Summer Special 2026: Preparing for Life: Managing Overwhelming Emotions and Teaching Social Skills using a Neuroaffirmative

Course overview

This is a practical strategies seminar! Neurodivergent individuals and those with social-behavioral differences often present with challenges regulating feelings and interacting socially. The first part of this workshop outlines a neuroaffirmative approach to working with individuals along with predictors of better outcome and how to maximize quality of life. The second part discusses the pitfalls of a traditional escalating disciplinary model and the need to understand why students are having behavioral challenges. The focus is on both soothing moments of dysregulation, de-escalating meltdowns, and problem-solving repeat problems. This problem-solving involves identifying triggers to overwhelming frustration and anxiety, and designing effective behavior plans for each of those triggers. The third part of the presentation details strategies to teach social skills, how to generalize skills into the natural setting and increase acceptance and tolerance from peers. Information will be imparted though lecture, interactive exercises, and video clips.