The Autism Little Learners Podcast Podcast Por Tara Phillips arte de portada

The Autism Little Learners Podcast

The Autism Little Learners Podcast

De: 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 Crianza y Familias Relaciones
Episodios
  • #142 - Sensory Friendly Clothes For Autistic Kids

    #142 - Sensory Friendly Clothes For Autistic Kids
    Sep 30 2025

    Today on the Autism Little Learners Podcast, I’m joined by Julia DeNey, founder of Sensational You—a brand dedicated to creating adaptive clothing for children with sensory differences. Julia’s journey is such an inspiring one. She started in the world of fashion, but it was her time working in special education that opened her eyes to just how much sensory needs can impact a child’s ability to learn and thrive.

    Sensory friendly clothes can make everyday life easier for autistic kids. In this episode, learn how adaptive clothing supports comfort, confidence, and learning. I can’t wait for you to hear this conversation!

    Takeaways

    • Julia's background in fashion led her to create Sensational You.

    • Sensory needs can significantly impact children's learning.

    • Adaptive clothing can help minimize sensory irritations.

    • Real-life feedback from families is crucial for product development.

    • The importance of understanding dysregulation in children.

    • Innovative designs include built-in sensory tools.

    • Community support has been vital for Sensational You's growth.

    • The future vision includes a wider range of sensory-friendly products.

    • Adaptive fashion should be accessible in mainstream stores.

    • Sensory-friendly solutions are becoming more recognized in society.

    Bio & Links

    Julia DeNey studied Fashion Design at Cornell University and later worked as a special-education paraprofessional with autistic students. Combining her design expertise with her classroom experience, she founded Sense-ational You, an adaptive clothing brand that supports individuals with autism, ADHD, and sensory sensitivities.

    https://shopsenseationalyou.com/

    https://shopsenseationalyou.com/pages/back-to-school-sensory-checklist

    https://www.instagram.com/senseational_you/

    https://www.tiktok.com/@senseational_you

    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction to Sensational You

    02:52 The Journey from Fashion to Sensory Solutions

    05:49 Understanding Sensory Needs in Education

    08:40 Innovative Adaptive Clothing Designs

    11:31 Real-Life Impact of Sensory Clothing

    14:15 Feedback and Community Support

    17:19 Future Vision for Sensational You

    20:15 Conclusion and Resources

    You may also be interested in these supports:

    • Visual Support Starter Set: www.autismlittlelearners.com/visuals

    • Visual Supports Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3922278281209994/

    • Autism Little Learners on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/autismlittlelearners

    • Autism Little Learners on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autismlittlelearners/

    If you’re enjoying the Autism Little Learners Podcast, I’d love for you to leave a rating and review—it helps more educators and parents find these conversations and join our community.
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    29 m
  • #141 - Melissa & Doug®: Designing Toys That Inspire Learning

    #141 - Melissa & Doug®: Designing Toys That Inspire Learning
    Sep 23 2025
    In today’s episode of the Autism Little Learners Podcast, I’m joined by Sofia Dumery, Senior Vice President of Design at Melissa & Doug® Toys. If you’ve ever wondered what goes into creating timeless, high-quality toys that truly support children’s development, you’re going to love this conversation. We dive into the importance of open-ended play, how toys can spark language and connection, and why durability, inclusivity, and sustainability matter so much in toy design. Whether you’re a parent, educator, or therapist, you’ll come away with fresh inspiration for using play as a powerful tool for learning and connection. Sofia also explains Melissa & Doug’s commitment to inclusivity, durability, and safety, including their extensive testing process and collaborations with occupational therapists. We discuss how sensory elements and realistic designs make their toys appealing to children of all abilities, while also easing fears and building confidence. Finally, we highlight surprising ways their toys have been used in therapy and at home, and how play—when led with joy and creativity—strengthens relationships and creates rich learning opportunities. About Sofia Dumery As Senior Vice President of Design at Melissa & Doug®, Sofia Dumery oversees the creation of all toys and ensures those toys deliver on the brand's mission to ignite imagination and wonder in all children so they discover their passions and their purpose. She leads a team across blue-sky innovation, product, and licensing design. The team is committed to ensuring its inclusive, open-ended products help kids of all abilities build confidence and develop essential skills. In addition to setting the product's vision and strategy, Sofia is responsible for all new toy innovations, working with independent inventors, external partners, and in-house creative team. She holds 17 patents and is always searching for breakthrough innovations. Sofia works closely to ensure toys not only meet children's play patterns and market expectations but also deliver on key sustainability goals. Prior to joining Melissa & Doug® in 2011, Sofia was Design Director at Callaway Arts & Entertainment. There, she built the product strategy and growth of Sunny Patch, at that time an exclusive line for Target. Sofia holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Columbia College, Columbia University, and a Masters in Industrial Design from Pratt University. She, her daughter and their cat Kiwi live in Westport, Connecticut. When it comes to play, Sofia's passions include biking, camping, and reading. About Melissa & Doug® From classic wooden toys to realistic pretend play sets, Melissa & Doug® products inspire creative thinking through screen-free, open-ended play! We make well-crafted toys that are developed with care to be passed down from generation to generation or shared family to family. When kids play with Melissa & Doug® toys, anything is possible! Melissa & Doug® Links: Website: https://www.melissaanddoug.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissaanddougtoys/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MelissaAndDoug/ Takeaways Purposeful, open-ended play matters – Melissa & Doug focus on toys that encourage imagination, creativity, and engagement rather than passive entertainment Classic play patterns never go out of style – Blocks, pretend play, and exploratory play still hold the same developmental value they did generations ago Toys support language development – Hands-on play is deeply connected to building speech, language, and social skills, making it especially valuable for young learners Designing with inclusivity in mind – Melissa & Doug avoid rigid age labels, build toys with realistic details, and create open-ended opportunities for all children to play at their own level Durability and quality are key – Toys are tested extensively (even “gorilla tested”) to ensure they perform well, reducing frustration and supporting consistent learning experiences Neurodiversity is part of the mission – The company researches child development, collaborates with occupational therapists, and designs toys that avoid overwhelming sensory input while still providing tactile experiences Realism helps children learn about their world – From the dentist set to ice cream counters, realistic details prepare kids for real-life experiences and help ease fears Sustainability and safety are priorities – Melissa & Doug use FSC-certified wood, focus on long-lasting design, and test rigorously to meet the highest safety standards Unexpected ways toys are used – From sensory bins with puzzle pieces to elderly adults using Water Wow! for calming effects, Melissa & Doug toys support creativity across ages and abilities Play builds connection – When adults model joy, silliness, and curiosity with toys, it deepens relationships with children and enriches their learning You may also be interested in these supports Visual Support ...
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    53 m
  • #140 - The Impact of Stress on Autistic Children

    #140 - The Impact of Stress on Autistic Children
    Sep 16 2025

    By popular demand, we’re bringing back one of the most impactful episodes! This conversation dives into the powerful link between stress and behavior in autistic children, and why compassionate, neurodiversity-affirming approaches make all the difference.

    You’ll discover how to reframe behavior as communication, support self-advocacy, and create environments that reduce stress and meet the unique needs of autistic children. Whether you’re an educator, therapist, or parent, this episode offers practical tools you can use right away.

    Key Takeaways:

    1. Stress and behavior are closely linked for autistic children.

    2. Environments that increase stress can make behaviors harder.

    3. Behavior is communication—understanding it is essential.

    4. Compassionate approaches focus on unmet needs, not compliance.

    5. Compliance-driven methods can harm emotional well-being.

    6. Self-advocacy is critical for safety and empowerment.

    7. Protests and refusals are valid forms of communication.

    8. Predictable routines can ease anxiety.

    9. Co-regulation helps children manage emotions.

    10. Communication tools empower autistic children to thrive.

    Resources & Links:

    Research article #1: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6061115/

    Research article #2: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3245359/

    Calming Kit for preschoolers: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Calm-Down-Kit-For-Calming-Corner-In-Special-Education-8140160

    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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    19 m
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