The Autism Little Learners Podcast

Tara Phillips

You want to help your autistic students or child thrive — but it can feel overwhelming trying to figure out where to start. Whether you're wondering how to build connection, teach communication, navigate sensory needs, or support your paras… you're in the right place. Welcome to The Autism Little Learners Podcast, where compassion meets practical strategy. Host Tara Phillips, a speech-language pathologist with over two decades of experience, brings you neurodiversity-affirming insights, step-by-step tips, and real-world examples that help you feel confident, prepared, and inspired to support young autistic children. This show is relaxed, upbeat, and packed with actionable ideas you can use right away — whether you're a special educator, SLP, general education teacher, paraprofessional, parent, grandparent, or anyone who loves a young autistic child. Each episode explores topics like: Teaching communication and AAC in natural, joyful ways Using visual supports and routines to create predictability Fostering co-regulation and independence Understanding sensory needs and reducing stress Supporting paraprofessionals with clarity and compassion Building strong, trusting relationships with autistic kids Tara's approach is rooted in connection over compliance — helping you see each child's strengths, honor their communication style, and create an inclusive environment where everyone can succeed. Subscribe to The Autism Little Learners Podcast and join the movement toward more compassionate, affirming early childhood education. Connect with Tara: 📘 Facebook: facebook.com/autismlittlelearners 📸 Instagram: instagram.com/autismlittlelearners 🌐 Website: autismlittlelearners.com

  1. 3D AGO

    #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 something that needs to be fixed before it counts. For many years, educators and caregivers were taught that certain types of play were more valuable or developmentally appropriate than others. But when we assume that only certain forms of play "count," we risk missing the meaning behind what children are already doing. This episode explores how autistic play often supports regulation, focus, and connection, and why honoring it is the starting point for building relationships and expanding play in meaningful ways. In This Episode, You'll Learn • Why traditional ideas about "correct play" can limit our understanding of autistic children • The qualities that actually define play, including intrinsic motivation and joy • How monotropic focus can support deep engagement and regulation • Why repetitive play, lining up toys, scripting, and sensory exploration can all be meaningful forms of play • How regulation and nervous system needs influence how children play • Why interrupting play too quickly can lead to dysregulation • The difference between correcting play and joining play • Simple ways adults can gently expand play without disrupting it • How visual supports can offer play ideas without creating pressure • Why people games can be powerful when children aren't interested in toys yet Key Takeaways • Play is defined by its qualities, not by how it looks • Autistic play often supports regulation, focus, and sensory organization • Repetition and deep focus are not deficits — they can represent engagement and immersion • When adults dismiss a child's play, they miss opportunities for connection • Joining a child's play builds trust and opens the door for expansion • Expansion should be offered gently rather than demanded • Visual supports can make play possibilities visible without forcing participation • People games create shared joy and connection even without toys When we shift from correcting play to understanding it, we create space for authentic connection. Try This • Observe a child's play without interrupting and look for signs of enjoyment and engagement • Join the play by copying what the child is doing rather than redirecting it • Model one small variation within the play without requiring imitation • Add simple visual invitations that show new possibilities without pressure • Try people games like peekaboo, chase, or movement routines to build connection • Focus on protecting joy rather than controlling how play should look Small moments of curiosity and joining can transform how play unfolds. Related Resources & Links Autism Little Learners Membership www.autismlittlelearners.com/pod Play and Learn Functional Play and Autism Sensory Play and Autism Play Based Learning for Autistic Children Honoring Diverse Styles of Play Autistic play is not something that needs to be corrected before it counts. It is authentic, meaningful play that often supports regulation, connection, and exploration. When adults begin with curiosity instead of correction, play becomes a space where trust, joy, and growth can flourish.

    12 min

  2. MAR 24

    #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 support that breaks down the steps within an activity so students can see what they are doing right now, how much there is to do, and when the activity will end. Even when a daily visual schedule is working well, some moments of the day can still feel unpredictable or overwhelming. Mini-schedules provide clarity within those moments, helping reduce uncertainty and supporting participation. In This Episode, You'll Learn • The difference between a daily visual schedule and a mini-schedule • Why activities that feel open-ended can increase anxiety for some students • How mini-schedules help make the beginning, middle, and end of an activity visible • Which classroom activities benefit most from mini-schedules • How to visually track progress through an activity as each step is completed • The difference between first/then boards and compliance-based reward systems • How to use first/then as a simple visual sequence rather than a behavioral tool • When to expand beyond first/then into multi-step visual sequences • The difference between mini-schedules and visual sequences for routines • How to begin introducing mini-schedules in your classroom or therapy space Key Takeaways • Visual schedules outline the day, but mini-schedules clarify what is happening within each activity • When activities feel endless or undefined, a child's nervous system may stay on edge • Mini-schedules make the structure of an activity visible and predictable • Seeing progress through an activity helps students tolerate the middle of the task • First/then boards work best when used as neutral sequencing tools rather than reward systems • Mini-schedules are flexible and change depending on the activity • Visual sequences support routines that happen the same way every time • Adding visual structure within activities can reduce anxiety and increase participation When students can see where an activity begins and ends, the experience becomes more manageable. Try This • Choose one activity that tends to feel difficult or unpredictable for students • Break the activity into 3–5 visible steps and create a simple mini-schedule • Visibly mark each step as it is completed by removing, covering, or moving the icon • Try using a mini-schedule during circle time, art, music, or small group activities • Use first/then boards as a visual sequence rather than a reward structure • Post visual sequences for routines like handwashing, arrival, or getting dressed Small layers of visual clarity can significantly reduce uncertainty during activities. Related Resources & Links Autism Little Learners Membership: www.autismlittlelearners.com/pod Visual Schedules Made Easy Course Visual Schedules: Choosing The Symbols And Length Using A Visual Schedule At Preschool: 3 Types To Promote Independence Visual Supports Coaching Week Visual Supports Starter Set Portable Visual Schedules Mini-schedules are not about controlling behavior. They are about making expectations visible and predictable. When students can see what they are doing, how much there is to do, and when the activity will end, their nervous system has the information it needs to stay regulated and engaged.

    10 min

  3. MAR 17

    #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 through the most common reasons visual schedules fall apart in classrooms and therapy spaces. From schedule length to symbol clarity to how the schedule is introduced, small adjustments can make a big difference. Instead of abandoning visual schedules altogether, this episode offers a troubleshooting lens. Because when the schedule fits the child's developmental level and nervous system capacity, it becomes a powerful support for transitions, predictability, and independence. In This Episode, You'll Learn • Why children sometimes treat visual schedules like choice boards • How highlighting the "now" activity can reduce confusion and meltdowns • When a schedule may simply be too long for a child's current processing capacity • How to recognize when symbols aren't meaningful yet • Why real photos or functional objects can sometimes work better than clipart • The role of matching symbols to locations to strengthen comprehension • How schedule delivery (bringing the picture vs. walking to the schedule) can change engagement • Why modeling the schedule matters more than quizzing children about it • How nervous system load and transition stress affect how schedules are received • Why visual schedules should be adjusted, not abandoned, when they aren't working Key Takeaways • When a visual schedule isn't working, it's usually a mismatch in design — not a child's inability to use visuals • Grabbing future icons often means a child doesn't yet understand sequence • Shortening a schedule can build comprehension and reduce overwhelm • Symbols must connect to real experiences in order to be meaningful • Matching symbols to destinations helps children understand what visuals represent • The way a schedule is delivered can either reduce or increase transition stress • Visual schedules are environmental supports, not comprehension tests • Adjusting one variable at a time allows you to see what actually helps Small refinements can transform a schedule from something children ignore… into something they rely on. Try This • If a child grabs future icons, highlight the "now" activity with a visual anchor or shorten the schedule • If a child ignores the schedule, try moving to less abstract symbols such as real photos or functional objects • Add matching symbols at activity locations so children can connect the picture to the destination • Experiment with bringing the "next" picture to the child instead of requiring them to walk to the schedule • Model the schedule calmly instead of asking comprehension questions • If transitions feel tense, pause and consider the child's regulation and overall load Sometimes the smallest adjustment can completely change how a visual schedule works. Related Resources & Links Autism Little Learners Membership: www.autismlittlelearners.com/pod Visual Schedules Made Easy Course Visual Schedules: Choosing The Symbols And Length Using A Visual Schedule At Preschool: 3 Types To Promote Independence Visual Supports Coaching Week Visual Supports Starter Set When a visual schedule doesn't work, it doesn't mean anyone failed. It means the system needs refinement. Visual supports are not all-or-nothing tools. They are flexible, adjustable supports designed to meet children where they are developmentally. And when we approach them with curiosity instead of frustration, they often become the predictable, calming support they were meant to be.

    11 min

  4. MAR 10

    #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 explore something that often gets overlooked in conversations about visual schedules: symbol selection. Because not all pictures are created equal. We talk through the continuum from less abstract to more abstract symbols, how to recognize when a symbol isn't connecting, and how to adjust in ways that increase clarity instead of frustration. This isn't about making your visuals look better. It's about making them meaningful. In This Episode, You'll Learn • Why symbol selection is just as important as schedule length • The continuum from functional objects to written words • Why some clipart icons are more abstract than we realize • Signs that a symbol may not yet be meaningful to a child • When to shift from line drawings to real photographs • When functional objects can act as both a symbol and a transition bridge • The difference between miniature objects and functional objects • How to use baskets or containers for object-based schedules • How to gradually move along the abstraction continuum • Why observation is your most valuable data point Key Takeaways • A visual schedule only works if the child understands what the symbol represents • "They don't get visuals" often means the symbol is too abstract • Real photos reduce abstraction and increase familiarity • Functional objects can reduce the gap between "what's next" and "what do I do" • It's okay to mix clipart, photos, and objects • Symbol selection is a process, not a one-time decision • Meaning matters more than aesthetics • When symbols are meaningful, transitions soften and anticipation grows Try This • Observe whether the child orients to the schedule without prompting • Notice if they can match the symbol to the location or activity • If clipart isn't connecting, try a real photograph of your actual classroom space • If photos still feel abstract, experiment with a functional object • Increase picture size if a child isn't visually attending • Focus on meaning over uniformity Small adjustments in abstraction can completely change how a schedule functions. Related Resources & Links Autism Little Learners Membership: www.autismlittlelearners.com/pod Visual Schedules Made Easy Course Visual Schedules: Choosing The Symbols And Length Using A Visual Schedule At Preschool: 3 Types To Promote Independence! Visual Supports Starter Set  This episode isn't really about clipart versus photos. It's about access. If the symbol isn't meaningful, the schedule can't reduce anxiety. It can't increase independence. It can't support smoother transitions. But when the symbol clicks — when it truly represents something familiar and concrete — you'll see it. They'll glance at it, carry it, and anticipate what's coming next. It's not about making visuals prettier. It's about making them meaningful.

    14 min

  5. MAR 3

    #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, we'll unpack one of the most common questions educators ask: "How long should a visual schedule be?" And the answer isn't about minutes. It's about nervous systems. Together, we explore how schedule length impacts regulation, why longer isn't always better, and how to adjust visual supports in ways that reduce cognitive load instead of increasing it. Because visual schedules are not about endurance. They are about safety and predictability. In This Episode, You'll Learn Why visual schedule length is about regulation — not stamina How full-day schedules can unintentionally increase cognitive load The signs that a schedule may be too long for a child's window of tolerance Why shortening a schedule is not lowering expectations How nervous system capacity changes across the day, week, and school year When to use full-day schedules, half-day schedules, or now-and-next boards How delivery matters — including when to bring the schedule to the child Practical ways to gradually increase schedule length over time How responsive adjustments build independence more effectively than pressure Key Takeaways Visual schedules are regulation supports, not compliance tools Longer does not automatically mean better Too much future information can overwhelm a child's nervous system Shorter schedules increase success and build capacity safely The right length can change depending on the day or environment Differentiation within one classroom is good teaching Growth happens within the window of tolerance Safety and predictability support independence Try This Observe how a child responds when they first see the schedule — calm orientation or visible stress Experiment with reducing the number of icons for one student and monitor regulation Try a "now and next" format for a child who struggles with anticipation Consider whether the schedule should stay on the wall or travel to the child Only expand schedule length when the current level feels completely regulated Small, thoughtful adjustments can shift an entire day. Related Resources & Links Autism Little Learners Membership: www.autismlittlelearners.com/pod Visual Schedules: Why They Work and How They Help Autistic Children Visual Schedules: Choosing The Symbols And Length Visual Schedules Made Easy Visual Support Starter Set Visual Supports Coaching Week Replays So… how long should a visual schedule be? Long enough to create predictability.Short enough to maintain regulation. There is no magic number of icons. There is only what works for this child, on this day, in this classroom. Visual schedules are not about endurance. They are about safety. And when children feel safe, learning follows.

    14 min

  6. FEB 24

    #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 during AAC Bootcamp and explore the invisible weight educators, SLPs, and caregivers often carry when supporting AAC users. From second-guessing modeling to worrying about prompt dependency, progress monitoring, and team hesitation, this conversation gently reframes what AAC is actually meant to be. AAC is not about performance. It is about exposure. You'll hear real classroom examples of what modeling without expectation looked like in action, what shifted when adults removed pressure, and how teams began moving from urgency to presence. This episode centers regulation, access, and sustainability — because support works best when it fits daily life. In This Episode, You'll Learn • Why AAC often feels fragile or intimidating in school settings • The hidden performance pressure educators carry around communication • The difference between modeling for exposure and modeling for output • What modeling without expectation actually looks like in real routines • Why slow AAC growth is expected — and meaningful • How core boards increase language visibility across the classroom • What changes when devices become part of classroom culture • How to support paraprofessionals and team members in feeling confident with AAC • Why advocacy increases when educators feel clear and grounded • How shifting from outcomes to opportunities changes everything Key Takeaways • AAC is not about performance — it is about exposure • Modeling without expectation reduces pressure and builds trust • Communication grows through consistent, low-pressure modeling • Slow progress does not mean ineffective support • When nervous systems are supported, learning becomes possible • Language should be visible and available across routines • Confidence across teams increases access for students • Culture shifts happen when adults align around shared understanding • Access reduces pressure Try This • Choose one daily routine — snack, art, sensory bins, or transitions — and model one or two core words naturally without pausing for imitation • Place one core board in a high-use area to increase visual exposure • Share this phrase with your team: "We're modeling for exposure, not performance." • Focus on consistency over intensity Related Resources & Links Autism Little Learners Membership (includes full AAC Bootcamp replay): www.autismlittlelearners.com/pod AAC Companion Pack AAC Strategies: Building Buy-In to Help Teams Embrace AAC as a Child's Voice Gestalt Language Processing & Music Communication, Autism & AAC: Why AAC Is Not a Reward  AAC and Dysregulation: Why Kids Can't Use AAC When They're Dysregulated When adults move from pressure to presence, classrooms feel safer. When we trust exposure, language grows. Connection is the foundation.

    20 min

  7. FEB 17

    #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 connection? In this replay of my powerful conversation with nationally recognized pediatric SLP, speaker, and neurodiversity-affirming advocate Cari Ebert, we explore why autistic play is real play — and why honoring it changes everything. Together, we unpack deep interests, regulation-first teaching, expanding play without pressure, and what it truly means to presume competence. This episode will gently challenge old assumptions and give you practical, relationship-based strategies you can use right away. In This Episode, You'll Learn Why autistic children play differently — and why different doesn't mean wrong The difference between wide interests and deep interests How honoring deep interests builds meaningful connection and communication What "regulate, reach, teach" looks like in real classrooms and therapy sessions Why compliance-based approaches often lead to dysregulation How to expand play schemes without pressure or power struggles What it truly means to presume competence Why autistic joy deserves to be protected and celebrated Key Takeaways Autistic play is authentic play Different does not mean deficient Connection builds communication Regulation must come before instruction Behavior is communication, especially during dysregulation Deep interests are powerful pathways to learning Presuming competence can unlock incredible potential Honor autistic joy Try This Choose one child this week and intentionally shift your lens. Observe their deep interest without interrupting or redirecting Join their play through parallel play — without an agenda Model one small expansion (no pressure, no hand-over-hand) Adjust one environmental factor to support regulation Reframe one "behavior" by asking: What is the why behind this? Small shifts in perspective can create big shifts in connection. Related Resources & Links Cari Ebert's book: The Learning to Learn Program Download Cari's free handout: Autistic Play Is Authentic Play at: https://cariebert.com/freebie Get Tara's Play Stages Checklist here: https://autismlittlelearners.myflodesk.com/q76ntpgbge You can find Cari at: www.cariebert.com When we stop trying to fix autistic play and instead honor it, something powerful happens. We see regulation increase. We see connection deepen. We see communication grow. And most importantly — we protect autistic joy. Autistic children become autistic adults. The way we respond to their play today shapes how they experience themselves tomorrow. Let's honor their joy.

    58 min

  8. FEB 10

    #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 regulation and emotional safety when routines feel harder to maintain. In this episode, we explore how disrupted routines, stress outside of school, and unpredictable changes can impact regulation for autistic children. So often, these moments are framed as behavior issues or skill challenges. But when we shift toward regulation, predictability, and connection, we begin to see changes in: regulation engagement communication emotional safety This conversation is grounded in real classrooms and real constraints, with practical strategies educators and caregivers can use right away. In This Episode, You'll Learn Why regulation is the foundation for learning and communication How disrupted routines and outside stressors often show up in children's nervous systems first What co-regulation really means and why it comes before self-regulation How predictable routines reduce cognitive load and support emotional safety Practical classroom strategies using visuals, sensory supports, and calming sequences Why behavior is often communication rather than defiance or choice Key Takeaways Regulation supports learning Predictability creates safety Co-regulation happens through presence, not pressure Access matters more than performance Small, consistent shifts matter more than perfection Support works best when it fits real classrooms Try This Choose one routine or moment this week to focus on. Start the day with connection before demands Use a visual schedule or change card to support predictability Model calm through your voice, body, and presence Try one co-regulation strategy consistently Notice regulation and engagement rather than output You don't need to do everything at once for change to happen. Related Resources & Links Calming Kit (visual regulation supports) Visual Schedules for Transitions Social Stories for Changes, Taking Breaks, and Sensory Support Mindfulness for Neurodivergent Learners (book referenced in the episode) If supporting regulation during times of change feels challenging, you're not alone. There are tools and supports designed to help you create predictability, safety, and connection in real classrooms, without adding pressure.

    33 min
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Trailer

4.8
out of 5
116 Ratings

About

You want to help your autistic students or child thrive — but it can feel overwhelming trying to figure out where to start. Whether you're wondering how to build connection, teach communication, navigate sensory needs, or support your paras… you're in the right place. Welcome to The Autism Little Learners Podcast, where compassion meets practical strategy. Host Tara Phillips, a speech-language pathologist with over two decades of experience, brings you neurodiversity-affirming insights, step-by-step tips, and real-world examples that help you feel confident, prepared, and inspired to support young autistic children. This show is relaxed, upbeat, and packed with actionable ideas you can use right away — whether you're a special educator, SLP, general education teacher, paraprofessional, parent, grandparent, or anyone who loves a young autistic child. Each episode explores topics like: Teaching communication and AAC in natural, joyful ways Using visual supports and routines to create predictability Fostering co-regulation and independence Understanding sensory needs and reducing stress Supporting paraprofessionals with clarity and compassion Building strong, trusting relationships with autistic kids Tara's approach is rooted in connection over compliance — helping you see each child's strengths, honor their communication style, and create an inclusive environment where everyone can succeed. Subscribe to The Autism Little Learners Podcast and join the movement toward more compassionate, affirming early childhood education. Connect with Tara: 📘 Facebook: facebook.com/autismlittlelearners 📸 Instagram: instagram.com/autismlittlelearners 🌐 Website: autismlittlelearners.com

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