The Autism Little Learners Podcast

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 (Lindsay, can you add related podcasts?)
AAC Bootcamp Registration

AAC & Protests

Getting Started With AAC

Child Interest Survey - find what lights a child up!

In this special episode, Tara sits down with her friend and collaborator Sarah Habib from The Calm Caterpillar to share some exciting news—you're hearing it here first! Together, they've written a brand-new book, The Mindfulness Guide for Neurodivergent Learners, and this conversation takes you behind the scenes of how it came to life and why it's so needed.
This episode is a must-listen for educators, therapists, and parents who want practical, neurodiversity-affirming strategies to support regulation, transitions, and connection—without compliance-based approaches.
About the Book
The Mindfulness Guide for Neurodivergent Learners is a 90-page, full-color, action-oriented guide designed to be:
Easy to read and visually supportive

Practical and immediately usable in classrooms and homes

Grounded in neurodiversity-affirming, non-compliance-based practices

The book includes:
Real classroom photos and examples

Scripts you can actually use

Visual supports and calming strategies

QR codes for free downloadable resources

Tools for co-regulation, not just "self-regulation"

Ideas for supporting transitions, calm corners, sensory needs, and deep interests

What You'll Hear in This Episode
How the idea for the book started (spoiler: it began with a simple message ☺️)

Why regulation is the foundation for learning, connection, and communication

The importance of modeling regulation strategies as adults

Why mindfulness strategies should be practiced in a regulated state

How to move away from token boards and "earning" regulation tools

Using deep interests (like favorite characters) to support transitions and engagement

Real-life classroom examples that actually worked

Why consistency across home, school, and childcare matters so much

The difference between compliance-based approaches and compassionate, child-centered ones

A Big Takeaway
This book isn't about quick fixes. It's about:
Modeling

Consistency

Trust

And honoring how neurodivergent learners experience the world

As Tara and Sarah emphasize, slow burns are okay—real change takes time, repetition, and relationship.
Special Listener Bonus
Podcast listeners get 15% off the book!
👉 Buy the book here or go to www.autismlittlelearners.com/all15 🧾 Use code: ALL15
Feel free to share this episode with colleagues, family members, childcare providers, or anyone who supports neurodivergent learners.
Watch this episode on YouTube here to see everything Tara & Sarah are talking about! 
https://youtu.be/kh9FxP9YRxM?si=hGIBq-moWwC5X3df
Connect with Sarah Habib
Website: www.thecalmcaterpillar.com

Instagram: @thecalmcaterpillar

Be sure to check out Sarah's regulation tools mentioned in the episode, including Bloomie, Flutter, and Rory, which are being used in classrooms around the world.
Connect with Tara Phillips
Learn more about Tara and her work at www.autismlittlelearners.com Follow along on Instagram at @autismlittlelearners
Be sure to explore Tara's neurodiversity-affirming resources, trainings, and classroom-ready supports designed to help educators and caregivers feel confident supporting young autistic and neurodivergent learners.
Final Words
This episode is a celebration—of collaboration, shared values, and a resource created with deep care for neurodivergent learners and the adults who support them. As Tara says, regulation is the foundation—and this book is a powerful place to start.

Today we're talking about one of my favorite tools for supporting autistic preschoolers — visual schedules. These simple supports can make transitions smoother, reduce anxiety, and help kids feel safe and confident as they move through their day. I'll share a quick story from the classroom and break down why visual schedules work so well, especially for our autistic little learners. 
Show notes:
●      Why visual schedules are one of the most effective supports for autistic preschoolers
●      A real classroom story about a child who struggled with transitions until a one-picture schedule changed everything
●      How visual schedules create predictability and reduce anxiety
●      Why spoken language disappears — and visuals don't
●      The connection between regulation, safety, and understanding what's coming next
●      How visual schedules increase independence without pressure
●      Why challenging behaviors often decrease when routines become visible
●      The different types of visual schedules used in early childhood
●      Why starting with ONE picture is developmentally appropriate and often most effective
●      Practical tips you can use tomorrow to make transitions smoother and more connected
Links & Related Podcast Episodes 
●      Visual Schedule Pictures Resource
●      Visual Schedule Information
●      Visual Schedules Made Easy Course

In this replay episode, I'm thrilled to bring back one of the most impactful conversations I've ever had on the podcast — my interview with Dr. Barry Prizant, world-renowned speech-language pathologist and author of the groundbreaking book Uniquely Human.
Our discussion gets to the heart of why the field of autism education is shifting away from compliance-based, behavior-focused models and toward approaches rooted in compassion, emotional regulation, and trusting relationships.
Dr. Prizant shares powerful insights about:
✨ understanding autistic behaviors as meaningful human responses
✨ how storytelling has shaped his work and shaped Uniquely Human
✨ why reflective practice is essential in our classrooms
✨ and how listening to autistic voices is helping reshape "what works" in autism education
We also dig into topics like echolalia, the SCERTS model, relationship-based intervention, non-speaking communication, and why honoring a child's intuition and individuality is more effective—and more humane—than rigid compliance.
This conversation left me feeling inspired, energized, and hopeful about where autism education is heading… and I know it will do the same for you.

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 brings decades of expertise in speech-language pathology, psycholinguistics, and autism advocacy — grounded in human connection, not behavior control.

Uniquely Human was written to change the narrative around autism by sharing stories that center humanity, not deficits.

Autistic behaviors are human responses, not symptoms to extinguish — and understanding the "why" leads to more effective and compassionate support.

Emotional regulation and relationships matter more than compliance; kids cooperate when they feel safe, supported, and understood.

The shift toward neurodiversity-affirming practice requires reflective practice and humility from professionals — especially when something isn't working.

Evidence-based practice is broader than peer-reviewed research. It also includes family insight, lived experience, and data from everyday interactions.

Parents' intuition matters, and professionals should never ask families to ignore what feels right for their child.

Compliance-focused approaches often overlook emotional development, social connection, and the child's authentic voice.

True support begins with trust, co-regulation, and being a calming presence when a child is overwhelmed.

Listening to autistic voices is essential for shaping ethical and effective educational practices.

Meaningful progress happens through everyday activities, strengths, and interests, not isolated drills.

The field is moving toward relationship-based, developmental models (like SCERTS)—and that gives real hope for the future. 

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

This episode is back as a replay because the conversation is still incredibly relevant—and the questions around PECS and AAC haven't gone away.
In this episode, we take a thoughtful, nuanced look at the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) and its role in supporting autistic communication. While PECS has been widely used for decades, growing research, lived experience, and neurodiversity-affirming practice are prompting professionals to ask deeper questions about autonomy, flexibility, and what true communication really looks like.
I'm joined by speech-language pathologists Paulina Elias and Dr. Amanda Blackwell from Natural Communication for a powerful discussion about how PECS originated, what it does well, and where it can fall short—especially when communication is limited to requesting or tightly controlled exchanges.
We explore why many clinicians are shifting toward multimodal, child-led AAC approaches that support regulation, self-expression, and authentic connection. You'll hear us unpack topics like honoring a child's right to say "no," moving away from hand-over-hand prompting, and choosing communication tools that grow alongside a child rather than restricting them.
Whether you're a parent, educator, or therapist, this replay episode offers updated perspectives that may challenge old assumptions—and help you feel more confident in supporting communication that is respectful, functional, and truly empowering.
🎥 Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Tu4rKeAM0dc
📖 Read the blog here: https://autismlittlelearners.com/pecs-autism/
Key Takeaways
PECS was developed in the 1980s as a structured system rooted in behavior-based principles and primarily supports requesting.

Communication is more than asking for wants—autistic children deserve access to tools that support commenting, protesting, refusing, and expressing feelings.

Rigid communication systems can unintentionally limit autonomy and authentic self-expression.

Hand-over-hand prompting raises concerns about consent and agency; hand-under-hand support allows for greater learner control.

AAC should be multimodal, flexible, and adaptable to a child's evolving communication needs.

Children must have the freedom to say "no" and communicate disagreement in order for communication to be meaningful.

Relationship, trust, and emotional safety are foundational to successful communication development.

Communication tools should grow with the child rather than requiring a complete "switch" later on.

Neurodiversity-affirming AAC honors individuality, regulation needs, and multiple communication styles.

Family insight and lived experience are critical pieces of evidence-based practice.

Access to AAC resources in multiple languages increases equity and meaningful participation for families.

The field is moving away from rigid systems toward child-led, respectful, and empowering communication supports—and that shift matters.

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