TEAMability Workshops
The most effective programs for children with severe combined disabilities are those in which teachers, families, and specialists have the special skills and support needed to meet the unique challenges of this population.

TEAMability offers workshops and staff development seminars tailored to meet the specific needs of parents, teachers, specialists, school districts, day care workers, and residential facilities. Contact us for information about these programs:

  • Active Learning™

We learn by doing! Based on the extensive work done by Lilli Neilsen, this workshop explores the principles of active learning. Additionally, the course covers specific active learning solutions to accommodate even the most severely impaired learner and guidelines for keeping the active learning environment challenging and interesting.

  • Creating Customized Learning Environments for Home and School

Learn how to combine individual preferences, motor ability, sensory needs and cognitive functioning into successful, creative learning environments for children with severe, combined disabilities.

  • Help Me Get Ready to Learn

We learn best when we are calm and alert. Some individuals require special help to accomplish a calm, alert state. This workshop explains disordered sensory processing, its implications for learning, and strategies for intervention.

  • To Switch or Not To Switch- AT Beyond Making the Puppy Bark

Does single switch activation teach cause and effect? Is it possible to teach purposeful and meaningful switch activation to a person with severe, combined disabilities? Assistive technology needs for persons with severe, combined disabilities are assessed using the SETT framework. Appropriate tools for eliminating barriers are identified and utilized in natural and motivating settings throughout the day including activities such as feeding, hygiene, toileting, rec/leisure, etc.

  • Positioning for Learning- Teachers Only

For individuals with severe, combined disabilities, proper positioning is absolutely critical to the learning process. Find out how to position a student for learning and tasking. Also, learn how to “relate” to your Related Services personnel for the information you need to position your students optimally for school.


  • Learning Through the ADL’s
Everyday activities such as feeding, toileting, bathing, etc. are great opportunities for learning and building communication. Learn how to design and script activity routines that result in building anticipation, active participation, and communication.
  •  Let’s Talk
Everyone has something “to say”, including those individuals with severe, combined disabilities. This workshop explains in detail the levels of presymbolic communication. Evaluation for determining the level at which an individual is communicating is discussed, as well as the techniques for communication at each level and the strategies for progressing an individual from one level to the next. This course is specifically teaches techniques and strategies to use with individuals who are nonverbal and have presymbolic language.
  • Learning Plans that Work- IEP’s and Beyond
TAKS, TAKS Alt., IEP’s, meaningful progress….are these words becoming part of your worst nightmare? Can teaching result in meaningful progress and meet the state requirements for testing at the same time? Sure it can. Learn how to align the IEP’s and the required data collection strategies without sacrificing quality teaching time with students with severe, combined disabilities.
  • Free and Appropriate Education (FAPE)- What Does It Look Like for Children with Severe, Combined Disabilities?
This workshop gives an overview of what an appropriate educational day for a child with severe, combined disabilities might look like. Even though educational programs for children with severe, combined disabilities are highly  individualized, there are components of the day that must be included in every successful program. We will discuss classroom design, scheduling, inclusion, and appropriate activities. How can a teacher individualize instruction for students with severe disabilities during group instruction and group activities? How can teachers insure that participation in the daily program is meaningful for students with severe combined disabilities? Learn how to turn hand-over-hand activities into hands on learning.
  • Severe Combined Disabilities- What Are They?
Learn the many components of  severe, combined disabilities. This workshop will cover the most common diagnoses, etiology, and sequelae; implications for teaching and learning; and long-term perspectives. What exactly is cortical visual impairment? What is spastic muscle tone? How do these various conditions impact teaching and learning, and what are the functional expectations for daily living?