Weighted vests. Special diets. Facilitated communication. These techniques gained popularity despite lacking rigorous research. Well-intentioned individuals spend time, money, and hope using treatments unlikely to yield desired results. Misinformation exists. Stopping misinformation may not be feasible, but we can minimize its spread and resultant negative consequences. In this session, we will explain why educators are should address autism misinformation (and how they can go about doing it).
Presenter: Ian Lovett In this engaging and interactive workshop on AI for Special Education we will learn the history of AI, and how it works. Practice: We will practice prompt engineering with ChatGPT and explore ethical consideration of AI. Create: We will spend the majority of time using AI to develop hyper-individualized goals, plans, interventions and strategies to build teacher capacity, improve instruction. We will end with a discussion of data privacy using AI FERPA and IDEA.
Empowering transition-aged students with disabilities to engage and meaningfully participate in planning for their futures is crucial to their success in adulthood. This session explores innovative approaches to enhance self-determination skills among students navigating the transition from school to post-school life. Participants will delve into practical strategies and evidence-based practices that promote self-awareness, goal setting, decision-making, problem-solving, and self-advocacy. Through interactive discussions and case studies, attendees will gain insights into creating inclusive environments that foster independence and confidence in students with disabilities. Join us to discover how person-centered self-determination instruction can profoundly impact the journey of transition-aged students toward achieving their life aspirations.
For years, dyslexia has been unnamed and misunderstood, especially in public school settings. Due to new legislation, dyslexia is coming to the forefront of the conversation in Florida, especially as it relates to the Science of Reading. Katie and Brittany have been presenting this workshop for the last 2 years for preservice educators at the University of Tampa as part of their Human Exceptionalities class, as well as at conferences for FCIS (Florida Council of Independent Schools). We've also shared this presentation as we have consulted with independent schools, charter schools and VPK programs around the Tampa Bay area to dispel myths about dyslexia, to help educators better support learners with dyslexia in their classrooms, and to raise awareness of the importance of early intervention.
Presenter:Sandra DeWitt The United States is facing a teacher shortage, and statistics show that many newly qualified educators leave the profession within the first five years. While these educators enter the field with the goal of positively impacting students' lives, a significant number report feeling underprepared for the challenges of inclusive classroom settings. The 22 High Leverage Practices (HLPs) serve as foundational strategies for effectively teaching students with exceptionalities and are essential in preparing pre-service teachers.
My scoping literature review examines the instructional methods used to teach HLPs and their effectiveness in bridging the gap between theoretical learning and practical application. By categorizing teaching approaches into four key groups, including Practice-Based Methods, Professional Development and Self-Analysis Methods, Collaborative and Reflective Methods, and Technology-Enhanced Methods, the presentation provides a structured analysis of how different methodologies contribute to teacher readiness. It also introduces a qualitative-based algorithm designed to assess the effectiveness of these methods based on feasibility, scalability, resource intensity, transferability, and user acceptance.
The findings of this review provide valuable insights into improving teacher preparation programs to promote equity, inclusion, and high-quality education for students with exceptionalities. My research encourages educators and policymakers to refine training programs that better equip new teachers to thrive in diverse, inclusive classrooms through meaningful discussions on policy and practice. Findings emphasize the need for systematic, hands-on HLP instruction within teacher preparation programs to ensure educators enter the workforce with the skills and confidence needed to succeed. Strengthening preparation programs and mentorship opportunities can support teacher retention and improve classroom outcomes for all students.
Presenter: Dr. LaSonya Moore, Dr. Suzanne Martin & Dr. Martha Loue Stewart
Without culturally relevant books, all children will be denied opportunities to develop reading, concentration, attention span, and creativity – denials that will impede their ability to obtain higher education, jobs, and generational wealth. Culturally appropriate books are critical in delivering stories that mirror their identity, strengthen their self-esteem, and boost their creativity. Partnering across educational, religious and advocacy groups, we provided 660 appropriate books to young children. Here’s our story.
Saturday June 21, 2025 10:00am - 10:50am EDT Cedar
