Part 2: Best Practices for Working with Young Children on the Autism Spectrum Who Are Nonspeaking

Unlock new ways to connect with nonspeaking children using play, visual tools, and meaningful communication strategies.

This workshop builds on Part 1 by focusing on engagement and communication strategies for children on the Autism Spectrum who do not use spoken language. Participants explore how communication is central to forming relationships and meeting needs, and they examine play-based instruction, behavioral approaches, and alternative communication methods. Special emphasis is placed on the use of visual supports as tools for teaching and learning. Educators leave with practical, immediately applicable strategies to better support nonspeaking children in classroom and therapeutic environments.

Core Needs Addressed

  • Difficulty engaging nonspeaking children in meaningful communication and relationship-building.

  • Limited teacher training in play-based and behavioral strategies that foster participation.

  • Lack of accessible tools, such as visual supports, to scaffold communication and learning.

  • Challenges in addressing diverse communication needs when speech is not present.

Key Learnings

  1. Engaging Nonspeaking Students Through Play and Behavior-Based Methods
    Participants will gain strategies to use play and structured behavioral approaches to build engagement, encourage interaction, and foster meaningful connections.

  2. Implementing Alternative Communication Approaches
    Educators will learn how to integrate augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) techniques, with a focus on visual supports, to expand learning opportunities for nonspeaking children.

  3. Creating Supportive and Inclusive Learning Environments
    Teachers will leave with classroom-ready tools and strategies to ensure nonspeaking children can actively participate, communicate, and build relationships within everyday routines.

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Part 2: Best Practices for Working with Young Children on the Autism Spectrum Who Are Nonspeaking

Unlock new ways to connect with nonspeaking children using play, visual tools, and meaningful communication strategies.

Led by our team of Instructional Strategists

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Last Updated

Apr 15, 2026 2:49 PM

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Designed for School Leaders asking...

How can we implement communication-focused strategies that lead to measurable gains in engagement and interaction for nonspeaking students on the autism spectrum?

What systems will ensure consistent use of visual supports and alternative communication methods to improve student independence and learning outcomes?

How do we build staff capacity to use play-based and behavioral approaches that strengthen communication, relationships, and overall student success?

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

School Name

Delivering Powerful Learning Experiences

As a result of this work

As a result of this work, educators will strengthen their ability to support nonspeaking children on the autism spectrum by implementing effective communication and engagement strategies, ensuring improved interaction and access to learning. Teachers will leave with practical strategies, including play-based approaches, behavioral techniques, alternative communication methods, and visual supports that can be applied immediately in classroom and therapeutic settings.

Workshop Description

This workshop builds on Part 1 by focusing on engagement and communication strategies for children on the Autism Spectrum who do not use spoken language. Participants explore how communication is central to forming relationships and meeting needs, and they examine play-based instruction, behavioral approaches, and alternative communication methods. Special emphasis is placed on the use of visual supports as tools for teaching and learning. Educators leave with practical, immediately applicable strategies to better support nonspeaking children in classroom and therapeutic environments.

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Designed for Today's Schools

Customized
Expert-led
In-person, virtual, or asynchronous
Standards Aligned
Research-Based
Nationwide

Educators will confidently

Educators will strengthen inclusive practices by using engagement, communication, and visual supports to better serve nonspeaking children on the autism spectrum. This work supports district priorities by improving equitable access, relationships, and meaningful participation in classroom and therapeutic settings.

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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