🎤 Meet Our Incredible Speakers!
We’re beyond excited to introduce the passionate, experienced, and neurodiversity-affirming speakers joining us for the 2025 Preschool Autism Summit! Each presenter brings a unique perspective and a deep commitment to supporting autistic children in early childhood settings.
From speech-language pathologists and occupational therapists to educators, parents, and autistic advocates, this year’s lineup offers a powerful blend of insight, strategy, and heart. Whether you're looking for practical tools, fresh inspiration, or new ways to connect with your students or child, you'll find it here.
Get ready to learn from the very best—and walk away feeling informed, empowered, and supported.
Dr. Barry Prizant - Childhood Communication Seminars and University of Rhode Island
Day 2, July 15
Uniquely Human: A Different Way of Seeing Autism
Barry M. Prizant, PhD, CCC-SLP is recognized as among the world’s leading scholars on autism and as an innovator of respectful, person- and family-centered approaches. He is Director of Childhood Communication Services, Adjunct Professor of Communicative Disorders at the University of Rhode Island, and has fifty years of experience as an international consultant and researcher. Barry has published five books, 150 articles/chapters, and is co-author of The SCERTS Model now being implemented internationally. He was a two-time featured presenter at the UN World Autism Awareness Day with more than 1000 presentations internationally. Barry’s book Uniquely Human: A Different Way of Seeing Autism (2022) is the best-selling book on autism since 2015, published in 26 languages and ranked by Book Authority as #1 of the “100 best books on autism of all time”.
Jessie Ginsburg - Sensory SLP & Chris Wenger, Speech Dude
Day 2, July 15
Reframing Autism: How to Talk to Families in a Neuroaffirming Way
Jessie & Chris are a neuroaffirming SLP couple from Los Angeles. They co-host a popular weekly podcast called Making the Shift, and are co-founders of the NeuroAffirm Therapy Academy & Therapist Directory. Jessie, globally known as the Sensory SLP, is the creator of the Sensory Certificate Course for SLPs and the best-selling author of Ready Set Connect: A Sensory-Based Approach to Accelerate Communication in Autistic Children. Chris, best known as Speech Dude, is the creator of the Dynamic Assessment of Social Emotional Learning & the Neurodiversity Affirming IEps course. Together, they speak internationally, have an audience of over a million followers, and are the parents to five boys.
Polina Shkadron - Play to Learn Consulting
Day, 3 July 16
The "not so picky" Picky Eater
Polina is a trauma certified speech-language pathologist, communication, and feeding expert specializing in Autism, ADHD, and ARFID. Her therapeutic approach explains why your family is struggling and how you can shift your relationship. She uses play to engage with each child’s unique perspective of the world, while building upon foundational executive function skills.
Polina earned her Master of Arts degree in Speech-Language Pathology from CUNY Queens College, where she lectured for seven years. She also has a Master of Science degree in Nutrition Education from American University, which transformed the feeding therapy aspect of her practice. With an additional certification in ADHD, she continuously integrates information ensuring effective intervention.
Casey Ehrlich - At Peace Parents
Day 2, July 15
Understanding PDA and the "PDA Lens"
Casey Ehrlich, PhD, is the leading researcher on PDA in the United States, a mother of two PDA children, and the founder and CEO of At Peace Parents.
She has coached thousands of parents of PDA children and teens, using empirical evidence, cutting-edge science, and her own personal insights and empathy.
Her free resources and scientifically-proven-effective Paradigm Shift Program® empower countless parents with the knowledge and confidence they need to transform the lives of their PDA children, and their entire family.
Rachel Madel - Rachel Madel Consulting
Day 1, July 14
Stuck in the AAC Requesting Rut? Moving Beyond "I Want"
Rachel Madel M.A.,CCC-SLP is an LA-based speech-language pathologist dedicated to coaching parents and professionals on incorporating technology to best support speech and language development. Rachel presents both nationally and abroad on the use of augmentative alternative communication (AAC) and coaches parents, clinicians and teachers on integrating assistive technology in classrooms and at home to support communication. She co-hosts a weekly podcast called “Talking With Tech” and creates educational resources, therapy materials and courses to help support parents and professionals.
Tera Sumpter - Seeds of Learning, LLC
Day 3, July 16
Perceptual Differences in Autism: An Executive Function Perspective
Tera Sumpter, M.A., CCC-SLP, is the founder of Seeds of Learning, LLC, a private practice in Cleveland, Ohio, which specializes in executive function, reading, and other pediatric learning disabilities. A former adjunct instructor of Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech and Hearing Mechanism in the Cleveland State University's Speech and Hearing Program, Tera currently presents her integrative cognitive processing and executive function model across the United States and internationally. Tera also has experience as a medical speech language pathologist in both inpatient and outpatient hospital settings. Tera is the author of the internationally selling book, The Seeds of Learning: A Cognitive Processing Model for Speech, Language, Literacy and Executive Functioning. She also runs an online international educational network for speech-language pathologists, parents and allied professionals who want to learn more about executive function and how to integrate it into their current therapeutic practice.
Nicole Casey - Connections Speech Pathology
Day 1, July 14
Rethinking Progress Beyond 80% Accuracy in Child-Led Therapy
Nicole Casey is a speech-language pathologist, educator, and founder of The Child-Led SLP. She helps parents and professionals shift from compliance-based therapy to neuroaffirming, child-led practices that center trust, autonomy, and connection. Through her resources, courses, and podcast Let Them Lead, Nicole offers practical tools to support authentic communication in autistic children. She’s known for her compassionate, no-fluff approach and her passion for helping teams unlearn outdated models. Nicole’s core belief is simple: when we follow autistic kids' lead, real progress happens.
Jordyn Carroll - JRCtheSLP & RAYNE Therapy Services
Day 3, July 16
The Intersection of Race and Neurodivergence
Jordyn Carroll is a dedicated speech-language pathologist, private practice owner, and content creator. She’s the founder of RAYNE Therapeutic Services and The SLP Social Seen. With over six years of experience in school-based services, early intervention, and teletherapy, Jordyn specializes in African American English, neurodiversity-affirming care, and culturally responsive therapy. She’s a sought-after speaker, educator, and advocate, helping professionals create identity-safe, evidence-based spaces for their clients. Beyond her clinical work, Jordyn is passionate about empowering Black families, mentoring future SLPs, and fostering meaningful change in the field.
Meg Ferrell - Learn Play Thrive
Day 3, July 16
Strengths-Based Practices in Action
Meg Ferrell, MS, OTR/L is an occupational therapist and the founder of Learn Play Thrive, LLC. Along with her Autistic colleagues and consultants, Meg teaches and trains therapists how to use an in-depth understanding of the Autistic neurotype and strengths to become more confident, effective, and affirming in their work. Meg's website, learnplaythrive.com, has free resources as well as continuing education courses on neurodiversity-affirming practice. She also hosts the Two Sides of the Spectrum podcast, where she amplifies Autistic voices and others who are working to change OT and SLP practice to truly reflect the lived experiences and deeper needs of Autistic people. Meg and her team recently launched parent resources at parents.learnplaythrive.com.
Andi Putt - Mrs Speechie P
Day 3, July 16
Simple Ways to Talk About Autism with Preschoolers
Andi Putt, also known as Mrs. Speechie P, is an Autistic Speech Language Pathologist specializing in team-based Autism evaluations and neuro-affirming support. She is dedicated to empowering families and helping Autistic children understand and embrace their authentic selves while also advocating for each individual’s unique needs. When she’s not advocating for others, you can find her indulging in a good book, planning her next travel adventure, procrastinating literally anything, or enjoying time with her family.
Dr. Destiny Huff - Destiny Huff Consulting
Day 3, July 16
Neuroaffirming Self-Advocacy for Autistic
Pre-K Learners
Destiny Huff (she/her), MS, LPC, CPCS is a licensed mental health professional and neuroaffirming non-attorney IEP advocate who is late diagnosed Autistic and ADHD. Destiny is the mother of two neurodivergent children and has worked in the early childhood setting, and school setting, as a reintegration case manager for youth in foster care, as well as, as a clinical therapist for children who have experienced trauma. Destiny is passionate about helping parents advocate for their neuro-distinct learners at the IEP table and on training agencies, organizations, and schools on neuro-affirming practices, how Autism, ADHD, and mental health diagnoses present, and how to support those learners in the school setting.
Dr. Taylor Day - Dr. Tay Concierge Clinical Care
Day 1, July 14
Understanding And Reframing Autistic Traits (Including The PDA Profile) From A Neurodiversity Lens
Dr. Taylor Day is a licensed psychologist specializing in neurodivergent affirming care for autistic children and their families. She has a PhD in clinical psychology and is the CEO and founder of Dr. Tay Concierge Clinical Care. Her practice integrates The Whole Family Approach, a process she created utilizing evidence-informed principles after seeing a gap in autism care. Her passion for child psychology and her focus on autism is in many ways tied to her own personal experience growing up with a brother who was diagnosed at 23 months of age. Dr. Tay is the host of the Evolve With Dr. Tay podcast and loves educating parents, schools, therapists, and other medical providers on neurodiversity.
Dr. Lisa Marnell - Kids Master Skills
Day 2, July 15
Explode the Code: How to Write Strengths-Based IEP Goals
Dr. Lisa Marnell is a pediatric occupational therapist with over 20 years of experience across schools, clinics, early intervention, and inpatient neuro settings. She earned her doctorate at Boston University, focusing on emotional regulation and executive function in autism, and now teaches in BU’s occupational therapy program. Diagnosed autistic herself, Lisa is a passionate advocate who helps families and educators foster joy, autonomy, and agency in autistic children. She runs a private, neurodiversity-affirming practice in Thousand Oaks, California, and consults with local schools. Lisa is also the founder of Kids Master Skills LLC and serves on the board of the STAR Institute in Denver.
Erin Forward - Forward Education LLC
Day 2, July 15
DIR/Floortime and the Magic of Relationship in Supporting Autistic Students
Erin is a speech pathologist and certified lactation counselor with a passion for helping children find their authentic communication and mealtime experiences through connection and relationshsip. Erin has experience in early intervention/home health, private practice, inpatient pediatric hospital and non-profit clinic. Erin is an Expert DIR/Floortime provider and training leader and has training in TBRI (Trust Based Relational Intervention). Erin is the co-host of First Bite Podcast with Michelle Dawson and enjoys lectruign across the country on a variety of topics including floortime and feeding.
Lucy Perillo - The Alternative Way To Pre-K
Day 3, July 16
Rotation Stations: Small Group Instruction
Lucy Perillo is a preschool special education teacher who is passionate about accessibility and inclusion. After volunteering at an early intervention preschool in sixth grade, Lucy was inspired to pursue a career in Early Childhood Education. She has a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education and Special Education and a Master's degree in Special Education. She taught self-contained preschool special education in the public school system for nine years and is currently a Learning Support Specialist at a private preschool. Lucy is a published author, Teachers Pay Teachers seller, and Early Child Special Education coach.
Sarah Habib - The Calm Caterpillar
Day 2, July 15
Goals for the Classroom: Mindfulness to Reduce Disruptions
Sarah is a nationally recognized educator and advocate for student wellness, having worked with hundreds of schools to create environments where students and educators can thrive. She is known for impactful initiatives like training guidance counselors in Uvalde to implement calm spaces that support emotional regulation and positive behavior. As an entrepreneur, Sarah developed tools and a curriculum that now support over 10,000 students across 45 schools, fulfilling key social-emotional learning requirements in Ohio. Her commitment to mindfulness is reflected in her leadership of a movement and mindfulness nonprofit, as well as in co-sponsoring scientific studies to back her programs with evidence. With a degree from Tufts University and certifications in Z-Health and Mindful Schools,
Madeha Ayub - Seeds for Special Needs
Day 2, July 15
Sensory Support for Preschoolers
Madeha Ayub is a Pediatric Occupational Therapist with eight years of experience, specializing in supporting children with Autism and ADHD. Originally from NYC and now living in central New Jersey with her husband and two young kids, she has worked in both school and home health settings. Madeha focuses on identifying and addressing sensory challenges in everyday environments. Inspired by her clients and her own sensory-sensitive child, she uses social media to educate and support parents, teachers, and therapists. Her goal is to help children thrive by improving their ability to participate in daily activities.
Jennifer Hofferber - Sped Prep Academy
Day 2, July 15
The Power of Us: Strengthening Team Dynamics in Special Education
Jennifer Hofferber is an award-winning special education teacher and instructional coach who brings her passion, knowledge, and expertise to support other special educators in navigating the complexities of this profession. With 29 years of experience, Jennifer understands the mental and physical toll and is dedicated to helping teachers not only survive but thrive.
Her commitment to thorough preparation ensures that teachers are well-equipped to meet challenges with confidence.
Cari Ebert - Cari Ebert Seminars
Day 1, July 14
Using Deep Interests to Support Early Learning in Autistic Children
Cari Ebert, MS, CCC-SLP, is a pediatric speech-language pathologist in private practice in the Kansas City, Missouri area. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa in 1993 and her master’s degree from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale in 1995. Cari is a therapist, consultant, author, product developer, and nationally recognized speaker who gets paid to do what she loves most—TALK! She has an animated personality, and this translates to a high-energy speaking style. Cari has an Autistic son, allowing her to engage audiences both as a professional and as a parent of a neurodivergent child.
Paulina Elias & Dr. Amanda Blackwell - Natural Communication
Day 1, July 14
Embracing Multilingual Minds: Gestalt Language Processing and Multimodal Communication
Dr. Amanda is passionate about communication in all forms. She has had the opportunity to learn from a variety of people from diverse cultural backgrounds as she has lived and worked full time as a bilingual (English/Spanish) SLP in Guatemala since 2013. Dr. Blackwell teaches postgraduate courses in autism and AAC at Minot State University and the University of Central Missouri, and mentors SLPD students in their capstone research projects through the MGH Institute of Health Professions and Rocky Mountain University. She loves to travel around the world (with recent trips to Spain, Argentina, Ecuador, Mexico, Chile, Honduras, and Sri Lanka) to collaborate with professionals in presentations, workshops, research, and autism identification (ADOS-2).
Paulina is a multilingual speech language pathologist (SLP) living in Canada. Although she works with people of different ages and communicative needs, she has a special interest in the areas of multilingualism and communication in autism. Paulina enjoys collaborating directly with families and interdisciplinary teams in each person’s native language. At this time, Paulina offers international consults virtually, and evaluation and intervention services in Ontario, Canada. She regularly presents internationally on the topics of multilingualism, multimodal communication, and communication in autism.
Victoria Matkowski - Playtime With Tor
Day 1, July 14
Using Songs to Support Gestalt Language Processors
Tor is a pediatric speech-language pathologist with 14 years of experience. As a neurodiversity affirming therapist, Tor strives to form meaningful connection with clients, promotes multimodal communication, and aims to empower parents with knowledge and strategies. While she has a range of clinical interests, Tor is a gestalt language development enthusiast. In addition to providing therapy and virtual parent coaching, Tor has a YouTube channel called Playtime with Tor. Her videos are specifically intended to support gestalt language processors, as well as the caregivers and professionals that support them.
Amy Zembriski - Speech Therapy Connections
Day 1, July 14
Speak Simply, Connect Effectively: Gaining Buy-In For Supporting Gestalt Language Processors
Amy is a certified speech-language pathologist and owner of Speech Therapy Connections LLC. She specializes in supporting AAC users and gestalt language processors.
Dr. Hayley Crain - Haven Psychology & Dr Hayley Crain
Day 2, July 15
Navigating Power Struggles: Real Tools for Inside and Outside the Classroom
Dr. Hayley Crain is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in ADHD, autism, and child development. With over a decade of experience supporting families, she brings warmth, humor, and evidence-based strategies to help parents navigate everyday challenges. As co-founder of Haven Psychology and an adjunct professor at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, Dr. Crain blends clinical expertise with lived experience as both a parent and a neurodivergent adult. Her work focuses on helping caregivers understand power struggles not as defiance, but as communication—offering practical tools to support regulation and connection.
LORRAINE SCOTT & LYNDSAY BARLOW - ATTENTION AUTISM, LTD
Day 3, July 16
The Power of Joyful Learning: Attention Autism & the Curiosity Programme in Action
Lorraine Scott and Lyndsay Barlow are experienced autism specialists and Co-Directors of Attention Autism Ltd. With Master’s degrees in Education (Autism) and Advanced Practitioner status in the Attention Autism and Curiosity Programmes, they are passionate about neuroaffirming approaches. Lorraine has held senior roles in both health and education, including at Middletown Centre for Autism. Lyndsay, originally from Zimbabwe, has led autism services in both special and mainstream education. Together, they lead successful inclusion projects across the UK and Ireland and are highly regarded national and international trainers in early years and autism education.
Jordyn Zimmerman
Day 2, July 15
Jordyn Zimmerman is a passionate educator and disability advocate. After being diagnosed as autistic at a young age, she did not receive access to augmentative communication until the age of 18. That journey fuels her beliefs around leveraging tools and supports to drive change. She now thrives on boldly showing up and redefining what is possible in learning spaces and throughout the broader community — and is internationally recognized for her insights and work on autism, accessibility, and inclusion.
Hi, I’m Tara Phillips!
I’m a speech-language pathologist who’s spent over 25 years working with young autistic children. I started Autism Little Learners because I couldn’t find the resources or training we truly needed—especially at the preschool level.
Most professional development just didn’t fit. So, I decided to change that. Now, I’m bringing everything I’ve learned to you in this 3-day event!
This summit isn’t just about strategies—it’s about heart. I believe in honoring each child’s unique way of communicating, learning, and connecting. My goal is to empower educators and families with compassionate, neurodiversity-affirming tools that actually work in real-life preschool settings. Together, we can create environments where autistic children feel seen, safe, and supported every day.
💕 Tara
Giving Every Child a Voice: Partnering with Lilly’s Voice
We are proud to be partnering with Lilly's Voice again for the 2025 Preschool Autism Summit!
Lilly's Voice is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices to children in need.
Lilly's Voice was founded in 2021 and inspired by a young autistic girl named Lilly, the organization has already supplied over 400 AAC devices, empowering non-speaking children to communicate effectively.
By purchasing an All Access Pass in our summit, you will not only gain valuable insights and strategies for supporting preschool-age autistic children but also contribute to this beautiful cause.
A portion of the proceeds from the summit will be donated to Lilly's Voice, helping to give a voice to those who need it most. Join us in making a difference and supporting the mission that every child deserves a voice.
Click here to learn more about Lilly's Voice!
