Morgan van Diepen

This session introduces practical, low-effort behavior strategies educators can embed into what they’re already doing each day, without adding extra “one more thing” to their plate. Participants will learn actionable ideas for both classwide and individualized behavior support, and they’ll leave with 10 ready-to-use visual resources (100+ pages of visuals total!) that align with each strategy, plus time during the training to prep materials so implementation can start immediately. Topics include leading inclusive circle time that meets the needs of all learners (with visual lesson plans, AAC inclusion, and behavior support built in), using the power of positivity to strengthen engagement (including a teacher-favorite Bubble Party strategy), and building emotional regulation skills through whole-group and individualized check-in activities with aligning visual resources. Educators will also learn four prevention strategies for reducing challenging behaviors, including lesser-known tools that even experienced teachers will find useful, and a firm, but flexible approach for responding to challenging behavior calmly and confidently. Our goal is that educators will feel inspired with fresh ideas and more confident supporting behavior with clear strategies and visuals they can use right away.

Landon Brown

This course bridges the science of behavior change with the heart of person- and family-centered care to promote meaningful, sustainable progress. It is designed for parents, caregivers, and professionals who want to build strong therapeutic alliances that improve consistency, engagement, and long-term outcomes. 

Participants will learn how evidence-based principles of behavior change can be applied in ways that honor family priorities, values, and real-life contexts, strengthening collaboration and follow-through. Drawing on best practices in parent education, the course emphasizes collaboration, solution- focused approaches, and team empowerment to increase buy-in and shared ownership of goals.

Through practical examples and guided reflection, learners will gain tools to support positive change across home and school environments. Attendees will leave with actionable strategies they can immediately apply to foster trust, increase clarity, and support lasting progress for children and families.

Dr. Layne Pethick

Play and exercise aren’t “extras” for autistic brains, they’re neural fuel. Movement, rhythm, and joyful play activate the brain’s regulation networks, strengthen executive functions, and help the nervous system shift out of survival mode and into learning mode. For autistic brains that run under a heavier sensory and cognitive load, play and exercise aren’t breaks from development, they are development: building flexibility, emotional control, attention, motor planning, and social engagement through real-time body-based practice. This session explores the neuroscience behind why play and physical activity are some of the most powerful, brain-friendly interventions we have, not because they force compliance, but because they grow capacity.

Sarah Kay Brent

Teachers don’t need more "extra programs"—they need powerful, intentional strategies to make the curriculum they already have accessible for every learner. In this session, we will shift the narrative from reducing expectations to increasing access.

We will dive into the Bluebonnet Reading and Math curricula to identify and leverage the visual supports already at your fingertips. Participants will discover how embedded visual scaffolding preserves the rigor of grade-level standards while providing the clarity students with autism need to work independently.

Whether you are looking to bridge the gap in literacy or provide a concrete path through math, you will walk away with a ready-to-use plan to turn visual supports into a universal pathway for student success.

Dr. Christina Gushanas & Dr. Brynn Biggs

This session supports districts in designing meaningful, individualized 18+ services for students with autism in the Texas Panhandle. Participants will unpack federal and Texas expectations for 18+ programming and translate them into practical design decisions for teams. Participants will learn a step-by-step approach for building services aligned to transition assessment, IEP goals, and adult-life outcomes. Real-world examples will highlight implementation strategies and solutions to common barriers such as staffing, transportation, and limited community resources. Participants will leave with concrete next steps to strengthen 18+ services in their district or campus.

Dr. Nancy Coffey 

Ever been told to “just be friendly” without anyone explaining what that actually means? This session challenges common myths about social skills and autism and replaces them with realistic, compassionate approaches. Designed for educators, paraprofessionals, administrators, and families, this workshop explores how to support social growth while honoring communication differences, boundaries, and individual strengths.