Unlocking Potential, Honoring Differences: Empowering Autistic Students Through UDL

Universal Design for Learning equips educators with strategies to engage all learners, including autistic students. This session explores how multiple means of representation, action, and expression promote agency, interest, and choice for students on the spectrum – making lessons more accessible, motivating, and inclusive. Participants will be able to: 1. Identify at least two alternative methods for student expression of learning. 2. Describe two high-interest strategies for engaging students in new or unfamiliar content. 3. Recognize the importance of providing multiple means of representation when introducing essential concepts and skills. 4. Examine how varied modalities – including visual supports, hands-on tools, auditory cues, and movement-based learning – can enhance comprehension, reduce cognitive load, and support retention, particularly for autistic learners.