Special Needs

Find the answers to all your autism-related questions in this informative, dynamic resource. Collect practical strategies to help you address the common challenges facing these neurodiverse students in an inclusive environment while also learning to celebrate the unique strengths and perspectives these students bring to the classroom.

Rely on the second edition of this user-friendly guide to help you provide a strong learning path for all students, with a focus on special needs. This resource provides key instructional strategies educators can use to create an inclusive classroom using social-emotional learning (SEL) and a multitiered system of support (MTSS).

Heather serves as the superintendent of schools in Fox Lake District 114 in the northern Illinois suburbs. Her work focuses on ensuring learning for ALL in schools.

Mandy Barrett, EdD, currently serves as an elementary school principal in northwest Arkansas. She has over 20 years of experience working in high-poverty schools and schools with large ESL populations.

Belinda Dunnick Karge, PhD, is a professor in the doctoral studies program at Concordia University Irvine and a professor emeritus at California State University, Fullerton. She has also served as a K–12 teacher and administrator.

Amanda Boyer, EdD, currently serves as the director of special services in the Neosho School District in southwest Missouri. She has over 18 years of experience in various roles, including special education teacher, early childhood director, early interventionist and behavior specialist.

When teams commit to collaborating to ensure high levels of learning for ALL students, a key critical step is to examine personal and systemic beliefs, policies, and practices to build a school and district culture where systems align. Focused on closing the gaps for students with identified needs, this session, designed for leaders of both general and special educators, provides an overview of the core concepts and associated practices to collaboratively support all learners and bring this vision to life.

Brandon Jones, an author and consultant, works with educators to implement the Professional Learning Communities at Work® and RTI at Work™ processes. As a practitioner, he has served as a high school teacher and assistant principal, as well as a principal at the elementary, middle, and secondary level.

Dr. Amy Williams brings over 25 years of experience in education, specializing in fostering inclusive practices and systems-level change to improve student outcomes.

Amy Gluck is assistant superintendent of teaching and learning in Grayslake CCSD 46 in Illinois. Her work focuses on ensuring all students achieve high levels of learning.