Behaviour Breakdowns and the Tools to Turn Things Around in Homes and Classrooms
Whether you are navigating tantrums or teacher burnout, this week's guest on Taking the Helm, Dr. Teri Rouse offers real-world strategies that are practical, heartfelt, and deeply human. ๐๐ก๐๐ญ ๐ก๐๐ฉ๐ฉ๐๐ง๐ฌ ๐ฐ๐ก๐๐ง ๐ ๐ฌ๐๐๐ฌ๐จ๐ง๐๐ ๐๐๐ฎ๐๐๐ญ๐จ๐ซ ๐๐ง๐ ๐ฌ๐ฉ๐๐๐ข๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐ฎ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐๐ฑ๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐ญ ๐๐๐๐๐ฌ ๐๐๐ก๐๐ฏ๐ข๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ฌ ๐ข๐ง ๐ก๐๐ซ ๐จ๐ฐ๐ง ๐ก๐จ๐ฆ๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ญ ๐ฌ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐งโ๐ญ ๐๐ฑ๐ฉ๐ฅ๐๐ข๐ง, ๐ฅ๐๐ญ ๐๐ฅ๐จ๐ง๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐๐ ๐?
Join Dr. Teri, Women Changing the World Award winner, as she shares her journey with her step-son and how it led her to a doctorate in behaviour management. She unpacks the emotional and professional challenges educators and parents face today, with solutions!
๐ฅ Her unique BARC system for tracking behaviour.
๐ฅ The importance of asking "What are you feeling now?", and how to co-create a plan that works for both child and adult. ๐ฅ She opens up about her REAL Peaceful Parenting Framework, the power of communication in identifying root issues, and why early intervention is non-negotiable. ๐ฅ From her Snuggle Bunny Time to her book ๐จ๐ป๐๐ฎ๐บ๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐๐ต๐ฎ๐ผ๐, her tools and strategies are born from both academic expertise and lived experience. ๐ฅ New autism research and practical ways to reconnect with your childโstarting with one outdoor moment at a time.
Whether youโre a teacher, parent, or professional working with kids, this episode is a must-listen.
Rooted in Love | a Familyโs Unbreakable Bond and the Road to Independence With Autism
When Rita Miceli received her son Giaciโs autism diagnosis, her world shifted - but it didnโt break. In the second part of this heartfelt conversation on Taking the Helm, Rita shares how her family navigated the uncertainty, fear, generational and cultural beliefs by building an unshakable foundation of love, support, and understanding.
Rita also reflects on sibling connection, self-care, the steps they took to build their son's independence and how she found peace knowing her son will always be supported. Itโs a conversation filled with honesty, hope, and the powerful reminder that love can truly light the way.
๐ฅ How do parents cope when they hear the diagnosis?
๐ฅ How do we take care of ourselves and find strength rather than working at it from a point of weakness?
๐ฅ Giaci's siblings adore him. What made this possible and how has he has made them better people?
๐ฅ Giaci did not go to traditional high school. What did he do as an alternative that introduced him to the work world?
๐ฅHow did one TikTok post go viral and how does Giaci's social media posts give families a light at the end of the tunnel?
๐ฅ How did his family prepare Giaci for his sister's wedding and the dance he had with her?
Hope in the Hard: Autism, Advocacy and the Lessons Her Son Taught Her
Rita Miceli is the proud mother of three daughters and her autistic son. A TikTok video of her son became viral and sparked a community with over 600,000 followers. It was the catalyst for a platform, a message, and eventually, her book ๐๐ถ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ถ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ ๐ฒ: ๐ ๐๐จ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ซโ๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ง๐๐ฒ ๐จ๐ ๐๐จ๐ฏ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ง ๐๐ฎ๐ญ๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐ข๐ ๐๐ก๐ข๐ฅ๐.
For her manuscript, "Giaci and Me: Life Lessons on Raising an Autistic Child, " the Word Guild awarded her the Best New Canadian Manuscript award. With over three decades of educational experience, Rita teaches in the Autism and Behavioural Science Graduate Program at St. Clair College in Windsor, Ontario.
๐ฅ What were the first indicators that caused concern?
๐ฅ How did Giaci gain independence, and how effective was Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) in Giaci's development?
๐ฅ Rita's journey as a mother of four, navigating the early signs, delayed diagnosis, and emotional toll of parenting a child with autism.
๐ฅ Rita opens up about the grieving process parents often go through, mourning the life they imagined for their child and the one they must now build together.
๐ฅ What is the latest research connecting genetics to autism and the groundbreaking work from Toronto Sick Kids Hospital?
๐ฅ What are some early interventions?
Her family's journey has been highlighted in The Drive Magazine, on CTV News, and CBC National News. Rita is the past president of Autism Ontario (Windsor/Essex Chapter) and has published works on multiple platforms related to special needs and autism, including "A Call to Action" (Autism Matters) and "Words that Connect Us" (Canadian Authors Association). Additionally, Rita's short story "Going to the Dance" has been featured on Spillwords Press.