Sped Summit

In this session, Sarah Habib—Occupational Therapist and founder of The Calm Caterpillar—shares practical, mindfulness-based strategies to support emotional regulation and wellness for both students and educators. She explores how calm corners, sensory-informed routines, and simple daily practices can reduce stress, build resilience, and create more peaceful learning environments. Participants will gain actionable tools for integrating self-regulation into instruction and fostering a classroom culture that prioritizes connection, confidence, and well-being.

In this session, Diana Williams shares practical, leadership-driven strategies for building strong, collaborative partnerships between teachers and paraeducators. She explores how clear roles, intentional delegation, and effective communication can transform daily classroom dynamics and improve student outcomes. Participants will learn how to create systems that support shared responsibility, enhance team confidence, and promote a positive, empowered work culture. This session provides actionable tools for strengthening SPED team coordination and maximizing paraeducator impact.

In this session, Sam Parmerlee—behavior specialist and founder of Green Behavior Consulting—breaks down practical, effective strategies for responding to chronic behavioral disruptions with confidence and consistency. Sam will share proactive tools, relationship-based interventions, and decision-making frameworks that help educators de-escalate behaviors, maintain classroom flow, and support student regulation. Participants will leave with actionable steps they can implement immediately to create calmer, more predictable learning environments where all students can succeed.

In this session, Casey Harrison—Certified Dyslexia Specialist and founder of The Dyslexia Classroom—shares practical, research-aligned strategies to support students with dyslexia and language-based learning differences in inclusive settings. Casey will guide educators through designing meaningful accommodations, strengthening structured literacy access, and building student confidence. Participants will learn actionable ways to bridge evidence-based practices with real classroom needs, helping every learner engage successfully with grade-level content.

In this session, Tara Roehl—international speaker, SLP, and founder of SpeechyKeenSLP—explores how emerging technologies and AI-driven tools are reshaping support for diverse learners in special education. Tara will share practical ways educators and therapists can integrate advanced tech to enhance executive functioning, social cognition, communication, and accessibility. Participants will gain clear examples, real-world applications, and actionable strategies to use cutting-edge tools with confidence. This session is ideal for anyone looking to future-proof their SPED practice.

In this session, Amanda Schaumburg—SLP, author, and founder of Panda Speech—breaks down how to write clear, meaningful, and compliant IEPs that truly support student progress. She will guide educators through crafting strong Present Levels, developing measurable goals, and aligning therapy plans with evidence-based practices. Amanda also shares practical documentation tips, examples, and “IEP cheat sheet” strategies to help teams streamline paperwork while improving clarity and collaboration. This session is ideal for SLPs, teachers, and service providers seeking stronger, more effective IEP writing.

In this session, Sydney Bassard—Speech-Language Pathologist and founder of The Listening SLP—shares practical, evidence-informed strategies to build strong language and literacy foundations in children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing (DHH). She explores how access to sound, visual supports, and intentional instruction work together to strengthen listening, spoken language, and early reading skills. Participants will leave with actionable tools to adapt instruction, support communication, and create inclusive, language-rich learning environments for DHH learners.

In this session, Farwa Husain—SLP, educator, and founder of First Phrases shares practical, neurodiversity-affirming strategies to support autistic learners across communication, play, and classroom participation. Drawing on her expertise in language development, echolalia, and GLP-informed approaches, Farwa offers actionable tools educators and therapists can use to build meaningful connections and strengthen authentic communication. Participants will learn supportive, strengths-based practices that honor each child’s individuality and promote greater inclusion and confidence in learning environments.