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Take the Next Step with Amy Julia BeckerAuthor: Amy Julia Becker
Real talk, real tools, and real hope for families experiencing disabilitya Hope Heals podcast hosted by author Amy Julia Becker. Culture often tells us that families with disability are a problem. At Take the Next Step, we see your family as a giftto society and to your community. Your family matters. Your child matters. We need you here. Join Amy Julia each week for honest conversations with parents, therapists, and disability advocates about finding delight at home and belonging in community, plus practical steps toward a flourishing future. If youre feeling overwhelmed, longing for connection, or unsure whats next, youre not alone. Tune in every Wednesday for direction and hope. Language: en-us Genres: Kids & Family, Parenting, Relationships, Society & Culture Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
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Your Child’s Behavior Is Communication with Emily Longino
Episode 18
Wednesday, 18 March, 2026
E18—Your child isn’t “misbehaving.” They’re trying to be understood. Many children with disabilities communicate through behavior, especially when spoken words aren’t available in the moment. Behavior analyst Emily Longino shares practical tools for recognizing communication signals before they escalate and helping parents build connection with their kids. Amy Julia Becker and Emily explore:How to look beyond behavior to understand the “why”How parents can recognize communication signals earlierWays to support alternative communication skillsHow understanding behavior can reduce crises and build connection00:00 Introduction to Behavior Analysis03:31 Understanding the Functions of Behavior08:31 Functional Communication as a Survival Skill12:31 Where Parents Can Find Behavior Support16:00 Practical Examples of Functional Communication22:15 It’s Never Too Late to Change BehaviorQuestions:Have a question for Emily or for Amy Julia? Record (or email) your questions, and we’ll do our best to respond to them in an upcoming episode: amyjuliabecker.com/qr/MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:Hope Heals CampFREE RBT TRAINING - Autism Partnership Foundation_WATCH this conversation on YouTube: Amy Julia Becker on YouTubeSUBSCRIBE to Amy Julia's Substack: amyjuliabecker.substack.comJOIN the conversation on Instagram: @amyjuliabeckerLISTEN to more episodes: amyjuliabecker.com/shows/_ABOUT OUR GUEST:Emily Longino is a Senior Board-Certified Behavior Analyst at Glenwood, a residential facility and specialized school serving children and adolescents with autism and other developmental disabilities. She has seven years of experience assessing and treating severe maladaptive behaviors, providing staff training on crisis management, and supporting functional communication. Emily’s work is grounded in compassionate care and trauma-informed practices. She has published in Behavior Analysis in Practice, presented at state and national conferences, and shared her expertise on supporting transition-aged individuals with autism._Take the Next Step is produced in collaboration with Hope Heals. Hope Heals creates sacred spaces of belonging and belovedness for families affected by disabilities to experience sustaining hope in the context of inclusive, intentional, inter-ability communities. Find out more about our resources, gatherings, and inter-ability communities at hopeheals.com. Follow on Instagram @hopeheals.We want to hear from you. Send us a text!
