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The Autism Little Learners Podcast

The Autism Little Learners Podcast

By: Tara Phillips
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 How can I help my autistic student or child? Where can I find resources to teach my preschool-age students with autism? My child was given the autism diagnosis…now what? I just started teaching autistic preschool students…where do I start? Do you have any tips for potty training? How do I train my paras? Whether you are a special educator, speech/language pathologist, general education teacher, paraprofessional, parent, grandparent, or someone who loves a young autistic child, this show is for you! The Autism Little Learners podcast is relaxed, upbeat, informative, and full of actionable step-by-step tips to help you feel more confident and successful with your students or child. Host, Tara Phillips, is a speech/language pathologist who can relate to both SLPs and special education teachers because she has run her own communication-based classroom for over 2 decades. She is the creator of the Autism Little Learners Membership and the Visual Schedules Made Easy online course. Tara addresses all kinds of topics including: autism and visuals, tips for teaching communication skills, self-regulation as a foundation for learning, creating predictable routines, toilet training, challenging behaviors, fostering independence, and building positive relationships and connections with autistic children. Along with sharing her tips and most successful strategies for students on the autism spectrum, she will invite guest speakers to get different perspectives. Be sure to tune in and subscribe to The Autism Little Learners Podcast. You can also find Tara on: FB- https://www.facebook.com/autismlittlelearners/ IG-http://www.instagram.com/autismlittlelearners Website- www.autismlittlelearners.com2025 Parenting & Families Relationships
Episodes
  • #128 - Barry Prizant, PhD. On Compassion Over Compliance: Why It’s Time to Rethink ‘What Works’

    #128 - Barry Prizant, PhD. On Compassion Over Compliance: Why It’s Time to Rethink ‘What Works’
    Jun 24 2025
    In this episode, I had the absolute honor of speaking with Dr. Barry Prizant—renowned speech-language pathologist and author of the best-selling book Uniquely Human. We talked about how the field of autism education is shifting away from compliance-based approaches and moving toward more compassionate, relationship-centered models. Dr. Prizant shared powerful insights about emotional regulation, storytelling, and the importance of truly listening to the lived experiences of autistic individuals. We also explored topics like non-speaking communication, the SCERTs model, and how collaboration among educators and families can create lasting change. This conversation left me feeling inspired and hopeful about the future of autism education, and I just know you will feel the same! Bio Barry M. Prizant, PhD, CCC-SLP is recognized as among the world’s leading scholars on autism and as an innovator of respectful, person- and family-centered approaches. He is Director of Childhood Communication Services, Adjunct Professor of Communicative Disorders at the University of Rhode Island, and has fifty years of experience as an international consultant and researcher. Barry has published five books, 150 articles/chapters, and is co-author of The SCERTS Model, now being implemented internationally. He was a two-time featured presenter at the UN World Autism Awareness Day, with more than 1000 presentations internationally. Barry’s book Uniquely Human: A Different Way of Seeing Autism (2022) is the best-selling book on autism since 2015, published in 26 languages and ranked by Book Authority as #1 of the “100 best books on autism of all time”. Barry co-hosts a podcast, Uniquely Human: The Podcast, with his friend, Dave Finch, an autistic audio engineer. Dr. Barry Prizant’s Links: Website: https://barryprizant.com/ Uniquely Human Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/uniquely-human-the-podcast/id1532460901 Uniquely Human Book: https://amzn.to/4e5VWZN The Scerts Model Books: https://amzn.to/4kFpbF5 DRBI (Developmental Relationship-Based Intervention) Interview: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/uniquely-human-the-podcast/id1532460901?i=1000711834231 Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN): https://autisticadvocacy.org/ Amy Laurent Ted Talk “Compliance Is Not The Goal”: https://www.ted.com/talks/amy_laurent_compliance_is_not_the_goal_letting_go_of_control_and_rethinking_support_for_autistic_individuals?utm_campaign=tedspread&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=tedcomshare Thinking Person’s Guide To Autism: https://thinkingautismguide.com/ David Finch Website: https://davidjfinch.com/ Ros Blackburn & Sigourney Weaver Interview: https://uniquelyhuman.com/2021/04/23/logically-illogical-an-interview-with-ros-blackburn-with-special-guest-sigourney-weaver/ Takeaways Dr. Barry Prizant has a rich background in speech language pathology and autism advocacy. His book 'Uniquely Human' emphasizes storytelling and compassionate approaches to autism. Connecting with families and understanding their experiences is crucial for professionals. Reflective practice is essential for educators to improve their connections with students. Changing the narrative around autism is vital for acceptance and understanding. Evidence-based practices must consider the lived experiences of autistic individuals. Understanding autistic behaviors as human responses can lead to more effective support. Evidence-based practice includes more than just peer-reviewed research. Parents' intuitions should be respected in therapeutic settings. Behavior analytic approaches often overlook emotional and social development. Compliance-based methods can lead to the dehumanization of autistic individuals. Building trust is essential for effective communication with children. Listening to autistic voices is crucial in shaping educational practices. 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
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    1 hr and 13 mins
  • #127 - Autism Mom Alex On Discovering She’s Autistic While Raising Two Autistic Sons

    #127 - Autism Mom Alex On Discovering She’s Autistic While Raising Two Autistic Sons
    Jun 17 2025

    In this episode of the Autism Little Learners Podcast, I sit down with Alex Lamoreaux—a mom of three, including two autistic boys—to talk about her personal and powerful journey with autism. From receiving a late diagnosis herself to navigating complex medical advice, Alex shares how she shifted from fear to confidence in parenting.

    We dive into what it really means to trust your gut as a parent and honor the unique needs of each child. This heartfelt conversation explores the emotional ups and downs of advocating for autistic kids and highlights the power of intuition, self-advocacy, and community. You won't want to miss Alex’s inspiring and relatable story.

    Bio

    Alex Lamoreaux is a late-diagnosed neurodivergent mom of three young boys and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a background in addiction recovery and trauma treatment. After two of her sons were diagnosed with autism, she dove into learning—and unlearning—what it really means to support autistic children. Now in the thick of parenting and advocacy, Alex shares practical, real-life insights with honesty and heart, hoping to spark connection and offer support to fellow parents on similar journeys.

    Alex’s TikTok Account

    https://www.tiktok.com/@alex.lamx?_t=ZT-8xBXQBH46la&_r=1

    Takeaways

    • Late diagnosis can provide clarity and reduce shame over past differences.

    • Parents often feel overwhelmed by the amount of information available.

    • Shifting from panic to empowerment is crucial in parenting.

    • Each autistic child is unique and requires different interventions.

    • There is no one-size-fits-all approach to autism.

    • Trusting parental instincts is essential for effective parenting. You do not have to fill your child's day with therapy.

    • Trust your gut feelings about your child's needs.

    • Parents often know their children best, despite professional opinions.

    • Medical professionals may not always have the latest information on autism.

    • Advocating for your child can be challenging, but it is essential.

    • Bringing a list to meetings can help parents stay focused.

    • Cognitive dissonance is common when navigating medical advice.

    • Parents should feel empowered to change providers if necessary.

    • Finding clarity amidst overwhelming information is crucial for parents.

    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
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    45 mins
  • #126 - Water Safety: Autism Drowning Risks & How to Prevent Tragedy Part 2 with Dayna Harvey & Andy Roszak

    #126 - Water Safety: Autism Drowning Risks & How to Prevent Tragedy Part 2 with Dayna Harvey & Andy Roszak
    Jun 10 2025
    Welcome back to the Autism Little Learners Podcast! If you haven’t listened to Part 1 of this conversation on autism and water safety yet, be sure to go check that out first—it’s episode #125. In that episode, I sat down with Dayna Harvey, a certified swim instructor who specializes in working with autistic children, and Andy Roszak, an emergency preparedness expert with experience at FEMA and the CDC. Together, we shared eye-opening statistics and essential first steps families can take to begin protecting their children around water. In this episode—Part 2—we’re diving even deeper. You’ll hear more from Dayna and Andy about why swim lessons alone aren’t enough, how to use visual supports to reinforce water safety, and the critical role of community awareness in preventing drowning. Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, teacher, or therapist, this conversation is full of actionable strategies and resources to help keep autistic children safe. Let’s get started. Bio Andy Roszak, JD, MPA, EMT-Paramedic is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Institute for Childhood Preparedness, where he leads efforts to strengthen emergency planning, disaster recovery, and resilience across early childhood and community-based settings. With more than 20 years of experience in public health, emergency management, and health policy, Andrew has worked at the local, state, federal, and nonprofit levels-supporting initiatives that help communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from crises. Andy is a frequent contributor and subject matter expert for Sesame Street in Communities, where he supports efforts around preparedness, disaster response, and resilience for families and caregivers. A former firefighter, paramedic, and hazardous materials technician, he has also served as a Health Policy Fellow in the U.S. Senate, a senior advisor at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and as a Senior Preparedness Advisor supporting Super Bowl 46 and the Indianapolis 500. Andy is an award-winning author of the Preparing for the Unexpected book series, and his work has been recognized by organizations including the Red Cross, the City of El Paso, and Sesame Street, where he was named a Sesame Street Hero. His focus is on practical, real-world strategies to help individuals, organizations, and communities be better prepared for whatever challenges may come. Andy is the proud father of two daughters, aged 1 and 4. Dayna Harvey is a Water Safety and Drowning prevention educator as well as a Swim Lesson Teacher, who specializes in working with children with autism and their parents. She has been teaching swim lessons for the past 35 years and is certified through the Red Cross as well as a program called AutismSwim. Dayna is on a MISSION to educate and empower parents with information, strategies and hands on tools to help them keep their children safer in and around water because we MUST eradicate childhood drowning. The autism community saw more drownings in 2024 than in any year prior and that has intensified Dayna's commitment to reach more parents with her message and her methods. Dayna and the Waiting Whale kids, who she created to help engage both parents and children in the education process, have developed the "Where there is water, I will WAIT!" program and The Waiting Whales - Water Safety Kit Water Safety With Miss Dayna Links: www.WaterSafetyWithMissDayna.com www.Facebook.com/WaterSafetyWithMissDayna www.Instagram.com/WaterSafetyWithMissDayna Miss Dayna’s Water Safety Kit: https://watersafetywithmissdayna.com/water-safety-kit Institute For Childhood Preparedness Links: https://www.childhoodpreparedness.org/ Free Safety-Related Social Stories: https://www.childhoodpreparedness.org/printables Takeaways Water safety is crucial for all children, especially autistic children. Visual cues and predictable routines enhance learning for children. Creating a waiting area can significantly reduce drowning risks. Parents must be fully attentive when children are around water. Consistency in teaching water safety is key to success. Using a water safety kit can help establish safe practices. Children can learn to wait before entering water environments. Swim lessons should focus on both water safety and swimming skills. Parents should evaluate their home environment for water hazards. Empowering parents with knowledge is essential for preventing drownings. 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
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    44 mins
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