2026 Kids and Teens Autism Symposium

Celine Saulnier, PhD Related seminars and products

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Celine Saulnier, PhD, obtained her doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Connecticut. She trained and worked at the Yale Child Study Center’s Autism Program for nearly a decade before relocating to Emory University School of Medicine and the Marcus Autism Center in Atlanta, GA, where she directed a large-scale clinical research program. In 2018, she opened her own company, Neurodevelopmental Assessment & Consulting Services, where she specializes in diagnostic assessment of autism and related conditions across the lifespan, as well as teaching and training worldwide. Dr. Saulnier has published over 50 articles, written two books, and she is an author on the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales, Third Edition.

 

Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Celine Saulnier is the Founder of Neurodevelopmental Assessment & Consulting Services and has employment relationships with Emory University and Georgia State University. She is a consultant for YAMO Pharmaceuticals, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Ovid Therapeutics, Inc., Takeda Pharmaceutical Company, Roche Pharmaceuticals, ExoNavis Therapeutics, LTD., and Behavioral Innovations. She receives royalties as a published author. Celine Saulnier receives a speaking honorarium and recording royalties from PESI, Inc. All relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations have been mitigated.
Non-financial: Celine Saulnier serves on the Scientific Advisory Board for the Autism Science Foundation, review grants for Eagles Autism Foundation and INSAR.

Varleisha Lyons, PhD, OTD, OTR/L, ASDCS Related seminars and products

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Varleisha D. Lyons (formerly Gibbs), PhD, OTD, OTR/L, ASDCS, is an occupational therapist and author with over 20 years of experience working with children and adolescents diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, sensory processing disorders and neurological disorders. She developed and founded Delaware’s first occupational therapy program and became the first black indigenous American woman to serve as the Scientific Programs Officer at the American Occupational Therapy Foundation. 

Varleisha continues to lecture and provides training on sensory processing strategies and self-regulation to practitioners, parents, and teachers throughout the country and internationally. As co-author of Raising Kids with Sensory Processing Disorders, she has provided families with strategies to understand and care for their children. Dr. Lyons is the developer of the Self-Regulation and Mindfulness program and author of the best-selling book, Self-Regulation and Mindfulness: Exercises and Worksheets for Sensory Processing Disorder, ADHD, and Autism Spectrum Disorder (PESI Publishing & Media). She is the co-author of Trauma Treatment in ACTION: Over 85 Activities to Move Clients Toward Healing, Growth and Improved Functioning (PESI Publishing & Media). Her areas of expertise include neuroanatomy, self-regulation strategies across the lifespan, health inequities, and trauma responsive approaches.

Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this presentation belong solely to the author, and not necessarily to the author's employer, organization, committee or other group or individual. Varleisha D. Lyons PhD, OTR/L is employed by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). This work is independent of her role and not affiliated with AOTA, Inc.

 

Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Dr. Varleisha Lyons maintains a private practice and is the founder and CEO of Wasut Sanctuary & Education, LLC. She receives royalties as a published author. Dr. Lyons receives a speaking honorarium, recording and book royalties from PESI, Inc. She has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Dr. Varleisha Lyons is a member of the American Occupational Therapy Association and the National Black Occupational Therapy Caucus. She serves as a board member of the National Association for Hearing and Speech Action.

Nicci McGrath, MEd Related seminars and products

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Nicci McGrath, MEd is a special education leader with over 18 years of experience supporting students with autism and complex developmental needs across early childhood through middle school settings. She currently serves as a Special Education Coordinator with Battle Creek Public Schools and previously worked with the Calhoun Intermediate School District’s Intensive Support Team, where she partnered with multiple districts to address the increasing complexity of autism, sensory processing, and regulation needs in public schools. 

 

Nicci specializes in training and coaching educators to implement evidence-based, neuroaffirming practices that promote inclusion and meaningful participation in the least restrictive environment. She is a trainer with the Statewide Autism Resources and Training (START) Project, a certified Youth Mental Health First Aid instructor, and has completed the Pyramid Certification Program. Her work integrates educational neuroscience, behavioral science, and relationship-based approaches to support students with autism in achieving functional and engagement outcomes across school and daily life. 

Michael Hannon, PhD, LAC, NCC Related seminars and products

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Michael Hannon, PhD, LPC(NJ), NCC, BC-TMH, is an associate professor at Montclair State University and a licensed professional counselor whose work centers on the wellness of black fathers and families – particularly those parenting autistic children. An award-winning counselor, educator, and author, he brings extensive experience from K-12, higher education, and clinical practice into his research and teaching.

Dr. Hannon’s scholarship explores black fatherhood, autism, mental health, and the impact of systemic racism on family and community well-being. His work has been featured by NPR, The New York Times, Autism Speaks, Huffington Post, and Thrive Global. He has authored more than 35 publications, delivered over 150 professional presentations, and his research has been cited more than 800 times.

As a clinician, Dr. Hannon provides telemental health services to black and Latino boys, adolescents, and men, and co-leads the Montclair State University Fathers’ Autism Support Group. He and his wife are also co-founders of the Greater Expectations Teaching & Advocacy Center, a nonprofit supporting professionals who serve autistic and other marginalized families.

 

Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Michael Hannon is the owner of MDH Counseling & Consulting, LLC. He has employment relationships with Montclair State University, GETAC and Alternative Choices, and is a research affiliate with Black Men's Research Institute. He receives royalties as a published author. Michael Hannon receives a speaking honorarium, recording, and book royalties from PESI, Inc. He has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Michael Hannon is a member of the American Counseling Association, the American School Counselor Association, the Association for Counselor Education & Supervision, the Association for Multicultural Counseling & Development, and the Association for Humanistic Counseling.

LaChan V Hannon, PhD Related seminars and products

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LaChan V. Hannon, PhD is the Director of Teacher Preparation & Innovation and an Assistant Professor of Professional Practice in the Department of Urban Education at Rutgers University Newark. LaChan earned her PhD in teacher education and teacher development and believes that schools improve when they intentionally engage families and communities. Her scholarly work focuses on the intersectionality of race, disability, and parent engagement as they relate to the development of school leaders and educators. LaChan’s research interests focus on racialized teacher identity development, self-study in teacher education, and school welcomeness. Her TEDx Talk titled Young, Gifted & Black with Autism used in college classrooms across the country. LaChan has published articles and chapters in academic texts including: International Handbook of Self-Study of Teaching and Teacher Education Practices, Contemporary Justice Review, Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, and Self-Studies in Urban Teacher Education. LaChan is the current president of the New Jersey Association of Colleges for Teacher Education. Nationally, LaChan was appointed to the AACTE Global Diversity Committee and Diversifying the Teacher Workforce Committee board. 

 

After spending seven years as a high school teacher and desiring to broaden her professional skill set, LaChan transitioned into early intervention services as a teacher for preschool children with developmental disabilities. She would then become the behavioral health and rehabilitative services director that provides support to children and adolescents with diagnosed disabilities between the ages of 3-19. Dr. Hannon returned to the classroom with a professional focus on increasing teacher confidence and knowledge working with students with disabilities in general educational settings. She completed a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership/Teacher Leadership from Pennsylvania State University as well as special education certificates in Educating Individuals with Autism and Applied Behavior Analysis. LaChan graduated from the University of Delaware with a bachelor of arts in English and a minor in sociology. 

 

Currently, Dr. Hannon presents at both local and national conferences on topics of autism education, culturally responsive school practices, and educational leadership. She and her husband Dr. Michael D. Hannon co-founded the 501c3 non-profit organization Greater Expectations Teaching and Advocacy Center Inc (GETAC) as a means to support families with children with developmental differences in addition to education professionals through parent workshops, professional development, and advocacy support. She is the mother of two adult children, one of whom is an autistic individual. LaChan is an advocate for equitable access to quality education, a supporter of teacher learning, and a believer that schools improve when they intentionally engage families and communities in the education of their children.

Shir Wolf Related seminars and products

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Speaker details coming soon.

Jennifer Wilke-Deaton, MA, LPA Related seminars and products

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Jennifer Wilke-Deaton, MA, LPA, is a licensed behavioral health therapist working in a private practice setting in Richmond and Lexington, KY, and a nationally recognized school consultant. Jen has 25 years of experience working with crisis management, psychological testing, inpatient/outpatient treatment, groups, families, and the court system. A tireless and passionate advocate for children and families, she developed a parent training program recognized by the Governor’s Commission for the Treatment of Children & Families and Kentucky’s Child Protective Services. Jen helped create a regional children’s crisis stabilization unit, children’s advocacy center, and an intensive after-school program for behaviorally challenged youth. She has published the Creative Parenting Handbook, Parenting Better Children, CD Awareness in Focus: Modern Guided Imagery Techniques for Immediate Practice, CD Awareness in Focus by Kids for Kids, and The Mandela Workbook: Activities Across the Lifespan.

In addition to delivering her nationally recognized training programs for PESI and keynote presentations, Jen regularly speaks on mental health issues and child abuse for Morehead State University, Eastern Kentucky University, KY Child Protective Services, and National Public Radio; as well as serving as the psychometrician for the Center for Academic and Tutoring Services (CATS) – University of Kentucky, and providing psychological evaluations and therapeutic support services for the Department of Disability Determinations and the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation. Jennifer consults regularly for private/state foster care organizations, social services, schools, psychiatric hospitals, Head Start programs, in-home therapy programs, and case management services. Her specialties are in the areas of child abuse, PTSD, DBT, behavioral disorders, anxiety, autistic spectrum, and attachment. Jen shares time-tested, real approaches from the trenches, using humor, energy and passion for helping others.

 

Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Jennifer Wilke-Deaton has employment relationships with the University of Kentucky and Hundley Psychological Services. She receives compensation as a guest speaker and royalties as a published author. Jennifer Wilke-Deaton receives a speaking honorarium and recording royalties from PESI, Inc. She has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Jennifer Wilke-Deaton has no relevant non-financial relationships.

Robert Jason Grant, EdD, LPC, NCC, RPT-S™ Related seminars and products

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Dr. Robert Jason Grant is the creator of AutPlay® Therapy. He is a Licensed Mental Health Therapist, supervisor, and consultant. He utilizes several years of advanced training and his own lived neurodivergent experience to provide affirming services to children and their families. He is an international trainer and keynote presenter and multi-published author of several articles and books on the topics of child and play therapy and neurodiversity.

 

Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Robert Grant is the owner of AutPlay Therapy Clinic. He receives royalties as a published author. Robert Grant receives a speaking honorarium and recording royalties from PESI, Inc. He has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Robert Grant is a member of the American Counseling Association, the American Mental Health Counselors, the Association American Counseling, the Association of Missouri American Mental Health Counselors, and the Association of Missouri Association for Play Therapy.

Waldo Winborn, LPCC, RPT, RST-C/T, EMDRIA Approved Consultant Related seminars and products

Winborn Wellness & Counseling

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Waldo R. Winborn, LPCC, RPT, RST-C/T, EMDRIA Approved Consultant, integrates attachment, neuroscience, and trauma-informed frameworks in both clinical practice and professional education. His work explores the intersection of EMDR and Sandtray Play Therapy, emphasizing embodied awareness, symbolic processing, and the neurobiology of integration. Through Winborn Wellness & Counseling, he provides advanced consultation and continuing education to support clinicians in cultivating attuned presence and relational depth in trauma treatment.

Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Waldo Winborn has employment relationship with Winborn Wellness & Counseling and Sand Tray Institute of New Mexico. He is a consultant for EMDR and Play Therapy Integration Support and the New Mexico Early Childhood Education Department. He receives a speaking honorarium from PESI, Inc. He has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Waldo Winborn is the board secretary for the World Association for Sand Therapy Professionals and the president of the New Mexico Association for Play Therapy. He is a member of the World Association for Sand Therapy Professionals, the Association for Play Therapy, and the EMDR International Association.

 

Elizabeth Sautter Related seminars and products

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Elizabeth A. Sautter, MA, CCC, is a speech-language pathologist, speaker, author, and trainer with expertise in social-emotional well-being. She is the author of the parent activity book Make Social and Emotional Learning Stick! along with many other resources for parents, including an online course and community. Elizabeth collaborates with the Zones of Regulation team as a trainer and is a coauthor of other Zones products, including children’s books, card decks, and games. She loves to connect on social media @elizabeth.sautter or www.elizabethsautter.com

Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Elizabeth Sautter maintains a private practice and has employment relationships with Communication Works and Zones of Regulation. She receives a speaking honorarium from PESI, Inc. She has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Elizabeth Sautter is a member of the American Speech Language and Hearing Association and the California Speech Language and Hearing Association.

Kristen Wilson, MS, CCC Related seminars and products

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Kristen Wilson, MS, CCC, is a speech-language pathologist and the coauthor of the books Whole Body Listening Larry at Home! and Whole Body Listening Larry at School! Kristen specializes in working with a diverse population of children, teens, and adults in school, hospital, and private practice settings. She believes that building self-esteem and self-awareness while teaching self-advocacy is the key to successful interventions. Kristen lives in Placentia, CA, with her husband and two daughters.

Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Kristen Wilson has an employment relationship with Pacific Coast Speech Services. She receives a speaking honorarium from PESI, Inc. She has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Kristen Wilson has no relevant non-financial relationships.

Tere Bowen-Irish, OTR/L Related seminars and products

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Tere Bowen-Irish, OTR/L, has over 45 years of experience as an occupational therapist, specializing in psychiatry and pediatrics across hospital, school-based, and private practice settings. Through her practice, All the Possibilities, she provides consultation, evaluation, treatment, and education to support the functional and emotional well-being of children of all abilities. Tere has delivered continuing education nationally for over two decades, sharing practical, strengths-based strategies with therapists, educators, health professionals, and parents. She is also a certified YogaKids instructor and Mindful Schools Educator. Her publications include the Drive thru Menu Suite of Exercises, Yoga and Me, Come Be a Tree, and My Mindful Music (coauthored with Maryann Harman). Currently, she offers therapy and mindfulness instruction – often with the help of two canine companions – at a therapeutic school serving students unable to attend public school.

 

Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Tere Bowen-Irish is the owner of All the Possibilities, LLC., and has an employment relationship with Seacoast Learning Collaborative. She receives royalties as a published author. Tere Bowen-Irish receives a speaking honorarium and recording royalties from PESI, Inc. She has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Tere Bowen-Irish is a member of AOTA.