Teachers are always learning and are always searching for new strategies, instructional methodology, and ideas to help their students learn.
Sure, we have professional development sessions provided by the districts and schools we work for… but they aren’t always geared towards special education teachers. Or it’s a slideshow that’s repeated each year.
Thankfully there are dozens of national and international conferences that are held every year, and are geared towards special needs teachers, parents, and professionals.
Below are a few conferences for special ed teachers, linked with descriptions, that are recommended by fellow special education teachers.
Wright’s Law Sessions – Various States
- Wrightslaw special education law and advocacy programs are designed to meet the needs of parents, advocates, educators, attorneys, and healthcare providers who represent children with disabilities.
Statewide Annual CARD Autism Conference – Florida
HELIX Conference – Pennsylvania
- Educators attend and are engaged in deep learning of the specialized strategies for students with low-incidence disabilities.
Keep Talking AAC – Michigan
- A conference for parents and professionals supporting individuals with complex and communication needs.
Institute Designed for Educating All Students (IDEAS) Conference – Georgia
- IDEAS provides high-quality professional learning environments through workshops, sessions, and networking related to teaching students with disabilities.
Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) Conference – Maryland
- Vision: Supporting the WHOLE child, meeting the diverse needs of our students.
Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence Conference – Ohio
- Come collectively focus on common concerns and share proven solutions that address issues and challenges experienced by individuals with autism, sensory disabilities, and low-incidence disabilities across their lifespan.
Division of International Special Education and Services (DISES) for the Council of Exceptional Children – Various States + International
Exceptional Children Conference – North Carolina
- Committed to increasing the performance of students with disabilities, thereby enhancing their ability to graduate and achieve productive post-secondary outcomes.
National Autism Conference – Pennsylvania
- The Autism Conference provides comprehensive, evidence-based information to assist educators, other professionals, and families in developing effective educational programming for all students with autism spectrum disorders.
Closing the Gap Conference – Minnesota
- Deepen your assistive technology knowledge and strengthen your implementation strategies. The conference week is designed to dig deeper into critical areas that have the power—when implemented strategically—to transform your classroom, your school, your district, your practice.
CARS+ Conference – California
- CARS+ is the only organization whose sole purpose is to represent the unique needs of resource specialists and other special education teachers.
Partners in Education (PIE) Conference – Tennessee
- Focuses on instruction and best practices for all students.
National Down Syndrome Convention – Pennsylvania
- The NDSC cares deeply about serving the needs of all families, including those with loved ones with co-occurring autism, autism-like behaviors, or complex needs. Includes sessions like “Adult Siblings Track” and “Film Festival”.
Learning Disabilities Association (LDA) Annual Conference – International
- Conference focused on learning disabilities.
Wired Differently Conference – Wisconsin
- Helping students who are wired differently succeed in inclusive classrooms.
Learning Without Tears – Various States
- Stock up on top tips, simple strategies, and new digital tools for teaching Pre-K, handwriting, and keyboarding. Workshops include free materials and easy plans that are ready for first-day-of-school implementation.
Other Professional Development
Grosvenor Teacher Fellowship with Lindblad Expeditions and the National Geographic Society
The Grosvenor Teacher Fellowship (GTF) is a professional development program for pre-K–12 educators, created by Lindblad Expeditions and the National Geographic Society. Selected educators participate in immersive voyages, gaining hands-on experience to enhance their teaching. Over two years, Fellows serve as ambassadors for National Geographic’s initiatives, fostering geographic awareness and inspiring students to engage with global challenges.
The Ron Clark Academy EXP
RCA EXP is an immersive professional development experience designed for educators to observe classes and participate in engaging workshops. Participants learn strategies to inspire a passion for learning, support student success, and foster positive relationships within the school community. The program combines classroom observations with hands-on learning, providing attendees with the motivation and tools needed to return to their own classrooms energized and equipped for the challenges they face.
Responsive Classroom Workshop
The Responsive Classroom one-day workshop focuses on enhancing communication skills among students and teachers. Participants assess and reflect on their teaching methods while learning strategies to promote active listening, purposeful questioning, and respectful disagreements. The goal is to improve teacher language that fosters deeper academic engagement and supports effective communication in the classroom.
Kagan Professional Development Workshops
Kagan Professional Development offers engaging training opportunities for educators focused on enhancing student engagement and learning outcomes. Utilizing research-based Kagan Structures, the program provides strategies that foster active participation and cooperative learning in the classroom. With workshops, academies, and coaching available, Kagan aims to support teachers in implementing effective instructional practices tailored to diverse learning needs. The organization operates both nationally and internationally, providing resources and support to educators worldwide.
What other conferences have you attended that you would recommend to other teachers?
Have you attended one of these conferences and loved it?! Share your experiences in the comments below!
