The Autism Helper Podcast

Sasha Long, M.A., BCBA

Welcome to The Autism Helper Podcast, where we explore different strategies to improve the lives of individuals with autism.

  1. Episode 369: Inclusion Isn't Always the Most Appropriate Placement - And That's Okay

    4d ago

    Episode 369: Inclusion Isn't Always the Most Appropriate Placement - And That's Okay

    Inclusion is one of the most important values in special education - and one of the most misunderstood placement decisions. In this episode, we're unpacking the difference between inclusion as a philosophy and inclusion as a checkbox. We look at what IDEA actually says about least restrictive environment, what meaningful participation really looks like, and how to have honest LRE conversations at the IEP table without shame or judgment. IDEA (2004). Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. U.S. Department of Education. Kauffman et al. (2020). The scandalous neglect of children's mental health. Exceptionality. Come join the conversation! Find us on Instagram at @theautismhelper and TikTok at @theautismhelper - drop your hot take in the comments and let us know where you land on this one. ---------------------------------------------- Interested in our Year-Long Curriculum Access Subscription? Learn more about it here: https://theautismhelper.com/tah-curriculum-access/ Join the waitlist for our Professional Development Membership: https://shop.theautismhelper.com/pages/membership-waitlist Want more information about The Autism Helper Courses? Visit: https://theautismhelper.com/courses/ Looking for a specific product or resource? Find it in our new Autism Helper Store! https://shop.theautismhelper.com/ Or visit The Autism Helper store on TpT: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/The-Autism-Helper Stay up to date on all things Autism Helper by downloading our new, FREE app! Available on both the App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/the-autism-helper/id1557724340 & Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mightybell.theautismhelper&hl=en_US&gl=US Get all updates from The Autism Helper Podcast by clicking subscribe above. Head over to theautismhelper.com for more info. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest @theautismhelper. Our Sponsors: * Check out Factor and use my code factormeals.com/sasha50off for a great deal: https://www.factor75.com * Check out Talkiatry and use my code Talkiatry.com/SASHA for a great deal: https://www.talkiatry.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    8 min
  2. Episode 368: Token Economies Are Not One-Size-Fits-All

    Jun 22

    Episode 368: Token Economies Are Not One-Size-Fits-All

    Token boards are everywhere in autism classrooms - but how many of them are actually working? In this episode, we're getting into what makes a token economy effective vs. what makes it just another laminated thing on the wall. We cover the three things that need to be in place before a token system will work, the most common mistakes teachers make, and how to build systems that are actually matched to the individual student. Cooper, Heron & Heward (2020). Applied behavior analysis (3rd ed.). Pearson. Hackenberg, T.D. (2009). Token reinforcement: A review and analysis. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior. Come join the conversation! Find us on Instagram at @theautismhelper and TikTok at @theautismhelper - drop your hot take in the comments and let us know where you land on this one. ---------------------------------------------- Interested in our Year-Long Curriculum Access Subscription? Learn more about it here: https://theautismhelper.com/tah-curriculum-access/ Join the waitlist for our Professional Development Membership: https://shop.theautismhelper.com/pages/membership-waitlist Want more information about The Autism Helper Courses? Visit: https://theautismhelper.com/courses/ Looking for a specific product or resource? Find it in our new Autism Helper Store! https://shop.theautismhelper.com/ Or visit The Autism Helper store on TpT: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/The-Autism-Helper Stay up to date on all things Autism Helper by downloading our new, FREE app! Available on both the App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/the-autism-helper/id1557724340 & Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mightybell.theautismhelper&hl=en_US&gl=US Get all updates from The Autism Helper Podcast by clicking subscribe above. Head over to theautismhelper.com for more info. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest @theautismhelper. Our Sponsors: * Check out Factor and use my code factormeals.com/sasha50off for a great deal: https://www.factor75.com * Check out Talkiatry and use my code Talkiatry.com/SASHA for a great deal: https://www.talkiatry.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    9 min
  3. Episode 367: We're Over-Prompting and It's Hurting Our Students' Independence

    Jun 15

    Episode 367: We're Over-Prompting and It's Hurting Our Students' Independence

    Prompting is one of the most powerful tools we have - and one of the easiest to misuse. In this episode, we're talking about prompt dependency: what it is, how well-meaning teachers accidentally create it, and what to do instead. If you've ever had a student who shuts down the second you step back, this one is for you. We break down prompting hierarchies and what the research says about building real independence. Engelmann & Carnine (1982). Theory of instruction. ADI Press. Browder et al. (2009). Aligning instruction with academic content standards. Research and Practice for Persons with Severe Disabilities. Come join the conversation! Find us on Instagram at @theautismhelper and TikTok at @theautismhelper - drop your hot take in the comments and let us know where you land on this one. ---------------------------------------------- Interested in our Year-Long Curriculum Access Subscription? Learn more about it here: https://theautismhelper.com/tah-curriculum-access/ Join the waitlist for our Professional Development Membership: https://shop.theautismhelper.com/pages/membership-waitlist Want more information about The Autism Helper Courses? Visit: https://theautismhelper.com/courses/ Looking for a specific product or resource? Find it in our new Autism Helper Store! https://shop.theautismhelper.com/ Or visit The Autism Helper store on TpT: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/The-Autism-Helper Stay up to date on all things Autism Helper by downloading our new, FREE app! Available on both the App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/the-autism-helper/id1557724340 & Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mightybell.theautismhelper&hl=en_US&gl=US Get all updates from The Autism Helper Podcast by clicking subscribe above. Head over to theautismhelper.com for more info. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest @theautismhelper. Our Sponsors: * Check out Factor and use my code factormeals.com/sasha50off for a great deal: https://www.factor75.com * Check out Talkiatry and use my code Talkiatry.com/SASHA for a great deal: https://www.talkiatry.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    7 min
  4. Episode 366: Visual Schedules Aren't Just for Students — Teachers Need Them Too

    Jun 8

    Episode 366: Visual Schedules Aren't Just for Students — Teachers Need Them Too

    We spend hours building visual systems for our students and almost no time building them for ourselves. In this episode, we're talking about the irony of being the most scheduled, structured classroom in the building - and having zero systems for how we actually run our own day. From cognitive load to para fidelity, there's real research behind why teacher organization isn't just a nice-to-have. It directly impacts how your classroom runs. Simonsen et al. (2008). Evidence-based practices in classroom management. Education and Treatment of Children. Sweller, J. (1988). Cognitive load during problem solving. Cognitive Science. Come join the conversation! Find us on Instagram at @theautismhelper and TikTok at @theautismhelper - drop your hot take in the comments and let us know where you land on this one. ---------------------------------------------- Interested in our Year-Long Curriculum Access Subscription? Learn more about it here: https://theautismhelper.com/tah-curriculum-access/ Join the waitlist for our Professional Development Membership: https://shop.theautismhelper.com/pages/membership-waitlist Want more information about The Autism Helper Courses? Visit: https://theautismhelper.com/courses/ Looking for a specific product or resource? Find it in our new Autism Helper Store! https://shop.theautismhelper.com/ Or visit The Autism Helper store on TpT: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/The-Autism-Helper Stay up to date on all things Autism Helper by downloading our new, FREE app! Available on both the App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/the-autism-helper/id1557724340 & Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mightybell.theautismhelper&hl=en_US&gl=US Get all updates from The Autism Helper Podcast by clicking subscribe above. Head over to theautismhelper.com for more info. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest @theautismhelper. Our Sponsors: * Check out Factor and use my code factormeals.com/sasha50off for a great deal: https://www.factor75.com * Check out Talkiatry and use my code Talkiatry.com/SASHA for a great deal: https://www.talkiatry.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    8 min
  5. Episode 365: Discrete Trial Teaching is Overused

    Jun 1

    Episode 365: Discrete Trial Teaching is Overused

    DTT is one of the most well-researched strategies in our toolkit - and we might be leaning on it too hard. In this episode, we're making the case that over-relying on discrete trial teaching can actually work against our students when it comes to using skills in the real world. We dig into what the research says about naturalistic instruction, when DTT is absolutely the right call, and how to audit your own practice to make sure you're using the right tool for the job. Stokes & Baer (1977). An implicit technology of generalization. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis. Schreibman et al. (2015). Naturalistic developmental behavioral interventions. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. Come join the conversation! Find us on Instagram at @theautismhelper and TikTok at @theautismhelper - drop your hot take in the comments and let us know where you land on this one. ---------------------------------------------- Interested in our Year-Long Curriculum Access Subscription? Learn more about it here: https://theautismhelper.com/tah-curriculum-access/ Join the waitlist for our Professional Development Membership: https://shop.theautismhelper.com/pages/membership-waitlist Want more information about The Autism Helper Courses? Visit: https://theautismhelper.com/courses/ Looking for a specific product or resource? Find it in our new Autism Helper Store! https://shop.theautismhelper.com/ Or visit The Autism Helper store on TpT: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/The-Autism-Helper Stay up to date on all things Autism Helper by downloading our new, FREE app! Available on both the App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/the-autism-helper/id1557724340 & Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mightybell.theautismhelper&hl=en_US&gl=US Get all updates from The Autism Helper Podcast by clicking subscribe above. Head over to theautismhelper.com for more info. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest @theautismhelper. Our Sponsors: * Check out Factor and use my code factormeals.com/sasha50off for a great deal: https://www.factor75.com * Check out Talkiatry and use my code Talkiatry.com/SASHA for a great deal: https://www.talkiatry.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    8 min
  6. Episode 364: Cultural Responsiveness in the Classroom with Quintara Tucker, BCBA

    May 11

    Episode 364: Cultural Responsiveness in the Classroom with Quintara Tucker, BCBA

    In this episode, I’m joined by Quintara Tucker, BCBA to discuss the importance of cultural responsiveness in autism and special education. We explore how culture shapes perspectives on diagnosis and intervention, common ways professionals may unintentionally miss the mark, and how bias can show up in assessments, communication, and expectations. Quintara also shares practical strategies for building trust with families from diverse backgrounds and becoming more culturally responsive in everyday practice. Quintara Tucker is a BCBA, consultant, speaker, and CEO of QB Consulting, LLC, specializing in autism and staff training, with a strong focus on culturally responsive practices that support diverse communities. Episode Transcription. ---------------------------------------------- Interested in our Year-Long Curriculum Access Subscription? Learn more about it here: https://theautismhelper.com/tah-curriculum-access/ Join the waitlist for our Professional Development Membership: https://shop.theautismhelper.com/pages/membership-waitlist Want more information about The Autism Helper Courses? Visit: https://theautismhelper.com/courses/ Looking for a specific product or resource? Find it in our new Autism Helper Store! https://shop.theautismhelper.com/ Or visit The Autism Helper store on TpT: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/The-Autism-Helper Stay up to date on all things Autism Helper by downloading our new, FREE app! Available on both the App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/the-autism-helper/id1557724340 & Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mightybell.theautismhelper&hl=en_US&gl=US Get all updates from The Autism Helper Podcast by clicking subscribe above. Head over to theautismhelper.com for more info. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest @theautismhelper. Our Sponsors: * Check out Factor and use my code factormeals.com/sasha50off for a great deal: https://www.factor75.com * Check out Talkiatry and use my code Talkiatry.com/SASHA for a great deal: https://www.talkiatry.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    26 min
  7. Episode 363: Supporting Bilingual Learners Using AAC with Michelle Diaz, SLP

    Apr 27

    Episode 363: Supporting Bilingual Learners Using AAC with Michelle Diaz, SLP

    In this episode, I’m joined by bilingual speech-language pathologist Michelle Diaz to discuss supporting autistic children in bilingual environments. We break down what the research really says about bilingualism and autism, how to address common parent concerns about language use, and what culturally responsive care looks like in practice. Michelle also shares practical strategies for supporting bilingual learners who use AAC, embedding communication into preschool routines, and what teams can do to better support these students. This episode is full of actionable insights for educators, therapists, and families alike. About Michelle Diaz: Michelle Diaz is a bilingual speech-language pathologist based in the Chicago area who is passionate about mentorship, advocacy, and providing culturally responsive care across school and medical settings. https://michellediazslp.com/home Episode Transcription. ---------------------------------------------- Interested in our Year-Long Curriculum Access Subscription? Learn more about it here: https://theautismhelper.com/tah-curriculum-access/ Join the waitlist for our Professional Development Membership: https://shop.theautismhelper.com/pages/membership-waitlist Want more information about The Autism Helper Courses? Visit: https://theautismhelper.com/courses/ Looking for a specific product or resource? Find it in our new Autism Helper Store! https://shop.theautismhelper.com/ Or visit The Autism Helper store on TpT: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/The-Autism-Helper Stay up to date on all things Autism Helper by downloading our new, FREE app! Available on both the App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/the-autism-helper/id1557724340 & Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mightybell.theautismhelper&hl=en_US&gl=US Get all updates from The Autism Helper Podcast by clicking subscribe above. Head over to theautismhelper.com for more info. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest @theautismhelper. Our Sponsors: * Check out Factor and use my code factormeals.com/sasha50off for a great deal: https://www.factor75.com * Check out Talkiatry and use my code Talkiatry.com/SASHA for a great deal: https://www.talkiatry.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    20 min
  8. Episode 362: AAC and Stimming with Laura Hayes, SLP

    Apr 20

    Episode 362: AAC and Stimming with Laura Hayes, SLP

    In this episode, Laura Hayes, SLP, and I discuss the evolving understanding of AAC and what it really means to support AAC users in meaningful, communication-centered ways. We talk about common myths surrounding AAC, the role of stimming in communication, and how educators and therapists can create environments where AAC users feel safe to regulate, stim, and communicate authentically. Laura shares practical insights on recognizing communication attempts, honoring neurodivergent communication styles, and building truly supportive communication environments. Laura Hayes is a speech-language pathologist with over 17 years of experience supporting augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) users in school and medical settings. She can be followed for more resources and ideas on implementation and support for AAC on Instagram @aac_innovations and her website: https://sites.google.com/view/aacinnovations/home www.tinyurl.com/aacinnovations https://www.instagram.com/aac_innovations/ https://products.brookespublishing.com/Comprehensive-Literacy-for-All-P1165.aspx https://literacyforallinstruction.ca https://comprehensiveliteracy.com/ https://www.buildingwings.com Episode Transcription. ---------------------------------------------- Interested in our Year-Long Curriculum Access Subscription? Learn more about it here: https://theautismhelper.com/tah-curriculum-access/ Join the waitlist for our Professional Development Membership: https://shop.theautismhelper.com/pages/membership-waitlist Want more information about The Autism Helper Courses? Visit: https://theautismhelper.com/courses/ Looking for a specific product or resource? Find it in our new Autism Helper Store! https://shop.theautismhelper.com/ Or visit The Autism Helper store on TpT: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/The-Autism-Helper Stay up to date on all things Autism Helper by downloading our new, FREE app! Available on both the App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/the-autism-helper/id1557724340 & Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mightybell.theautismhelper&hl=en_US&gl=US Get all updates from The Autism Helper Podcast by clicking subscribe above. Head over to theautismhelper.com for more info. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest @theautismhelper. Our Sponsors: * Check out Factor and use my code factormeals.com/sasha50off for a great deal: https://www.factor75.com * Check out Talkiatry and use my code Talkiatry.com/SASHA for a great deal: https://www.talkiatry.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    34 min
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4.8
out of 5
477 Ratings

About

Welcome to The Autism Helper Podcast, where we explore different strategies to improve the lives of individuals with autism.

Information

  • Creator
    Sasha Long, M.A., BCBA
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    369
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Autism Helper
  • Show Website
    The Autism Helper Podcast

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