Special Education Technology Center

06/04/2026

AAC & Inclusion Tip!

How Admins Can Support AAC Inclusion Through Master Schedules & PLCs

Discover how school administrators can champion inclusive education by strategically designing their master schedules. In this video, Alex Hass, a school principal in Highline Public Schools shares her actionable approach to fostering vital collaboration between classroom teachers and related service providers.

By prioritizing dedicated common planning time—such as Professional Learning Communities (PLCs)—school leaders can build the necessary systems that yield the highest impact for students, especially those using Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC).

🔑 Key Takeaways in This Video:

The Admin’s Role in Inclusion: Why it's the administrator's job to promote the vision, structures, and systems that make cross-team collaboration possible.

Mastering the Master Schedule: Learn why the master schedule is a "huge tool" for centering students with inclusive needs and making sure educators actually have the time to connect.

Supporting AAC Users: How aligning teachers and related services through shared planning directly benefits students who rely on AAC.

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Discover how school administrators can champion inclusive education...

06/03/2026

🎧 A new episode of the Awe and Wonder Podcast is live!

This week in our Stories of Neurodiversity series, Brenda and Sarah had the privilege of sitting down with Mateo Moreno. ✨

Mateo is a passionate advocate, a PRC-Saltillo Ambassador, and the 2026 Prentke AAC Distinguished Lecture Award recipient. In this episode, he shares powerful stories from his own AAC journey and gives us a firsthand look at the reality of being the only AAC user in the room.

They also have a fantastic discussion about why recognizing and accepting all forms of multimodal communication is absolutely essential for true inclusion. 💬👐

Whether you are an educator, a family member, or a fellow AAC user, his practical recommendations for communication partners (and his honest pet peeves!) are a must-listen.

Tune in to the full conversation now! 👇
🔗 https://specialedtechcenter.com/awe-and-wonder-s9/
https://youtu.be/MU7CCHwm-V4

In this episode of the Awe and Wonder Podcast's "Stories of Neurodi...

05/29/2026

Happy Family Connections Friday! 🌟

Today, we are highlighting a communication tool created by a brilliant mom for her 3-year-old daughter (shared with her permission!).

When early communicators have ideas to share but not the expressive words to say them yet, frustration can build. Having a reliable, accessible way to express choices and needs is key to building connection and autonomy.

In addition to her robust AAC system, this portable communication ring is an easy-to-use, highly effective visual support that's working well for this toddler and her family.

Here is why we love it and a few tips you can borrow for your own family:

Real, Familiar Photos: Notice the pictures of family members, specific snacks (like those Harvest Snaps!), and favorite movies like Moana. Not only are these instantly recognizable for her daughter, but Mom can snap the pics in a pinch.

Color-Code for Quick Access: The different colored carabiners naturally organize the cards into categories (e.g., people, food, activities, movies, etc.). This makes it faster for Mom and child to flip to the right word in the moment.

Keep it Durable & Portable: Lamination and sturdy rings mean this tool can survive toddlerhood and travel easily. You can clip it to a diaper bag, a stroller, or a belt loop. Communication happens everywhere, so the tools need to be ready to go!

Visual supports like this honor a child’s right to communicate in whatever way works best for them, reducing stress and giving them a powerful voice in their day.

Have you ever tried making a visual support for your child? Share your favorite tips or creations below! 👇

05/29/2026

✨ SETC STAFF SPOTLIGHT: HEIDI BRISLIN ✨

"For some students, this is the difference between participating—and being left out."

Meet Heidi Brislin, MS-OTR/L, an Occupational Therapist and Assistive Technology Specialist who has spent nearly three decades transforming how we think about classroom access.

At SETC, Heidi partners with multidisciplinary school teams and families across Washington. Through technical assistance and professional development, she helps educators design inclusive learning environments where access is built in from the very start. Her core mission? Ensuring every student can engage, communicate, and grow as an autonomous learner.

Thank you, Heidi, for your dedication to creating equitable learning spaces where no student is left behind!

Learn more about Heidi in the May SETC Newsletter "Designing for Brains that Think Differently". https://specialedtechcenter.com/newsletter-may-2026/

05/27/2026

S9E2: Stories of Neurodiversity in Education and Life with Lauren Enders Gonzales!

Are your AAC goals measuring true communication, or just compliance? 🤔

In our newest episode, Lauren joins us to discuss the future of neurodiversity and how we can genuinely empower neurodivergent AAC users.

We get real about the ways communication partners often unintentionally impose their own values onto AAC customization and implementation, and why reintroducing curiosity into therapy is an absolute game-changer. ✨

Lauren shares personal examples from her own sessions and breaks down exactly how to write measurable, student-centered goals that prioritize what the student actually wants to communicate.

🎧 Tune in now to rethink your approach to AAC, goal writing, and neurodiversity! https://specialedtechcenter.com/awe-and-wonder-s9/

Clock hours available.

Awe and Wonder Podcast Series 9 Back to Podcasts Evidence of learning survey Asynchronous Clock Hours S9 E2: Lauren Enders Gonzales May 27th, 2026 Apple Podcast Youtube What does the future of neurodiversity look like? In this episode, Brenda and Sarah sit down with Lauren Enders Gonzales to explore...

05/23/2026

💡 Tech Tip: Unleashing the Power of IR Controls! Airplane toy ✈️

Using the built-in infrared (IR) controls in Tobii I-Series devices, your child or student can use their eye gaze to pilot remote-controlled toys!

Check out this amazing setup by Amy Connolly. She programmed an RC airplane so a child can make it zoom across the room and make comments about the flight—all using just their eyes! 👀✨

Check out her setup to see how you can bring this level of interactive play to your learners! https://youtu.be/jiyYcbEYCpw

View the IR Control playlist to see more ways to use eye gaze! https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLHYiCCtuxdMEmIpec8rB54nWW8Tsiw1i

Find out how your eye gaze users can activate this remote controlled airplane using the infrared remote controls in Tobii I-Series devices.

05/20/2026

S9E1: Neurodiversity in Education and Life with Sara Ayars 🎙✨

How do professional expertise and personal parenting journeys intersect? On our first episode of the Awe and Wonder Podcast Series 9, SLP Sara Ayars shares her unique perspective as a parent to a neurodiverse child. 💛

Tune in to hear us discuss transformative, affirming strategies—including co-regulation and declarative language —that help both kids and parents thrive.

Listen or watch now: https://specialedtechcenter.com/awe-and-wonder-s9/
Clock hours available.🎧☝

Awe and Wonder Podcast Series 9 Back to Podcasts Evidence of learning survey Asynchronous Clock Hours S9 E1: Neurodiversity in Education and Life with Sara Ayars May 20th, 2026 Apple Podcast Youtube In episode S9E1 of the Awe and Wonder Podcast, we sit down with fellow Speech-Language Pathologist Sa...

05/14/2026

This week’s tip comes to you from a conversation with Sara Ayars our first guest in series 9 Neurodiversity in Education Life!

Have you explored the concept of declarative language? Instead of using 'imperative' commands (like 'Put your shoes on'), you use 'declarative' statements (like 'I notice your shoes are still by the door'). By sharing your inner monologue and observations, you create a low-anxiety environment that helps neurodivergent learners feel like partners and fosters connection.

Find out more about this strategy and so much more in our new podcast series airing May 20th!

Declarative language is a low-pressure communication style that uses statements, observations, and thoughts instead of direct commands. In Series 9 of the Aw...

05/09/2026

Building Wings ~ “When we provide accessible education, assistive technology, inclusive classrooms, and communication support, we empower people to live with dignity and choice.”

Literacy is more than reading and writing. It creates:
✅ Independence
✅ Communication
✅ Confidence
✅ Inclusion
✅ Equal opportunities

“Literacy is not a privilege. Literacy is a fundamental human right.”

Join Building Wings in advocating for literacy for ALL: https://bit.ly/4oTSu9k

What if you were never taught to read?
Never given access to books, communication tools, or the opportunity to share your thoughts with the world?

For millions of people with disabilities, this is still the reality today.

The Literacy Bill of Rights states that every individual — regardless of disability, learning difference, or communication style — has the right to literacy, education, self-expression, and meaningful participation in society.

Literacy is more than reading and writing. It creates:
✅ Independence
✅ Communication
✅ Confidence
✅ Inclusion
✅ Equal opportunities

When we provide accessible education, assistive technology, inclusive classrooms, and communication support, we empower people to live with dignity and choice.

Every child and adult deserves access to literacy instruction, accessible learning materials, AAC communication, and the ability to tell their own story.

Literacy is not a privilege. Literacy is a fundamental human right.

Join us in advocating for literacy for ALL: https://bit.ly/4oTSu9k

05/09/2026

SETBC tip featuring Text to Speech on the iPad.