The Autism Little Learners Podcast

In this episode, we explore a powerful shift in how we understand one of the most recognizable traits in autistic children: their deep interests. If you've ever watched a child return to the same topic, object, or activity again and again with intense focus, you may have wondered whether it's something to redirect or expand.

But what if the interest isn't the problem?

This episode walks throug...

In this episode, we continue the play series by talking about the gentle bridge from exploratory play into functional play. If a child loves dumping toys, spinning wheels, dropping objects, or lining things up, it can be tempting to rush toward "using the toy the right way."

But functional play grows best when it feels safe, connected, and joyful. This episode explores how to support the shift from sensory...

In this episode, we continue the play series with an important reframe for educators, therapists, and caregivers: Exploratory play is not a problem to fix. It is a stage to understand. When a child dumps toys, spins wheels, mouths objects, drops items, or repeats the same action over and over, it can be easy for adults to feel pressure to stop it.

But what if the behavior isn't the problem?

Th...

In this episode, we continue the play series with one of the most common questions educators and caregivers ask: How do I help expand play without taking over? It can be tempting to jump in quickly when a child is lining up cars, spinning wheels, dumping toys, or repeating the same action over and over.

But meaningful play growth does not come from control. It comes from connection. This episode explores h...

In this episode, we begin a brand new series all about play with a foundational idea that challenges many traditional beliefs:

Autistic play is real play.

• Not practice play.

• Not "pre-play."

• Not something that need...

Your visual schedule helps students understand the structure of the day. But what helps them understand what's happening inside each activity?

In this episode, we explore mini-schedules, a visual support that breaks down the steps within an activity so students can see what they are doing right now, how much there is to do, and when the activity will end.

Even when a daily visual schedule is w...

What if the reason a visual schedule "isn't working"… isn't because the child can't use visuals. What if the real issue is that one small piece of the system needs adjusting?

In this episode, we walk through the most common reasons visual schedules fall apart in classrooms and therapy spaces. From schedule length to symbol clarity to how the schedule is introduced, small adjustments can make a big differen...

What if the reason your visual schedule isn't working… isn't because the child "doesn't respond to visuals"… but because the symbols you chose aren't meaningful to them yet? In this episode, we'll explore something that often gets overlooked in conversations about visual schedules: symbol selection.

Because not all pictures are created equal.

We talk through the continuum from less abstract to...

What if the reason a visual schedule "isn't working" isn't because the child can't handle it — but because we've accidentally made it too big… or too small… or too adult-centered?

In this episode, we'll unpack one of the most common questions educators ask: "How long should a visual schedule be?"

And the answer isn't about minutes. It's about nervous systems.

Together, we explore ...

What if AAC feels heavy in your classroom, not because you're doing it wrong — but because you've been carrying pressure that was never meant to be there?

In this episode, we reflect on what unfolded during AAC Bootcamp and explore the invisible weight educators, SLPs, and caregivers often carry when supporting AAC users. From second-guessing modeling to worrying about prompt dependency, progress monitorin...

For years, autistic play has been misunderstood, redirected, or even discouraged. But what if the very things we've been trying to "fix" are actually authentic expressions of joy, regulation, and connection?

In this replay of my powerful conversation with nationally recognized pediatric SLP, speaker, and neurodiversity-affirming advocate Cari Ebert, we explore why autistic play is real play — and why honor...

Winter often brings changes in schedules, energy levels, and tolerance — and when the world outside the classroom feels less predictable, nervous systems feel it. This episode focuses on supporting regulation and emotional safety when routines feel harder to maintain.

In this episode, we explore how disrupted routines, stress outside of school, and unpredictable changes can impact regulation for autistic c...

In this episode, we're talking about what truly changes when AAC is modeled all day—not just during instruction, but during play, routines, transitions, and real-life moments.

So often, AAC is treated as something that happens only at the table or during therapy. But when modeling AAC becomes part of the entire day, communication shifts from a task to a relationship.

This episode explores how ...

In this episode, we're unpacking a common—and harmful—myth in autism and AAC support: the idea that communication must be earned.

You'll hear why treating AAC as a reward makes regulation harder, not easier—and how unconditional access to communication supports regulation, trust, and participation, especially during autism meltdowns.

This episode reframes AAC as access, not a behavior strategy...

In this episode, we're talking about the powerful connection between AAC and dysregulation—and why regulation is access to communication.

So often, AAC is treated as a skill kids are expected to use only when they're calm and regulated. But when a child is dysregulated, overwhelmed, or in survival mode, accessing any form of communication—spoken or AAC—is incredibly hard.

This episode reframes...

In this special episode, Tara sits down with her friend and collaborator Sarah Habib from The Calm Caterpillar to share some exciting news—you're hearing it here first! Together, they've written a brand-new book, The Mindfulness Guide for Neurodivergent Learners, and this conversati...

Today we're talking about one of my favorite tools for supporting autistic preschoolers — visual schedules. These simple supports can make transitions smoother, reduce anxiety, and help kids feel safe and confident as they move through their day. I'll share a quick story from the classroom and break down why visual schedules work so we...

In this replay episode, I'm thrilled to bring back one of the most impactful conversations I've ever had on the podcast — my interview with Dr. Barry Prizant, world-renowned speech-language pathologist and author of the groundbreaking book Uniquely Human.

Our discussion gets to the heart of why the field of autism education is shifting away from compliance-based, behavior-focused models and toward approach...

This episode is back as a replay because the conversation is still incredibly relevant—and the questions around PECS and AAC haven't gone away.

In this episode, we take a thoughtful, nuanced look at the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) and its role in supporting autistic communication. While PECS has been widely used for decades, growing research, lived experience, and neurodiversity-affirming ...