The Autism Little Learners Podcast Tara Phillips

Do you ever find yourself wondering about things like, “what does it mean to be neurodiversity-affirming?”, “why do many autistic children have pronoun reversals”, “what is gestalt language processing”, “why should we honor protests from autistic children”, or “why aren’t WH question goals appropriate for many young autistic students”?.  If you are curious about these questions and more…you are going to want to join me for this week’s podcast episode where I’ll be chatting with Emily Byers Chaney.  She’s a speech/language pathologist and she was so kind to let me ask her a variety of questions that are often brought to me by my community.  Emily talks about all of these things on her Instagram account, and I just knew she’d be the perfect person to interview for the Autism Little Learners Podcast.  Head over and listen now because you will learn so much!
Emily Byers Chaney is a speech/language pathologist and is the speech and language program director at the Pediatric Therapy Playhouse in LA.  Emily has been published in the America Speech Language Association national magazine.  She specializes in gestalt language processing and neurdiversity-affirming therapy.  Emily is trained in and has experience with the Floortime Approach, PROMPT, Hanen’s It Takes Two To Talk and More Than Words, Natural Language Acquisition for Gestalt Language Processors, and the Inside Out Sensory Certficate.
Topics Discussed:
What it means to be neurodiversity-affirming
Pronoun reversals and autism
What is gestalt language processing?
Why WH question goals aren’t always appropriate for gestalt language processors
Modeling AAC without expectation
Learning through play-based approaches vs. compliance-based approaches
Building connections with autistic students
Why planned ignoring doesn’t work
Honoring protesting
Where You Can Find Emily:
Instagram: @ndaffirming.slp
Direct link to her IG account: https://www.instagram.com/ndaffirming.slp/

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 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!
 

I had the honor of talking to Jessie Ginsburg, the Sensory SLP and I’m so happy to bring the conversation to you!  We talked about the connection between sensory and communication and how the two can create increased engagement and progress for autistic children.  We also chatted about Jessie’s brand new book, “Ready, Set, Connect”.  Run to get your copy today!
Topics Discussed:
Combining sensory input with communication 
Authentic connections with autistic kids
Sensory avoiders and sensory seekers
Seesaw analogy and optimal learning zone
The importance of a proactive approach to regulation
Jessie’s brand new book titled “Ready, Set, Connect” is published!
Jessie Ginsburg is a sensory trained speech-language pathologist, CEO of Pediatric Therapy Playhouse, a top-rated clinic in Los Angeles, and author of Ready Set Connect: A Sensory-Based Approach to Accelerate Connection and Communication in Autistic Children. Through her international publications and talks, and her global Inside Out Sensory Certificate Program, Jessie inspires a new way of thinking about supporting communication development in Autistic children.
Book: www.readysetconnectbook.com
Sensory Course: www.sensoryslp.com
Making the Shift Live Show: www.youtube.com/c/SpeechDudeJessieGinsburg
 
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 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!
 

Today I’m talking to Amber Arrington.  She’s the mom of 6 and 3 of her children are autistic.  She started Autism Savvy to support other parents whose children were recently diagnosed or awaiting a diagnosis.  I loved hearing Amber’s story and her insights when it comes to navigating a new autism diagnosis.  Whether you are a parent or an educator, this episode is a must listen!
Topics Discussed:
Navigating the autism diagnosis
Talking to parents about autism for the first time
Communication between classroom and home
Amber Arrington is a mother to 6 children, 3 of whom are autistic.
Autism was once a word she feared and has become a word she loves. Now she helps parents navigate an autism diagnosis and the autism landscape as a whole. She educates moms about available services and connects them with appropriate services and professionals.
Amber helps parents become "autism savvy" so they can know the best next steps to take for their child.
The Autism Savvy Summit: While You Wait Edition
Click here to learn more about the summit!
Amber's Book:
Not Atypical Motherhood: The Guide for Navigating a Child's New Autism Diagnosis
Links:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/autismsavvy/
Website: www.autismsavvy.com

Does your autistic child or student have a very limited diet?  Maybe they eat 3 or 4 foods and that’s it?  Join me today as I talk to Brittyn Coleman, the Autism Dietitian all about selective eaters and how we can best support them at home and in the school setting.  You are going to love hearing what led Brittyn on this path to helping parents of neurodivergent children when it comes to nutrition. 
Topics Discussed:
Picky eaters vs selective eaters language
What does the term “safe foods” mean
Why you should say “just take a bite”
What is ARFID?
Tips to help selective eaters at home and school
Brittyn Coleman, MS, RDN/LD, is a distinguished Registered Dietitian and Autism Nutrition Expert, known for her innovative, sensory-friendly feeding approach to nutrition for children on the autism spectrum. As the founder of the Nourishing Autism Collective, and as an autism sibling herself, Brittyn brings both professional expertise and personal understanding to her work. She empowers families with her expert guidance, helping children receive essential nutrients for optimal health and development. Her strategies are tailored to the unique dietary needs and sensory preferences of each child.
Brittyn's influence extends beyond her membership site through her active social media presence and her popular podcast, 'Nourishing Autism'. Her educational content on Instagram, YouTube, and other platforms has established her as a leading voice in autism nutrition, providing valuable resources, practical advice, and a supportive community for parents and professionals. 
Links:
IG: @autismdietitian
FB: Autism Dietitian
Website: Autism Dietitian
Tik Tok: Autism Dietitian
Nourishing Autism Podcast
Nourishing Autism Collective (Membership)
FREE Food Sensory Profile Workbook
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 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!
 

As we recognize Autism Acceptance Month, it's essential to explore the journey of understanding and supporting autistic individuals. Today, I’m reflecting on 25 years of working with autistic children and how things have changed over those years.  I’ll be chatting about some of the shifts that I’ve made with my vocabulary, thoughts and teaching approaches. By looking back at these areas I hope to help promote a better understanding of autism and encourage acceptance and support for autistic children and adults.
Topics Discussed:
Evolution from Awareness to Acceptance: Symbolism of Puzzle Piece and Infinity Symbol Terminology: Person-First Language vs. Identity-First Language AAC Evolution: From PECS to Core + Fringe Communication and Robust AAC Devices Shifting Approaches in Autism Intervention: Compliance-Based vs. Connection-Based The Double Empathy Problem: Understanding the Reciprocal Nature of Empathy Links:
Mrs. Speechie IEP (Andi Putt, SLP)
Cari Ebert, SLP - The SLP Talkshow Podcast (Episode 52)
The Different Ways We Communicate Children’s Book by Tara Phillips
Identity First vs Person First Language Blog Post
Episode 12 - The Autism Little Learners Podcast - Autism Awareness Month vs Autism Acceptance Month
Rachel Madel - SLP specializing in AAC
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 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!

Have you heard the term interoception?  Today’s guest, Laura Petix, is an occupational therapist and she is sharing tons of information about interoception that is going to blow your mind! Not only do we talk about how it impacts potty training, but we also touch on emotional regulation and eating issues.  You won’t regret tuning in to today’s episode!
Topics Discussed:
Interoception definition
Interoception and potty training
Ways we can work on interoception at the preschool level
Sensory diets at home and school
Laura Petix is a neurodiverse-affirming pediatric Occupational Therapist who specializes in sensory processing skills for neurodivergent individuals. While she is no longer in the clinic, she uses her OT skills for all the content she creates for The OT Butterfly website, podcast, and courses for parents to teach them about how sensoy processing skills directly impact learning and behavior. She is a neurodivergent parent to a neurodivergent daughter, which is what allows her to be able to talk about neurodiversity in a way that other parents can actually understand and also resonate with. 
You can find more of her work here:
Instagram: @theotbutterfly 
Podcast:  Sensory W.I.S.E. Solutions For Parent
 Download Laura’s free one page handout that will help you understand the different sensory profiles and identify which sensory areas your child may need more support in.
www.theotbutterfly.com/sensoryprofiles101
Click here to see Laura’s courses, Sensory Detectives Bootcamp, and guides.
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 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!