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

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.

• 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.

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.