The Autism Little Learners Podcast

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 to support communication. She co-hosts a weekly podcast called "Talking With Tech" and creates educational resources, therapy materials, and training videos to help support parents and professionals. In this episode, Rachel Madel and I talk about: The definition of AAC Modeling without expectation Presuming competence Why kids don't have to "prove they are ready" for AAC Different types of AAC How to get "buy-in" with AAC Links Related To This Week's Episode: Rachel's Free Resource Library AAC Ally Course Talking With Tech Podcast Rachel's Instagram Rachel's Website Rachel's TikTok 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 Submit a question for the Q&A episodes. Ask me anything and tune in to see if your question is featured on the show!

In This Episode You Will Learn 5 Ways To Create A Smother Transition To Kindergarten For Your Autistic Child: Visit the school's playground over the summer Put together a social story Create an "All About Me" document Practice adaptive skills Meet the teacher and visit the classroom Links Related To This Week's Episode: Reinforcement Inventory Social Story Library Going To Kindergarten Social Story All About Me Template Free Sleep Article From Autism Advocate Parenting Magazine Autism Advocate Parenting Magazine - Learn More & Subscribe 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 Submit a question for the Q&A episodes. Ask me anything and tune in to see if your question is featured on the show!

In this episode, I'm sharing 10 children's books that promote self-regulation and support autistic children. So, if you're a parent, educator, or simply someone interested in this topic, you're in for a treat! We'll be discussing some amazing books that will be perfect to add to your home or school library. In This Episode You Will Learn: 10 children's books about self-regulation and sensory differences Where to learn more about self-regulation Links Related To This Week's Episode: Sensory Children's Books Amazon List A Day With No Words Children's Book by Tiffany Hammond Self-Regulation Blog Posts My Favorite Noise Cancelling Headphones For Kids Free Calming Corner Challenge Sensory-related Mini-Training Replays On YouTube 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 Submit a question for the Q&A episodes. Ask me anything and tune in to see if your question is featured on the show!

In today's Q&A podcast episode, I answered questions from listeners about toilet training young autistic children. In This Episode You Will Learn: What to do if your child or student uses the bathroom at home, but not at school or in public Readiness signs for potty training Where to start first with toilet training Helping children communicate the need to use the bathroom How interoception affects toilet training Links Related To This Week's Episode: Toilet Training Toolkit Guide Toileting Sequence Visual Support Interoception Video Toilet Training Amazon Recommendations 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 Submit a question for the Q&A episodes. Ask me anything and tune in to see if your question is featured on the show!

We are on the last episode in this 3 part series on potty training autistic children with compassion. Today, I'll be sharing 12 additional tips and tricks that have worked for me and the parents I have supported over the last 2 decades. Be sure to listen in because one of these tips might just be the one you needed to get over the potty training hump. In This Episode You Will Learn: 12 tips and tricks for potty training autistic children Links Related To This Week's Episode: Toilet Training Toolkit Guide Potty Time App Toilet Training Amazon Recommendations 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 Submit a question for the Q&A episodes. Ask me anything and tune in to see if your question is featured on the show!

What skills do I even start with as I'm potty training my autistic child or student? Which strategies will help me best support the child as I begin to teach these skills? Today we will be talking about which skills you can start with and the types of visual and sensory supports can help you potty train with compassion. You will also learn where to get the brand new free Toilet Training Guide from Autism Little Learners. Be sure to listen to episode 18, which was part one of this 3 part series on toilet training. In that episode we talked about how interoception differences and language delays can make potty training more difficult for young autistic children. In This Episode You Will Learn: Where to start with potty training your autistic child or student What types of visual supports are helpful Which sensory aspects you need to think about Links Related To This Week's Episode: Toilet Training Toolkit Guide Toilet Training Blog Mini-Training Replay On Visual Supports For Potty Training Video Modeling Blog Mini-Training Replay On Video Modeling Noise Reducing Headphones My Favorite Weighted Lap Pad 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 Submit a question for the Q&A episodes. Ask me anything and tune in to see if your question is featured on the show!

One of the biggest skills parents of my students want to work on is potty training, and rightly so. This skill is huge when it comes to independence! But, many times, ditching those diapers and pull-ups takes a lot more time than with neurotypical children. Why is that? That's what we are chatting about it inside this episode of the Autism Little Learners Podcast! In This Episode You Will Learn: Why potty training is delayed for many autistic children What the term "interoception" means How language delays affect potty training Tips to help set the stage for toilet training Links Related To This Week's Episode:: Toilet Training Blog Posts Potty Journey Book Ready Set Potty Book Interoception - How I Feel Book The Pocket OT Facebook Page Autism Potty Training Amazon Recommendations Free Visual Sequence For Toileting El Potty Nurse Travel Potty Seat Register for the new mini-course, "Autism: Potty Train With Compassion" by clicking here. 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 Submit a question for the Q&A episodes on the first Tuesday of each month. Ask me anything and tune in to see if your question is featured on the show.

In this episode, I'm talking about all things TpT Sitewide sales. Teachers Pay Teachers sitewide sales are a great opportunity to save money on educational resources. By planning ahead, signing up for email notifications, following your favorite sellers, taking advantage of bundle deals, leaving feedback, using free resources, and checking the sale dates and times, you can maximize your savings and get the resources you need for your classroom or home. In This Episode You Will Learn: What a TpT sitewide sale is How to take full advantage of the sale How to write a review to earn $$ toward future TpT purchases Links Related To This Week's Episode:: Follow Autism Little Learners TpT Store How To Leave a Review Blog Post 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 Submit a question for the Q&A episodes on the first Tuesday of each month. Ask me anything and tune in to see if your question is featured on the show!

Symbolic sounds are the sounds that represent specific words or ideas, such as "meow" for a cat or "choo-choo" for a train. These sounds can be very helpful for young children who are still developing their language skills, as they can provide a way for children to communicate even if they don't have the words to express themselves. Today's show dives into different types of symbolic sounds, and ways to use them to encourage language development. Don't forget to grab your free list of symbolic sounds (linked below)! In This Episode You Will Learn: What symbolic sounds are How symbolic sounds can be used to encourage language development Ideas for activities that include symbolic sounds Links Related To This Week's Episode:: Symbolic Sounds Blog Post Free List Of Symbolic Sounds Symbolic Sounds Resource On TpT 3 Ways To Use Symbolic Sounds To Build Language Skills Mini-Training (YouTube) "Pets" book by Jane Foster Touch & Feel Farm Book Touch & Feel Pets Book Themed Play Visual Supports 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 Submit a question for the Q&A episodes on the first Tuesday of each month. Ask my anything and tune in to see if your question is featured on the show!

Video modeling is an effective strategy for autistic students. Research has shown that video modeling can help with teaching new skills or routines. The best thing about video modeling is how motivating it is! It's such an underutilized strategy and can be implemented quickly and easily. I'll share some tips for getting started in this episode. In This Episode, You Will: What video modeling is Benefits of video modeling Different types of video modeling 3 tips to get started Examples of ways to use video modeling Links Related To This Week's Episode:: Video Modeling Blog Post Video Modeling FB Live Replay Batman Video Modeling Example Incredible 5-Point Scale Book by Kari Dunn Buron You may also be interested in these supports: Visual Support Starter Set Visual Supports Facebook Group

Have you heard about my Visual Supports Challenge? It's happening now and I want YOU to join me and the thousands of educators and parents who have gotten started. If you like to take action and really implement and use what you learn, this is for you. Find out more inside the show. In This Episode, You Will: Learn About The Visual Supports Challenge 7 Visual Supports That Are In The Visual Supports Challenge Learn 7 Reasons To Use Visual Schedules Discover 6 Tips For Implementing Visual Schedule At Home Find Out How To Join The Visual Schedules Made Easy Online Course Links Related To This Week's Episode:: Visual Supports Challenge Visual Schedules Made Easy Online Course 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 Submit a question for the Q&A episodes on the first Tuesday of each month. Ask me anything and tune in to see if your question is featured on the show!

Thanks for joining us for Tuesday Talks With Tara & Jason. These Q & A episodes will air on the first Tuesday of each month. 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. In today's Q & A episode, I answered questions related to autism about: Navigating the initial diagnosis of autism Parents in denial of autism diagnosis Student who puts visuals in their mouth Child who pushes one button over and over on AAC device Child who has trouble separating from parent at daycare Visual Supports Challenge Visual Schedules Made Easy Course Links: The Autism Navigator Visual Supports Challenge Visual Schedules Made Easy 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 Submit a question for the Q&A episodes on the first Tuesday of each month. Ask my anything and tune in to see if your question is featured on the show!

April has historically been called Autism Awareness Month. But, now you might be hearing that it is now being called Autism Acceptance Month. Why was that change made? Why is the puzzle piece now replaced with the infinity symbol? How has the definition of autism changed and how has the prevalence of autism increased over the past 20 years? Episode 12 of The Autism Little Learners Podcast will bring you up to speed! In This Episode You Will Learn: Autism Awareness vs. Acceptance What the puzzle piece is out and what symbol replaced it History of the definition and diagnosis of autism Prevalence of autism over the past 23 years Identity-first vs person-first language Links Related To This Week's Episode: CDC Autism Prevalence Data Autistic: Definition & Prevalence Blog Person First Language Blog Autistic Self Advocacy Network Neuroclastic Uniquely Human Book by Barry Prizant I Will Die On This Hill by Meghan Ashburn & Jules Edwards 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 Submit a question for the Q&A episodes on the first Tuesday of each month. Ask me anything and tune in to see if your question is featured on the show!

Your student or child engages in mostly exploratory play where they interact with toys in a sensory way. Then may dump, sift or bang toys and objects. The next step is functional play. Episode 11 dives into functional play and autism In This Episode You Will Learn: What functional play is Benefits of functional play Where to find visual supports for 1 and 2 step play Examples of functional play Links Mentioned In This Episode About Functional Play & Autism: Functional Play And Autism Blog Autism & Play - How To Support Children Blog Free Cookie Theme One Step Functional Play Visual Supports Melissa & Doug Cookie Toy List Of Recommended Toys For Exploratory Play List Of Recommended Toys For Functional Play Take Out The Toys Book - Hanen Centre Themed One & Two Step Play Visual Supports 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 Submit a question for the Q&A episodes on the first Tuesday of each month. Ask my anything and tune in to see if your question is featured on the show!

Do you have students who aren't playing with toys in a functional way yet? Do they like to dump, or explore toys or objects in more of a sensory way? If you said "yes", this episode about exploratory play and autism is for you! In This Episode You Will Learn: What exploratory play is Benefits of exploratory play Examples of exploratory play Links Mentioned In This Episode About Exploratory Play & Autism: Visual Support Starter Set Visual Supports Facebook Group Autism Little Learners on Instagram Autism Little Learners on Facebook Exploratory Play And Autism Blog Autism & Play - How To Support Children Blog Exploring Objects Article by The Hanen Centre List Of Recommended Toys For Exploratory Play Take Out The Toys Book - Hanen Centre Submit a question for the Q&A episodes on the first Tuesday of each month. Ask my anything and tune in to see if your question is featured on the show!

Multi-modal communication is a term we've been hearing more and more. How can we honor all modes of communication and what does that even mean?! In this episode, we will chat about that, plus I'll share 3 tips for encouraging multi-modal communication. Don't forget to download the free Multi-Modal Communication Checklist! In This Episode You Will Learn: What multi-modal communication means How you can honor communication Tips for encouraging multi-modal communication Links Mentioned In This Episode About Multi-Modal Communication: Visual Support Starter Set Visual Supports Facebook Group Autism Little Learners on Instagram Autism Little Learners on Facebook Multi-Modal Communication Blog post Multi-Modal Communication Video Training Replay Rachel Madel - AAC Ally Multi-Modal Communication Checklist Submit a question for the Q&A episodes on the first Tuesday of each month. Ask me anything and tune in to see if your question is featured on the show!

Thanks for joining us for Tuesday Talks With Tara & Jason. These Q & A episodes will air on the first Tuesday of each month. 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. In today's Q & A episode, I answered questions related to autism about: Student escaping from the classroom Justifying play-based learning Managing sensory tools Visual schedule vs communication device Dual diagnosis of Down Syndrom and autism Negative behaviors Morning routine in the classroom Links: 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 Little Learners Podcast so you don't miss future episodes. Plus, leave a rating & review on iTunes….this will help other educators and parents find this podcast! CLICK HERE to leave a review on iTunes, then scroll down to "ratings and reviews" and click "write a review". THANK YOU!

We hear the term self-regulation all the time. But, we need to remember an important step of co-regulation. This episode will walk you through 5 tips for moving from co-regulation to self-regulation. You can grab the calming kit here. In This Episode You Will Learn: 5 tips for moving from co-regulation to self-regulation About what co-regulation is About what self-regulation is Visual supports that can encourage self-regulation Links Mentioned In This Episode About Co-Regulation & Self-Regulation: Adapted Book Library Visual Support Starter Set Visual Supports Facebook Group Autism Little Learners on Instagram Autism Little Learners on Facebook Adapted Books Blog 5 Fidget Toys For Self Regulation Blog Co-Regulation And Autism Blog Children's Book List For Self-Relation DIY Calming Tent Free Calming Corner Challenge Submit a question for the Q&A episodes on the first Tuesday of each month. Ask me anything and tune in to see if your question is featured on the show!

Using adapted books with your young autistic students can be incredibly beneficial for helping them learn and grow. Whether you are a teacher, parent, or caregiver, using adaptive books can help you support the child's development in a variety of ways. This episode will walk you through 10 reasons to use adapted books at home or school. You can grab the free visual pieces for "Brown Bear, Brown Bear" by downloading the Visual Supports Starter Set. In This Episode You Will Learn: 10 benefits of using adapted books for autistic children About the new Adapted Book Library Where to get visuals for adaptive books Links Mentioned In This Episode About Adapted Books: Adapted Book Library Visual Support Starter Set Visual Supports Facebook Group Autism Little Learners on Instagram Autism Little Learners on Facebook Adapted Books Blog

Implementing visual supports at home can be overwhelming. You may be a parent, caregiver, or family member who is thinking "where do I even start when it comes to visuals at home?". Or, you might be a teacher or childcare provider who is supporting a family with a young autistic child. Whichever category you fall under, I'm hoping you can walk away with some actionable ideas today! In This Episode You Will Learn: Different types of visual supports for home 4 examples of visual supports for autistic children 3 tips for taking the overwhelm out of using visual supports at home Links Mentioned In This Episode About Visual Supports At Home: Visual Support Starter Set Visual Supports Facebook Group Autism Little Learners on Instagram Autism Little Learners on Facebook Free Toileting Visual Sequence Free Visual Sequences For Home Visuals At Home Blogs Visuals At Home Video Training Replays Visual Schedules Made Easy Online Course Waitlist Autism Little Learners Social Story Library Carol Gray - Social Stories Amazon Basic Laminator

Thanks for joining us for Tuesday Talks With Tara & Jason Phillips. These Q & A episodes will air on the first Tuesday of each month. 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. Links Mentioned In This Episode About Visual Supports: Visual Schedules Made Easy Online Course Waitlist Autism Little Learners on Instagram Autism Little Learners on Facebook Free Visual Supports Starter Set You can also join my free Visual Supports Facebook Group to "hang out" with likeminded 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 don't miss future episodes. Plus, leave a rating & review on iTunes….this will help other educators and parents find this podcast! CLICK HERE to leave a review on iTunes, then scroll down to "ratings and reviews" and click "write a review". THANK YOU!

In this episode, I share 5 of my favorite visual supports to start with in an autism classroom. They work at home too! Stop reinventing the wheel and try these visuals that are tried and true and have stood the test of time. In This Episode You Will Learn: 5 different visual supports for autism 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 Adapted Books Blog Post Themed Year Round Adapted Book Visuals 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 "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 Little Learners Podcast so you don't miss future episodes. Plus, leave a rating & review on iTunes….this will help other educators and parents find this podcast! CLICK HERE to leave a review on iTunes, then scroll down to "ratings and reviews" and click "write a review". THANK YOU! Tara

Let's talk about visual supports and autism. Educators and parents are told to "use visual supports" and there is a good reason why. They are an evidence-based strategy for autistic children! However, it can be difficult to navigate the countless visuals that pop up in a google search. Which visual strategies are proven to work? Which visuals should I create for my autism classroom? Where do I start with visuals for autism at home? In This Episode You Will Learn: Where to find a free set of visual supports that work How to use an "all done bucket" 3 Tips for implementing a new visual support Links Mentioned In This Episode About Visual Supports: Visual Support Starter Set 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 "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 Little Learners Podcast so you don't miss future episodes. Plus, leave a rating & review on iTunes….this will help other educators and parents find this podcast! CLICK HERE to leave a review on iTunes, then scroll down to "ratings and reviews" and click "write a review". THANK YOU!

Thank you for listening to this quick little mini-episode of the Autism Little Learners Podcast! I'm so excited about all of the goodness and actionable strategies that this podcast is going to give you in its full-length episodes. I want YOU to come away with strategies that are tried and true and REALLY word for young autistic children. Whether you are a parent, family member, or educator, this podcast is for YOU! Together, we will chat about all things autism. Some of the upcoming topics include: visual supports and autism using visual schedules adapted books toilet training structured teaching teaching play skills gestalt language processing AAC co-regulation & self-regulation social stories ...and SO much more! Once we get going, I'll be asking for questions from all of YOU. A few questions each month will be answered during the podcast. Woohoo! So, be sure to keep listening so you know when and where you can submit a question. In the meantime, start by downloading your free Visual Support Starter Set. Always remember to find the good in every day! Tara Autism Little Learners on Instagram Autism Little Learners on Facebook