The Autism Little Learners Podcast

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.

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.

In this episode, we're talking about what truly changes when AAC is modeled all day—not just during instruction, but during play, routines, transitions, and real-life moments.
So often, AAC is treated as something that happens only at the table or during therapy. But when modeling AAC becomes part of the entire day, communication shifts from a task to a relationship.
This episode explores how modeling AAC without expectation builds regulation, engagement, trust, and spontaneous communication over time.
In this episode, you'll learn:
What "all-day AAC modeling" actually means (and what it doesn't)

Why modeling AAC throughout the day supports regulation and engagement

How modeling without expectation reduces pressure for kids and adults

Examples of AAC use during play, routines, and transitions

Why AAC devices and core boards should be available beyond instruction

How consistent modeling supports spontaneous communication

Why relationships grow stronger when communication is modeled relationally

Common reasons adults stop modeling AAC—and why consistency matters

Key takeaways:
Modeling AAC all day means access across the entire day

Communication grows through exposure, not pressure

Modeling without expectation builds safety and trust

AAC works best when it's part of daily life, not a special activity

Try this today:
Choose one routine (snack, play, or transitions) and commit to modeling AAC there for a week

Model on a core board or AAC device without prompting or expecting a response

Notice engagement, connection, and regulation—not how many buttons are pressed

Want support modeling AAC all day?
If you want to feel more confident using AAC beyond structured moments, you don't have to figure it out alone.
My AAC Bootcamp is designed to help educators and caregivers model AAC naturally across the entire day—during play, routines, and real-life moments—without pressure or perfection.
When AAC is modeled all day, communication stops being a task—and starts becoming a relationship.
Links & Related Podcast Episodes 
Visual Schedule Pictures Resource

Visual Schedule Information

Visual Schedules Made Easy Course

In this episode, we're unpacking a common—and harmful—myth in autism and AAC support: the idea that communication must be earned.
You'll hear why treating AAC as a reward makes regulation harder, not easier—and how unconditional access to communication supports regulation, trust, and participation, especially during autism meltdowns.
This episode reframes AAC as access, not a behavior strategy, and offers practical ways to support communication during real-life moments of distress.
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why AAC should never be used as a reward

How communication and regulation are deeply connected in autism

What happens when AAC is removed during autism meltdowns

Common autism meltdown causes related to communication breakdown

Why withholding an AAC device can increase distress and shutdown

How AAC supports self-advocacy and emotional safety

What modeling AAC during dysregulation can look like (without pressure)

How shifting adult mindset changes long-term outcomes

Key takeaways:
Communication is a basic human right, not something children earn

AAC supports regulation instead of waiting for it

Withholding communication can increase meltdowns and reduce trust

Modeling AAC without expectation builds safety and access

Try this today:
Keep the AAC device available during moments of frustration or distress

Model one regulation-related word (help, stop, or all done) without expecting a response

Honor protests and communication attempts as meaningful



Want support using AAC with confidence?
If you're realizing AAC has been used conditionally—or you're unsure how to support communication during hard moments—you're not alone.
My AAC Bootcamp is designed to help educators and caregivers confidently model AAC across the entire day, including transitions, play, and moments of dysregulation.
AAC doesn't need to be perfect to be powerful.
When communication is always available, regulation becomes more possible—for everyone.
Links & Related Podcast Episodes 
AAC Bootcamp Registration

AAC Devices In The Classroom

AAC - Getting Team Buy In

In this episode, we're talking about the powerful connection between AAC and dysregulation—and why regulation is access to communication.
So often, AAC is treated as a skill kids are expected to use only when they're calm and regulated. But when a child is dysregulated, overwhelmed, or in survival mode, accessing any form of communication—spoken or AAC—is incredibly hard.
This episode reframes AAC as an access tool, not a reward, and explores what it really means to support communication during hard moments.
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why AAC use often breaks down during dysregulation

How the nervous system impacts access to communication

Why "calm first, communication later" is a harmful myth

How AAC can support regulation, not wait for it

What happens when AAC is removed during meltdowns

Why consistent AAC access builds trust and reduces frustration

How to model AAC during dysregulation without pressure or expectation

Simple shifts that make AAC more accessible across the day



Key takeaways:
Dysregulation limits access to communication for all children

AAC should be available during hard moments—not withheld

Communication supports regulation; it's not something kids earn

Modeling AAC without expectation builds trust and long-term access



Try this today:
Keep AAC available during moments of dysregulation, even if it's not used

Model one regulation-related word (like help, stop, or all done) without expecting a response

Notice engagement and trust before output—communication grows from safety

Want support making AAC truly accessible?
If AAC has only been used during calm or structured moments, you're not alone. My AAC visuals and AAC Bootcamp are designed to help educators and caregivers confidently model AAC throughout the entire day—including transitions, play, and moments of dysregulation.
AAC doesn't require perfection.
It requires access.
Links & Related Podcast Episodes 
AAC Bootcamp Registration

AAC & Protests

Getting Started With AAC

Child Interest Survey - find what lights a child up!