SLP Talk Show
- Episodes
- 89
- Released
- monthly
- Latest episode
- Oct 8, 2026
About the podcast
Real talk with Cari about stuff that really matters. Each bite-sized episode will be filled with happy stuff, heavy stuff, light stuff, and of course some speech therapy stuff as well. Our time together will be fun and informative...and while you might gain a few speech therapy-related nuggets along the way, my primary goal is for you to walk away feeling rejuvenated, motivated, and excited to go to work tomorrow. If you’re a parent, please come along for the ride. There is a place for you in this space as well. But listener BEWARE: All episodes will be delivered with joyful passion! If you’re looking for a traditional interview format, this ain’t the podcast for you (I love using the word ”ain’t” in a written sentence...it feels so wrong!). So buckle up and let’s get this podcast party started!
Episodes 89
Episode 89: 10 Questions to Ask About Autism Services
Are we helping Autistic children thrive, or simply teaching them to comply? In this though-provoking solo episode, Cari challenges professionals and caregivers to take a closer look at the goals, expectations …
Show notes
Are we helping Autistic children thrive, or simply teaching them to comply? In this though-provoking solo episode, Cari challenges professionals and caregivers to take a closer look at the goals, expectations, and practices shaping autism services. Are we honoring communication or rewarding obedience? Supporting autonomy or prioritizing adult agendas? Through 10 powerful questions, Cari invites listeners to rethink what progress really looks like when supporting Autistic children.
Episode 88: Why Caregiver Coaching Feels So Challenging
Cari and Jim discuss why caregiver coaching is such a challenging component of Early Intervention. They explore the mindset shift from treating children to empowering caregivers, explain the powerful M&M …
Show notes
Cari and Jim discuss why caregiver coaching is such a challenging component of Early Intervention. They explore the mindset shift from treating children to empowering caregivers, explain the powerful M&M analogy, and share practical insights to help providers build caregiver confidence and create meaningful learning opportunities that extend far beyond the session.
Here's the link to learn more about Cari's Coaching with Confidence in Early Intervention course:
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 …
Show notes
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 sense of the advice you're given and advocate more confidently for your child.
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 …
Show notes
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 …
Show notes
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 …
Show notes
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-curious, this episode is for you.
Show Notes:
Click here to start your ableEXPERIENCE through AbleNet
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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 …
Show notes
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:
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 …
Show notes
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 episode.
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 …
Show notes
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 …
Show notes
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.
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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 …
Show notes
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:
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 …
Show notes
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 for a discussion about screen time in children with disabilities.
Screen Time Mindfulness Books for Kids
The Anxious Generation book
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 …
Show notes
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 mating.
Here are the 2 links mentioned in the episode:
The Evidence on Vaccines and Autism | Johns Hopkins | Bloomberg School of Public Health
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 Join Cari's Email List
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 …
Show notes
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!
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 …
Show notes
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!
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 …
Show notes
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 …
Show notes
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!
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 …
Show notes
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:
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 …
Show notes
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.
These are the latest 40 of 89 episodes. You’ll find older episodes in the podcast’s feed.
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