Unlocking Communication: 

Why Attend?

Roughly a quarter to a third of students with autism develop little to no spoken language. These are often the students where teachers, related service providers, and families feel the most uncertain about what to do next. A pioneer in the field, Dr. Helen Tager-Flusberg has led the research answering the questions educators ask every day: How does language actually develop in children with autism? What predicts whether a minimally verbal student will gain spoken language? And what does the evidence say about how to support communication when speech is limited?

This is a rare opportunity to hear directly from the researcher whose work shaped how the field understands language in autism, translated for the people doing the work in classrooms every day.

What you'll learn

• How language and communication develop differently in students with autism, and why "minimally verbal" does not mean "not understanding"
• What decades of research reveal about the developmental trajectories of children with autism, including early signs and predictors of language growth
• Common myths about minimally verbal students that still shape classroom practice, and what the evidence actually shows
• Research-informed strategies for supporting communication across the spectrum, from emerging speakers to students using AAC
• Where the science is heading next, and what it means for IEP teams, special educators, SLPs, and families

All registrants will have access to the recording and attendees will receive a certificate of attendance for professional development.