Presenter: Sarah Cave, Consultant, Early Childhood Special Education

                    Diana Glass, Consultant, Early Childhood Special Education

Room: Real/Maverick

This session will explore practical strategies for incorporating play into the preschool curriculum to promote holistic child development.

Presenter: Janet Sanchez, Ph.D., Consultant, Autism

Room:  Kerr/Kinney

 Visual support strategies have been used to successfully support children, youth and adults with autism and other developmental disabilities for decades. Many are familiar with the use of visual schedules, but there are many ways in which visual support strategies can be used. These supports have been demonstrated to increase independent functioning, teach specific skills, improve environmental awareness, teach rules and social expectations, reduce problem behavior and so much more! 

Presenter: Goldie Tappan, Consultant, Dyslexia and Related Disorders

Room: Oak

Unlock the power of practical strategies rooted in dyslexia intervention! In this session, participants will explore tools and techniques that not only help students with dyslexia reinforce and generalize skills in the general education classroom, but also serve as best practices that elevate learning for all students. Walk away with ideas you can use right away to make a big impact where it matters most.

Presenter: Christy Beck, Consultant, School Health and Nursing

Room: Mesquite

“It's a very simple thing we take for granted - getting up in the morning, brushing our teeth, getting washed.” – Eileen Brown (2025) Toileting is a personal task, unless or until an individual cannot personally accomplish it. When this occurs, the individual’s health and dignity are at risk. Whether administering personal care as an assigned duty or as a shared responsibility – helping students who are wet or who have soiled themselves in class may be necessary. Personal care and support services refer to aspects of care that do not involve skilled medical care but that support students by assisting them with things they cannot do alone, or at all. This session will cover the essentials: well-being, helping to ensure the privacy, dignity, and security of all students when providing care. Personal care services in the school setting can be a challenging task to navigate. Let's look at the facts that will help to alleviate fears and myths surrounding developmentally appropriate care. Some skills, equipment, and resources that can be used to keep you and students safe and healthy while providing personal care services in the school setting will also be covered.

Presenter: Tausha Nickleberry, Consultant, Stronger Connections Grant

Room: Maple

Strong culture isn’t built in a day—it’s built in the daily.  This session explores how school and district administrators can intentionally invest in culture through small, intentional deposits that make special educators and support staff feel supported and valued.  These small but powerful actions not only build morale—they can also play a vital role in staff retention. Every day and every interaction is an opportunity to make a deposit into the culture bank!  Let’s dive into practical strategies for making those deposits count and make culture rich—together.

Presenter: Brandalyn Haggerty, Behavioral Health Partnership Program Liaison ,     Evelyn Crespo Consultant, Project AWARE 

Room: Medina/La Salle

Dive into the fascinating world of brain development through The Brain Architecture Game! In this interactive session, participants will work collaboratively to build a model brain using everyday materials, simulating the profound impact of Positive and Adverse Childhood Experiences (PACEs and ACES). This hands-on activity illustrates how early experiences shape brain architecture and influence mental health. Together, we’ll explore strategies to build resilience and foster supportive environments, empowering participants to make a lasting difference in the lives of children and youth. Perfect for educators, counselors, and mental health advocates!

Presenter: Kristi Jordan, Ph.D., Consultant, Special Education Evaluation

Room: Magnolia

This session will outline the criteria for identifying and determining eligibility for children with developmental delay (DD). Participants will also review frequently asked questions (FAQs) that provide recommendations and best practices for identifying DD.

Presenter: Amy Strauch, Component Director, Special Education and School Support Service

Room: Bexar and Babies

Interested in the latest legislative bills that will impact Special Education in the upcoming school year?  Attend this session to find out about the most relevant and recent updates to rules and regulations related to Special Education in Texas.