The Autism Little Learners Podcast
How can I help my autistic student or child? Where can I find resources to teach my preschool-age students with autism? My child was given the autism diagnosis…now what? I just started teaching autistic preschool students…where do I start? Do you have any tips for potty training? How do I train my paras? Whether you are a special educator, speech/language pathologist, general education teacher, paraprofessional, parent, grandparent, or someone who loves a young autistic child, this show is for you! The Autism Little Learners podcast is relaxed, upbeat, informative, and full of actionable step-by-step tips to help you feel more confident and successful with your students or child. Host, Tara Phillips, is a speech/language pathologist who can relate to both SLPs and special education teachers because she has run her own communication-based classroom for over 2 decades. She is the creator of the Autism Little Learners Membership and the Visual Schedules Made Easy online course. Tara addresses all kinds of topics including: autism and visuals, tips for teaching communication skills, self-regulation as a foundation for learning, creating predictable routines, toilet training, challenging behaviors, fostering independence, and building positive relationships and connections with autistic children. Along with sharing her tips and most successful strategies for students on the autism spectrum, she will invite guest speakers to get different perspectives. Be sure to tune in and subscribe to The Autism Little Learners Podcast. You can also find Tara on: FB- https://www.facebook.com/autismlittlelearners/ IG-http://www.instagram.com/autismlittlelearners Website- www.autismlittlelearners.com
Episodes
Hi there, and welcome back to the Autism Little Learners podcast! I’m Tara Phillips, and today I’m joined by speech-language pathologist Alexandria Zachos for an amazing conversation all about Gestalt Language Processing.
We talk about how our understanding of language development has evolved, the real struggles around prompt dependence, and why a child-led approach is so important—especially for Gestalt l...
In this episode, I had the absolute honor of speaking with Dr. Barry Prizant—renowned speech-language pathologist and author of the best-selling book Uniquely Human. We talked about how the field of autism education is shifting away from compliance-based approaches and moving toward more compassionate, relationship-centered models.
Dr. Prizant shared powerful insights about emotional regulation, storytell...
In this episode of the Autism Little Learners Podcast, I sit down with Alex Lamoreaux—a mom of three, including two autistic boys—to talk about her personal and powerful journey with autism. From receiving a late diagnosis herself to navigating complex medical advice, Alex shares how she shifted from fear to confidence in parenting.
We dive into what it really means to trust your gut as a parent and honor...
Welcome back to the Autism Little Learners Podcast!
If you haven’t listened to Part 1 of this conversation on autism and water safety yet, be sure to go check that out first—it’s episode #125. In that episode, I sat down with Dayna Harvey, a certified swim instructor who specializes in working with autistic children, and Andy Roszak, an emergency preparedness expert with experience at FEMA and the CDC. Tog...
Welcome back to the Autism Little Learners Podcast.
Today, I’m joined by two incredible guests—Dayna Harvey, a certified swim instructor who specializes in teaching autistic children, and Andy Roszak, an emergency preparedness expert who has worked with FEMA and the CDC. Together, we’re diving into a topic that’s incredibly important—and honestly, one that doesn’t get talked about enough: water safety for ...
Hey everyone, welcome back to the Autism Little Learners Podcast! Today’s episode is such a special one. I’m joined by Megan Griffith, an autistic and ADHD life coach who shares powerful insights from her own lived experience.
We talk about what it’s like to be diagnosed later in life, sensory sensitivities, masking, and the importance of honoring neurodivergent play. Megan’s stories and metaphors bring so...
In this episode, I sit down with Jordan Garrett, a special education teacher from the UK and the creator behind Sensory Classroom. We talk about what it really takes to support autistic students with high support needs—especially during group time. Jordan shares how success isn't about getting everyone to sit and comply, but about building trust, meeting sensory needs, and creating a safe, engaging space where students...
In this episode, I chat with Dr. Hayley Crane about supporting autistic and ADHD learners in ways that are truly affirming and compassionate. We dive into how visual supports and predictable routines can reduce anxiety, ease transitions, and help kids feel more confident and secure throughout their day.
We also explore what to do when power struggles pop up, how to better understand the emotional fatigue t...
In this episode, I sit down with Polina Shkadron, a speech-language pathologist who specializes in autism, ADHD, and ARFID. We dive into her journey into feeding therapy and explore what’s really going on beneath the surface when kids struggle with eating. Polina shares how trust, autonomy, and regulation play a huge role in building positive food experiences.
We talk about the impact of fear and anxiety o...
This week on the Autism Little Learners Podcast, I’m resharing one of my favorite episodes with Destiny Huff — and trust me, if you missed it the first time, now’s your chance to tune in!
We dive into all things IEPs — with a focus on accommodations and modifications that are truly neurodiversity-affirming. I know so many of us are working hard to write IEPs that are strengths-based and aligned with our va...
Do you need some ideas for morning meeting or circle time? I have special educator Jenn Adams here to share some awesome tips for an engaging morning meeting! Jenn talks about the significance of building routines, differentiating instruction, and using creative strategies to enhance communication and engagement among students with diverse needs. We also chat about the significance of teamwork, problem-solving activi...
This week on the Autism Little Learners Podcast, I'm bringing back a powerful and important conversation with Emily Byers Chaney, SLP — and it felt like the perfect time to revisit it during Autism Acceptance Month. 💛
Have you ever found yourself wondering things like:
• What does it mean to be neurodiversity-affirming?
• Why do many autistic children have pronoun reversals?
• What is gestalt language pro...
We're bringing back this powerful episode because this topic is that important.
Have you heard of PDA? How about autism and PDA?
PDA stands for Pathological Demand Avoidance, and it’s a term you’re likely hearing more and more in the autism community.
This conversation with Casey Ehrlich, Ph.D. was eye-opening, informative, and deeply validating. If you're a parent or educator supporting an au...
In this episode of the Autism Little Learners podcast, we dive into the shift from autism awareness to autism acceptance, emphasizing the importance of listening to autistic voices.
We explore the history of autism, the evolution of diagnostic criteria, and the rise of the neurodiversity movement, which advocates for the acceptance of neurological differences as a natural part of human diversity.
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Have you ever wondered how to talk to children about autism? In today’s episode, I had the honor of talking to Andi Putt about the importance of early conversations about autism, and how to empower autistic children through understanding their identity. We also talk about the significance of normalizing these conversations among peers and Andi offers some effective ways to explain autism to children. This episode is on...
Do you want more active engagement in your classroom? Today’s episode is an audio version of my training titled “3 Simple Strategies To Foster Engagement, Play & Communication In Autistic Preschoolers”. The training covers transforming dumping & throwing toys into structured play-based activiti...
In today’s episode, I’ll be discussing Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) with Dr. Taylor Day. The conversation explores the drive for autonomy in children with PDA, the impact of the fight or flight response, and effective strategies for supporting these children in educational and home settin...
In this episode, I talked to Lauren Sharifi about Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), its definition, and subtypes. We also discussed the challenges faced by individuals with ARFID, particularly in educational settings. Lauren shares insights on identifying early signs of ARFID in children, the impact of sensory issues, and strategies for supporting children with ARFID in a way that respects their individual needs an...
This episode explores the profound impact of stress on autistic children, emphasizing the need for compassionate approaches to behavior management. It highlights the importance of understanding behaviors as forms of communication, the necessity of self-advocacy, and the creation of supportive environments that cater to the unique needs of autistic individuals.
The discussion provides practical strategies ...
In this episode of the Autism Little Learners podcast, I talked to Erin Forward, a speech pathologist specializing in trauma-informed feeding. Erin shares her journey and passion for working with neurodivergent children, emphasizing the importance of understanding trauma in feeding therapy. She discusses the principles of trauma-informed care, the nuances of each child's feeding experience, and the signifi...
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