At the ASHA conference in Seattle, I had the opportunity to meet Gabriella Cameron and Jennifer Kent, who presented on their Theme-Based Collaborative Groups within the Endeavour Program at Ivymount, a nonpublic, publicly funded special education environment serving students aged 5–21. Gabriella and Jen’s theme-based groups are embedded within Endeavour, offering structured but flexible learning experiences tailored to each student. Any student who can tolerate working in a group is a candidate, as the focus is on skill exposure rather than mastery, creating opportunities for participation at varying levels. Each group consists of 5–6 students, each supported by a 1:1 aide, alongside a specialist (SLP, OT, PT) and a group leader. The framework includes: Selecting a theme (e.g., Martin Luther King Jr.). Adapting a story/song for accessibility. Identifying vocabulary using a language board. Asking WH-questions, allowing responses through speech or AAC. Engaging in a supplemental activity, such as an OT craft or a PT movement task. Looking ahead, Gabriella and Jen are exploring ways to measure skill acquisition, enhance motivation, incorporate high-tech AAC, and share their resources more broadly—paving the way for more inclusive and meaningful learning experiences. #autism #speechtherapy What’s Inside: Small groups foster an inclusive learning approach. The repeatable framework of theme-based collaborative groups. The value of skill exposure. An environment that increases multidisciplinary support. Future goals for theme-based collaborative groups. Mentioned In This Episode: Membership - ABA Speech ABA Speech: Home
