The Autism Helper Podcast

Prompting is one of the most powerful tools we have - and one of the easiest to misuse. In this episode, we're talking about prompt dependency: what it is, how well-meaning teachers accidentally create it, and what to do instead. If you've ever had a student who shuts down the second you step back, this one is for you. We break down prompting hierarchies and what the research says about building real independence.
Engelmann & Carnine (1982). Theory of instruction. ADI Press.
Browder et al. (2009). Aligning instruction with academic content standards. Research and Practice for Persons with Severe Disabilities.
Come join the conversation! Find us on Instagram at @theautismhelper and TikTok at @theautismhelper - drop your hot take in the comments and let us know where you land on this one.
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Interested in our Year-Long Curriculum Access Subscription? Learn more about it here: https://theautismhelper.com/tah-curriculum-access/
Join the waitlist for our Professional Development Membership: https://shop.theautismhelper.com/pages/membership-waitlist
Want more information about The Autism Helper Courses? Visit: https://theautismhelper.com/courses/
Looking for a specific product or resource? Find it in our new Autism Helper Store! https://shop.theautismhelper.com/
Or visit The Autism Helper store on TpT: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/The-Autism-Helper
Stay up to date on all things Autism Helper by downloading our new, FREE app! Available on both the App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/the-autism-helper/id1557724340 & Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mightybell.theautismhelper&hl=en_US&gl=US
Get all updates from The Autism Helper Podcast by clicking subscribe above. Head over to theautismhelper.com for more info. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest @theautismhelper.

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We spend hours building visual systems for our students and almost no time building them for ourselves. In this episode, we're talking about the irony of being the most scheduled, structured classroom in the building - and having zero systems for how we actually run our own day. From cognitive load to para fidelity, there's real research behind why teacher organization isn't just a nice-to-have. It directly impacts how your classroom runs.
Simonsen et al. (2008). Evidence-based practices in classroom management. Education and Treatment of Children.
Sweller, J. (1988). Cognitive load during problem solving. Cognitive Science.
Come join the conversation! Find us on Instagram at @theautismhelper and TikTok at @theautismhelper - drop your hot take in the comments and let us know where you land on this one.
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Interested in our Year-Long Curriculum Access Subscription? Learn more about it here: https://theautismhelper.com/tah-curriculum-access/
Join the waitlist for our Professional Development Membership: https://shop.theautismhelper.com/pages/membership-waitlist
Want more information about The Autism Helper Courses? Visit: https://theautismhelper.com/courses/
Looking for a specific product or resource? Find it in our new Autism Helper Store! https://shop.theautismhelper.com/
Or visit The Autism Helper store on TpT: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/The-Autism-Helper
Stay up to date on all things Autism Helper by downloading our new, FREE app! Available on both the App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/the-autism-helper/id1557724340 & Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mightybell.theautismhelper&hl=en_US&gl=US
Get all updates from The Autism Helper Podcast by clicking subscribe above. Head over to theautismhelper.com for more info. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest @theautismhelper.

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Ohio State University: https://go.osu.edu/AutismHelper

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

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DTT is one of the most well-researched strategies in our toolkit - and we might be leaning on it too hard. In this episode, we're making the case that over-relying on discrete trial teaching can actually work against our students when it comes to using skills in the real world. We dig into what the research says about naturalistic instruction, when DTT is absolutely the right call, and how to audit your own practice to make sure you're using the right tool for the job.
Stokes & Baer (1977). An implicit technology of generalization. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis.
Schreibman et al. (2015). Naturalistic developmental behavioral interventions. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.
Come join the conversation! Find us on Instagram at @theautismhelper and TikTok at @theautismhelper - drop your hot take in the comments and let us know where you land on this one.
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Interested in our Year-Long Curriculum Access Subscription? Learn more about it here: https://theautismhelper.com/tah-curriculum-access/
Join the waitlist for our Professional Development Membership: https://shop.theautismhelper.com/pages/membership-waitlist
Want more information about The Autism Helper Courses? Visit: https://theautismhelper.com/courses/
Looking for a specific product or resource? Find it in our new Autism Helper Store! https://shop.theautismhelper.com/
Or visit The Autism Helper store on TpT: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/The-Autism-Helper
Stay up to date on all things Autism Helper by downloading our new, FREE app! Available on both the App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/the-autism-helper/id1557724340 & Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mightybell.theautismhelper&hl=en_US&gl=US
Get all updates from The Autism Helper Podcast by clicking subscribe above. Head over to theautismhelper.com for more info. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest @theautismhelper.

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Ohio State University: https://go.osu.edu/AutismHelper

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode, I’m joined by Quintara Tucker, BCBA to discuss the importance of cultural responsiveness in autism and special education. We explore how culture shapes perspectives on diagnosis and intervention, common ways professionals may unintentionally miss the mark, and how bias can show up in assessments, communication, and expectations. Quintara also shares practical strategies for building trust with families from diverse backgrounds and becoming more culturally responsive in everyday practice.
Quintara Tucker is a BCBA, consultant, speaker, and CEO of QB Consulting, LLC, specializing in autism and staff training, with a strong focus on culturally responsive practices that support diverse communities.
Episode Transcription.
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Interested in our Year-Long Curriculum Access Subscription? Learn more about it here: https://theautismhelper.com/tah-curriculum-access/
Join the waitlist for our Professional Development Membership: https://shop.theautismhelper.com/pages/membership-waitlist
Want more information about The Autism Helper Courses? Visit: https://theautismhelper.com/courses/
Looking for a specific product or resource? Find it in our new Autism Helper Store! https://shop.theautismhelper.com/
Or visit The Autism Helper store on TpT: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/The-Autism-Helper
Stay up to date on all things Autism Helper by downloading our new, FREE app! Available on both the App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/the-autism-helper/id1557724340 & Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mightybell.theautismhelper&hl=en_US&gl=US
Get all updates from The Autism Helper Podcast by clicking subscribe above. Head over to theautismhelper.com for more info. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest @theautismhelper.

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Ohio State University: https://go.osu.edu/AutismHelper

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode, I’m joined by bilingual speech-language pathologist Michelle Diaz to discuss supporting autistic children in bilingual environments. We break down what the research really says about bilingualism and autism, how to address common parent concerns about language use, and what culturally responsive care looks like in practice. Michelle also shares practical strategies for supporting bilingual learners who use AAC, embedding communication into preschool routines, and what teams can do to better support these students. This episode is full of actionable insights for educators, therapists, and families alike.
About Michelle Diaz: Michelle Diaz is a bilingual speech-language pathologist based in the Chicago area who is passionate about mentorship, advocacy, and providing culturally responsive care across school and medical settings.
https://michellediazslp.com/home
Episode Transcription.
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Interested in our Year-Long Curriculum Access Subscription? Learn more about it here: https://theautismhelper.com/tah-curriculum-access/
Join the waitlist for our Professional Development Membership: https://shop.theautismhelper.com/pages/membership-waitlist
Want more information about The Autism Helper Courses? Visit: https://theautismhelper.com/courses/
Looking for a specific product or resource? Find it in our new Autism Helper Store! https://shop.theautismhelper.com/
Or visit The Autism Helper store on TpT: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/The-Autism-Helper
Stay up to date on all things Autism Helper by downloading our new, FREE app! Available on both the App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/the-autism-helper/id1557724340 & Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mightybell.theautismhelper&hl=en_US&gl=US
Get all updates from The Autism Helper Podcast by clicking subscribe above. Head over to theautismhelper.com for more info. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest @theautismhelper.

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Ohio State University: https://go.osu.edu/AutismHelper

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy