Autism Little Learners Podcast – Episode #79
"Autism Little Learners Membership - Member Interviews"
Host: Tara Phillips
Guests: Jonna Lorenko (Special Education Teacher), Olivia Hamilton (Parent & Childcare Provider)
Date: July 16, 2024
Episode Overview
In this episode, host Tara Phillips spotlights the real-world impact of the Autism Little Learners membership by interviewing two active members: Jonna Lorenko, a special education preschool teacher from Arizona, and Olivia Hamilton, a parent and childcare provider from Australia. The discussion centers on their unique journeys, the challenges they've faced supporting young autistic children, and the practical strategies and community support that have made a significant difference in their lives and work.
Key Points & Insights
1. The Power of Community and Practical Support (00:00-04:38)
-
Introduction of Guests & Their Backgrounds
- Jonna entered special education after being inspired as a parent helper, transitioning from general education to leading an inclusive preschool class (02:20).
- Olivia is a single mom with three kids, including her autistic son Luke, and works in childcare in Australia (17:15).
-
Why the Membership Matters
- Both guests emphasized feeling overwhelmed and isolated before joining the community.
- The membership offers resources, peer support, and materials specifically tailored for early childhood and neurodiversity (04:38, 19:06).
"I felt like my classroom was a sinking ship. My aides were overwhelmed. My students were overwhelmed. I was overwhelmed. I was just going home every day just feeling like, I can't do this."
— Jonna (04:38)
2. Transformative Strategies Implemented
Jonna's Story – From Overwhelm to Confidence (04:38-16:49)
-
Taking the Leap (04:38-06:44)
- Jonna was hesitant to join due to cost but joined at the last minute out of desperation.
- She binge-watched training videos, took pages of notes, and implemented new routines immediately.
-
Success with Table Rotations (08:20-09:22)
- Used visuals, color-coding, wait mats, and all-done buckets to support children struggling with group rotations.
- Individualized skill-building led to full participation with peers by year-end.
"By the end of the school year, every kid was part of their table rotations... I took those weeks to just work with them one-on-one, teaching them how to rotate using visuals, using the wait mat, using the all-done bucket, using all those supports."
— Jonna (08:20) -
Professional Development Gaps & Community Support (10:00-12:19)
- Noted a lack of local PD for preschool special educators; the membership's on-demand, relevant training filled that gap.
- Requires her paraprofessionals to listen to ALP podcast episodes for ongoing learning (11:07).
-
Favorite Membership Resources (13:38-14:55)
- Prefers "level 1 visual art" activities that are print-and-go, inclusive, and engaging for the whole classroom without modifications.
"It's the one activity that is engaging for all my students... It's the one resource that has completely leveled the playing field for all my students."
— Jonna (13:38) -
Advice to Others (12:19, 16:27)
- Recommends trying the membership for a month and giving it a real effort.
- Feels the shift from isolation to feeling empowered and supported.
Olivia's Story – At Home and at Work (16:53-33:12)
-
Discovering the Membership (19:45-21:06)
- Found ALP after her son’s diagnosis, was drawn by the alignment of her son’s birth and the creation of Autism Little Learners.
- Applied free resources (Visual Starter Set) and then joined the membership right away.
"I just stumbled across you one day and I was like, oh, I like what this lady does... It has been the biggest help for us."
— Olivia (19:45) -
Visual Supports in Action (21:06-22:40)
- Discussed using visuals everywhere, especially the Calming Kit and toilet sequence visuals.
- Celebrated an emotional win when son Luke identified he was angry and why for the first time using the visuals.
"Yesterday, for the first time ever, he pointed to the angry face. And he told me who made him angry at school yesterday and he was able to tell me why."
— Olivia (21:06) -
Adapting and Personalizing Resources (23:16-25:34)
- Adapts materials for her child’s interest (e.g., Elmo put-in challenge, penguin-feeding game).
- Adds challenge and skill-building, such as incorporating counting or fine motor tasks.
"You gotta go off what the child's interests are... When he found [the penguin activity], he loved it!"
— Olivia (25:45) -
Ongoing Challenges & Solutions (27:05-29:33)
- Communication delays were a primary focus—relies on ALP visuals and social stories.
- Had huge successes: late toilet training, first haircut in years (using the "going to the hairdresser" story), and developing functional communication for independence (canteen visuals, upcoming AAC).
"He hadn't had a haircut in five years. I showed him the haircut story and...he got his hair cut."
— Olivia (28:18) -
Advice for Parents (31:30-32:33)
- Highly recommends the membership as a "lifesaver" and invaluable for parents and professionals alike.
"It’s the best thing I’ve ever done. It’s a lifesaver for me. It’s helped us so much and I’m so grateful I found you."
— Olivia (31:30)
Memorable Quotes & Moments
-
On Action and Community
"It’s the collective wisdom of everyone in the group – that’s where the magic happens."
— Tara (15:18) -
Taking Risks Despite Doubt
"I told myself, I’m going to try for a month. Like, give it my all for one month...Clearly it’s working out!"
— Jonna (12:19) -
Inclusive, Accessible Resources
"It’s the one activity that is engaging for all my students...I don’t have to modify it much and everybody enjoys it."
— Jonna (13:38) -
Visuals Empower Communication
"It’s helped us so much because he’s behind in communication and for him to do that, I’m just like, oh, it just melted my heart last night."
— Olivia (22:16) -
From Despair to Confidence
"I went from being very overwhelmed to feeling like I can do this again."
— Jonna (16:27)
Important Timestamps
- Jonna’s member journey & classroom transformation: 02:20 – 06:44
- Table rotation success story: 08:20 – 09:22
- Professional development challenges: 10:00 – 12:19
- Favorite print-and-go resource: 13:38 – 14:55
- Olivia's discovery/implementation after diagnosis: 19:45 – 21:06
- Calming kit and emotion identification victory: 21:06 – 22:40
- Creative, personalized supports/adaptations: 23:16 – 25:34
- Communication, toilet training, haircut wins: 27:05 – 28:18
- Parent perspective/advice: 31:30 – 32:33
Episode Tone & Takeaways
- Tone: Uplifting, compassionate, real, and full of practical ideas.
- Host Approach: Tara is empathetic, affirming, and celebrates each member's unique contributions and growth.
- Main Message: Whether you’re a teacher or parent, you don’t have to face the challenges of supporting autistic children alone. Actionable resources and a dedicated, caring community can bridge the gap from overwhelm to confidence, making a tangible impact on children’s lives every day.