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
Access Dates
Course available for ASHA CEUs starting on August 1, 2025 and ending on July 31 2027
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
- Identify two ways to increase student communication and participation in literacy instruction
- Describe two lite tech and/or high-tech tools that could be implemented during literacy instruction
- Incorporate two universal strategies into emergent literacy instruction
Course Completion Requirements
- Attend the entirety of the program. Partial credit will not be available. Attendance will be tracked by our learning management system.
- Complete one online assignment. These are ungraded, but must be completed
- Achieve 100% on three 3-question quizzes after chapters 2-4. Unlimited retakes are available.
- Complete a final 3 question quiz
- The above items must be submitted no later than July 31 2027
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 |