This week’s blog post is deeply personal and meaningful to me. As I write this, it has been six years since I lost my dad, Leigh Livermore, to acute myeloid leukemia. He was one of my favorite people, my biggest fan, and a source of endless encouragement. Losing him was one of the hardest things I’ve ever faced, but his love and belief in me continue to guide my journey. Today, I want to honor his memory and celebrate my incredible mom, Mary Livermore, who has also profoundly shaped my life and work.
The Story Behind Autism Little Learners
In March 2019, just six weeks after my dad’s passing, I founded Autism Little Learners. It was born from grief and a desire to create something meaningful. For 25 years, I worked as a speech-language pathologist, often noticing the lack of engaging, age-appropriate resources for 3 to 5-year-old autistic children. Teachers and therapists like me frequently struggled to find materials that truly met their needs.
I decided to address this gap by creating resources myself. Without much experience in selling online, I turned to Google and YouTube to learn the ropes of platforms like Teachers Pay Teachers (TpT). What began as a small side project quickly grew into a mission to provide educators and parents with practical tools to support young autistic children.
Filling a Need During The Pandemic
The pandemic of 2020 brought unprecedented challenges. As schools closed, families struggled to support their children at home. I began creating free social stories to help kids understand and adapt to these big changes, such as school closures and mask-wearing. The response was overwhelming—tens of thousands of downloads and shares worldwide.
This experience revealed the immense need for accessible, easy-to-use resources. It fueled my passion to serve this community in even greater ways. Seeing the impact these social stories had on children and families reinforced my commitment to creating meaningful tools.
From Resources to Training: The Birth of the Membership
By 2021, I realized that resources alone weren’t enough. Teachers and parents needed training to go along with the materials. That’s why I launched the Autism Little Learners membership. I wanted to create a space where educators and parents could feel supported, informed, and empowered. The membership has since evolved into a robust platform that provides:
- Engaging, neurodiversity-affirming resources tailored specifically for young autistic children.
- Practical training to help educators and parents implement these strategies confidently.
- Community support where members can connect, share ideas, and learn from one another.
- Monthly themes and put-in activities to inspire creativity and provide actionable ideas for classrooms and therapy sessions.
Additionally, I’ve developed several courses, such as “Potty Train With Compassion” and “Visual Schedules Made Easy,” which provide step-by-step guidance on essential topics. I’m currently working on a new course that focuses on helping educators create neurodiversity-affirming classrooms. This new course will combine practical strategies with a deep understanding of how to honor and celebrate each child’s unique strengths and needs.
A Leap of Faith
In the fall of 2023, I made the difficult decision to leave the classroom and run Autism Little Learners full-time. Balancing a full-time teaching job and a growing business had become unsustainable. It was a leap of faith, but it was the right choice. By serving educators and parents through Autism Little Learners, I realized I could have a far greater impact—reaching thousands of children through the adults who care for them—than I ever could within the four walls of my classroom.
Leaving the classroom wasn’t easy. I missed the daily interactions with my students and colleagues, but I knew this was the next step in my journey. Running Autism Little Learners full-time has allowed me to dedicate my energy to creating resources, hosting training sessions, and building a community of educators and parents who are passionate about supporting young autistic children.
The Preschool Autism Summit
In 2024, I hosted the first-ever Preschool Autism Summit. With over 33,500 attendees, the summit brought together educators, parents, and experts to share neurodiversity-affirming strategies and practical tools. The reach of this summit was incredible, impacting tens of thousands of autistic children and reaffirming my mission to create compassionate classrooms and therapy spaces that honor each child’s unique strengths and communication styles.
The summit was a labor of love. It was born out of a desire to fill the training gap at the preschool level and provide actionable strategies for those working with young autistic children. The response was overwhelming, and it confirmed that there is a huge need for this type of training. Planning is already underway for the 2025 summit, and I’m excited to continue expanding its reach and impact.
A Collaborative Approach
One of my core beliefs is that there’s room for everyone on the playground. I’m not afraid to refer my community to other professionals who specialize in areas outside my expertise. For neurodiversity-affirming strategies, I often recommend Jessie Ginsburg and Cari Ebert. For gestalt language processing, Nicole Casey, Katja Piscitelli, and Alexandria Zachos are phenomenal. Lisa Marnell provides invaluable insights on strengths-based goal writing, and Rachel Madel is my go-to for all things AAC. Collaboration and connection are key to making a lasting impact.
This collaborative approach has been transformative for the Autism Little Learners community. By connecting members with experts in different fields, I’ve been able to provide a more comprehensive and well-rounded approach to supporting autistic children. It’s not about competition—it’s about working together to create the best possible outcomes for kids.
Honoring My Mom's Influence
My mom, Mary Livermore, has been an incredible influence in my life. Growing up, she ran an at-home daycare, and her natural talent for working with children inspired my passion for early childhood education. Her kindness, humor, and adventurous spirit continue to shape who I am today. From cheering me on through milestones to always being my biggest fan on Facebook, my mom’s love and support mean the world to me.
My Dad's Legacy
Throughout this journey, my dad’s love and encouragement have been a guiding force. Before he passed, he left me a letter that I hold close to my heart. In it, he wrote:
“So, I am sure that there have been more accomplishments in your life since I have written this note. I know there will be many more after I am gone. I will see them, and I will be forever aware of them, and I will be proud of them. I will be proud of you as I always have been. You are one of the most beautiful people on the face of this earth and I will always love you!”
And this:
“If you are reading this, I am now gone from this earth. You can be sure that I am now free from the demons that have haunted me since my year in Vietnam. I tried to hide them and shield you from them, but I am not so sure I succeeded. I have tried to handle the pain of my experience the best that I could and tried not to burden you kids or your mom with my problems. I am so proud of my service to my country. I want to be remembered as a good husband, a good dad, and a good American citizen. I hope that I have lived a good life. I love you.
With eternal love and gratefulness to you,
Leigh Livermore
Yer Dad!”
These words remind me every day of why I do what I do. His love and belief in me continue to inspire my work with Autism Little Learners. By supporting educators and parents, I’m able to carry on his legacy of service, touching the lives of countless children and making the world a little brighter for them.
Looking Ahead
As Autism Little Learners continues to grow, I’m more motivated than ever to serve this community. From creating resources and courses to hosting summits and building connections, every step of this journey has been driven by a desire to make a difference. My hope is that Autism Little Learners not only provides the tools and training educators and parents need but also inspires them to approach their work with compassion, creativity, and confidence.
Thank you for being a part of this journey. Together, we’re making a difference, one child at a time.
Listen to the Podcast: Episode #107
Autism Little Learners Membership
Potty Train With Compassion Course
Visual Schedules Made Easy Course
Get on the Preschool Autism Summit Waitlist
If you use visual supports in your classroom or home, you are going to want to sign up for this free Visual Supports Starter Set ASAP! Click here to have one sent to your inbox. Also, be sure to read more about visual supports and how they can help autistic children here.
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