Parent and Professional Training

The purpose of our trainings 

Our training programs leave parents, caregivers and professionals feeling empowered to help someone with autism succeed in their daily lives.

Have Dreams provides autism-specific training and educational programs for parents, caregivers and professionals to connect successfully with a person with ASD.

We recognize that individuals with ASD require substantial structure and engagement. As part of the Have Dreams training program we have created a free resource for parents and caregivers to access autism-friendly activities. 

Our trainings start at the beginning defining autism and the diagnostic process to the characteristics of autism and how it effects their day to day life. We cover communication, social skills, motor and play skills to behavior, learning styles and academics. Additionally, we offer a variety of useful tools, from maintaining schedules to participating in activities at home and in the community.

Scroll down for Structuring Teaching in Action, Autism 411 and Structured Teaching Overview videos!

Questions about our in-person trainings? Email hdtrainings@havedreams.org

In-Person Have Dreams Trainings

BEST (Basic Elements of Structured Teaching) Course Description

Structured Teaching: Strategies for Supporting All Learners

This one-day training offers a practical and in-depth exploration of Structured Teaching—an educational model grounded in supporting autistic students through predictability, visual supports, and meaningful engagement.

Topics Covered Include:

  • Structured Teaching Overview
    Understand the foundational philosophy and educational principles that guide the Structured Teaching approach.

  • Structured Teaching Pyramid
    Learn how to implement the key components of the pyramid—physical environment, schedules, work systems ("to do" lists), and cognitive activities—to create a productive, safe, and supportive learning space tailored to meet the diverse needs of all students.

  • Cognitive Activities
    Gain extensive strategies for designing cognitive tasks that foster student independence, engagement, and success.

  • Communication and Social Skills
    Explore techniques for supporting student communication and enhancing social interaction within the classroom environment.

Interactive Components:

Participants will have the opportunity to create hands-on materials that can be used immediately in their own classrooms. The session also includes dedicated time for discussion around real-world challenges, allowing for peer collaboration and problem-solving on current classroom issues.

This one-day training is ideal for educators, support staff, and related professionals seeking to strengthen their classroom practices with structured, student-centered strategies.

We have listened to your feedback! To make attendance easier, we have updated our BEST training so it is now ONE DAY.
Upcoming BEST Training Dates: September 24, October 22 or February 4

Paraprofessional Training Course Description

This is an introductory-level training designed specifically for classroom and one-to-one Paraprofessionals.

Topics Covered:

  • Overview of Autism Spectrum Disorder

  • Basics of Structured Teaching

  • Practical Applications and Interventions

  • Interactive Lectures and Instructions

  • Video Segments Included

Upcoming Paraprofessional Training Dates: September 17 or November 5

On-line Trainings

Have Dreams has taken its popular Basic Elements of Structured Teaching (BEST) training and made it virtual! For those that can't make our in-person BEST training, this is a GREAT option! We also offer a library training course. Click here to visit our “on-line trainings” page!

Visual Supports & Educational Activities

Visual supports and educational activities are available to download!  This includes easy to create differentiated schedules, to do lists to keep your child or student on task, wait strips and more. Click here to visit our “activities” page! For highly structured units for fun and learning, visit our “store” page!

Questions or Suggestions?

For more information, questions about activities and supports or suggestions please contact our training team at HDTrainings@havedreams.org 

Watch our Autism 411 and Structured Teaching Overview videos here

Bridget Hellstrom - Training Participant 

Connection to Have Dreams I’m an elementary special education teacher at Washington School in Glenview. I was trained by Have Dreams in the structured teaching method, and have applied that method to my classroom. 

How has Have Dreams made an impact on your life?

I absolutely love structured teaching. I can't imagine implementing any other program. Have Dreams has made a significant difference in my classroom by introducing me to the concept of individualized to do lists and schedules for my students.

It's really helped decrease behaviors as well as build independence in all of the students. I observe each student and see what works best for them. And then I create individual plans for each of them. Really individualizing them, you gear them towards what that student needs. My students work best with the structure. It's what makes sense to them. So, coming into a room and seeing their individualized schedule, it is calming to them because they know what's coming. They see “math” and they know exactly what to expect and what to do in that area of the classroom, as well as the other areas in the classroom.

When I first started teaching, all my students had the same schedules, and now differentiating them has made a difference. It's amazing. My classroom has become very calm and content. The students are happy. 

Have Dreams’ methods should be taught to more teachers at more schools. I tell people all the time how amazing this program is and how I wish it was in other places.  It does so much for the students. That's what it's all about.