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2026 Neurodivergence Conference

Wednesday, February 25, 2026
8:30 AM - 3:00 PM (CST)

* Registration open until 2/20/26 at 12:00 AM (CST)

Back by strong demand, this mini-conference continues TAIS’s partnership with Vanderbilt University’s Roberts Academy and Dyslexia Center, offering a unique blend of emerging research from Vanderbilt faculty and effective practices from TAIS schools.

The Neurodivergence-Informed Schools Mini-Conference takes a closer look at student-centered school design, effective math and language interventions, behavior supports, evidence-based approaches to anxiety and processing needs, and more. Blending research and real-world practice, this well-loved program highlights the many ways schools can become more responsive, compassionate, and skillful in supporting the cognitive diversity that exists within every classroom.


Target Audience: Teachers, Learning Specialists, Counselors, School Psychologists, Deans of Students, Academic Deans, Division Heads


Reflections From Last Year’s Attendees

"Overall, this was one of the most beneficial professional developments I have attended. You did an excellent job selecting speakers and breakout session topics. It was very well-run and well-communicated. Thank you for your attention to the details today!" 2025 Attendee

"The speakers were educated and focused on their areas of expertise and presented on important topics. I took copious notes and I will be implementing several neurodiverse strategies immediately. I gained a lot of knowledge." 2025 Attendee

"This was a great conference. I'm leaving with a list of practical things I can implement at my school." 2025 Attendee

"I think it was a very well-thought-out conference that taught me new information I could bring back to my school. I've attended many presentations where I felt that I could teach the material. This is the first time I did not have that opinion." 2025 Attendee

"SUPER fun having it at Vandy!  Great to have their faculty involved and it's also a fun location to visit." 2025 Attendee

Agenda

February 25
8:00 AM - 8:30 AM Registration and Exhibitions
8:30 AM - 3:00 PM Exhibitions
8:35 AM - 9:35 AM Breakout I and Family Partners Seminar Path A - Practical Talk Regarding Executive Functioning: Multifocal Brain Processes for Our Multidimensional World
Presenter: Dr. Sarah Richie

Path B - Understanding the Connection Between Language, Communication, and Behavior
Presenter: Jason Chow
9:50 AM - 10:40 AM Breakout II Path A - When It Lands Differently Than You’d Hoped: The Complexities of Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria and Deficient Emotional Self-Regulation
Presenter: Dr. Sarah Richie

Path B -
Knowing Students Well: A K–12 Model for Effective, Individualized IEPs
Presenters: Nashville Christian School Academic Support Team
10:50 AM - 12:10 PM Deep Dives Path A - Understanding Dyslexia Through the Lens of Neurodiversity: Implications for School-Based Practice and Policy
Presenter: Tim Odegard

Path B -
Proactive Mathematics Intervention
Presenter: Dawn Pilotti
12:10 PM - 12:50 PM Lunch
1:00 PM - 1:50 PM Breakout III Path A - Foundational Practices for Supportive Classrooms
Presenter: Andrea Capizzi

Path B - Supporting Teachers to Use Data to Improve Student Outcomes
Presenter: Sam Gesel
2:00 PM - 2:50 PM Breakout IV Path A - Supporting Neurodivergent Youth and Families: Strategies to Enhance Social-Emotional Well-Being
Presenter: Alex Bettis

Path B -
Leaders' Meet-Up
Facilitator: Jared Clodfelter

For More Information:

Kara Vaughn