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Unlocking Literacy for Students with Disabilities: Emergent Readers and Writers

Course Instructors

Brenda Del Monte, M.A. CCC-SLP
Sarah Kinsella, M.A. CCC-SLP

Course Completion Requirements

In order to complete this course, learners must attend the entirety of the program. Partial credit will not be available. Attendance will be tracked by our learning management system.

  1. Complete one online assignment. These are ungraded, but must be completed.
  2. Achieve 100% on three 3-question quizzes after chapters 2-4. Unlimited retakes are available.
  3. Complete a final 3 question quiz

The above items must be submitted no later than June 16 2026

Access Dates

Course available for ASHA CEUs starting on TBD date and ending on June 16 2026.

Policies

For all of our policies including accommodations, refunds and complaints, please refer to
the SETC Website Help Page.

Course Overview

Boost literacy instruction for students with disabilities! This course builds on your knowledge, offering research-based best practices to enhance communication and participation for emergent readers and writers. Discover tech tools and universal strategies to make literacy accessible for all, including those with complex communication needs and physical disabilities.

What You Will Learn

Audience

This course is developed for SLPs, OTs, PTs, teachers, TVIs and other professionals supporting school-aged children or adolescents with significant disabilities. No prerequisite learning or materials required

Instructors

Brenda Del Monte, M.A. CCC-SLP

Brenda Del Monte is a speech language pathologist and an assistive technology evaluator and facilitator. She worked as an SLP in Washington State public schools and is currently a private practitioner in Arizona, where she does AAC evaluations and trainings. Brenda has presented her knowledge at Closing the Gap and her collaborative research on accessing AAC at ATIA. Brenda Del Monte is a co-founder of Believe Beyond Ability, a non-profit organization that evaluates, determines, provides and trains those with multiple disabilities on assistive technology to increase independence. Brenda is also an author of the newly published book, “I See You In There,” a collection of stories from her 20+ years of experience working with children and adults with disabilities. She is currently a co-host of the Awe and Wonder Podcast hosted by the Special Ed Tech Center.

Instructor Disclosure: Brenda Del Monte receives payment from the Special Education Technology Center. She owns a company called Technically Speaking AAC and co-hosts and develops content for “Awe and Wonder AAC & AT Podcast”. She receives royalties from Amazon for the sale of her book “I See You In There”.

Sarah Kinsella, M.A. CCC-SLP

Sarah Kinsella is a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) passionate about empowering students with complex communication and learning needs through Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). Holding a Master’s degree in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, Sarah has been providing support and training to children (birth-21), their families and educators in WA state for approaching 18 years. She currently works for the Special Education Technology Center (since 2015) where in addition to providing technical assistance and training, Sarah also co-hosts and develops content for the “Awe and Wonder AAC & AT Podcast”. Her background includes 11 years as a public school SLP, serving 6 of those years as district Assistive Technology (AT) Specialist, where she collaborated with multidisciplinary teams on diverse AT and AAC needs. Sarah’s commitment to her field is fueled by the continuous learning and growth she experiences through her work with students and families. She is deeply grateful for the opportunity to support their communication journeys.

Instructor Disclosure: Sarah Kinsella receives payment from the Special Education Technology Center. She co-hosts and develops content for “Awe and Wonder AAC & AT Podcast”.

Time Ordered Agenda

Comprehensive breakdown of course sections, activities, and completion metrics

Course Section Activity Time
Welcome & Overview of the Course Reading Text 117
Course Navigation Tips & Clock Hour Information Reading Text 230
Chapter 1: Universal Tools and Strategies
Introduction & Learning Objectives Reading Text 242
Videos 2:13
Foundational Techniques Reading Text 636
Videos 6:54
Universal Tools for Literacy Instruction Reading Text 277
Videos 16:08
Universal Strategies: Wait Time, Honoring Autonomy & Teaching Inner Voice Reading Text 2818
Videos 7:13
Universal Strategies: PAS, Listening for Words & Sounds, Literacy Menus Reading Text 833
Videos 16:01
Universal Strategies: AAC & Comprehension and Vocabulary, Identifying First Letter & Sounds Reading Text 1758
Videos 7:28
Universal Strategies: Syllable Work, Scaffolding Instruction Reading Text 809
Videos 2:39
Universal Strategies: Explicit Instruction Reading Text 354
Video 00:56
Student Engagement & Teaching vs. Testing Reading Text 287
Video 2:58
Personal Reflection Opportunity (optional) Reading Text 178
Universal Strategies Assignment Reading Text 109
Chapter 2: Alphabet Knowledge and Phonological Awareness
Introduction Reading Text 168
Video 1:17
Alphabet Knowledge & Phonological Awareness: Explicit Instruction on Alphabet Knowledge & Phonological Awareness Reading Text 337
Videos 5:30
Alphabet Knowledge & Phonological Awareness: Teaching vs. Testing: A Critical Distinction Reading Text 139
Alphabet Knowledge & Phonological Awareness: Recognizing and Writing Letters Reading Text 651
Videos 3:47
Resources for Teaching Alphabet Knowledge and Phonemic Awareness Reading Text 1196
Video 0:19
Cycle Approach to Letter Knowledge & Phonological Awareness: Cycles 1-3 Reading Text 337
Videos 6:10
Cycle Approach to Letter Knowledge & Phonological Awareness: Cycles 4-6 Reading Text 261
Video 00:59
Cycle Approach to Letter Knowledge & Phonological Awareness: Resource Tools Reading Text 518
Additional Materials & Strategies Reading Text 363
Videos 4:13
Related Common Core English Language Arts Standards K-2nd Grade Reading Text 589
Chapter 2 Quiz Reading Text 166
Chapter 3: Emergent Reading
Emergent Reading: Building the Foundation for All Learners Reading Text 214
Video 1:40
Shared Reading: Engaging Emergent Readers through Interaction Reading Text 1112
Videos 10:47
Re-Reading – Building Comprehension Through Repetition Reading Text 8341
Videos 19:21
Building Background Knowledge with Anchor, Read, Apply Reading Text 680
Videos 4:49
Developing Emergent Literacy Skills Reading Text 1221
Videos 7:33
Related Common Core English Language Arts Standards K-2nd Grade Reading Text 1166
Chapter 3 Quiz Reading Text 135
Chapter 4: Emergent Writing – Unlocking Expression for All Learners
Introduction Reading Text 188
Video 1:15
Introduction to Emergent Writing Reading Text 273
Video 2:50
Predictable Path Toward Writing Reading Text 4406
Video 1:31
Using an Alternative Pencil for Writing Reading Text 261
Video 00:58
Using Low-Tech Eye Gaze Boards for Writing Reading Text 329
Video 00:43
Spelling on High Tech - Keyboards & Phonetic Keyboards Reading Text 285
Video 00:55
Celebrating Student Writing Reading Text 447
Videos 1:46
Writing Implementation Ideas Reading Text 355
Video 1:15
Pairing Writing With Picture Reference Reading Text 336
Video 00:29
Predictable Chart Writing Reading Text 551
Video 2:29
Emergent Writing Goals Reading Text 310
Video 1:01
Personal Reflection Opportunity (Optional) Reading Text 86
Video 00:22
Related Common Core English Language Arts Standards K-2nd Grade Reading Text 612
Chapter 4 Quiz - Emergent Writers Reading Text 138
Final Assessment Reading Text 210
Final Assignment Reading Text 191