2025-2026 Autism Spectrum Disorder Literacy Institute Kick Off
Audience: Educators, Other District/School Staff | Topic: Autism, Literacy | Hosted by: Office of Special Education
Requirement for School / District Staff: N/A
Blended format
This statewide institute will be conducted by nationally recognized experts on literacy and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), Dr. Christi Carnahan and Dr. Pam Williamson. The institute content will focus on a balanced approach to literacy including instruction in phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary, reading comprehension, and writing. Each aspect of literacy will be linked to the unique cognitive, social, and communication issues inherent in ASD. Assessment strategies will include an overall estimation of the students' literacy abilities from interactive to independent, which will help teachers determine what additional literacy assessments may be needed to inform instruction. Measures of student outcomes and teacher outcomes will be incorporated into the course, developed by the presenters.
Who should attend?
The institute is ideally designed for certified school members who work directly with students with autism spectrum disorder. Teams can include general and special education teachers, speech, and language pathologists, reading interventionists or other members who design/deliver literacy instruction. Due to the need to enroll professionals responsible for delivering/designing literacy instruction, this course is not open to paraeducators. All accepted participants will be asked to share implementation information with parents, paraeducators, and administrators.
When and Where?
This training will be conducted in a hybrid format. Coursework will be organized into three Moodle modules, each module followed by a virtual Zoom session with the presenters. Each two-hour virtual session will be conducted from 8:30AM-10:30AM MT.
Schedule
- December 4, 2025 - Kick Off Virtual Session & Module 1 Opens
- January 8, 2026 - Module 1 Virtual Session & Module 2 Opens
- February 12, 2026 - Module 2 Virtual Session & & Module 3 Opens
- March 12, 2026 - Module 3 Virtual Session
- March 31, 2026 - Course Closes
Registration
Registration will close on November 14, 2025 at 5:00PM MT or when capacity is reached.
Register for ASD Literacy Institute
Additional Information
Cost: The Exceptional Student Services Unit of the Colorado Department of Education provides the funding for the presenters. Venue space is provided by the hosting school district/AU. There are no costs to the participants.
Download the ASD Literacy Institute Flyer (PDF)
Event Date and Time
- Thursday, December 4, 2025 - 8:30am
Location
OnlineCertificate
Participants must complete all 3 Modules to receive a certificate for 24 CDE hours. Partial credit will not be given.
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