Special education webinars in October 2026
Updated October 1, 2026 · 26 sessions
Special education is one of the few areas of school practice where the legal calendar and the instructional calendar collide constantly, and October is when that collision becomes visible: annual reviews stack up, new referrals arrive with the first quarter's data, and the plans written in August meet real classrooms. The sessions running this month reflect that mix — compliance fundamentals alongside the instructional questions that compliance paperwork never quite answers.
The list below covers the range we see across the calendar: IEP writing and goal quality, behavior support that goes past the token chart, co-teaching and inclusion models, transition planning for older students, and the assessment decisions that determine eligibility in the first place. Several sessions come from state education agencies and regional service centers, which tend to be the most practical sources on process questions because they answer the same ones every week.
One suggestion for directors building a PD plan from this list: send your newest case manager to a compliance session and your most experienced one to an instructional session, then have them trade notes. The gap between what the paperwork requires and what actually helps a student is where most teams need the conversation.
There are 26 upcoming webinars in this roundup for K-12 educators as of October 1, 2026. 24 are free to everyone, and 3 offer a certificate or CE credit. The next one is "Navigating Section 504: Essential Knowledge for Families" from Fairfax County Public Schools Family Resource Center on October 2, 2026.
Updated
The sessions
- 01Navigating Section 504: Essential Knowledge for Families
Fri, October 2, 2026 · 10:00 AM EDT · Fairfax County Public Schools Family Resource Center · Free
FamiliesThis webinar guides participants through the essentials of Section 504: who qualifies, what to expect during the evaluation process, how accommodations are determined, and the difference between a 504 Plan and an individualized education program (IEP).
Special Education & Inclusion - 02LSGurdin Consulting BCBA Series: Beyond the Behavior Plan - The ADHD Interventions Behavior Analysts Overlook
Fri, October 2, 2026 · 12:00 PM EDT · Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth · Free
Behavioral interventions for ADHD symptoms emphasize functional alternatives to maladaptive behaviors, guided by reinforcement principles and behavioral function. Contemporary evidence indicates ADHD is fundamentally a disorder of performance - the inconsistent application of intact skills - rather than a deficit of motivation or skill acquisition, and is closely associated with executive function impairments such as regulating attention and sustaining task engagement. This session shows how ABA practitioners can strengthen outcomes by scaffolding executive function alongside traditional function-based approaches, emphasizing the interplay of antecedents, behaviors and consequences. Offered in partnership with LSGurdin Consulting; BCBAs are eligible for CEs through LSGurdin Consulting.
Special Education & Inclusion - 03Money Skills No Limits: It’s Your Life! Manage Your Money
Mon, October 5, 2026 · 9:30 PM EDT · FACT Oregon · Free
FamiliesMoney Skills, No Limits is a six-session virtual training series that helps youth and young adults with disabilities and their families learn how to manage money and make smart choices. This is the first session. Participants will discuss why making your own money decisions is important, needs versus wants, income and expenses, and money mapping.
Special Education & Inclusion - 04Practical Fluency Instruction for Special Education Students
Tue, October 6, 2026 · 4:00 PM EDT · Council for Exceptional Children · $29
Reading fluency is a critical link between decoding and comprehension, and many students receiving special education services need targeted support to become fluent readers. In this interactive webinar, participants will explore the key components of reading fluency — accuracy, rate, and prosody — and learn practical ways to incorporate evidence-based strategies that improve reading performance and confidence. Attendees will examine common challenges, review assessment and progress-monitoring practices, and walk through a structured fluency lesson plan template that can be implemented right away. Participants will leave with practical tools, instructional strategies, and a customized fluency lesson plan designed to support student growth and reading success. Free for CEC members; $29 for non-members.
Special Education & Inclusion - 05Special Education from A to Z, Session 1: Determining Eligibility
Wed, October 7, 2026 · 9:30 AM EDT · Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth · Free
Certificate / CESession 1 of the five-part Special Education from A to Z series from Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth. This comprehensive series examines every stage of the special education process, from determining student eligibility to planning successful post-secondary transitions. Presented by five experienced practitioners, each session highlights evidence-based best practices drawn from real-world experience. CEUs and PDPs are available on completion of series quizzes.
Special Education & Inclusion - 06The Paraprofessional Toolkit (Fall Series, Session 1)
Wed, October 7, 2026 · 3:00 PM EDT · Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth · Free
Paraprofessionals play a vital and often under-recognized role in schools, providing essential support to students and teachers alike. This series equips paraprofessionals with a range of practical tools for supporting students academically, socially, emotionally, and behaviorally, while addressing common questions and challenges specific to the role. Note: sessions are not recorded; participants must attend live.
Special Education & Inclusion - 07Money Skills No Limits: Where We Keep Money
Wed, October 7, 2026 · 9:30 PM EDT · FACT Oregon · Free
FamiliesMoney Skills, No Limits is a six-session virtual training series that helps youth and young adults with disabilities and their families learn how to manage money and make smart choices. This session covers where people might keep money, including banks, credit unions, checking and savings accounts, and ABLE accounts, along with how to open accounts and understand common fees.
Special Education & Inclusion - 08Understanding Special Education: IDEA, IEPs, and Communicating with Your Team
Thu, October 8, 2026 · 3:00 PM EDT · FACT Oregon · Free
FamiliesThis virtual training, presented in partnership with Help Me Grow Oregon and Swindells Resource Center, helps families understand and take part in the special education process. Learn the basic concepts of IDEA, discover how to work well with your school team, and feel prepared for your child’s next IEP meeting.
Special Education & Inclusion - 09Helping Without Hovering: Smart Strategies for Providing Student Support and How to Fade It
Fri, October 9, 2026 · 12:00 PM EDT · All In for Inclusive Ed · Free
Students with disabilities may require adult support to access instruction, but paraprofessional support can become overprotective and interfere with independence and social interaction. Participants explore strategies for delivering appropriate, least intrusive academic and behavioral support, plus key elements of a plan for fading additional adult support.
Special Education & Inclusion - 10Money Skills No Limits: Being Safe With Money
Mon, October 12, 2026 · 9:30 PM EDT · FACT Oregon · Free
FamiliesMoney Skills, No Limits is a six-session virtual training series that helps youth and young adults with disabilities and their families learn how to manage money and make smart choices. This session covers fraud, scams, identity theft, common scams targeting young people, warning signs, and tips for protecting your money.
Special Education & Inclusion - 11Comprendiendo la Educación Especial (En español)
Tue, October 13, 2026 · 3:00 PM EDT · FACT Oregon · Free
FamiliesEsta capacitación virtual ayuda a las familias a comprender y participar en el proceso de educación especial. Aprenda los conceptos básicos de IDEA, descubra cómo trabajar con el equipo escolar y prepárese para la próxima reunión del IEP de su hijo. La sesión se presenta en español.
Special Education & Inclusion - 12IEP Team Member Roles and Responsibilities
Wed, October 14, 2026 · 10:00 AM EDT · Iowa Department of Education · Free
Iowa Department of Education Special Education Policy and Practice series: clarifying the roles and responsibilities of IEP team members and how to apply them in Iowa schools.
Special Education & Inclusion - 13From School to Success: Post-Secondary Readiness for Students who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing
Wed, October 14, 2026 · 1:30 PM EDT · CREC – Capitol Region Education Council · $330
A series of five two-hour virtual workshops (Zoom) for school professionals who support transition-age students who are deaf/hard of hearing, each a deep dive into a transition-related topic: IDEA vs ADA rights after graduation, independent living and safety, and career exploration and vocational training. Instructor: Ruth Ennis. Sessions: Oct 14, Oct 28, Nov 18, Dec 2 and Dec 16, 2026, 1:30–3:30 PM Eastern. One registration covers all five sessions.
Special Education & Inclusion - 14Money Skills No Limits: Making SMART Goals and Saving For Them
Wed, October 14, 2026 · 9:30 PM EDT · FACT Oregon · Free
FamiliesMoney Skills, No Limits is a six-session virtual training series that helps youth and young adults with disabilities and their families learn how to manage money and make smart choices. This session focuses on setting SMART goals and creating a plan to save for them.
Special Education & Inclusion - 15How Can School Districts Better Support English Learners With Disabilities?
Thu, October 15, 2026 · 2:00 PM EDT · Education Week · Free
Hear recent findings from the EdWeek Research Center and discover practical strategies for better supporting English learners with disabilities.
Special Education & Inclusion - 16The Nuts and Bolts of the Special Education Process
Fri, October 16, 2026 · 10:00 AM EDT · Fairfax County Public Schools Family Resource Center · Free
FamiliesThis webinar guides participants through the special education identification process, including an overview of the local screening process addressing initial consideration for special education eligibility and an overview of the essential components of the individualized education program (IEP).
Special Education & Inclusion - 17SLP Webinar Series: The Brain Behind the Behavior - Executive Function in ASD
Fri, October 16, 2026 · 10:00 AM EDT · ESC Region 2 · Free
Explores executive function in students with autism spectrum disorder and practical therapy strategies speech-language pathologists can use to support self-regulation and communication.
Special Education & Inclusion - 18A Guide for Turning Executive Skills Into Schoolwide Practice
Sat, October 17, 2026 · 10:00 AM EDT · Learning & the Brain · Free
Certificate / CEGetting schools to incorporate executive skills support in general education classrooms can seem like a no-brainer, but for the lone educator it is easier said than done. This session presents ways individual teachers, administrators and support staff can bring executive skills to their schools organically or systemically, one classroom, grade level, department or school at a time, including embedding them in classroom routines and in MTSS structures. Runs 10:00 am - 12:00 pm ET for 2 credit hours; a recording is available for 7 days afterwards.
Special Education & Inclusion - 19Money Skills No Limits: Budgets and Tracking, Credit and Debt
Mon, October 19, 2026 · 9:30 PM EDT · FACT Oregon · Free
FamiliesMoney Skills, No Limits is a six-session virtual training series that helps youth and young adults with disabilities and their families learn how to manage money and make smart choices. This session covers building a budget, tracking spending, understanding credit, and managing debt.
Special Education & Inclusion - 20TEA/LEA Special Education Webinar: October 2026
Tue, October 20, 2026 · 3:00 PM EDT · Texas Education Agency (Special Education) · Free
TEA's monthly webinar for LEA special education administrators, sharing current and forthcoming guidance, FAQs, and resources for serving students with disabilities in Texas.
Special Education & Inclusion - 21Special Education from A to Z, Session 2: Comprehensive Evaluations
Wed, October 21, 2026 · 9:30 AM EDT · Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth · Free
Certificate / CESession 2 of the five-part Special Education from A to Z series from Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth. Participants gain practical guidance on conducting comprehensive evaluations and collecting and interpreting assessment data, with evidence-based best practices drawn from real-world experience. CEUs and PDPs are available on completion of series quizzes.
Special Education & Inclusion - 22The Paraprofessional Toolkit (Fall Series, Session 2)
Wed, October 21, 2026 · 3:00 PM EDT · Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth · Free
Paraprofessionals play a vital and often under-recognized role in schools, providing essential support to students and teachers alike. This series equips paraprofessionals with a range of practical tools for supporting students academically, socially, emotionally, and behaviorally, while addressing common questions and challenges specific to the role. Note: sessions are not recorded; participants must attend live.
Special Education & Inclusion - 23Money Skills No Limits: Credit and Debt, Work and Benefits, and Getting Help
Wed, October 21, 2026 · 9:30 PM EDT · FACT Oregon · Free
FamiliesMoney Skills, No Limits is a six-session virtual training series that helps youth and young adults with disabilities and their families learn how to manage money and make smart choices. This session explores credit and debt, work and benefits, and where to get help with financial questions.
Special Education & Inclusion - 24Introduction to Dyslexia: What Is It and What Does It Mean for My Student?
Fri, October 23, 2026 · 10:00 AM EDT · Fairfax County Public Schools Family Resource Center · Free
FamiliesParticipants will look at the definition of dyslexia and its impact on students, including the different types of dyslexia and what support students with dyslexia require. Participants will also leave with activities and tips to support their students at home.
Special Education & Inclusion - 25Beyond One-Size-Fits-All: Accommodations, Translation and Differentiated Reading Levels for all Lessons
Wed, October 28, 2026 · 10:00 AM EDT · NYSCATE · Free
How do you design a single lesson that challenges advanced learners, supports striving readers, and accommodates language learners without spending hours building it? Join NYSCATE to see how Wayground builds seamless differentiation directly into your daily workflow. Learn how to transform a single base lesson into a multi-tiered, multi-lingual learning experience with a single click, instantly generating tailored presentations, videos, passages, assessments, and flashcards so every student gets exactly what they need. Agenda: • Scale reading levels instantly: use Wayground AI to adjust the Lexile level of any text or passage while keeping core content and standards intact. • Embed "invisible" accommodations: assign designated supports such as text-to-speech, modified timers, and dyslexia-friendly layouts directly to student profiles so they launch automatically and discreetly. • Break language barriers: leverage real-time, high-fidelity translation tools so multi-lingual learners can engage deeply alongside their peers. Who it is for: district leaders (curriculum, instruction, assessment, MLL, technology, MTSS, and special education) and instructional coaches. Part of the NYSCATE Corporate Council Webinar Series.
Special Education & Inclusion - 26Transition Planning: Decision-Making Alternatives for Families of Individuals with Disabilities
Fri, October 30, 2026 · 10:00 AM EDT · Fairfax County Public Schools Family Resource Center · Free
FamiliesAs young adults with disabilities and their families prepare for life after high school, this webinar provides an overview of guardianship and conservatorship, powers of attorney, and advance medical directives, including their purposes, differences, and potential impact, plus considerations for choosing the option that best meets a loved one's needs. For educational purposes only; not legal advice.
Special Education & Inclusion