This week, we are continuing our discussion on honoring autistic play, focusing on how to gently expand it using simple strategies. We’ll talk about how to start with activities the child already loves and introduce new ideas through modeling and imitation. The goal is to help children explore new ways to play while still feeling comfortable and understood. Let’s dive in and explore these techniques together!

You will learn about:

1. Why to gently expand the play of autistic children

2. Ways to expand play through modeling

3. Using visual supports for play

4. Honoring autistic play

Themed Play Visual Supports: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Autism-Play-Themed-Visual-Supports-For-Special-Education-8414926?st=37dec0cd2be145851805b8d1e34e52e3

Research Article On Autistic Play: https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/full/10.1089/aut.2023.0008

Bath Song On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVYXHMY7wvo

Exploratory Play Toys - Amazon List: https://amzn.to/4cXs7Z7

Functional Play Toys - Amazon List: https://amzn.to/3Tki6OI

You may also be interested in these supports:

1. Visual Support Starter Set

2. Visual Supports Facebook Group

3. Autism Little Learners on Instagram

4. 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 week’s episode, we are talking about the unique ways autistic children play and why it's so important to respect and support their individual styles. Whether they enjoy repetitive actions or prefer playing alone, the ways they play are meaningful and important. We’ll also discuss how we can gently encourage new ways to play while honoring their preferences. You really don’t want to miss today’s episode. I’ll see you inside the show!

You will learn about:

• Autistic play
• Definition of play
• Respecting play differences
• Expanding play in a gentle way
• Creating an environment inclusive of all play

Peer Play And The Autism Spectrum Book: https://amzn.to/3Tdt6NG

Dr. Pamela Wolfberg: http://www.wolfberg.com/

Research Article On Autistic Play: https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/full/10.1089/aut.2023.0008

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

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 last spring and I’m so thrilled to bring the conversation back 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 book, “Ready, Set, Connect”. If you don’t have your copy yet, grab it today! THIS is the information that you need if you want to start your new school year off with strategies that truly place compassion over compliance.

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 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!