SLP Talk Show
Each bite-sized episode is filled with happy stuff, heavy stuff, light stuff, and speech therapy stuff. The primary goal is for listeners to feel rejuvenated, motivated, and excited to go to work. Parents are welcome too. Episodes are delivered with joyful passion, not boring lectures.
Episodes
Episode 87: When Autism and Apraxia Co-Occur
Join Cari and Jim for an in-depth discussion about affirming speech therapy strategies to support children when autism and apraxia co-occur.
Episode 86: How Models of Disability Shape Our Practice
How we understand disability influences every decision we make as providers. In this episode, Cari and Jim unpack four models of disability and discuss how they show up in practice. You’ll walk away with a clearer lens for reflecting on your values and how they align with your work. If you're a parent or caregiver, this conversation is for you too. Understanding these models can help you make sens
Episode 85: Autism and Thanksgiving: A Survival Guide
For many Autistic children, big family gatherings can be overwhelming, unpredictable, and absolutely exhausting. But with the right supports, these gatherings can feel more like a celebration and less like a survival mission.
Episode 84: AAC in Action—Building a Communication Team Around Every Child
In Episode 84, Cari and Jim unpack how to support AAC in daily routines, how to build a strong team around the communicator, and why communication is everyone's job—not just the speech therapist's.
Episode 83: Beyond Requesting—The Power of Robust AAC
In this episode, Cari and Jim explore what makes an AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) system robust. They discuss how robust AAC goes far beyond requesting, giving users the ability to connect, share emotions, and express their full personalities.
Episode 82: AAC 101—Understanding the Basics
In this episode, Cari and Jim break down the basics of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)—what it is, who uses it, and why early access matters. They unpack common myths, discuss practical strategies for modeling AAC in daily life, and remind us that every mode of communication deserves equal respect and celebration. Whether you're a seasoned SLP, an educator, a parent, or just AAC-c
Episode 81: AAC—Building a Culture of Communication
In this episode, Cari and Jim explore what it means to build a true culture of communication—one that values connection over compliance.
Show Notes:
Communication Bill of Rights
QuickTalker Freestyle Speech Device from AbleNet
Subscribe to Cari's Newsletter
Episode 80: Life is Not a Quiz
Join Cari and Jim for a lively discussion on the difference between declarative and imperative language in supporting children's communication. They show how constant quizzing with imperatives can feel stressful, while declarative comments create shared attention, spark curiosity, and foster authentic connection.
Click here for "The Declarative Language Handbook" that is reference in this episo
Episode 79: Understanding Play Schemas
In this episode, Cari and Jim explore the concept of play schemas...repeated patterns of behavior that reveal how young children learn and make sense of the world.
Defender of Play T-Shirt
Episode 78: Myths About Learning and Play
In this episode, Cari and Jim bust nine common myths about learning and play. Together, they reframe play as the foundation for growth, creativity, and deeper learning.
Episode 77: Rethinking School Readiness
Cari and Jim discuss the decline in play, the cognitive hypothesis, and the true building blocks of school readiness for young children. Hint: It's not knowing letters, numbers, shapes, and colors. It's all about executive function skills.
Click here for the book referenced in this episode: How Children Succeed by Paul Tough
Episode 76: From IEP to Employment
Join Cari and Jim for a lively discussion about the school-to-work transition. Because Autistic kids become Autistic adults.
Episode 75: Back-to-School Stress
In this episode, we explore why the back-to-school season is one of the most overwhelming transitions for neurodivergent students. From decoding stress responses to building collaborative partnerships with schools, you'll learn practical, compassionate strategies to ease this high-stress season for the whole family.
Subscribe to Cari's newsletter here:
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https://cariebert.com/mailing-list
Episode 74: Affirming Food Strategies for Autistic Kids
Join Cari and Jim for a follow-up to episode 73 as they continue the discussion on supporting Autistic children at mealtime. In this episode, Cari outlines three categories of safe, respectful strategies that prioritize trust, choice, and co-regulation.
If you're enjoying the podcast and want to keep the conversation going, join Cari's email list here:
https://cariebert.com/mailing-list
Episode 73: It's Not Just Picky Eating
Cari and Jim discuss the complex relationship that Autistic children often have with food.
One liner for this episode: For Autistic kids, mealtime is about survival, not stubbornness.
Episode 72: Creating Mindful Screen Time Habits at Home
Nobody likes to talk about screen time. But we live in the Digital Age, and it's time to start supporting families of young children in creating mindful screen time habits at home. One thing that all children with developing brains and bodies need is VARIED EXPERIENCES! Screen time should be just one of many experiences young children have access to each day. Be sure to stay tuned until the end fo
Episode 71: Girls Can Be Autistic Too
Cari and Jim discuss the bias in autism research and how this affects girls getting an autism diagnosis.
Episode 70: Autism Prevalence
The CDC released the most recent autism prevalence numbers which showed an increase from 1 in 36 kids to 1 in 31 kids. In this episode, Cari and Jim discuss factors contributing to the increase in autism prevalence in the United States including 1) improved understanding of the Autistic neurotype, 2) increased identification of autism in previously under-identified groups, and 3) assortative matin
Episode 69: Heavy Work for the Win!
Join Cari and Jim for an informative discussion about the power of heavy work for young children with developing brains and bodies!
The Anxious Generation
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Episode 68: Supporting Oral Sensory Seekers
Cari and Jim discuss strategies for supporting older kids who are constantly putting their hands, toys, and other objects in their mouth or chewing on their hair or shirt. You'll walk away with actionable strategies and activities to begin using immediately!
Shop Cari's Amazon Store - Sensory Tools and Toys
Join Cari's Email List
Episode 67: Board Games and Executive Function Skills
In the first episode of 2025 Cari and Jim discuss the benefits of playing board and card games with kids of all ages. The primary emphasis of this conversation is about the link between playing board games and building executive function skills. Play-based learning for the win!
Defender of Play T-Shirt - Cari Ebert
Building Brains T-Shirt - Cari Ebert
Episode 66: Takeaways from ASHA 2024
This is episode 66 (Cari incorrectly refers to it as episode 65...please forgive her error!). In this episode Cari discusses key takeaways from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) national convention that took place in Seattle, WA. Even if you're not a speech-language pathologist, you will enjoy hearing about Cari's learning and networking adventures!
Episode 65: Being an Ally to the Autistic Community
Join Cari and Jim as they discuss what it means to be an ally to the Autistic community and how trauma informed services fit into neurodiversity-affirming practices.
Episode 64: Autism and Authentic Connections
Cari and Jim discuss how to build authentic connections with Autistic children. This is a short but powerful episode that will give you a lot to think about.
Episode 63: The Roller Coaster Ride of Parenting an Autistic Child
Cari and Jim talk about the emotional roller coaster ride of parenting an Autistic child.
In the introduction, Cari misspeaks and calls this episode 62...sorry for the error!
Episode 62: Strategies for Supporting Autistic Toddlers Part 5
Join Cari and Jim as they discuss Chapter 5 of Cari's book, "The Learning to Learn Program." This episode is all about supporting early language development in Autistic children. AAC and gestalt language processing are a couple of the topics discussed. This is a longer episode, so buckle up for some helpful tips!
THE LEARNING TO LEARN PROGRAM - Cari Ebert
Episode 61: Strategies for Supporting Autistic Toddlers Part 4
Join Cari and Jim for a lively discussion about supporting Autistic children through play. Cari provides specific strategies from Chapter 5 of her book "The Learning to Learn Program" and reminds listeners that there is no right or wrong way to play!
Links to the books discussed in episode 61:
The Learning to Learn Program
A Moving Child is a Learning Child
Episode 60: Strategies for Supporting Autistic Toddlers Part 3
In this episode, Cari and Jim discuss Chapter 3 of The Learning to Learn Program. After reminiscing about their son's sensory differences, Cari provides strategies for supporting the sensory needs of young Autistic children.
The Learning to Learn Program
Episode 59: Strategies for Supporting Autistic Toddlers Part 2
In this episode, Cari discusses Chapter two of her book The Learning to Learn Program. Cari and Jim outline specific strategies for supporting joint attention in Autistic toddlers and preschoolers. Hint: It has nothing to do with eye contact! See below for link to Cari's book.
Learning to Learn Program
Episode 58: Strategies for Supporting Autistic Toddlers Part 1
In this episode, Cari discusses Chapter one of her book The Learning to Learn Program. Jim provides sports-related analogies while Cari outlines specific strategies for supporting non-verbal imitation skills in Autistic toddlers and preschoolers. See below for link to Cari's book.
Learning to Learn Program
Episode 57: Talking to Caregivers About Autism
Cari and Jim have an important discussion about how to bring up autism to parents and caregivers without creating a sense of panic and fear.
Episode 56: Autism: A Different Developmental Path
Cari and Jim discuss the different path that Autistic children take in their development. They share reflections of their Autistic son's developmental differences and convey the message that forward is forward...no matter the speed and no matter the path.
Episode 55: Honoring All Emotions
Join Cari and Jim for a discussion of the "Inside Out 2" movie.
Episode 54: Have adults forgotten how to play?
Cari and Jim chat in front of a live audience at the Michigan Division of Early Childhood Conference in Mount Pleasant, Michigan! In this episode we talk about the traits of playful adults and how important they are when supporting the development of young children.
Episode 53: Autism Awareness vs. Autism Acceptance
Cari and Jim have a passionate discussion about the difference between autism awareness and autism acceptance. Because our words matter!
Episode 52: Let's Talk About PECS and AAC
Cari and Jim discuss the reasons why Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) is an outdated AAC option.
Episode 51: Autism and Homeschooling
Cari and Jim talk about their journey homeschooling their Autistic child. They discuss the benefits and potential barriers of homeschooling a child with a disability.
Episode 50: Let's Talk About Play-Based Therapy
Cari and Jim have an animated discussion about the history of play-based therapy, the importance of play-based therapy, and how child-led play differs from adult-directed play.
Episode 49: We’ve Come So Far
Final episode of 2023!
Episode 48: Making the Holidays Merry
Cari and Jim discuss strategies for making the holidays merry for children who struggle with changes in routines.
Episode 47: Transition Strategies
Cari and Jim discuss why transitions can be so tough and provide 13 strategies for making transitions easier.
Link to visual timer discussed in this episode:
Time Timer
Episode 46: Neurodiversity Affirming Birthday Parties
Cari and Jim discuss thoughtful strategies for throwing a neuro-affirming birthday party for your autistic child.
Episode 45: Parent Coaching in the Clinic Setting
While parent coaching is an integral part of early intervention home visits, it's not typically a big part of therapy visits that are done in the clinic setting. Cari and Jim discuss 10 strategies for bringing parent coaching into your clinic-based therapy sessions with toddlers and preschoolers.
Episode 44: Neurodiversity Affirming Halloween Tips
Cari and Jim discuss how to create a neurodiversity-affirming Halloween experience for ALL kids.
Free Halloween AAC
Episode 43: What Does ’Neurodiversity-Affirming’ Mean?
Cari and Jim discuss the term neurodiversity affirming. Neurodiversity affirming services. Neurodiversity affirming therapy. Neurodiversity affirming provider. Neurodiversity affirming parent.
Episode 42: What’s wrong with using food reinforcers?
Cari and Jim talk about the issues with using food (and other) reinforcers when supporting autistic children.
Episode 41: Speech Therapy Tips for Toddlers
Join Cari and Jim as they discuss 8 speech therapy tips for use with minimally verbal toddlers.
Episode 40: Apraxia: An explanation for parents and caregivers
Cari and Jim outline what parents and caregivers need to know about childhood apraxia of speech.
Episode 39: Executive Function Skills (Part 2)
Cari and Jim continue the conversation about building executive function skills through play-based learning. Please be sure to listen to episode 38 before diving into this one.
Episode 38: Executive Function Skills
Cari and Jim talk about school readiness and the importance of building executive function skills in early childhood.
Episode 37: I just found out my child is autistic...now what?
Cari and Jim discuss what parents go through immediately following an autism diagnosis for their child. Choosing the best therapy journey for their child is a daunting task. This episode provides thoughtful guidance to help parents navigate the process.
Episode 36: Bagless Visits in Early Intervention
What Part C of IDEA says about the natural environment and how this applies to the "magic toy bag" so often used in early intervention visits.
Episode 35: Ethnographic Interviewing
Learn 10 tips for asking the right questions in the right way when doing an initial evaluation.
Reference articles:
2003 article on ethnographic interviewing
2022 article on ethnographic interviewing
Episode 34: Help! The toybox is full and the holidays are coming!
Join Cari and Jim as they discuss tips for buying high-quality toys. They also dive into how to manage the toy clutter that happens after the holidays!
Episode 33:Gestalt Language Processors
Join Cari and Jim as they discuss analytic vs. gestalt language processors.
Be sure to follow @meaningfulspeech and @bohospeechie on Instagram for more information on gestalt language processing.
Episode 32: The Goal is Communication
Cari and Jim discuss all things AAC (augmentative and alternative communication).
AAC Book
Episode 31: PLAY is Not the Enemy
This is a spicy episode about the power of play-based learning. Cari and Jim discuss how the cognitive hypothesis has changed society's views on play and learning.
Free download
Episode 30: Halloween Costume Tips
It's October and that means Halloween is right around the corner. Wearing a costume can be a stressful experience for some children. In this episode, Cari and Jim discuss tips for making Halloween costumes more tolerable.
Episode 29: Neurodiversity Affirming Therapy Goals
Cari and Jim provide some insight into writing neurodiversity affirming therapy goals for autistic children.
Episode 28: Learning to Wait
Cari and Jim talk about one of the most important school readiness skills...learning to wait!
Episode 27: After School Emotional Buildup
With school starting up again, this is a topic that will hit home for many families.
Episode 26: Letters and Numbers and Shapes, Oh My
Cari and Jim talk about supporting autistic children who have a deep interest in letters and numbers.
Episode 25: Sensory Differences and Mealtime Stress
Cari and Jim discuss how sensory differences can affect mealtime experiences. Picky eater, resistant eater, food jags...these are some of the topics that they cover.
Episode 24: Off Topic
Cari and Jim take a temporary break from talking about speech therapy and child development to discuss fantasy football.
Episode 23: Routines Based Intervention
If you work in early intervention or are a parent who is receiving early intervention services for your toddler, you won't want to miss this episode! Cari and Jim discuss the importance of embedding strategies into everyday routines to support early child development.
Episode 22: Autism Strategies
Cari discusses her autism program and outlines the 5 foundation skills to focus on when supporting autistic toddlers and preschoolers.
Cari's Autism Program
Episode 21: Partnering with Parents
Cari and Jim role play through some scenarios about early intervention providers and parents partnering together.
Episode 20: Parent Coaching vs. Parent Education
Hey early intervention providers...this episode is for you! Cari makes the important distinction between parent coaching and parent education.
Episode 19: Approaches in Early Intervention
Cari explains the differences between a child-focused approach, a parent-focused approach, and an interaction-focused approach in the world of EARLY INTERVENTION. Birth to 3 providers...this episode is for YOU!
Episode 18: Working 9 to 5
Cari and Jim discuss the pros and cons of owning their own business.
Episode 17: Books Books Books
Cari provides tips for reading to young children who don't like to be read to.
Episode 16: Sensory Part 2
This episode continues the discussion about sensory differences. Cari talks about self-regulation, co-regulation, and dysregulation.
Episode 15: Sensory Trumps Everything
Cari discusses what parents and providers from all disciplines need to understand about sensory processing for young children with developing brains and bodies.
Episode 14: Dwinkie Poo
Baby talk or speech simplification...what's the difference?
Episode 13: Whole or Hole?
Apraxia talk continues. Did you know that motor planning difficulties can occur throughout the whole body? Cari discusses the importance of treating the "whole" child and not just the "hole" in the head (the mouth!).
Episode 12: It’s all Greek to Me
Cari and Jim have a lively discussion about the root word of "apraxia" (hint...it's Greek!).
Episode 11: Fire F_ck
Cari and Jim debate how to say "green beans" (is it GREEN beans or green BEANS?) and then Cari shares some info about simplification patterns that young children use when learning to talk. Oh, and the simplification pattern for "fire truck" is always a knee slapper!
Episode 10: Love Letters
Cari shares her theory on why her autistic son is so passionate about letters and numbers.
Episode 9: Forward is Forward
Cari and Jim discuss the developmental trajectory of their autistic son and how much therapy he has actually received over the years.
Episode 8: Chewbacca Chardonnay
Cari's Apraxia Book
Cari tries to stump Jim with a little movie trivia and then shares 7 strategies for helping children with apraxia of speech become communication risk takers. This episode is filled with the right amount of humor and informative speech therapy nuggets for SLPs and parents alike!
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