Professional Development

APSEA’s Autism in Education 

APSEA and Collaborative Learning and Development Department is pleased to offer monthly professional learning sessions from September 2026 to April 2027.

Each topic will be organized as a professional learning community (PLC). This means a small group of educators with a shared interest in a specific topic will meet once a month to learn together, share ideas, and build skills. The focus will be on improving student learning and participation at school through collaboration and practical strategies.

Virtual sessions will be hosted on Zoom after school, from 3:00–4:00 p.m. Atlantic Time / 3:30–4:30 p.m. in Newfoundland.

Each group may have up to 20 participants, so registration will be on a first come first serve basis.

More details about each session and tentative dates are included below.

Please feel free to share this information with others who may be interested.

If you would like to join one of the PLCs, please use the registration link below to tell us which session(s) you would like to attend. You may register for more than 1 topic; however, please be sure that you can commit to the schedule, as each group is limited to only 20 participants.

The survey must be completed by 12:00 p.m. Atlantic Time / 12:30 Newfoundland on Monday, September 14, 2026.

Registration Link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/V7NFYB3

Topic 1: Behaviour as Communication

Dates: Sept. 22, Oct. 27, Nov. 24, Dec. 15

Overview: This four-part, monthly learning series is designed for school staff supporting students with autism, communication differences, and executive functioning challenges. The series will focus on practical, classroom-ready strategies that help staff better understand behaviour, strengthen engagement, and support communication across routines.

Topic 2: Supporting Autistic Learners who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Dates: Sept. 24, Oct. 22, Nov. 26, Dec. 17

Overview: This four-part, monthly learning series supports educators working with autistic learners / learners with autism who are Deaf and hard of hearing. Participants will consider practical ways to improve communication, access to learning, and daily participation at school. Each session focuses on clear, useful strategies that can be applied right away in classrooms and school settings.

Topic 3: Supporting Autistic Learners who are Blind or Have Low Vision

Dates: These sessions will run monthly on Wednesday or Thursday afternoons from 3-4 p.m. Atlantic Time from January to April 2027. Exact dates to be determined.

Overview: This four-part, monthly learning series supports educators working with autistic learners / learners with autism who are blind or have low vision. Participants will consider practical ways to improve communication, access to learning, and daily participation at school. Each session focuses on clear, useful strategies that can be applied right away in classrooms and school settings.

Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.

Shelley

Shelley McLean (she, her, hers)
M.Ed., BCBA
Coordinator, Autism in Education & Collaborative Learning and Development
Atlantic Provinces Special Education Authority (APSEA)

Tel: (902) 423-8418
Email: shelley_mclean@apsea.ca
102-7071 Bayers Road, Halifax, NS B3L 2C2
www.apsea.ca