Today’s episode marks the one year birthday of the Autism Little Learners Podcast! It’s so fitting that this milestone falls on a day when I’m doing a Q&A episode with my husband. Tune in as he asks me questions from listeners. Today we tackle the classroom setup, how to manage several visual schedules, unstructured play, and play-based vs 1:1 direct teaching in the special education classroom. Topics Discussed: Classroom setup Playbased learning balanced with 1:1 direct teaching Managing severa...
Jan 16, 2024•25 min•Season 1Ep. 53
Episode/Show Notes: I had the honor of talking to Ashley Barlow for today’s podcast episode. She is an attorney, mother of a son with Down Syndrome, and a former teacher. Since she has experienced the special education process from all three perspectives, she is the prefect person to interview about IEP’s. If you are new to IEP’s or just want a refresher, you aren’t going to want to miss this episode. See you inside the show! Topics Discussed: IEP’s IEP acronyms Preparing for an IEP meeting Link...
Jan 09, 2024•50 min•Season 1Ep. 52
After winter break, re-establishing routines in early childhood special education classrooms can be a challenge. Young children, particularly autistic children, benefit greatly from visual supports to ease this transition. In today’s episode, we'll go back to the basics and explore effective strategies that will ease that transition back into the classroom after an extended break! Topics Discussed: Going back to school after winter break Visual supports and autism Visual schedules Autism and pla...
Jan 02, 2024•10 min•Season 1Ep. 51
Today we are going to chat about the OWL approach. It was developed by The Hanen Centre and is a great strategy if you want to follow the child’s lead to learn more about what they like and how they are playing and communicating. The OWL approach has so many benefits, which I will go over during today’s episode. Topics Discussed: Following the lead of an autistic child Examples of following their lead Benenfits of following the autistic child’s lead Links Mentioned In This Episode: OWL approach ...
Dec 26, 2023•11 min
Fostering early language development in young autistic children goes way beyond teaching words. I’m excited to share 3 ways to encore language development that actually do not involve saying “say train” or “say cracker”. Do you want to know what you can do instead? Listen to today’s episode for easy tips that you can implement right away! Topics Discussed: Symbolic sounds and exclamatory words People play Exploratory play Links Mentioned In This Episode : Symbolic sounds resources on TpT Take ou...
Dec 19, 2023•17 min•Season 1Ep. 49
You are NOT going to want to miss today’s episode! I talked to Jennifer Hofferber, a special education teacher of the year in Oklahoma, about training paraprofessionals. She has made it her mission to help others train and create a well oiled machine with their paraprofessionals. I can’t wait for you to hear her amazing insights and tips! Topics Discussed: Training paraprofessionals and educational assistants Special education teachers as leaders Para interest survey Facilitating hard conversati...
Dec 12, 2023•29 min•Season 1Ep. 48
How much time do you get to train your paraprofessionals? If you are like most of us…the answer is “little to none”. So, how can we provide training that only takes a couple of minutes per day? Well, today I’m going to talk about 7 areas that are the most important to start with and then I’ll share 2 resources that will help you train your staff in just a few minutes each day! Topics Discussed: Training paraprofessionals and educational assistants Autism Gestalt language processing Regulation Bu...
Dec 05, 2023•15 min•Season 1Ep. 47
In this episode, we're exploring the essential steps of potty training for autistic children, all while emphasizing compassion. Potty training can be a challenging journey, especially for children who are autistic. I've broken down the process into five steps, each designed to create a supportive and comfortable environment for your child or student. I’ll see you inside the show! Topics Discussed: Challenges autistic children face with potty training 3 steps to potty training with compassion Pre...
Nov 28, 2023•11 min•Season 1Ep. 46
The holiday season is a time of joy and togetherness for many families, but it can also be a challenging time for parents of young autistic children. Changes in routines, sensory overload, and social gatherings can be overwhelming. In today’s episode we'll explore seven tips to help parents of young autistic children navigate the holidays successfully. Topics Discussed: Challenges autistic children and parents face during holiday gatherings, maintaining a consistent schedule, preparing autistic ...
Nov 21, 2023•11 min•Season 1Ep. 45
Are you feeling overwhelmed when you think about where to start with using visual schedules in your classroom or at home? Are you struggling to create visual schedules that actually work? You are not alone! Join me inside of today’s episode so we can chat about a solution to your problem. Topics Discussed: History of visual schedules Visual Schedules Made Easy Course Links Mentioned In This Episode ( if you don't see the links below, go to www.autismlittlelearners.com/shownotes for clickable lin...
Nov 14, 2023•7 min•Season 1Ep. 44
For autistic children, the world can sometimes feel confusing and unpredictable. Visual schedules serve as lighthouses, providing a clear, visual pathway through the daily fog of activities. These powerful tools not only enhance comprehension and independence but also reduce anxiety and ease transitions. Let's explore the types of visual schedules, how to select symbols, and determine the optimal schedule length for your child or student. Topics Discussed: Visual schedules Symbol selection for v...
Nov 07, 2023•12 min•Season 1Ep. 43
Are you a special education teacher or speech/language pathologist feeling overwhelmed by the challenges of creating smoother transitions for your autistic students? Are you a parent of a young autistic child searching for effective strategies to support your child or student’s development? Join me in today’s episode to learn more about the upcoming Visual Supports Coaching Week! Topics Discussed: All done bucket Visual schedules Wait mat Star chart Calming Sequence First-Then Board Change Card ...
Oct 31, 2023•15 min•Season 1Ep. 42
Picture this: a classroom where every child feels understood, where routines are clear, where communication flows, and where emotions are managed with confidence. In today's episode, I’m sharing the top 10 must-have visual supports that are transforming the lives of teachers, parents, and, most importantly, young autistic children. So whether you're a dedicated special education teacher striving for that "aha" moment, a speech/language pathologist seeking effective tools, or a parent eager to cr...
Oct 24, 2023•15 min•Season 1Ep. 41
In today’s Q&A episode, I answer questions submitted by listeners. Topics Discussed: Exploratory play Behaviors Vocal stims Links Mentioned In This Episode: People Play Booklet 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 “hang out” 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 L...
Oct 17, 2023•27 min•Season 1Ep. 40
You don’t want to miss today’s episode about pretend play. We’ll start by summarizing the stages of play that we covered in the last several episodes. Exploratory play, one-step functional play, and two-step functional play are leading children on the path to pretend play! Now, let’s chat about how we can nurture pretend play with our autistic child or students. See you inside the show! Topics Discussed: Exploratory play Functional play Pretend play Using visual supports for play Links Mentioned...
Oct 10, 2023•12 min•Season 1Ep. 39
Welcome to today’s episode, where playtime is more than just fun—it's a journey of learning. We've explored the foundational stages from exploratory play to one-step functional play. Now, let's delve deeper, guiding our kids from those initial moments to the dynamic world of two-step functional play. Let's discover together how to help our kids learn and grow through play. Topics Discussed: Functional play One step play Two step play Using visual supports for play Suggestions for types of activi...
Oct 03, 2023•12 min•Season 1Ep. 38
The journey of play development in autistic children may take a different path than it does for typically children, but it doesn’t make it any less meaningful! With each stage, they delve deeper into their understanding of the world around them. For teachers and parents of young autistic children, the journey can be a tad more complicated, and understanding the stages of play becomes crucial. Two fundamental stages in this journey are 'exploratory play' and 'one-step functional play'. Let's take...
Sep 26, 2023•14 min•Season 1Ep. 37
So often our young autistic students come to us with what we think are “no play skills”. Does your student or child dump toys, throw toys and objects, or mouth everything? Well, guess what? That is a developmental stage of play called “exploratory play”. If your student or child is in this stage of play, there is plenty we can do to nudge them toward functional play. In today’s episode, I’ll be talking about how you can use “put in” and “take out” activities for children in this exploratory stag...
Sep 19, 2023•17 min•Season 1Ep. 36
Predictable routines…they are everything when you are teaching young autistic children. In today’s episode, we will be chatting more about why predictable routines are so important and also about HOW to get started implementing a few in your own classroom! Topics Discussed: Why predictable routines are so important for young autistic children Which routines would be the best to start with Examples of predictable routines in the classroom that have stood the test of time with hundreds of children...
Sep 12, 2023•17 min•Season 1Ep. 35
I’ve got a short and sweet episode for you today! I’ll be sharing 3 tips for introducing a morning meeting or circle time to young autistic children in a self-contained preschool classroom. If you are an educator working in that setting, you don’t want to miss this episode! Topics Discussed: Preparing and getting organized before starting a circle time for young autistic children in a special education preschool classroom Using visual supports, such as a visual mini-schedule, and all done bucket...
Sep 05, 2023•12 min•Season 1Ep. 34
Teaching young autistic children requires a unique approach that goes beyond traditional teaching methods. Building a positive and nurturing relationship with your students is not only essential for their emotional well-being but also forms the foundation upon which meaningful learning can take place. In today’s podcast, we will delve into the importance of fostering and building a positive connection with young autistic children, and provide five effective strategies for special education teach...
Aug 29, 2023•18 min•Season 1Ep. 33
When little ones start growing up, they're not just learning about things around them – they're also figuring out how to control their feelings and actions. For autistic children, this is super important because it helps them learn and do things in school. In today’s episode, we will talk about why supporting regulation is so crucial for autistic children, what self-regulation and co-regulation mean. I’ll also share some easy tips for parents and teachers who want to work proactively to prevent ...
Aug 22, 2023•14 min•Season 1Ep. 32
Thanks for joining us for a Q&A episode with Jason. These Q & A episodes will air from time to time so I can answer YOUR questions! I love brainstorming with you and helping you come up with ideas, so be sure to submit a question by sending me a DM on Instagram or Facebook. You can also submit using this link . Topics Discussed: Sitting at the table Exploratory play Using pictures to communicate When parents are in denial of the diagnosis Suggestions for an autism classroom with several students...
Aug 15, 2023•28 min•Season 1Ep. 31
The Autism Little Learners Membership is a dedicated community that provides valuable support and resources for parents and educators working with young autistic children. I can’t wait to share what you will find inside the membership in today’s episode. Let’s chat more inside the show! Autism Little Learners Membership You may also be interested in these supports: Visual Support Starter Set Visual Supports Facebook Group Autism Little Learners on Instagram Autism Little Learners on Facebook Sub...
Aug 08, 2023•10 min•Season 1Ep. 30
Episode/Show Notes: Imitation skills play a crucial role in a child's early development, particularly in the realm of language acquisition and social interaction. For young autistic children, who often face challenges in communication and social engagement, fostering imitation skills can be a significant step towards enhancing their overall development. In today’s episode we will delve into the importance of imitation skills for autistic children and explore the groundbreaking research of the Fi...
Aug 01, 2023•16 min•Season 1Ep. 29
Whether you are a mama or an educator, you are going to want to listen to today’s episode. I was lucky enough to interview Dr. Alisha Bennett about her experience with her autistic son and how she supports other mamas! Keep listening to soak up some awesome Alisha wisdom! The Multifaceted Mama Doc Website The Multifaceted Mama Doc Instagram You may also be interested in these supports: Visual Support Starter Set Visual Supports Facebook Group Autism Little Learners on Instagram Autism Little Lea...
Jul 25, 2023•55 min•Season 1Ep. 28
I can’t wait to tell you all about Kickstart Back To School Bootcamp in today’s show! This course only opens up one time per year, and it will help you start the new school year off on the right foot! Get organized, get motivated, and get some support…find out how inside today’s show! Kickstart Back To School Bootcamp 2023 You may also be interested in these supports: Visual Support Starter Set Visual Supports Facebook Group Autism Little Learners on Instagram Autism Little Learners on Facebook ...
Jul 18, 2023•8 min•Season 1Ep. 27
This week I had the honor of interviewing special education teacher Dawn Ellis for the podcast. Dawn shares her expertise in the area of adapting curriculum to meet the needs of all children. Specifically, we talked about using adapted books for science and social studies. You know how much I love adapted books, so this was such a fun interview. Cultivating Exception Minds Website Be The Exception Podcast Cultivating Exceptional Minds on Instagram You may also be interested in these supports: Vi...
Jul 11, 2023•25 min•Season 1Ep. 26
In this episode, I shared information about the 2023 Summer PD Series. This series provides professional development trainings and resources to get you ready for the upcoming school year! Here are the links you need: Summer PD Series July 6, 2023 FB Live File Folder Challenge Autism Classroom Guide Kickstart Back To School Bootcamp 2023 Adapted Book Guide Adapted Book Challenge 4 Shifts We Need To Make: Autism In The Schools Masterclass Toilet Train With Compassion Mini-Course Toilet Training Gu...
Jul 04, 2023•11 min•Season 1Ep. 25
In episode 24, I have the pleasure of interviewing Rachel Madel M.A.,CCC-SLP. Rachel is an LA-based speech-language pathologist dedicated to coaching parents and professionals on incorporating technology to best support speech and language development. Rachel presents both nationally and abroad on the use of augmentative alternative communication (AAC) for children with complex communication needs and coaches clinicians, teachers, and parents on integrating technology in classrooms and at home t...
Jun 27, 2023•49 min•Season 1Ep. 24
