285.Engaging Non-Verbal Students with Communication Systems That Work
Be The Exception In Special Education
Release Date: 10/09/2025
290. How I Use Fall and Thanksgiving Activities to Build Communication and Core Vocabulary
Be The Exception In Special Education
In this episode, Dawn shares how to use seasonal adapted units like Fall Leaves and Thanksgiving to hit AAC, core vocabulary, math, and reading goals in special ed classrooms. Seasonal doesn’t mean shallow. In this episode of BTE, I’m walking you through how I use my Fall Leaves and Thanksgiving-themed adapted units to build communication and core vocabulary—without adding more to my plate. You’ll hear: Why seasonal units improve engagement How I hit multiple IEP goals with one activity Easy ways to incorporate AAC, fine motor, reading, and math What’s included in...
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289. 3 Low-Prep Ways to Acknowledge Veterans Day in Your SPED Classroom
Be The Exception In Special Education
Learn three easy, respectful ways to acknowledge Veterans Day in your special education classroom. No complex crafts or prep required—just meaningful, inclusive ideas that build gratitude and community. Veterans Day is a meaningful opportunity to teach students about respect, service, and gratitude. But in special education, we often need to simplify, scaffold, and reduce prep—without losing the heart behind the lesson. In this episode of Be The Exception, I’m sharing three low-prep ideas to bring Veterans Day to life in your SPED classroom: Visual “Thank You” card activities...
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288.Before You Plan November… Here’s What I’d Rethink as a Special Educator
Be The Exception In Special Education
In this episode of Be The Exception in Special Education, I’m sharing 5 real things I’ve learned to do differently after the first quarter of the school year. These are the shifts I make when the fall honeymoon fades, behaviors spike, and burnout starts creeping in. If you’re nodding “yep” to all of that—this one’s for you. Inside the episode, we’ll cover: Why I stop reinventing my centers The power of reviewing, not re-teaching What I always prep before November gets wild Why visuals matter more than ever in Q2 How to weave seasonal fun into academic goals ...
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287.Spooky Fun with Communication: Halloween Activities Using AAC
Be The Exception In Special Education
Halloween brings costumes, candy, and plenty of opportunities for communication. By weaving AAC into seasonal lessons, you can boost engagement and make learning stick. In this episode of Be The Exception, you’ll learn: How to role-play trick-or-treating with AAC tools. Fun ways to label and describe costumes. A Halloween SEL activity using spider emotions. Links and Resources Connect with Dawn Subscribe Are you subscribed to my podcast? Trust me, you definitely want to do that so you don’t miss a thing! ! Leave a Review If you are loving the podcast,...
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286.Making the Most of AAC Tools in Daily Classroom Routines
Be The Exception In Special Education
AAC isn’t something you “add on.” It’s something you embed into the routines you’re already doing. In this episode of Be The Exception, you’ll learn: How to incorporate AAC into morning meetings, transitions, and centers. Real classroom examples of students engaging when AAC became part of routines. Tips for keeping paras and related service staff consistent. Plus, I’ll share how my and make AAC practical and accessible in every classroom. 👉 Listen now + grab the resources. Links and Resources Connect with Dawn Subscribe Are you...
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285.Engaging Non-Verbal Students with Communication Systems That Work
Be The Exception In Special Education
Non-verbal doesn’t mean non-communicative. Every student has a voice — and with the right tools, we can help them use it. In this episode of Be The Exception, you’ll learn: ✅ Why aided language input is a game-changer ✅ How to use partner-assisted scanning for students with limited motor skills ✅ Ways to build consistency with visuals across your classroom ✅ How to train your team with the Para Handbook so communication doesn’t fall apart when you’re not in the room 🎓 Ready to go deeper? Join me for the AAC Workshop — where I’ll walk you through how to...
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284.How to Use AAC in Your Special Education Classroom (Even If You’re Just Starting Out)
Be The Exception In Special Education
AAC isn’t just for non-verbal students. It’s a powerful tool that supports communication for all students in special education classrooms. In this episode of Be The Exception, you’ll learn: Why AAC matters for every student — not just those without verbal speech. Easy ways to start modeling core words every day. How to make AAC feel doable, not overwhelming. Plus, I’ll share how our membership training, , gives you practical, low-stress strategies and ready-to-use visuals to bring AAC into your daily routines. 👉 Join today to access the training, visuals, and a...
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283.Paraprofessionals & Data Collection: The Secret to Getting It All Done
Be The Exception In Special Education
You can’t be everywhere in your classroom — but your paras can help you capture the data you need to make smart instructional decisions. In this episode of Be The Exception, you’ll learn: How to train paras in data collection without overwhelming them. Simple systems that make data logging easy and consistent. How to use tools like my Para Handbook to set expectations from day one. 🎯 Links & Resources: Connect with Dawn Subscribe Are you subscribed to my podcast? Trust me, you definitely want to do that so you don’t miss a thing! !...
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282.Data-Driven Decisions in Special Education: Let the Numbers Lead the Way
Be The Exception In Special Education
Ever feel like you’re teaching on autopilot because you’ve been working on the same IEP goal for months? Here’s the truth: data — not instinct — should guide your next move. In this episode of Be The Exception in Special Education, I’m sharing what it really means to be data-driven, how to track and use academic, behavior, and functional skill data, and when it’s time to adjust IEP goals. I’ll also walk you through real classroom examples and show you how built-in progress monitoring sheets (included in my academic bundles) can simplify the process so you spend less time on...
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281.Writing Progress Notes That Actually Tell a Story (and Save You Time)
Be The Exception In Special Education
Most progress notes are too vague to be useful. But when you write them with clarity and intention, they become powerful tools for instruction and advocacy. In this episode of Be The Exception, you’ll learn: The 4-part formula for writing progress notes that tell a story. How to connect your data directly to your instructional decisions. Real examples of vague vs. meaningful notes. Plus, I’m sharing my free guide to help you Tackle Progress Reports Like a Pro so you can save time and stress less. 🎯 Links & Resources: Connect with Dawn ...
info_outlineNon-verbal doesn’t mean non-communicative. Every student has a voice — and with the right tools, we can help them use it.
In this episode of Be The Exception, you’ll learn:
-
✅ Why aided language input is a game-changer
-
✅ How to use partner-assisted scanning for students with limited motor skills
-
✅ Ways to build consistency with visuals across your classroom
-
✅ How to train your team with the Para Handbook so communication doesn’t fall apart when you’re not in the room
🎓 Ready to go deeper?
Join me for the AAC Workshop — where I’ll walk you through how to implement communication systems in a way that works for your classroom.
🎉 Free for Exceptional Collective members
📩 Replays available
🧾 PD Certificate included
Links and Resources
Connect with Dawn
Subscribe
Are you subscribed to my podcast? Trust me, you definitely want to do that so you don’t miss a thing! Click here to subscribe in iTunes!
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