Afleveringen
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I have to say that this episode was such a pleasure to record. I was lucky enough to meet a young woman named Lindsay and chat with her and her mom. You see, Lindsey is autistic and struggled with things like communication and social interaction as she grew up.
She endured bullying and isolation. She is a testimant to perservernce. In one word, sheâs amazing. I canât wait to share her story and tell you what she is doing now, as a 30-year-old autistic woman. You are definitely going to want to listen right away.
Topics Discussed:
Autistic child and adult lived experience
Reflections from the mom of an autistic woman
Autism and bullying
Autism and employment
Lindsey's bio:
I was diagnosed with autism at 28 months. I was non-verbal and had severe tantrums. My family was given very little hope of me having a bright future. When I was 17 years old, I got the opportunity to see a presentation given by Temple Grandin, an activist and person living with autism. After she was done speaking, I went up to her and said, "I have autism, too." She replied,"Great. Now what are your strengths and goals? Do that."
There was a point in high school when I would come home and just do art naturally, and the more I drew, the more I wanted to create. I am the proud Illustrator for Koda The Fluff. I'm inspired by so many passions in life and when I think of something, I just want to draw it. Like the movie Titanic, the character Betty Boop, or my favorite artist of all time, Frida Kahlo, whose portrait I draw over and over again. Despite growing up with autism, I am fortunate to have strong support from my family and the inspiration that Temple gave me to do more with my life.
As my mom would say, "There were a lot of ups and downs," so it inspired us to tell our family story in a book I co-wrote with my aunt Linda Wagner, Autism: A Family Lives Beyond the Label. Each of us contributed our own perspective in hopes it will support other families. We also have a Little Lindsey series of biographical children's books. Little Lindsey Gets a Haircut, Little Lindsey is a Picky Eater, Little Lindsey Makes a Friend, and Little Lindsey Goes to Therapy, a Sibling Story.
My second language is Spanish. I was so happy to be hired by Target to support them as one of their Spanish-speaking team members. The experience at Target has been good for me. I've found everyone to be very inclusive and they work with me on anything I need.
I'm glad to say I'm a proud University of WI-River Falls Associate of Arts and Sciences graduate. I've had many opportunities to present and share my story of autism with interested audiences, and have met and interacted with so many different people. Three years ago, I bought a house with my sister Brittany.
These, and all the experiences I have along the way, provide me with the inspiration to continue to live up to my strengths and goals.
Links:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/autismlm_morelandstory/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AustismLM
Website: https://autismlm.com/
Purchase Lindseyâs Book(s): https://autismlm.com/autismlm-store/ols/categories/book
Koda The Fluff: https://www.kodathefluff.com
Video of Lindseyâs work at Target: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/lmx1j707qyq468shs63u0/Lindsey-at-Target-FINAL.m4v?rlkey=v0qyyvueuzqehp8j6e5pw1sm6&e=2&st=4a1znbh5&dl=0
Lindseyâs family story: https://autismlm.com/autismlm-store/ols/products/autism-a-family-lives-beyond-the-label-the-lindsey-moreland-story
Other Links You May Be Interested In:
Autism Little Learners on Instagram
Autism Little Learners on Facebook
You can also join my free Visual Supports Facebook Group to âhang outâ with like-minded educators and parents who want to take action and implement visuals at home or at school.
Be sure to subscribe to The Autism Little Learners Podcast so you donât miss future episodes. Plus, leave a rating & review on iTunesâŠ.this will help other educators and parents find this podcast!
CLICK HERE to leave a review on iTunes, then scroll down to âratings and reviewsâ and click âwrite a reviewâ. THANK YOU!
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Nicole Casey is a speech/language pathologist who, like me, has a passion for working with autistic kids. In recent years she has taken a deep dive into learning more about gestalt language processing. The thing about Nicole is that she doesnât hold back and her love for what she does shines through.
During this podcast interview, we started sharing stories and examples with each other and the next thing we knew it was an hour and 20 minutes later!! So, this podcast episode is extra longâŠbut in all the best ways. You are going to love Nicole as much as I do after listening today. Letâs jump in!
Topics Discussed:
What gestalt language processing is and how it differs from analytic language processing
Key indicators that a child might be a gestalt language processor
Examples of gestalts
Free resource to help track a childâs gestalts
Real life stories about GLPs and how connection makes a huge difference
Where to start with gestalt language processors and strategies to use
Nicole's Bio:
Nicole Casey is a speech-language pathologist specializing in working with gestalt language processors and AAC users in her pediatric private practice, Connections Speech Pathology. Nicole's approach is as dynamic as it is effective, blending evidence-based practices with a deep understanding of each individual's unique strengths and needs. As a neurodiversity-affirming clinician, Nicole has seen the transformative power of a child-led, play-based approach on her clients and their families. Her goal is to remind all that connection is the key to communication and that all kids have limitless potential when they have communication partners who believe in them.
Links:
Nicole's Instagram (Connections Speech Pathology: https://www.instagram.com/connectionsspeechpathology?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/connectionsspeechpathology
Website: https://www.connectionsspeechpathology.com/
Free Gestalt Language Tracker: https://connectionsspeech.myflodesk.com/summit
The Great Language Course: https://connectionsspeech.myflodesk.com/
Other Links You May Be Interested In:
Autism Little Learners on Instagram
Autism Little Learners on Facebook
You can also join my free Visual Supports Facebook Group to âhang outâ with like-minded educators and parents who want to take action and implement visuals at home or at school.
Be sure to subscribe to The Autism Little Learners Podcast so you donât miss future episodes. Plus, leave a rating & review on iTunesâŠ.this will help other educators and parents find this podcast!
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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This weekâs guest is Destiny Huff and I had the best time talking to her about IEP accommodations and modifications that are neurodiversity-affirming. I know that we are all trying to write IEPâs that are strengths-based and ND affirming, so you are definitely going to want to carve out the time to listen to this episode!
We also chat about how we can partner with advocates like Destiny, vs seeing them as an adversary. There is so much packed into this weekâs show, so head over and listen to it TODAY!
Topics Discussed:
Accommodations vs modifications on IEPs
Examples of neurodiversity-affirming IEP accommodations
Challenging behavior and FBAâs vs. accommodations
How to learn more about what a child responds best to at home
Seeing an advocate as a partner vs an adversarial
Bio:
Destiny Huff, MS, LPC, CPCS is a late-diagnosed Autistic-ADHD military spouse, doctoral candidate, and mother of two neurodivergent boys. She runs a private practice as a Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapist (TF-CBT) in the Mental Health field. She also runs Destiny Huff Consulting and is a Neuroaffirming Special Education Parent Advocate and IEP Coach who helps parents advocate for their neurodivergent learners at the IEP table and provides training on Autism, ADHD, and neuroaffirming practices to organizations.
Links:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/destinyhuff_iep_advocate/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086179467473
Website: https://www.destinyhuffconsulting.com/
Click Here For Neuroaffirming Accommodations Freebie
Other Links You May Be Interested In:
Autism Little Learners on Instagram
Autism Little Learners on Facebook
You can also join my free Visual Supports Facebook Group to âhang outâ with like-minded educators and parents who want to take action and implement visuals at home or at school.
Be sure to subscribe to The Autism Little Learners Podcast so you donât miss future episodes. Plus, leave a rating & review on iTunesâŠ.this will help other educators and parents find this podcast!
CLICK HERE to leave a review on iTunes, then scroll down to âratings and reviewsâ and click âwrite a reviewâ. THANK YOU!
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Are you struggling with potty training your autistic child or your students? Whether you are a parent or a special educator, this episode is going to give you so many ideas to get started. Iâm talking to Molly Johnson, and potty training autistic kids is her jam. I feel so lucky that I got to talk to her and that I get to share the conversation with you. Molly is a wealth of knowledge and full of actionable ideas for parents and educators. Letâs get started!
Molly Johnson is an autism consultant with 10+ years of experience working with autistic children. She transitioned from being an autism teacher in the public school system to consulting with parents from all over the world after seeing a need for parent support.
Molly holds a bachelorâs degree in special education, a masterâs degree in educational administration, and a master's degree in Autism Spectrum Disorders. As an autism consultant, she has combined her passion for collaborating with parents and classroom experience to support parents with skill development, like potty training and improving challenging behavior.
Molly's website:https://www.theautismconsultant.us
Molly's Instagram (The Autism Consultant): https://www.instagram.com/theautismconsultant/
Topics Discussed:
Common pitfalls in potty training autistic kids
Collaborating with parents during the potty training process
Modeling and play to introduce the concept of using the toilet.
How to individualize strategies for potty training
Visual schedules and toilet training
Creating a positive and supportive environment for children to learn and succeed in mastering potty training
Other Links You May Be Interested In:
Autism Little Learners on Instagram
Autism Little Learners on Facebook
You can also join my free Visual Supports Facebook Group to âhang outâ with like-minded educators and parents who want to take action and implement visuals at home or at school.
Be sure to subscribe to The Autism Little Learners Podcast so you donât miss future episodes. Plus, leave a rating & review on iTunesâŠ.this will help other educators and parents find this podcast!
CLICK HERE to leave a review on iTunes, then scroll down to âratings and reviewsâ and click âwrite a reviewâ. THANK YOU!
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You guysâŠIâm so thrilled to introduce you to todayâs guest on the Autism Little Learners Podcast! Her name is Kayla Castro and she specializes in assisting parents of autistic kids plan amazing vacations! Sheâs a special needs travel agent and Iâll let you in on a secretâŠ.Kayla is sharing so many tips today that blew my mind! If you are a special educator, you are going to want to share this episode with families asap! Join Kayla and me inside of episode 72 today!
Kayla Castro is a Certified Autism Travel Professional, a Special Education Educator, but more importantly a fellow Autism mom. Kayla lives in Orlando FL with her husband (veteran), 13 year old son, (ASD) and 9 year old son (neurotypical). Kayla is a dedicated individual with a deep passion for supporting the autism community through her role as a special needs travel agent. Her commitment stems from a desire to create inclusive and accessible travel experiences, ensuring individuals with autism and their families can explore the world comfortably and confidently. Kayla's expertise lies in crafting customized itineraries, considering sensory-friendly locations and accommodations, and providing resources to make travel a positive and enriching experience for the entire family.
Topics Discussed:
Parents' biggest travel fears with their autistic child
The most difficult part of traveling with an autistic child
The #1 most inclusive vacation destination
How you can make a Disney vacation work
Top tips for flying with an autistic child
Website: specialkindofmagic.com
Instagram: @special.kind.of.magic
Facebook: Kayla Castro Travel Advisor
Other Links You May Be Interested In:
Flying Social StoryAutism Little Learners on Instagram
Autism Little Learners on Facebook
You can also join my free Visual Supports Facebook Group to âhang outâ with like-minded educators and parents who want to take action and implement visuals at home or at school.
Be sure to subscribe to The Autism Little Learners Podcast so you donât miss future episodes. Plus, leave a rating & review on iTunesâŠ.this will help other educators and parents find this podcast!
CLICK HERE to leave a review on iTunes, then scroll down to âratings and reviewsâ and click âwrite a reviewâ. THANK YOU!
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When I say that you are in a for a treat today, I mean it! I was so fortunate to have the opportunity to talk to Abbey Romeo and her mother Christine, both of whom were featured on the Netflix show Love On The Spectrum U.S.
On this special episode, Abbey shares her journey of growing up autistic, discussing the challenges she has faced and how she has learned to navigate them.
Christine offers her perspective as Abbeyâs mother, detailing the support she has provided and the unique experiences they have encountered together. They explore the process of receiving Abbey's diagnosis, emphasizing what strategies have been beneficial and what have not. After you listen to this episode, you are going to want to head over to YouTube and watch it there too!
Bio: Abbey was diagnosed with autism at 2.5 years old. Now at 25, sheâs thriving and was blessed with great therapists and years of supportive services: Speech, occupational therapy, adaptive PE, and many more programs that have helped her get to where she is today.
She has worked so hard to be able to feel like she has a voice. Thatâs why she chose a logo with a mermaid.
âIn The Little Mermaid when Ariel gets to dry land, sheâs no voice. And thatâs how I feel. Sometimes I canât get my words out.â â Abbey
Topics Discussed:
Autism characteristics that Abbey displayed at 2 years old
What types of services Abbey received during the early childhood years, elementary years, and secondary years
Advice from Christine for parents navigating the journey of having an autistic child
Christine and Abbey discuss the strategies and therapies that helped Abbey over the years
Links:
Website: https://madebyabbey.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hatsbyabbey/?hl=en
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hatsbyabbey?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@AbbeyRomeo
Love On The Spectrum (Netflix): https://www.netflix.com/title/81338328
Watch this episode on YouTube on the Autism Little Learners channel.
Other Links You May Be Interested In:
Autism Little Learners on Instagram
Autism Little Learners on Facebook
You can also join my free Visual Supports Facebook Group to âhang outâ with like-minded educators and parents who want to take action and implement visuals at home or at school.
Be sure to subscribe to The Autism Little Learners Podcast so you donât miss future episodes. Plus, leave a rating & review on iTunesâŠ.this will help other educators and parents find this podcast!
CLICK HERE to leave a review on iTunes, then scroll down to âratings and reviewsâ and click âwrite a reviewâ. THANK YOU!
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Have you been hearing the talk lately about hand-over-hand prompting? Have you heard discussions surrounding this type of physical prompting and how it violates bodily autonomy and is not neurodiversity-affirming?
This weekâs podcast guest is occupational therapist Dr. Diamond Rashad and I just had to have her on the show to talk about this topic because she articulates the information so well. This is another must-listen episode if you are working with young autistic kids!
Topics Discussed:
Bodily autonomy and agency
Hand-over-hand prompting
Alternatives to hand-over-hand prompting
Asking for consent
What to do when kids arenât initiating
Links:
Website: www.adimeinot.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/adimeofot
Freebie (discount code: littlepod) :
https://drdime.ck.page/products/hand-over-hand-tip-sheet?promo=LITTLEPOD
Bio:
Dr. Diamond Rashad (she/her), is a neurodivergent pediatric occupational therapist, disability advocate, and doula who resides in Georgia. She has worked as an occupational therapist for eight years and has experience working from a trauma-informed lens with children, adolescents, and young adults with differences in sensory integration, executive function, feeding & mealtime participation, and supporting Autistic clients and their families. She is the founder of Emiraâs Mamas & "A Dime of OT"; she is passionate about supporting birthing parents from pregnancy to postpartum, diversity and inclusion in allied health settings, social-emotional support & co-regulation, and advocacy for culturally responsive, equitable care.
Other Links You May Be Interested In:
Autism Little Learners on Instagram
Autism Little Learners on Facebook
You can also join my free Visual Supports Facebook Group to âhang outâ with like-minded educators and parents who want to take action and implement visuals at home or at school.
Be sure to subscribe to The Autism Little Learners Podcast so you donât miss future episodes. Plus, leave a rating & review on iTunesâŠ.this will help other educators and parents find this podcast!
CLICK HERE to leave a review on iTunes, then scroll down to âratings and reviewsâ and click âwrite a reviewâ. THANK YOU!
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Sometimes we need to go back to the basics. Because May is National Speech Language and Hearing Month, I thought it would be the perfect time to do just that. Today Iâm talking to Megan Peveto, who is a speech/language pathologist who specializes in toddler language development. Megan is going to bring us back to the basics when it comes to language development for neurotypical children. We will also be chatting a bit about what it means to be an analytic language processor vs a gestalt language processor. Join me for this fun conversation with Megan.
Megan Peveto is a speech/language pathologist and the founder of the SLP Next Door. She is from a very small town in Texas. She is married to the absolutely best man on the planet and they have a little boy and a dog named Charlie. (sounds like a country song, doesnât it?) She has been in the world of speech therapy ever since 2012 when she graduated with her Bachelorâs degree. She spent a year working as an SLP-A (speech language pathologist-assistant) before going to graduate school. Megan graduated with her Masterâs degree in 2015 and has a certificate in Autism/Special Education.
The SLP Next Door was created with SLPs, educators, and anyone in the world of babies and toddlers in mind. Consider Megan your one stop shop for toddler language and communication development!
Meganâs âToddler Toolboxâ will provide you with everything you need to take your sessions from stressful to joyful! You'll understand how play develops, the best books for speech therapy, favorite toys that keep toddlers engaged, and so much more...
You can find Megan on facebook, Instagram, and Tik-Tok: @theslpnextdoor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theslpnextdoor/
Website: theslpnextdoor.com
The SLP Next Door Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-slp-next-door-podcast/id1701171462
Get on Meganâs e-mail list by going to: theslpnextdoor.com/toolbox
Topics Discussed:
When do babies start saying their first words?
When do little ones start combining two words?
What is analytic language processing?
When and where to turn if you suspect a language delay
Other Links You May Be Interested In:
Autism Little Learners on Instagram
Autism Little Learners on Facebook
You can also join my free Visual Supports Facebook Group to âhang outâ with like-minded educators and parents who want to take action and implement visuals at home or at school.
Be sure to subscribe to The Autism Little Learners Podcast so you donât miss future episodes. Plus, leave a rating & review on iTunesâŠ.this will help other educators and parents find this podcast!
CLICK HERE to leave a review on iTunes, then scroll down to âratings and reviewsâ and click âwrite a reviewâ. THANK YOU!
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Do you ever find yourself wondering about things like, âwhat does it mean to be neurodiversity-affirming?â, âwhy do many autistic children have pronoun reversalsâ, âwhat is gestalt language processingâ, âwhy should we honor protests from autistic childrenâ, or âwhy arenât WH question goals appropriate for many young autistic studentsâ?. If you are curious about these questions and moreâŠyou are going to want to join me for this weekâs podcast episode where Iâll be chatting with Emily Byers Chaney. Sheâs a speech/language pathologist and she was so kind to let me ask her a variety of questions that are often brought to me by my community. Emily talks about all of these things on her Instagram account, and I just knew sheâd be the perfect person to interview for the Autism Little Learners Podcast. Head over and listen now because you will learn so much!
Emily Byers Chaney is a speech/language pathologist and is the speech and language program director at the Pediatric Therapy Playhouse in LA. Emily has been published in the America Speech Language Association national magazine. She specializes in gestalt language processing and neurdiversity-affirming therapy. Emily is trained in and has experience with the Floortime Approach, PROMPT, Hanenâs It Takes Two To Talk and More Than Words, Natural Language Acquisition for Gestalt Language Processors, and the Inside Out Sensory Certficate.
Topics Discussed:
What it means to be neurodiversity-affirming
Pronoun reversals and autism
What is gestalt language processing?
Why WH question goals arenât always appropriate for gestalt language processors
Modeling AAC without expectation
Learning through play-based approaches vs. compliance-based approaches
Building connections with autistic students
Why planned ignoring doesnât work
Honoring protesting
Where You Can Find Emily:
Instagram: @ndaffirming.slp
Direct link to her IG account: https://www.instagram.com/ndaffirming.slp/
Other Links You May Be Interested In:
Autism Little Learners on Instagram
Autism Little Learners on Facebook
You can also join my free Visual Supports Facebook Group to âhang outâ with like-minded educators and parents who want to take action and implement visuals at home or at school.
Be sure to subscribe to The Autism Little Learners Podcast so you donât miss future episodes. Plus, leave a rating & review on iTunesâŠ.this will help other educators and parents find this podcast!
CLICK HERE to leave a review on iTunes, then scroll down to âratings and reviewsâ and click âwrite a reviewâ. THANK YOU!
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I had the honor of talking to Jessie Ginsburg, the Sensory SLP and Iâm so happy to bring the conversation to you! We talked about the connection between sensory and communication and how the two can create increased engagement and progress for autistic children. We also chatted about Jessieâs brand new book, âReady, Set, Connectâ. Run to get your copy today!
Topics Discussed:
Combining sensory input with communication
Authentic connections with autistic kids
Sensory avoiders and sensory seekers
Seesaw analogy and optimal learning zone
The importance of a proactive approach to regulation
Jessieâs brand new book titled âReady, Set, Connectâ is published!
Jessie Ginsburg is a sensory trained speech-language pathologist, CEO of Pediatric Therapy Playhouse, a top-rated clinic in Los Angeles, and author of Ready Set Connect: A Sensory-Based Approach to Accelerate Connection and Communication in Autistic Children. Through her international publications and talks, and her global Inside Out Sensory Certificate Program, Jessie inspires a new way of thinking about supporting communication development in Autistic children.
Book: www.readysetconnectbook.com
Sensory Course: www.sensoryslp.com
Making the Shift Live Show: www.youtube.com/c/SpeechDudeJessieGinsburg
Other Links You May Be Interested In:
Autism Little Learners on Instagram
Autism Little Learners on Facebook
You can also join my free Visual Supports Facebook Group to âhang outâ with like-minded educators and parents who want to take action and implement visuals at home or at school.
Be sure to subscribe to The Autism Little Learners Podcast so you donât miss future episodes. Plus, leave a rating & review on iTunesâŠ.this will help other educators and parents find this podcast!
CLICK HERE to leave a review on iTunes, then scroll down to âratings and reviewsâ and click âwrite a reviewâ. THANK YOU!
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Today Iâm talking to Amber Arrington. Sheâs the mom of 6 and 3 of her children are autistic. She started Autism Savvy to support other parents whose children were recently diagnosed or awaiting a diagnosis. I loved hearing Amberâs story and her insights when it comes to navigating a new autism diagnosis. Whether you are a parent or an educator, this episode is a must listen!
Topics Discussed:
Navigating the autism diagnosis
Talking to parents about autism for the first time
Communication between classroom and home
Amber Arrington is a mother to 6 children, 3 of whom are autistic.
Autism was once a word she feared and has become a word she loves. Now she helps parents navigate an autism diagnosis and the autism landscape as a whole. She educates moms about available services and connects them with appropriate services and professionals.
Amber helps parents become "autism savvy" so they can know the best next steps to take for their child.
The Autism Savvy Summit: While You Wait Edition
Click here to learn more about the summit!
Amber's Book:
Not Atypical Motherhood: The Guide for Navigating a Child's New Autism Diagnosis
Links:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/autismsavvy/
Website: www.autismsavvy.com
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Does your autistic child or student have a very limited diet? Maybe they eat 3 or 4 foods and thatâs it? Join me today as I talk to Brittyn Coleman, the Autism Dietitian all about selective eaters and how we can best support them at home and in the school setting. You are going to love hearing what led Brittyn on this path to helping parents of neurodivergent children when it comes to nutrition.
Topics Discussed:
Picky eaters vs selective eaters language
What does the term âsafe foodsâ mean
Why you should say âjust take a biteâ
What is ARFID?
Tips to help selective eaters at home and school
Brittyn Coleman, MS, RDN/LD, is a distinguished Registered Dietitian and Autism Nutrition Expert, known for her innovative, sensory-friendly feeding approach to nutrition for children on the autism spectrum. As the founder of the Nourishing Autism Collective, and as an autism sibling herself, Brittyn brings both professional expertise and personal understanding to her work. She empowers families with her expert guidance, helping children receive essential nutrients for optimal health and development. Her strategies are tailored to the unique dietary needs and sensory preferences of each child.
Brittyn's influence extends beyond her membership site through her active social media presence and her popular podcast, 'Nourishing Autism'. Her educational content on Instagram, YouTube, and other platforms has established her as a leading voice in autism nutrition, providing valuable resources, practical advice, and a supportive community for parents and professionals.
Links:
IG: @autismdietitian
FB: Autism Dietitian
Website: Autism Dietitian
Tik Tok: Autism Dietitian
Nourishing Autism Podcast
Nourishing Autism Collective (Membership)
FREE Food Sensory Profile Workbook
Other Links You May Be Interested In:
Autism Little Learners on Instagram
Autism Little Learners on Facebook
You can also join my free Visual Supports Facebook Group to âhang outâ with like-minded educators and parents who want to take action and implement visuals at home or at school.
Be sure to subscribe to The Autism Little Learners Podcast so you donât miss future episodes. Plus, leave a rating & review on iTunesâŠ.this will help other educators and parents find this podcast!
CLICK HERE to leave a review on iTunes, then scroll down to âratings and reviewsâ and click âwrite a reviewâ. THANK YOU!
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As we recognize Autism Acceptance Month, it's essential to explore the journey of understanding and supporting autistic individuals. Today, Iâm reflecting on 25 years of working with autistic children and how things have changed over those years. Iâll be chatting about some of the shifts that Iâve made with my vocabulary, thoughts and teaching approaches. By looking back at these areas I hope to help promote a better understanding of autism and encourage acceptance and support for autistic children and adults.
Topics Discussed:
Evolution from Awareness to Acceptance: Symbolism of Puzzle Piece and Infinity Symbol Terminology: Person-First Language vs. Identity-First Language AAC Evolution: From PECS to Core + Fringe Communication and Robust AAC Devices Shifting Approaches in Autism Intervention: Compliance-Based vs. Connection-Based The Double Empathy Problem: Understanding the Reciprocal Nature of EmpathyLinks:
Mrs. Speechie IEP (Andi Putt, SLP)
Cari Ebert, SLP - The SLP Talkshow Podcast (Episode 52)
The Different Ways We Communicate Childrenâs Book by Tara Phillips
Identity First vs Person First Language Blog Post
Episode 12 - The Autism Little Learners Podcast - Autism Awareness Month vs Autism Acceptance Month
Rachel Madel - SLP specializing in AAC
Other Links You May Be Interested In:
Autism Little Learners on Instagram
Autism Little Learners on Facebook
You can also join my free Visual Supports Facebook Group to âhang outâ with like-minded educators and parents who want to take action and implement visuals at home or at school.
Be sure to subscribe to The Autism Little Learners Podcast so you donât miss future episodes. Plus, leave a rating & review on iTunesâŠ.this will help other educators and parents find this podcast!
CLICK HERE to leave a review on iTunes, then scroll down to âratings and reviewsâ and click âwrite a reviewâ. THANK YOU!
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Have you heard the term interoception? Todayâs guest, Laura Petix, is an occupational therapist and she is sharing tons of information about interoception that is going to blow your mind! Not only do we talk about how it impacts potty training, but we also touch on emotional regulation and eating issues. You wonât regret tuning in to todayâs episode!
Topics Discussed:
Interoception definition
Interoception and potty training
Ways we can work on interoception at the preschool level
Sensory diets at home and school
Laura Petix is a neurodiverse-affirming pediatric Occupational Therapist who specializes in sensory processing skills for neurodivergent individuals. While she is no longer in the clinic, she uses her OT skills for all the content she creates for The OT Butterfly website, podcast, and courses for parents to teach them about how sensoy processing skills directly impact learning and behavior. She is a neurodivergent parent to a neurodivergent daughter, which is what allows her to be able to talk about neurodiversity in a way that other parents can actually understand and also resonate with.
You can find more of her work here:
Instagram: @theotbutterfly
Podcast: Sensory W.I.S.E. Solutions For Parent
Download Lauraâs free one page handout that will help you understand the different sensory profiles and identify which sensory areas your child may need more support in.
www.theotbutterfly.com/sensoryprofiles101
Click here to see Lauraâs courses, Sensory Detectives Bootcamp, and guides.
Other Links You May Be Interested In:
Autism Little Learners on Instagram
Autism Little Learners on Facebook
You can also join my free Visual Supports Facebook Group to âhang outâ with like-minded educators and parents who want to take action and implement visuals at home or at school.
Be sure to subscribe to The Autism Little Learners Podcast so you donât miss future episodes. Plus, leave a rating & review on iTunesâŠ.this will help other educators and parents find this podcast!
CLICK HERE to leave a review on iTunes, then scroll down to âratings and reviewsâ and click âwrite a reviewâ. THANK YOU!
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Today we're going to talk about executive functioning for autistic preschoolers. I know a lot of times when we hear executive functioning, we think of older kids. You might think of things like organizing and planning. But we really can start working on executive functioning skills with young children at the three to 5-year-old level. Keep listening and Iâll share the 3 areas that make up executive functioning along with tips on how to support these areas at the early childhood level.
Topics Discussed:
What is executive functioning?
Reasons that executive functioning is important
Skills that make up executive functioning
Examples of activities that support executive functioning at the early childhood level
Links Mentioned In This Episode:
Visual Supports Starter Set
Predictable Routines Blog
Podcast Episode #35 Predictable Routines
Podcast Episode #61 Visual Supports
Visual Schedules
Tasks Galore Book
Visual Art Projects
Stop & Go Song Playlist - YouTube
Checklist Of Communicative Functions And Means
Simple Turn Taking Games
Tera Sumpter, SLP - Executive Functioning
Other Links You May Be Interested In:
Autism Little Learners on Instagram
Autism Little Learners on Facebook
You can also join my free Visual Supports Facebook Group to âhang outâ with like-minded educators and parents who want to take action and implement visuals at home or at school.
Be sure to subscribe to The Autism Little Learners Podcast so you donât miss future episodes. Plus, leave a rating & review on iTunesâŠ.this will help other educators and parents find this podcast!
CLICK HERE to leave a review on iTunes, then scroll down to âratings and reviewsâ and click âwrite a reviewâ. THANK YOU!
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I'm going back to the basics in this episode and sharing my top 5 favorite visual supports for preschool aged autistic children. They work at home too! Stop reinventing the wheel and learn about these visuals that are tried and true and have stood the test of time. You can also download my free Visual Support Starter Set so you can implement these right away!
In This Episode You Will Learn:
5 different visual supports for preschool autistic children
Why each of these visual supports are valuable
How to implement these visuals with autistic children
Links Mentioned In This Episode About Visual Supports:
Visual Support Starter Set
The Incredible 5 Point Scale by Kari Dunn Buron
Episode 2 - more information about the All Done Bucket
Themed Year Round Adapted Book Visuals
Other Links & Information:
Autism Little Learners on Instagram
Autism Little Learners on Facebook
Send me a DM on Instagram or Facebook and tell me which visual support you are going to implement first! You can also join my free Visual Supports Facebook Group to âhang outâ with like-minded educators and parents who want to take action and implement visuals at home or at school.
Be sure to subscribe to The Autism Little Learners Podcast so you donât miss future episodes. Plus, leave a rating & review on iTunesâŠ.this will help other educators and parents find this podcast!
CLICK HERE to leave a review on iTunes, then scroll down to âratings and reviewsâ and click âwrite a reviewâ. THANK YOU!
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My high school classmate, Anton Dabbs, was diagnosed as autistic this year at the age of 53. We first chatted about his diagnosis in episode #56.
We came together again to dive a little further into what life has been like since his diagnosis. Itâs always so amazing to talk to Anton. Heâs open, honest, and willing to share his insights. Donât miss this follow up episode!
Anton is sharing his experience of self-discovery on his new YouTube Channel. Be sure to head over and subscribe to continue to follow his journey. He is so open and honest about everything...you are going to love Anton!
He also has a new memoir that was recently released, where you can read about his life. He has overcome so many obstacles and challenges. The book isn't about autism, but ends with his recent diagnosis. However, those of you who support autistic kids may see some things throughout the book that can be attributed to being autistic. You can order the book on his website.
Here is where you can find Anton:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@anton_dabbs
Website: https://www.antondabbs.com/
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/antondabbs08/\
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/antonadabbs/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antondabbs/
Anton's new memoir is titled:
From Turmoil To Triumph: How A Mechanic Rose Above Poverty And Chronic Anxiety To Build A National Enterprise, And Found Peace With Himself And His Past In The Process -
When we teach autistic preschoolers, the way we do it can make a big difference in how they grow, feel about themselves, and whether they learn to enjoy learning or not. Strength-based learning looks at what each child is good at and what their passions or interests are, instead of just what they can't do. This is different from the old-school method that mostly points out a child's weaknesses and missing skills. Today Iâll be chatting about strength based learning vs a deficit-based approach with a sprinkle of positive relationships on the top. Iâll also be giving a couple of real life examples to make it easier for you to implement. Iâll see you inside the show!
Topics Discussed:
Strength-based approach to learning
Deficits-based approach
Value of positive relationships
Examples of strength-based approaches
Links Mentioned In This Episode:
Child Interest Survey
The Strengths Based Guide To Supporting Autistic Children by Claire Hill
Learn Play Thrive Blog Post
Strength based approach video
Tot Tube
Put in barn on Amazon
Video of put in barn activity on Instagram
Related Podcast Episodes To Listen To:
#58 Play-based learning for preschool autistic children
#50 3 ways to follow the lead of an autistic child
#36 Activities for children who dump and throw toys - Tips for expanding exploratory play
Other Links You May Be Interested In:
Autism Little Learners on Instagram
Autism Little Learners on Facebook
You can also join my free Visual Supports Facebook Group to âhang outâ with like-minded educators and parents who want to take action and implement visuals at home or at school.
Be sure to subscribe to The Autism Little Learners Podcast so you donât miss future episodes. Plus, leave a rating & review on iTunesâŠ.this will help other educators and parents find this podcast! CLICK HERE to leave a review on iTunes, then scroll down to âratings and reviewsâ and click âwrite a reviewâ. THANK YOU!
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Weâve been hearing a lot more about play-based learning in the last few years. But, how does that work for our young autistic children who require structure in the classroom? In todayâs episode, we are going to explore combining structure and predictable routines with play-based learning for young autistic children!
Topics Discussed:
What the stages of play are
How to provide structure and still have play-based learning
Why itâs important to observe the childâs play
How to expand play
Using visual supports during play
Resources and recommendations for play
Links Mentioned In This Episode:
Play Stages Checklist
Barn Put In Toy
Tot Tube
Imitating Autistic Children Article
Make Play Rock Booklets
Barn Activitity IG Reel
Tot Tube IG Reel
Other Links You May Be Interested In:
Autism Little Learners on Instagram
Autism Little Learners on Facebook
You can also join my free Visual Supports Facebook Group to âhang outâ with like-minded educators and parents who want to take action and implement visuals at home or school.
Be sure to subscribe to The Autism Little Learners Podcast so you donât miss future episodes. Plus, leave a rating & review on iTunesâŠ.this will help other educators and parents find this podcast!
CLICK HERE to leave a review on iTunes, then scroll down to âratings and reviewsâ and click âwrite a reviewâ. THANK YOU!
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Episode 57 is full of awesome ideas for supporting co-regulation and self-regulation with our young autistic children. I had a chance to pick the brains of Jessica Hill and Rachel Harrington and you are going to LOVE the information they shared.
Rachel Harrington, COTA/L, CPRCS and Jessica Hill, COTA/L, CPRCS are passionate Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants and Certified Primitive Reflex Clinic Specialists who host the popular podcast, All Things Sensory by Harkla. Their podcast, digital courses, YouTube, and blog on Harkla.com cover topics related to sensory processing disorder, special needs, parenting, and topics related to child development and health.With over 9 years of clinical experience, Rachel and Jessica are on a mission to help parents, educators, and therapists raise strong and confident children, no matter their abilities. They get excited about talking about clinical topics (such as Sensory Processing Disorder, primitive reflexes, and sensory diets) and breaking them down in a way that is actionable for anyone to benefit from.
Here is a link to their free webinars! https://harkla.co/pages/webinars
You can also tune into their podcast, All Things Sensory, by clicking this link: https://harkla.co/blogs/podcast Other links mentioned during this episode: https://sensationalbrain.com/brainworks/ https://www.youtube.com/@HarklaFamily/videos
https://harkla.co/pages/youtube-freebies?_ab=0&key=1707332938766 Other Links You May Be Interested In:
Autism Little Learners on Instagram
Autism Little Learners on Facebook
You can also join my free Visual Supports Facebook Group to âhang outâ with like-minded educators and parents who want to take action and implement visuals at home or school.
Be sure to subscribe to The Autism Little Learners Podcast so you donât miss future episodes. Plus, leave a rating & review on iTunesâŠ.this will help other educators and parents find this podcast! CLICK HERE to leave a review on iTunes, then scroll down to âratings and reviewsâ and click âwrite a reviewâ. THANK YOU! - Laat meer zien
