Join Cari and Jim for a follow-up to episode 73 as they continue the discussion on supporting Autistic children at mealtime. In this episode, Cari outlines three categories of safe, respectful strategies that prioritize trust, choice, and co-regulation. If you're enjoying the podcast and want to keep the conversation going, join Cari's email list here: https://cariebert.com/mailing-list
Jun 24, 2025•29 min•Ep. 74
Cari and Jim discuss the complex relationship that Autistic children often have with food. One liner for this episode: For Autistic kids, mealtime is about survival, not stubbornness.
Jun 18, 2025•20 min•Ep. 73
Nobody likes to talk about screen time. But we live in the Digital Age, and it's time to start supporting families of young children in creating mindful screen time habits at home. One thing that all children with developing brains and bodies need is VARIED EXPERIENCES! Screen time should be just one of many experiences young children have access to each day. Be sure to stay tuned until the end for a discussion about screen time in children with disabilities. Screen Time Mindfulness Books for Ki...
May 28, 2025•45 min•Ep. 72
Cari and Jim discuss the bias in autism research and how this affects girls getting an autism diagnosis.
Apr 29, 2025•30 min•Ep. 71
The CDC released the most recent autism prevalence numbers which showed an increase from 1 in 36 kids to 1 in 31 kids. In this episode, Cari and Jim discuss factors contributing to the increase in autism prevalence in the United States including 1) improved understanding of the Autistic neurotype, 2) increased identification of autism in previously under-identified groups, and 3) assortative mating. Here are the 2 links mentioned in the episode: 1013.full.pdf The Evidence on Vaccines and Autism ...
Apr 22, 2025•29 min•Ep. 70
Join Cari and Jim for an informative discussion about the power of heavy work for young children with developing brains and bodies! The Anxious Generation Join Cari's Email List
Feb 25, 2025•33 min•Ep. 69
Cari and Jim discuss strategies for supporting older kids who are constantly putting their hands, toys, and other objects in their mouth or chewing on their hair or shirt. You'll walk away with actionable strategies and activities to begin using immediately! Shop Cari's Amazon Store - Sensory Tools and Toys Join Cari's Email List...
Feb 18, 2025•31 min•Ep. 68
In the first episode of 2025 Cari and Jim discuss the benefits of playing board and card games with kids of all ages. The primary emphasis of this conversation is about the link between playing board games and building executive function skills. Play-based learning for the win! Defender of Play T-Shirt - Cari Ebert Building Brains T-Shirt - Cari Ebert...
Jan 16, 2025•23 min•Ep. 67
This is episode 66 (Cari incorrectly refers to it as episode 65...please forgive her error!). In this episode Cari discusses key takeaways from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) national convention that took place in Seattle, WA. Even if you're not a speech-language pathologist, you will enjoy hearing about Cari's learning and networking adventures!
Dec 11, 2024•34 min•Ep. 66
Join Cari and Jim as they discuss what it means to be an ally to the Autistic community and how trauma informed services fit into neurodiversity-affirming practices.
Nov 19, 2024•25 min•Ep. 65
Cari and Jim discuss how to build authentic connections with Autistic children. This is a short but powerful episode that will give you a lot to think about.
Nov 01, 2024•18 min•Ep. 64
Cari and Jim talk about the emotional roller coaster ride of parenting an Autistic child. In the introduction, Cari misspeaks and calls this episode 62...sorry for the error!
Oct 16, 2024•27 min•Ep. 63
Join Cari and Jim as they discuss Chapter 5 of Cari's book, "The Learning to Learn Program." This episode is all about supporting early language development in Autistic children. AAC and gestalt language processing are a couple of the topics discussed. This is a longer episode, so buckle up for some helpful tips! THE LEARNING TO LEARN PROGRAM - Cari Ebert
Oct 09, 2024•46 min•Ep. 62
Join Cari and Jim for a lively discussion about supporting Autistic children through play. Cari provides specific strategies from Chapter 5 of her book "The Learning to Learn Program" and reminds listeners that there is no right or wrong way to play! Links to the books discussed in episode 61: The Learning to Learn Program A Moving Child is a Learning Child...
Oct 02, 2024•34 min•Ep. 61
In this episode, Cari and Jim discuss Chapter 3 of The Learning to Learn Program. After reminiscing about their son's sensory differences, Cari provides strategies for supporting the sensory needs of young Autistic children. The Learning to Learn Program
Sep 25, 2024•37 min•Ep. 60
In this episode, Cari discusses Chapter two of her book The Learning to Learn Program. Cari and Jim outline specific strategies for supporting joint attention in Autistic toddlers and preschoolers. Hint: It has nothing to do with eye contact! See below for link to Cari's book. Learning to Learn Program
Sep 18, 2024•29 min•Ep. 59
In this episode, Cari discusses Chapter one of her book The Learning to Learn Program. Jim provides sports-related analogies while Cari outlines specific strategies for supporting non-verbal imitation skills in Autistic toddlers and preschoolers. See below for link to Cari's book. Learning to Learn Program
Sep 11, 2024•46 min•Ep. 58
Cari and Jim have an important discussion about how to bring up autism to parents and caregivers without creating a sense of panic and fear.
Sep 04, 2024•27 min•Ep. 57
Cari and Jim discuss the different path that Autistic children take in their development. They share reflections of their Autistic son's developmental differences and convey the message that forward is forward...no matter the speed and no matter the path.
Aug 26, 2024•22 min•Ep. 56
Join Cari and Jim for a discussion of the "Inside Out 2" movie.
Jul 11, 2024•24 min•Ep. 55
Cari and Jim chat in front of a live audience at the Michigan Division of Early Childhood Conference in Mount Pleasant, Michigan! In this episode we talk about the traits of playful adults and how important they are when supporting the development of young children.
May 07, 2024•39 min•Ep. 54
Cari and Jim have a passionate discussion about the difference between autism awareness and autism acceptance. Because our words matter!
Apr 01, 2024•38 min•Ep. 53
Cari and Jim discuss the reasons why Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) is an outdated AAC option.
Mar 14, 2024•45 min•Ep. 52
Cari and Jim talk about their journey homeschooling their Autistic child. They discuss the benefits and potential barriers of homeschooling a child with a disability.
Feb 02, 2024•45 min•Ep. 51
Cari and Jim have an animated discussion about the history of play-based therapy, the importance of play-based therapy, and how child-led play differs from adult-directed play.
Jan 30, 2024•41 min•Ep. 50
Final episode of 2023!
Dec 29, 2023•24 min•Ep. 49
Cari and Jim discuss strategies for making the holidays merry for children who struggle with changes in routines.
Dec 11, 2023•40 min•Ep. 48
Cari and Jim discuss why transitions can be so tough and provide 13 strategies for making transitions easier. Link to visual timer discussed in this episode: Time Timer
Nov 29, 2023•38 min•Ep. 47
Cari and Jim discuss thoughtful strategies for throwing a neuro-affirming birthday party for your autistic child.
Oct 20, 2023•37 min•Ep. 46
While parent coaching is an integral part of early intervention home visits, it's not typically a big part of therapy visits that are done in the clinic setting. Cari and Jim discuss 10 strategies for bringing parent coaching into your clinic-based therapy sessions with toddlers and preschoolers.
Oct 11, 2023•40 min•Ep. 45