S-8 Teaching Students with Extensive Support Needs
Presenter
Formats and Times
- In-Person Training: 5 hours (8:30-2:30)
- On-Demand Webinar: TBD
Content
This training focuses on creating highly individualized holistic programs for students with extensive support needs (ESN), recognizing their diverse learning styles and abilities. Educators will gain a deeper understanding of how each student communicates their needs through pre-symbolic and/or symbolic means. The training will provide an overview of developmental diversity, explore its implications for learning and behavior, and equip educators to align developmentally appropriate curriculum, instructional strategies, and positive behavior supports with individual student profiles. Key principles and strategies emphasized will include providing differentiated instruction, offering accessible hands-on learning opportunities, and prioritizing the development of functional life skills relevant to each student's daily life. Participants will also learn practical tools including use of visual supports, partial participation, and strategies for increasing active engagement and fostering positive behavior while creating opportunities for skill generalization within meaningful activities to support independence and community integration.
Intended Audience
School personnel working with students with ESN including special education teachers, general education teachers, related service providers, paraeducators, and administrators.
Participants Will
- Develop a deeper understanding of the unique strengths and needs of students with ESN and the implications for learning, behavior, and communication.
- Learn about developmentally appropriate instructional and behavioral strategies to support learning, independence, and active engagement.
- Design meaningful lessons that differentiate instruction to each learner's individual level and apply best practices for promoting learned skills across settings.
