Behavior Connect Panel Discussion [Recorded Course]

Course Number: ABIO2450

When: Available November 19, 2024 – November 19, 2029

Where: Course available under “Course Content” at the bottom of this page.

Description: In this panel discussion, we hear from expert speakers on trauma-informed care, Polyvagal Theory, executive functioning, and neurodiversity-affirming practices. We dive deeper into these topics, ask questions, and explore real-world strategies to support both neurodiverse and neurotypical children. Gain practical insights on fostering safety, integrating lived experiences, and enhancing interventions.

Who This Course Is Good For:

Parents, teachers, and related professionals working with children of all neurotypes, including those with behavioral challenges.
Any ASHA member, CCC holder, or other professional licensed or credentialed to practice speech-language pathology (SLP) or audiology, or those preparing to earn ASHA CEUs.
Therapists and professionals interested in fostering connection, emotional safety, and supportive environments for all children.
Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) working in school-based, clinic, or private-practice settings who want to implement relational, connection-based approaches for both neurotypical and neurodiverse children.

Who This Course Isn’t Good For:

Any professional who does not currently work with any pediatric clients or plans to in the near future.

Presenters:

Venita Litvack, M.A, CCC-SLP (she/her)

Venita is an Assistive Technology (AT) Consultant in south Florida. She has a passion for using AAC, AT, and literacy to support individuals with complex communication needs, autism, and other disabilities. Venita has delivered poster presentations on several topics related to AAC at ASHA and co-presented several ASHA CEU accredited courses. Venita co-authored two articles published in ASHA Leader’s online publication, as well as the Lou Knows What to Do book series published by Boys Town Press. Recently, Venita started utilizing the power of social media to empower and motivate educators across the country through the Speechie Side Up podcast, blog, Instagram account, and YouTube channel.

Iris Wong M.S., CCC-SLP (she/her)

Iris Wong (she/her) is a believer that executive functioning can be fun and built through play! She is a former solo-traveler, speech therapist, public educator, and current senior dog devotee, ND parent to ND kids, and author of “A Kids Book About Executive Functioning.”

Rachel Archambault M.A., CCC-SLP (she/her)

Rachel Archambault, MA CCC-SLP is an SLP Program Specialist for Broward County Public Schools. After experiencing a nationally publicized traumatic experience at her workplace, she looked for ways to help work with students (and herself) after trauma. She found trauma-informed care and has been presenting nationally to SLPs as well as other healthcare providers on how TIC can be used in their setting.

Dr. Diamond Rashad, OT (she/her)

Dr. Diamond Rashad (she/her), is a neurodivergent pediatric occupational therapist, disability advocate, and doula who resides in Georgia. She has worked as an occupational therapist for eight years and has experience working from a trauma-informed lens with children, adolescents, and young adults with differences in sensory integration, executive function, feeding & mealtime participation, and supporting Autistic clients and their families. As the founder of Emira’s Mamas & “A Dime of OT”; she is passionate about supporting birthing parents from pregnancy to postpartum, diversity and inclusion in allied health settings, social-emotional support & co-regulation, and advocacy for culturally responsive, equitable care.

Cari Ebert M.S., CCC-SLP (she/her)

Cari Ebert, MS, CCC-SLP, is a pediatric speech-language pathologist in the Kansas City, Missouri area. Cari is a therapist, consultant, author, product developer, and nationally recognized speaker who gets paid to do what she loves most—TALK! She has an animated personality, and this translates to a high-energy speaking style. Most importantly, Cari has an Autistic son, allowing her to engage audiences both as a professional and as a parent of a neurodivergent child.

Jacqueline Jebian Garcia M.S., CCC-SLP (she/her)

Jacqui is a Neurodivergent Mama of 2, Sensory-Trained and Somatic Trauma-informed Speech Language Pathologist and Social Emotional Coach. She is passionate about educating adults relative to the Neurodiversity-Affirming Paradigm Shift with Polyvagal Theory lenses. She gives parents, educators, coaches, and clinicians the tools to confidently create sensational connection with themselves and with their child/student/client in their very own space by becoming aware of their sensory and somatic profiles.

Disclosure Statements

Speakers Financial & Non-Financial Disclosure Statements (Open)

Venita Litvack has the following relevant financial relationships to disclose: ownership interest in Speechie Side Up, LLC and Tassel Learning, LLC; royalties from the Lou Knows What to Do book series.

Venita Litvack has the following relevant nonfinancial relationships to disclose: member of the ASHA Special Interest Group 12.

Iris Wong has the following relevant financial relationships to disclose: Author for A Kids Co. and receives royalty payments. Owner of EFToolkit, LLC. She is also receiving an honorarium for this presentation and receives commission for any sales made with her code.

Iris Wong has the following relevant nonfinancial relationships to disclose: identifies as neurodivergent and has neurodivergent family members.

Rachel Archambault has the following relevant financial relationships to disclose: Employee of Broward County Public Schools, Owner of PTSD SLP LLC. The speaker is being compensated for this presentation and may earn affiliate commissions from related products and services.

Rachel Archambault has the following relevant nonfinancial relationships to disclose: ASHA Member, ASHA SIG 20 Member, FLASHA Member, CHAT Advisory Board Member.

Dr. Diamond Rashad has the following relevant financial relationships to disclose: The speaker is being compensated for this presentation and may earn affiliate commissions from related products and services.

Cari Ebert has the following relevant financial relationships to disclose: Cari is author of “The Learning to Learn Program” which she will mention in this interview. Cari receives royalties from all book and product sales on her website. She is also being compensated for this presentation and may earn affiliate commissions from related products and services.

Cari Ebert has the following relevant nonfinancial relationships to disclose: Cari has an Autistic son and shares personal experiences in this interview.

Jacqueline Jebian Garcia has the following relevant financial relationships to disclose: owner of Create Yourself Co. LLC ; part-time employee at Broward Public Schools. The speaker is being compensated for this presentation and may earn affiliate commissions from related products and services.

Jacqueline Jebian Garcia has the following relevant nonfinancial relationships to disclose: Board member for Tassel Learning- receives no compensation as a member of board. Member of ASHA.

Learning Outcomes

As a result of this activity, participants will:

Understand strategies to promote safety and connection during moments of dysregulation.
Identify neurodiversity-affirming practices and how they can be applied in therapy settings.
Describe key principles of trauma-informed care and their relevance in therapeutic approaches.
Explain the role of Polyvagal Theory and neuroaffirming support for PDA and ADHD in fostering effective therapeutic interventions.

Agenda

2 min	Introductions
10 min	Promoting Safety and Connection in Moments of Dysregulation
10 min	Neurodiversity-Affirming Practices
10 min	Trauma-informed Care
10 min	Polyvagal Theory
10 min	Neuroaffirming Support for PDA & ADHD
15 min	Open discussion and audience questions
2 min	References & closing remarks