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Category: Diversity

IEPs and Special Education Advocacy with Vick Christensen

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Founder of Blue Glasses Advocacy and mother of a 21-year-old with global developmental delays who proudly wears blue glasses, Vicki Christensen empowers parents with the knowledge and tools to navigate disability rights and is passionate about advocating for families through the Individualized Education Program, or IEP, process.Vicki supports parents and guardians of students in special education by providing effective advocacy strategies to foster positive, collaborative relationships at school. Her work, both in advocacy and in parenting, combines expertise, empathy, and firsthand insight, making her uniquely qualified to guide and inspire families navigating the challenges and triumphs of raising a neurodivergent child.

Navigating AWEtism with Dr. Theresa Lyons

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Dr. Theresa Lyons is the founder and CEO of Navigating AWEtism, a groundbreaking platform dedicated to turning autism complexity into clarity. With a Ph.D. in Computational Chemistry from Yale University and a deep personal connection as a parent to a daughter with autism, she combines rigorous science with real-world experience to empower families navigating autism.

Creating Healthy Technology Habits with Jim Festante

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Jim Festante is a former executive turned digital safety architect. For over 20 years, he built content for media corporations, social media companies, and video game studios, mastering the engagement loops and attention mechanics that keep audiences hooked. Now, he uses that insider knowledge to help families break the spell. As the Executive Director of Health-e-Habits, Jim moves beyond generic “screen time” advice to provide tactical digital defense strategies. He pulls back the curtain on the Black Box of technology, teaching parents, students, and educators how to distinguish between creative tools and predatory design, and how to navigate the social minefield of algorithmic feeds.

 Improving Executive Function Skills with Dr. Alissa Ellis

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Dr. Alissa Ellis is a clinical neuropsychologist, researcher, and the founder and director of Ellis Effect Psychological Group, a practice dedicated to evidence-based assessment and treatment for children, adolescents, and adults experiencing mood, anxiety, and attention difficulties. As the creator of the thinkSMART® program, she developed the first transdiagnostic group intervention for teens and their parents specifically designed to strengthen executive functioning skills. This innovative, research-based program helps families build practical strategies for organization, time management, planning, and goal setting—skills that support academic success and emotional well-being across diagnoses. A true scientist-practitioner, she bridges cutting-edge research and clinical innovation to create groundbreaking interventions that empower youth and families toward lasting change.

Finding Resilience with Dr. Kate Lund

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Dr. Kate Lund is a licensed clinical psychologist, resilience expert, author of several books, and host of The Optimized Mind podcast. With specialized training from three Harvard Medical School–affiliated hospitals and more than two decades of clinical practice, she helps parents, athletes, students, and entrepreneurs thrive within their own unique contexts. Through her writing, speaking, and clinical work, she empowers people to build resilience, manage stress, and unlock their potential.

Special Education Reform and IEPs with Lisa Mosko Barros

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Lisa Mosko Barros is the founder of SpEducational, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering families of students with disabilities to effect positive systems change in special education. Lisa is known for her highly detailed knowledge of educational policy, her fierce advocacy through community organizing, and her ability to collaborate and build consensus. Among other positions, she has served as Chairperson for the Los Angeles Unified School District’s Community Advisory Committee for Special Education. Lisa is also the mother of two incredible twice exceptional kids.

College Ready with Shelle Howard

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Shellee Howard is the Founder and CEO of College Ready and a Certified Independent College Strategist who helps families navigate the college admissions process with a proven, personalized approach. A best-selling author and global speaker, she specializes in helping students gain admission to top-tier schools and graduate debt free. With real-world experience as a mother of four college graduates, she empowers students to build standout strategies for academic, financial, and personal success.

Hang Ten Surf Therapy with Naomi Matanick

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Naomi Matanick is a pediatric occupational therapist specializing in sensory integration therapy, surf therapy, and child development. She has served infants to early adolescents in a variety of areas including physical and emotional regulation, and acquisition of vital developmental milestones. Her mission is for each caregiver and child to feel understood and empowered as they are equipped with life-long tools.

As You Are Autism Evaluations with Dr. Tracy Burton

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Dr. Tracy Burton is a board-certified pediatrician, and has over 10 years of experience providing care to children. As the Chief Medical Officer for As You Are, she is dedicated to ensuring both families and colleagues receive the highest level of care and support. She is licensed to see families for autism evaluations in 15 states as well as Washington D.C.

Autism and Sensory Friendly Travel with Lynda Farrington Wilson

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Lynda has spent her life creating—art, pottery, and writing have always been at the heart of who she is, ultimately serving as a Vice President of Marketing in the skincare industry. When her youngest son was diagnosed with autism at age two, she shifted her focus to supporting him, and published her first book, Squirmy Wormy: How I Learned to Help Myself, igniting a new chapter of advocacy and creativity. Lynda has illustrated over 120 children’s books and authored three additional titles. Her most recent is titled Splish, Splash, Squawk! Finding Joy in a Sensory-Friendly Vacation, a children’s book designed to encourage families with children on the autism spectrum to embrace the joys of travel.