The Autism Little Learners Podcast
Tara Phillips
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Recent Episodes
S2E178 #178: What If Too Many Questions Are Quieting Your AAC Learners?
In this episode, we're talking about something so many of us were taught to do with the best of intentions, but that can quietly work against us: prompting. Because when nearly every interaction…
S2E177 #177: Echolalia Is Communication (Not Something to Eliminate)
In this episode, we're talking about echolalia, what it really is, what it's doing, and why so many autistic children communicate this way. For years, many educators and therapists were taught to…
S2E180 #176: Before Words: Why Symbolic Sounds Matter More Than You Think
In this episode, we're talking about something that often gets overlooked in early language development: symbolic sounds and exclamatory words. The "vrooooms," "uh-ohs," "wheees," and "mooos" that…
S2E175 #175: Incorporating Deep Interests to Transform Learning Activities
In this episode, we bring everything together and move into the how. After exploring what deep interests are and why forcing engagement backfires, we now look at how to actually incorporate a child's…
S2E174 #174: What Echolalia Is Really Telling You: A Gestalt Language Processing Conversation with Nicole Casey, SLP (Encore)
In this encore episode, we're revisiting one of the most meaningful conversations from the early days of the podcast — a wide-ranging chat with speech-language pathologist Nicole Casey about gestalt…
S2E173 #173: Why Forcing Engagement Backfires (And What to Do Instead)
In this episode, we gently shift how we understand one of the most common challenges in classrooms and therapy spaces: low engagement. When a child walks away, refuses, shuts down, or pushes…
S2E172 #172: What Are Deep Interests? (And Why the Name Matters)
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…
S2E171 #171: From Exploratory to Functional Play (Without Forcing It)
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…
S2E170 #170: Exploratory Play Is Not a Problem to Fix
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…
S2E169 #169: Expanding Play Without Taking It Over
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…
S2E168 #168: Autistic Play is Real Play
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…
S2E167 #167: Mini-Schedules: The Visual Support You're Probably Missing
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…
S2E166 #166: When a Child Isn't Responding to a Visual Schedule (What to Adjust First)
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…
S6E165 #165: Are You Using the Right Symbols on Your Visual Schedule?
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…
S2E164 #164: How Long Should a Visual Schedule Be?
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,…
S2E163 #163: You Want to Model AAC, but Don't Know How to Get Your Team On Board
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…
S2E162 #162 Protecting Autistic Joy Through Play With Cari Ebert, SLP
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…
S2E161 #161: Supporting Children Through Disrupted Routines: Regulation, Co-Regulation, and Practical Classroom Supports
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…
S2E160 #160: Modeling AAC All Day: What Changes When Communication Is Everywhere
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…
S2E159 #159 - Why AAC Is Not a Reward!
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…
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The Autism Little Learners Podcast has published 178 episodes since January 2023, covering topics in Education, Kids & Family.
The Autism Little Learners Podcast is currently highly active with new episodes weekly. Average episode length is 28m.
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