AASR Live

Please join us for “Pathological Demand Avoidance: Born Outside the System” with Sandra McConnell. 

Sandra McConnell, who is sometimes known as the PDA Mama Bear, is an instructor, speaker, blogger, and parent coach. She has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in psychology, and two graduate certificates in neurodiversity and learning differences. And her 13-year-old son is Pathologically Demand Avoidant, or PDA, an unofficial autism pr...

Please join us for “Understanding Autistic Strengths & Differences: Why It’s Essential for Meaningful Support” with Staci Neustadt and Susan Golubock.

Staci Neustadt, CEO of Making Sense of Autism®, is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist with over 20 years of experience providing individual and group therapy, training, mentorship, and leadership. In 2019, Staci joined Susan in developing the Neuro Strengths Based Support for ...

Please join us for “Systemic Shifts in Inclusion: Neuroscience-Informed Practices for Transformation and Capacity Building” with Angelina Zara and Nicole Keler.

Angelina Zara was born and raised in the heart of Washington, DC; Angie found her passion in education in 2015, serving students and caregivers in her hometown. Angie’s career includes the creation of the position of Social Emotional Learning Specialist in her previous schoo...

Please join us for “Reducing and Eliminating Restraint and Seclusion in a Vermont School District: A Discussion with Superintendent Michael Leichliter”

Mike is passionate about the ability of public education to provide all students with a high-quality education and is proud to be the superintendent of Harwood Unified Union School District. Mike’s goal is to improve classroom experiences for students and teachers and be a champion i...

Please join us for “Not an Autism Mom: A Discussion with Meghan Ashburn.”

Meghan Ashburn is a continuous learner, former elementary educator, family support specialist, speaker, and co-author of the award-winning book, I Will Die On This Hill. Her book club of over 15K members publishes book recommendation lists on autism and neurodiversity, and her website NotAnAutismMom.com is packed with resources for parents and educators. Megha...

Please join us for “Let’s Talk About Interoception: A Discussion with Kelly Mahler.”

Kelly Mahler is an award-winning occupational therapist, author, and interoception groupie known for her boundless curiosity and fondness for crunching pinecones. Holding a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy, she has served school-aged children and adults for over 23 years. Kelly is the author of 12 resources, including The Interoception Curriculum, ...

Please join us for “Your FBA is a Fantasy! Making Trauma-Informed, Neuro-Affirming Practices Actionable, and Aligning our FBAs and BSPs Accordingly” – An Interview with Rick & Doris Bowman about their workshop and upcoming book on trauma-informed FBAs & BSPs

 Bringing together their combined experience and expertise in the fields of both mental health and education, Rick and Doris Bowman, affectionately known by schools and ...

Please join us for “The (Re)Education of Schools: A Discussion with Katie Thornton and Justin Moorman.”

Justin Moorman and Katie Thornton are veteran educators who are well versed in Trauma-Informed Practices with advanced training in the Neurosequential Model in Education, Applied Educational Neuroscience, Crisis Prevention Intervention, Restorative Practices, Treatment and Education of Autistic and related Communication Handicappe...

Please join us for “Bolstering Self-Regard: the Energetics of Helping Children Thrive in Negative Classroom Environments” with Erin Grimm.

Erin Grimm comes from a long line of educators. She has over ten years of experience teaching world languages and English and now owns her own business "Seahurst Learns Together," which is dedicated to academic coaching of students with what she calls "alternative emotional intelli...

Please join us for “Providing Trauma-Informed Care: Responses That Don't Work and Five Tools to Help Kids Thrive” with Katie Crosby, M.S., L.P.C.

Katie Crosby is a Licensed Professional Counselor who specializes in the treatment of childhood/developmental, trauma, and human trafficking in children and adolescents. Prior to this, Katie served as the Program Director for a long-term residential treatment facility for youth who we...

Please join us for “Step Into My Shoes: An Interview with Author Rebecca Engle About Her New Children's Book.”

Rebecca Engle is a graduate student at Texas Tech University who is passionate about educational policy and leadership. Rebecca made history in Texas politics at 19 and is devoted to advocating for positive change. Alongside her studies, Rebecca is a Neurodivergent public speaker and creative writer. She actively serve...

Please join us for “Rethinking Challenging Behaviors: An Interview with Maria Sanders.”

Maria Sanders is a Licensed Social Worker, PCI Certified Parent Coach® and is certified in the Collaborative Problem Solving® (CPS) approach by Think:Kids, a program based at the Department of Psychiatry at the Massachusetts General Hospital. Her work is supported by Conscious Parenting and Collaborative Problem Solving®. She works with parents s...

Please join us for “Heart-Strong Changemakers for Children™, a New Program from HEART-STRONG International” with Sandi Lerman.

Sandi Lerman is the Founder and Program Director of Heart-Strong International and the creator of the Heart-Strong Model™ - a trauma-informed, neuro-affirming system for growth, healing, and transformation in children and adults.

Heart-Strong International (HSI) provides certification programs and training fo...

Please join us for “Making Sense of Even the Most Baffling Behaviors: An Interview with Robyn Gobbel.”

Robyn Gobbel, MSW, loves coffee, P!NK, and everything about the brain. Once (recently!) her teenager went ballistic on her for getting ANOTHER (glitter!) coffee mug in the mail. Robyn loves cultivating deep, resonant connections with anyone who is up for it, and is especially fond of all the grown-ups in the world who love and care...

Please join us for “All Our Instincts About Behavior Are Wrong” with Diane Gould.

Diane Gould is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who specializes in serving autistic individuals. As the Executive Director and Founder of PDA North America, she founded the annual PDA North America conference held in Chicago which has changed the lives of hundreds of PDA families.

Currently, Diane has a private practice in the suburbs of Chicago, where...

Please join us for “An Interview with Julie Roberts: The Gold Standard Fallacy of ABA."

Julie Roberts, M.S., CCC-SLP, founding CEO of Therapist Neurodiversity Collective, Inc., is a late-diagnosed Autistic ASHA-certified, licensed Speech-Language Pathologist who has been practicing since 1999. She is a frequent speaker, educator, and trainer who delivers high-energy presentations that challenge audiences to reexamine their beli...

Please join us for “Accessible Neuroscience and Connecting Strategies that Bring Calm into the Home and Classroom” with Ginger Healy MSW, LCSW.

Ginger Healy MSW, LCSW started her career as a child abuse investigator, hospital social worker, and school therapist. She spent 15 years as the social service supervisor at an international adoption agency, where she learned about developmental trauma and attachment needs in children. She i...

Please join us for “Lessons in Leadership: An Interview with Charles Williams about Shifting School Discipline Practices.”

Charles Williams, a dedicated educator with nearly two decades of experience, has made impactful contributions in various capacities, including teacher, assistant principal, and principal within the K-12 educational sector. His unwavering commitment to fostering equity is highlighted through his advocacy work wi...

Please join us for “The Journey to Develop Reframing Behavior: A New Neuroscience Aligned Program for Educators” with Susan Driscoll, Patricia Bosco, and Connie Persike.

Susan Driscoll is President of Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) and oversees the development of all products and programs, the trainers who deliver them, and for the support and care of the clients who use them. She joined CPI in 2017 and is based in Milwaukee, Wis...