Part 1: Best Practices for Working with Young Children on the Autism Spectrum with Limited Language

Use play-based strategies to build joint attention, social skills, and language growth in young children with autism.

This workshop is designed to support educators and service providers working with young children on the Autism Spectrum who present with limited language skills. Participants explore the importance of joint attention and pragmatic language skills, which are foundational for communication and social development. The session emphasizes the use of play-based instruction as a practical tool for encouraging language growth. Video clips of real classroom interactions are used to illustrate effective strategies, helping educators identify and apply best practices immediately.

Core Needs Addressed

  • Limited opportunities for children on the Autism Spectrum to develop joint attention and functional communication skills.

  • Challenges in fostering pragmatic language use in natural, meaningful contexts.

  • Lack of teacher confidence or training in applying play-based, developmentally appropriate interventions.

  • Difficulty recognizing and responding to subtle communication behaviors in nonspeaking or minimally verbal children.

Key Learnings

  1. Promoting Joint Attention and Language Growth
    Participants will learn how to intentionally design activities that foster joint attention and provide a foundation for functional language development.

  2. Implementing Play-Based Approaches
    Educators will gain practical strategies for using play and interaction to encourage communication, engagement, and relationship building in children with limited language.

  3. Identifying and Applying Best Practices
    Through analysis of video examples, participants will practice identifying effective interventions and leave with concrete strategies to implement immediately in their classrooms.

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Part 1: Best Practices for Working with Young Children on the Autism Spectrum with Limited Language

Use play-based strategies to build joint attention, social skills, and language growth in young children with autism.

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Last Updated

Apr 15, 2026 2:49 PM

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Designed for School Leaders asking...

How can we strengthen early intervention practices to produce measurable gains in communication, joint attention, and social development for students on the autism spectrum?

What instructional strategies will ensure play-based learning effectively supports language development for children with limited verbal skills?

How do we build staff capacity to implement evidence-based approaches that improve communication outcomes and readiness for more advanced learning?

This workshop helped me better understand the challenges families face and gave me practical strategies to strengthen communication and engagement. I now feel more confident in building supportive partnerships with families to improve student success.

Jen Soloman

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As a result of this work

As a result of this work, educators will strengthen their ability to support young children on the autism spectrum with limited language by promoting joint attention and pragmatic language development, ensuring improved communication and social interaction. Teachers will leave with practical strategies, play-based instructional techniques, and video-based insights that support language growth and can be applied immediately in classroom settings.

Workshop Description

This workshop is designed to support educators and service providers working with young children on the Autism Spectrum who present with limited language skills. Participants explore the importance of joint attention and pragmatic language skills, which are foundational for communication and social development. The session emphasizes the use of play-based instruction as a practical tool for encouraging language growth. Video clips of real classroom interactions are used to illustrate effective strategies, helping educators identify and apply best practices immediately.

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Designed for Today's Schools

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In-person, virtual, or asynchronous
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Nationwide

Educators will confidently

Educators will strengthen inclusive practices by using play-based strategies to support joint attention, pragmatic language, and communication growth in young children on the autism spectrum. This work supports district priorities by improving equitable access, engagement, and language development through practical, classroom-ready instruction.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes your workshops different from traditional professional development or other providers?

Our approach goes beyond one-size-fits-all professional development. We hold ourselves to rigorous standards of quality and delivery in every client interaction, ensuring that each experience is meaningful, relevant, and impactful. We don’t just deliver workshops—we build long-term partnerships with schools and districts, working alongside educators to improve instructional practices and student outcomes over time.

We actively listen to educators’ unique contexts and experiences, using that insight to collaboratively design tailored solutions rather than pre-packaged sessions. Our team asks thoughtful questions, challenges assumptions, and continuously learns so we can help redefine what’s possible in teaching and learning.

Above all, we communicate authentically, foster positive and productive relationships, and bring a deep passion and commitment to education. The result is professional learning that feels purposeful, personalized, and truly transformative.

Who are your workshops designed for?

Our workshops are designed for educators and school leaders, including teachers, instructional coaches, school administrators, and district teams. Each session is tailored to the specific audience to ensure content is relevant, practical, and immediately applicable.

What does a typical workshop look like?

Our workshops are interactive, engaging, and grounded in real classroom practice. Each experience is intentionally designed using the principles of andragogy, sound instructional design, and the core constructs of effective professional development to ensure relevance, coherence, and impact. Participants engage in discussion, reflection, planning, and application activities — not just passive listening. Educators leave with concrete strategies and next steps they can implement right away.

How long are your workshops?

We offer flexible formats, including half-day, full-day, and multi-session series. We can also design ongoing professional learning experiences to support sustained implementation over time.

What delivery methods are available for your workshops?

We offer flexible delivery options to meet the needs of schools and districts, including in-person sessions, live virtual workshops, and asynchronous learning through our applied learning platform. Regardless of format, all experiences are designed to be interactive, engaging, and collaborative, with structures that promote meaningful participation and application of learning.

What kind of follow-up support is available?

We believe professional learning is most effective when it’s sustained. In addition to workshops, we offer instructional coaching, implementation planning, and follow-up sessions to help teams translate learning into practice and drive meaningful results.

Who facilitates the workshops?

Inspired Instruction’s workshops are facilitated by a nationwide team of expert Instructional Strategists.  Our facilitators bring diverse experience as classroom educators, instructional coaches, principals, directors, and superintendents, spanning all content areas. We thoughtfully match your specific needs with a facilitator whose expertise aligns to ensure the learning experience is relevant, practical, and impactful for your staff.

How much does it cost to bring a workshop to my school or district?

We offer a range of pricing options designed to meet the needs of different schools and districts. Our Client Directors work closely with you to understand your goals, scope, and budget, and will partner with you to design a high-quality professional learning experience that fits within your financial framework.

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