#184: It Started in the Hardest Year of My Life: Autism Little Learners

Teaching autistic preschoolers can feel lonely. This is the episode where I pull back the curtain on the membership that became the opposite of that island — where it came from, what's inside, and the community that surprised me most. Teaching young autistic children can feel like being on an island. The membership is the opposite of that. I'll tell you how it began in grief, after I lost my dad in 2019, and grew into a genuine passion for helping educators and parents feel less overwhelmed and celebrate the small wins that build on each other. I'll share the story of Laura — a member who started with four empty walls and turned them into a classroom where children are seen, presumed competent, and given every chance to communicate. And I'll tell you why, even with hundreds of resources inside, people don't stay for the resources. They stay for each other. We'll talk about: how Autism Little Learners was born out of one of the hardest seasons of my life why teaching young autistic children so often feels like being on an island the member who started with four empty walls — and what her classroom looks like now the Four Foundations framework: Regulate, Connect, Routines, and Teach what's actually inside the membership (and what isn't the reason people stay) how a community of real educators in real classrooms makes the island disappear In This Episode, You'll Learn How a grief-driven project quietly grew into a community of educators and caregivers Why the "island feeling" — not a lack of skill — is where so many educators stall out How Laura set up a brand-new autism classroom from an empty room using the membership What it looks like to build connection and trust with students before placing demands The Four Foundations that give you a clear path through your day What the membership includes: resources, on-demand trainings, handouts, adapted books, and a high support needs curriculum Why presuming competence changes what children are able to show you Key Takeaways You don't have to do this work alone The island feeling is common — and it's usually where progress stalls Transformation rarely starts with a breakthrough; it starts with support and consistency Presume competence — never underestimate what a child can do Children are soaking it all in, even when it looks like they aren't watching Resources matter, but community is what keeps educators going Small, consistent shifts — supported and sustained — are the ones that change everything Regulate, Connect, Routines, Teach: a simple framework for a complicated day Try This Name your own "island" moment — then bring it to people who understand it Model AAC with no pressure and no expectation of an immediate response\Build connection and trust with a student before adding any demands Set up one predictable routine that helps a child feel safe Turn a board book you already own into an adapted, hands-on book Celebrate one small win this week, and share it with another educator When you feel stuck, reach for a person, not just another resource Related Resources & Links 💚 Autism Little Learners Membership 💚 Preschool Autism Summit This membership is the opposite of the island. It's an empty room becoming a place where children are seen, presumed competent, and given every chance to communicate and learn — with a whole community standing alongside the educator who makes it happen. If you've been feeling that island feeling lately, come take a look. I think, for a lot of you, it will feel like home.