EALA

Disability: Nonverbal Students

  • A Study in Augmentative Communication in Distance Learning

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    This case study describes a speech and language pathologist’s experience supporting a middle school student with complex communication needs and behavioral challenges. Strategies for mapping student needs to clinician strategies are discussed, with an emphasis on how to leverage student agency in the teletherapy process. The use of augmentative communication in distance learning is explored.

  • The Push-In Model in a Virtual Classroom

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    This case study describes a speech-language pathologist’s transition from face-to-face push-in sessions to an online push-in format in virtual classrooms. Technology resources and new strategies are trialed with a middle school–age student working on writing and comprehension at a school for students with language-based learning differences. Screen sharing, breakout rooms, chat feature, whiteboard features, and…

  • Transforming the Parent-Teacher Relationship in Remote Learning

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    Brittany Moser, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) coach at Neighborhood Charter Schools, shares a resource aimed at partnering families and schools during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this case study, Brittany shares how her resource, “Tips and Tricks for Remote Learning,” became a foundational launchpad for supporting families in educating their children remotely. 

  • Virtual Writing Lesson for an Inclusive Classroom

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    This case study describes distance learning with an inclusive classroom for writing at the 2nd grade level. The strategies and approach described reflect the Universal Design for Learning approach to inclusive education design and were designed to explicitly build student knowledge, skills and engagement in navigating the new virtual classroom. The use of Book Creator,…

  • Facilitating Community Supports for Students with Significant Disabilities

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    Mass Families Organizing for Change (Mass Families or MFOFC) is a grassroots, statewide network of people with disabilities and their families, and has a 30-year history of responding to the needs of families. We partner closely with four different human services providers who contract with the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services (DDS) to provide leadership…

  • A Virtual Session: Language & Social Pragmatics

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    This case study describes a virtual Speech and Language Pathology session focused on language and social pragmatics. Clinicians describe working with a kindergarten student with autism and challenges with language. The use of Zoom, online animated story books, and digital manipulatives are described.

  • Multisensory Reading Instruction

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    This case study describes an example of multisensory reading instruction implemented through a distance learning approach. The practitioner describes working with a first grade student with a diagnosis of dyslexia and significant reading difficulty. The use of video conferencing to support strategies like modeling, family coaching/support and game-based learning are described.

  • Growth Mindset and Mindfulness at a Distance

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    Juliana Urtubey, 2021 National Teacher of the Year, leads an inclusive class designed to help students manage the emotions of daily life and school. During distance learning, she helps students find helpful strategies to center themselves when they’re feeling big emotions. She proposes using this time to continue to build community and relationships so that…

  • Meeting Students Where They Are: Strategies for Adapting Services for Students with Disabilities

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    Note on Confidentiality: The author of this piece works with a small number of students who have distinctive disability profiles. In order to ensure her students’ confidentiality, we have kept her school’s name and its location anonymous. I’ll be honest. When we first started doing virtual learning I felt really horrible about how things were…

  • Leveraging Relationships in a Time of Pandemic

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    The recent events surrounding the global health crisis have made one aspect of my job very apparent: It’s truly a blessing to work in a small school. Chelsea School is a nonpublic special education school that serves 71 students with language-based learning disabilities. Those students represent a diverse spectrum of the socioeconomic background of the…