Name: Beyond Words: Identifying & Connecting with Non-Speaking & Minimally Speaking Students (412)
Start: 2026-07-30T08:00:00-0500
End: 2026-07-30T08:50:00-0500

Prosper Connects 26: Your Ultimate Professional Learning Adventure!
Get Ready for the most incredible day of learning in Prosper ISD! July 30th at Walnut Grove High School | Over 300 Sessions Await!

Calling all educators! Prepare for a day packed with inspiration, innovation, and incredible learning opportunities. From the electrifying drumline welcome to the delicious indoor lunch options from the Walnut Grove cafeteria serving up a variety of food, this isn’t just another professional development day – it’s a celebration of education!
✨ Highlights:

👕Attire: Favorite Team Jersey, jeans, and comfortable shoes
🚍Grab the Shuttle from Rock Hill HS (16061 N Coit Rd, Frisco, TX 750) for easy parking (runs every 20 min)
🥁 Epic Drumline Kick-Off
☕Breakfast Options: Union Coffee and Baked Goods & Sonic
🌮 INSIDE Lunch options provided by Aramark and Hardy’s Cafe: Union Coffee, Cane’s, Chick-fil-A, Jimmy John’s, Sonic, Pizza Hut, Greens & Grains, Sushi, Taco Line, & Hardy’s Cafe
🧠 GT Credit Sessions Available (sessions that are orange = GT)
📚 Up to 6 Professional Learning Hours

Beyond Words: Identifying & Connecting with Non-Speaking & Minimally Speaking Students (412)

Thursday July 30, 2026 8:00am - 8:50am CDT

2212

Focuses on helping educators, therapists, and support staff better recognize, interpret, and respond to the many ways students communicate beyond spoken language. Participants will explore how communication can present through body movement, eye gaze, vocalizations, behavior, echolalia, and regulation patterns. This training emphasizes presuming competence, honoring total communication, and building meaningful connections with students by recognizing communication attempts that are often overlooked or misunderstood. Through practical examples, communication “look-fors,” and real-life scenarios, attendees will gain tools to better interpret communicative intent, strengthen relationships, and create more inclusive, communication-supportive environments for non-speaking and minimally speaking students.

Speakers

Megan Richardson

Speech Pathologist, AAC Specialist

Sydney Smith

Communications Teacher

Hi there! I am currently a Communications Teacher at Hughes Elementary, and I will be starting my third year of teaching this 26-27 school year! I am an advocate for all things AAC and AT, so I am very excited to have been asked to present on these topics at Prosper Connects this... Read More →

Thursday July 30, 2026 8:00am - 8:50am CDT
2212

Special Education

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Prosper Connects '26

Megan Richardson

Sydney Smith

Attendees (31)

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Prosper Connects '26

Megan Richardson

Sydney Smith

Attendees (31)

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