Episodios

  • #83 - What Does Strength-Based Learning Mean?

    #83 - What Does Strength-Based Learning Mean?
    Aug 13 2024

    Welcome back to our special Back to School series, where we're revisiting some of the most popular and impactful episodes to help you gear up for the new school year. These episodes have resonated with so many educators and parents, and we're excited to share them with you again.

    Teaching autistic preschoolers with a strength-based approach can make a world of difference in their learning experience. Instead of focusing on what a child can't do, strength-based learning emphasizes their strengths, passions, and interests. In this episode, we'll compare strength-based learning to the traditional deficit-based approach and highlight the power of positive relationships in the classroom. With real-life examples, I'll provide you with practical strategies to implement a strengths-based approach.

    Topics Discussed:

    1. Strength-based approach to learning

    2. Deficits-based approach

    3. Value of positive relationships

    4. Examples of strength-based approaches

    Links Mentioned In This Episode:

    Child Interest Survey

    The Strengths Based Guide To Supporting Autistic Children by Claire Hill

    Learn Play Thrive Blog Post

    Strength based approach video

    Tot Tube

    Put in barn on Amazon

    Video of put in barn activity on Instagram

    Related Podcast Episodes To Listen To:

    #58 Play-based learning for preschool autistic children

    #50 3 ways to follow the lead of an autistic child

    #36 Activities for children who dump and throw toys - Tips for expanding exploratory play

    Other Links You May Be Interested In:

    1. Autism Little Learners on Instagram

    2. Autism Little Learners on Facebook

    You can also join my free Visual Supports Facebook Group to “hang out” with likeminded 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!
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    19 m
  • #82 - Exploratory Play For Kids Who Dump & Throw Toys

    #82 - Exploratory Play For Kids Who Dump & Throw Toys
    Aug 6 2024

    Welcome back to our special Back to School series, where we're revisiting some of the most popular and impactful episodes to help you gear up for the new school year. These episodes have resonated with so many educators and parents, and we're excited to share them with you again. Let's dive into the first one!

    As we head back into the classroom, understanding the developmental stages of play is crucial for supporting our young autistic students. In this episode, we explore the concept of "exploratory play"—a stage where children might dump toys, throw objects, or mouth everything. Instead of seeing these actions as a lack of play skills, we'll discover how they are part of a natural developmental process. Join me as I discuss how "put in" and "take out" activities can guide children in this exploratory stage toward more functional play. Let's get started!

    Topics Discussed:

    1. Exploratory play

    2. Put in activities

    3. Take out activities

    4. Suggestions for types of activities to use

    5. Next steps to expand

    Links Mentioned In This Episode About Visual Supports:

    1. Take Out The Toys Booklet

    2. Put In & Take Out Toys List On Amazon

    3. Themed Play Visual Supports

    4. Podcast Episode About Exploratory Play

    5. Blog Post About Exploratory Play

    6. The Hanen Centre

    Other Links You May Be Interested In:

    1. Autism Little Learners on Instagram

    2. 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 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!
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    17 m
  • #81 - 5 Keys To Support Co-Regulation & Self-Regulation In Young Autistic Kids

    #81 - 5 Keys To Support Co-Regulation & Self-Regulation In Young Autistic Kids
    Jul 30 2024

    As we head into August and gear up for the new school year, we thought it would be the perfect time to revisit some of our most popular episodes. These episodes have resonated deeply with our listeners and are packed with valuable insights that will be incredibly helpful during this back-to-school season.

    Today, we're kicking things off with an episode that offers five essential tips to support coregulation and self-regulation with young autistic children. These strategies are designed to create a supportive and nurturing environment, helping our little learners thrive both in and out of the classroom. Let's dive in and refresh our knowledge on these key techniques!

    We hear the term self-regulation all the time. But, we need to remember an important step of co-regulation. This episode will walk you through 5 tips for moving from co-regulation to self-regulation. You can grab the calming kit here.

    In This Episode You Will Learn:

    • 5 tips for moving from co-regulation to self-regulation

    • About what co-regulation is

    • About what self-regulation is

    • Visual supports that can encourage self-regulation

    Links Mentioned In This Episode About Co-Regulation & Self-Regulation:

    • Adapted Book Library

    • Visual Support Starter Set

    • Visual Supports Facebook Group

    • Autism Little Learners on Instagram

    • Autism Little Learners on Facebook

    • Adapted Books Blog

    • 5 Fidget Toys For Self Regulation Blog

    • Co-Regulation And Autism Blog

    • Children’s Book List For Self-Relation

    • DIY Calming Tent

    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!
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    20 m
  • #80 - Autism Little Learners Membership - Member Interviews Part 2

    #80 - Autism Little Learners Membership - Member Interviews Part 2
    Jul 23 2024

    Welcome to another episode of the Autism Little Learners podcast! Our membership community is filled with passionate educators, therapists, and parents all dedicated to creating compassionate and engaging environments for young autistic learners.

    Today, I’m excited to introduce you to two extraordinary members of our community who are making a tremendous impact in their own unique ways. Joining me are special education teacher and parent Laura Wing and special education teacher Jordan Daddow. Laura and Jordan consistently go above and beyond to support others in our membership community, and I'm delighted to share their stories with you today.

    In this episode, we’ll explore their journeys, discuss the challenges they’ve faced, celebrate their successes, and delve into the strategies that have truly made a difference in the lives of the children they support. Whether you’re an educator, therapist, or parent, you'll find inspiration and practical insights from their experiences.

    Topics Discussed:

    • The members discuss their experiences with the Autism Little Learners Membership

    Links:

    Autism Little Learners Membership Information & Waitlist: https://autismlittlelearners.lpages.co/autism-little-learners-membership/

    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!
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    44 m
  • #79 - Autism Little Learners Membership - Member Interviews

    #79 - Autism Little Learners Membership - Member Interviews
    Jul 16 2024

    As many of you know, our Autism Little Learners membership is a supportive community of educators, therapists, and parents dedicated to fostering compassionate, approaches and engaging environments for our young autistic learners.

    Today, I'm thrilled to introduce two incredible members of our community who have been making a significant impact in their own unique ways. I’m talking to special education teacher Jona Lourenco, and parent and childcare provider Lily Hamilton. These two always go above and beyond supporting others in our membership community and I’m so happy to share them with you today

    In today's episode, we'll be diving into their journeys, discussing the challenges they've faced, the successes they've celebrated, and the strategies that have made a real difference in the lives of the children they support. Whether you're an educator, therapist, or parent, you'll find inspiration and practical insights from their stories.

    Topics Discussed:

    • The members discuss their experiences with the Autism Little Learners Membership

    Links:

    Autism Little Learners Membership Information & Waitlist: https://autismlittlelearners.lpages.co/autism-little-learners-membership/

    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!
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    34 m
  • #78 - Lilly's Voice: AAC For Everyone!

    #78 - Lilly's Voice: AAC For Everyone!
    Jul 9 2024

    Today I’m talking to Stefanie from Lilly’s Voice. Stefanie started this non-profit because after jumping through hoops to get her daughter, who is autistic and non-speaking, an AAC device, she decided to support other parents trying to do the same. She now provides AAC devices AND TRAINING for families who have been denied by insurance or can’t afford the outrageous out-of-pocket costs of acquiring an AAC device. I’m partnering with Lilly’s Voice during the Preschool Autism Summit and a portion of the proceeds will go to Lilly’s Voice and directly fund AAC devices for kids ages 2-18 who need them. I’m so honored to introduce Stefanie… from Lilly’s Voice.

    Topics Discussed:

    • AAC devices and accessibility

    • Training for parents on AAC devices

    • How to apply for an AAC device

    • Lilly’s Voice non-profit

    Links:

    Lilly’s Voice: https://www.lillysvoice.org/

    Click here to get your free ticket to the Preschool Autism Summit

    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!
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    35 m
  • #77 - The Preschool Autism Summit: Everything You Need To Know!

    #77 - The Preschool Autism Summit: Everything You Need To Know!
    Jul 2 2024

    Have you grabbed your free ticket to the Preschool Autism Summit yet? In today’s episode, I’m going to share all things summit with you. How it came to be, when it’s taking place, who is speaking at the summit, and what they will be talking about. Plus, I’ll tell you how to snag your free ticket today! I’ll see you inside the show!

    Topics Discussed:

    • Preschool Autism Summit

    • How it came to be

    • Who is speaking at the summit

    • What the topics are

    • How to get your ticket to the Preschool Autism Summit

    Links:

    Click here to get your free ticket to the Preschool Autism Summit

    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!
    Más Menos
    16 m
  • #76 - Autism: Childhood To Adulthood With An Amazing Autistic Adult - Lindsey Moreland

    #76 - Autism: Childhood To Adulthood With An Amazing Autistic Adult - Lindsey Moreland
    Jun 25 2024
    I have to say that this episode was such a pleasure to record. I was lucky enough to meet a young woman named Lindsay and chat with her and her mom. You see, Lindsey is autistic and struggled with things like communication and social interaction as she grew up. She endured bullying and isolation. She is a testimant to perservernce. In one word, she’s amazing. I can’t wait to share her story and tell you what she is doing now, as a 30-year-old autistic woman. You are definitely going to want to listen right away. Topics Discussed: Autistic child and adult lived experience Reflections from the mom of an autistic woman Autism and bullying Autism and employment Lindsey's bio: I was diagnosed with autism at 28 months. I was non-verbal and had severe tantrums. My family was given very little hope of me having a bright future. When I was 17 years old, I got the opportunity to see a presentation given by Temple Grandin, an activist and person living with autism. After she was done speaking, I went up to her and said, "I have autism, too." She replied,"Great. Now what are your strengths and goals? Do that." There was a point in high school when I would come home and just do art naturally, and the more I drew, the more I wanted to create. I am the proud Illustrator for Koda The Fluff. I'm inspired by so many passions in life and when I think of something, I just want to draw it. Like the movie Titanic, the character Betty Boop, or my favorite artist of all time, Frida Kahlo, whose portrait I draw over and over again. Despite growing up with autism, I am fortunate to have strong support from my family and the inspiration that Temple gave me to do more with my life. As my mom would say, "There were a lot of ups and downs," so it inspired us to tell our family story in a book I co-wrote with my aunt Linda Wagner, Autism: A Family Lives Beyond the Label. Each of us contributed our own perspective in hopes it will support other families. We also have a Little Lindsey series of biographical children's books. Little Lindsey Gets a Haircut, Little Lindsey is a Picky Eater, Little Lindsey Makes a Friend, and Little Lindsey Goes to Therapy, a Sibling Story. My second language is Spanish. I was so happy to be hired by Target to support them as one of their Spanish-speaking team members. The experience at Target has been good for me. I've found everyone to be very inclusive and they work with me on anything I need. I'm glad to say I'm a proud University of WI-River Falls Associate of Arts and Sciences graduate. I've had many opportunities to present and share my story of autism with interested audiences, and have met and interacted with so many different people. Three years ago, I bought a house with my sister Brittany. These, and all the experiences I have along the way, provide me with the inspiration to continue to live up to my strengths and goals. Links: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/autismlm_morelandstory/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AustismLM Website: https://autismlm.com/ Purchase Lindsey’s Book(s): https://autismlm.com/autismlm-store/ols/categories/book Koda The Fluff: https://www.kodathefluff.com Video of Lindsey’s work at Target: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/lmx1j707qyq468shs63u0/Lindsey-at-Target-FINAL.m4v?rlkey=v0qyyvueuzqehp8j6e5pw1sm6&e=2&st=4a1znbh5&dl=0 Lindsey’s family story: https://autismlm.com/autismlm-store/ols/products/autism-a-family-lives-beyond-the-label-the-lindsey-moreland-story 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!
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    36 m