Friendship is not something most people are directly taught. Yet social connection plays a critical role in emotional well-being, mental health, confidence, and quality of life.

In this episode of Acorns to Oaks, Kristine and Sarah explore the importance of social skills for autistic children, teens, and adults through the lens of the UCLA PEERS® program developed by Dr. Elizabeth Laugeson and Dr. Fred Frankel.

Families seeking ABA therapy in California often face a confusing maze of insurance approvals, denials, deductibles, and funding systems. In this episode, Kristine Dixon, Sarah Morrow, and COO Kevin Jackson break down how ABA funding actually works from private insurance and Medi-Cal to Regional Centers while openly discussing the real challenges families encounter when trying to access care.

Kristine and Sarah discuss compassionate food expansion, picky eating, sensory concerns, comfort foods, and how families can help children build healthier relationships with food one small step at a time.

Feeding challenges in children, especially those with autism, are far more complex than “just getting them to eat.” In this episode of Acorns to Oaks, Christine and Sarah explore the science, psychology, and real-world experiences behind food aversion, selective eating, and feeding therapy.

They unpack why outdated methods like force-feeding and “just make them eat it” can actually cause long-term harm, including trauma and disordered eating patterns. Instead, they advocate for a more compassionate, interdisciplinary approach that considers sensory input, autonomy, family dynamics, and developmental stages.

From early warning signs in infancy to the emotional toll on parents, this conversation highlights why feeding is one of the most misunderstood challenges in child development—and what we can do better.

In this episode of Acorns to Oaks, we explore how medications are used alongside ABA therapy and what parents should know about benefits, risks, and side effects.

From ADHD stimulants like Ritalin to antipsychotic medications often prescribed for autism-related behaviors, we break down how these treatments work, what changes you might see, and why monitoring is essential.

We also discuss common side effects such as appetite suppression, sleep disruption, and behavioral changes, as well as more serious risks that require close attention. This episode highlights the importance of collaboration between parents, behavior analysts, and medical providers to ensure safe and effective care.

If you are navigating ABA therapy, autism support, or ADHD treatment, this conversation will help you ask better questions and make more informed decisions for your child.

In our very first episode of Acorns to Oaks, we start at the foundation, what ABA is, what it isn’t, and where it’s headed. After returning from a recent industry conference, we dive into one of the most important emerging conversations in the field: the shift toward value-based care.

As behavior analysts, we believe in growth, evolution, and asking better questions. So in this episode, we explore the promises and potential risks of tying care to outcomes, and what that could mean for families, providers, and access to services.

This conversation sets the stage for everything to come… grounded in compassion, curiosity, and a commitment to doing what’s best for every child and family we serve.