How to include students with high support needs in grade level regular education curriculum

This presentation will focus on how to improve support for students with autism who have significant learning needs in general education settings. The presenters will identify effective full-inclusion models, common barriers to accessing and implementing these models, and examples of supports for individual students. The presenters will close by sharing resources, advocacy opportunities, and action items for parents, educators, and administrators.

Hilary Rockwell Galland (M.Ed, NBPTS, M.Sped) is an experienced teacher and social-emotional learning coordinator who has worked in public, charter, private, and international schools. The importance of creating systemic approaches to help administrators, general educators, counselors, parents, and special-education teachers collaborate has resonated in every academic environment in which she has worked. After earning her BA at Wesleyan University, Hilary completed a Master of Education degree focused on teaching English-Language Arts. She also completed National Board Certification with a focus on secondary and bilingual English-Language Arts. After teaching in Chicago, Taiwan, D.C., the Bronx, and Brooklyn, Hilary returned to school on a full tuition fellowship awarded by Project LEAD to complete a Master of Special Education degree with a focus on improving outcomes for adjudicated youth with learning disabilities. Currently, Hilary is completing a degree to become a Licensed Mental Health Counselor.

Shannon Ludeman, EdS, PhD, earned her education specialist and doctoral degrees in School Psychology from the University of Washington. She specializes in working with children with neurodevelopmental disabilities including ADHD, ASD, and OCD. She is passionate about incorporating parent behavioral management training into her practice to support the development of parenting skills to meet the needs of all children. She has experience in a variety of treatment models including CBT, DBT, ABA, and exposure and response prevention. Prior to coming to Brooks Powers Group, Shannon worked as a clinician and researcher at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Seattle Children’s Hospital, and the UW Autism Center. Shannon focuses on promoting positive relationships for children, families, and school staff and developing solutions for problems that are both feasible and effective for long-term change.