical Needs 12:34 Topic Introduction: Autism Severity Numbers 13:24 How Autism Diagnosis Works (2 Domains) 16:27 Repetitive Behaviors Explained 20:20 What Severity Levels (1–3) Mean 22:19 Why Some Diagnoses Only Show One Number 26:05 Parent Issue: Missing Severity Numbers 30:11 Concerns About Labeling Kids by "Levels" 31:40 Why the Numbers Exist (Support Needs) 35:35 When Sharing Severity Levels Is Helpful 37:05 Why Levels Should NOT Define Identity 37:51 Parent Conflict Over Comparing Children 40:13 How to Talk About Differences Respectfully 46:25 Sensitivity Around Labels & "Disorder" 49:45 Why Diagnosis Matters for Support 51:11 School Denying IEP for Level 1 Child 54:36 Medical vs Educational Support Differences 56:30 How to Fight for an IEP (Legal Rights) 58:30 Closing & Next Episode Preview