2026 PINE Summit · Virtual conference

Inclusion in Action

Four sessions on what inclusion looks like in practice, not just in discussion. Learn strategies, real examples and tools from neurodivergent speakers and experts.

Recordings: Available through June 26
PINE members: Free for all sessions
Non-members: $25 per session
Who it’s for: Educators, admins, clinicians, parents, self-advocates and community members

Sessions & speakers

Explore the sessions

Each card gives the key takeaways first. Open it to read the full description and speaker bio.

Classroom practice

Removing Barriers: Whole-Class Supports for Neurodivergent Learners

Aaron Lanou (he/him) · Inclusive education consultant, former Executive Director of the Nest program at NYU

You’ll leave able to: spot three barriers that typical school expectations create, and design strengths-based tier-one supports that help the whole class.

Full description & bio

School wasn’t designed with neurodivergent learners in mind. Expectations like sitting still, paying attention for long stretches and processing lots of spoken information can keep students from showing what they know. This session looks at how executive functioning, language processing and sensory regulation affect participation, and builds practical whole-class supports.

About Aaron: Aaron coaches teachers in Brooklyn, NY, to use strengths-based practices. A former special education teacher, he helps educators differentiate instruction, create visual supports and design engaging lessons.

Talking with kids

Talking to Children about Neurodiversity

Sandhya Menon (she/her) · AuDHD developmental psychologist and children’s author

You’ll leave able to: use age-appropriate language about brain differences, and answer student questions about fairness and accommodations while protecting privacy.

Full description & bio

Many teachers aren’t sure how to talk with children about neurodiversity: when to bring it up, what words to use, and how to build real understanding instead of tolerance. This session gives practical language, scripts and tools for students of all ages. It also looks at neuronormative expectations that educators might let go of.

About Sandhya: Sandhya wrote the children’s books The Brain Forest, The Rainbow Brain and My Body’s Power Pack. She helps children and families build strong self-identities that celebrate their neurotype, drawing on clinical knowledge, lived experience and her family roots in Singapore.

Paraeducators

Dynamic Paraeducator Support for Building Student Autonomy

Kade Friedman (they/them) · Director of Education at PINE

You’ll leave able to: choose the right support at the right moment, and gradually step back so students build confidence and self-advocacy.

Full description & bio

Paraeducators play a unique role in helping students learn and grow alongside their peers. This session looks at what makes the para–student relationship special, common myths about what makes a strong para, and how gradually stepping back (fading supports) builds independence. The examples are drawn from K–12.

About Kade: Kade is an autistic, non-binary educator with 20 years of experience teaching pre-K through higher education. Their work is rooted in disability justice, universal design for learning and culturally sustaining pedagogy.

ADHD

Understanding Attention in ADHD: It’s Not What You Think!

Dr. Sarah Hays (she/her) · Clinician and ADHD specialist

You’ll leave able to: recognize the many ways ADHD shows up, notice how assumptions and ableism shape what we see, and name three or more ways to be a positive support.

Full description & bio

Attention in ADHD is often misunderstood or overlooked. Using diagnostic features, statistics and real examples, this session invites participants to rethink ADHD with kindness, curiosity and respect. It ends with practical resources and time for questions.

About Sarah: Sarah is a Doctor of Counseling Psychology and licensed mental health counselor in Washington State. She specializes in ADHD and LGBTQIA+ populations, and she co-edited A Clinician’s Guide to Geek Therapy.

From past attendees

“Exactly what I needed”

“This conference was transformational! My staff and parents were inspired to continue this work.”

Yvette Goorevitch, Chief, Specialized Learning, Norwalk Public Schools

“My compass is permanently set towards recognizing strengths, presuming competence, welcoming interests, listening, and collaborating.”

Janet Weeks, Parent and Special Education Teacher

“I left with a reminder once again of my purpose for teaching.”

Michelle Vera, Teacher

549: attendees at the 2024 Summit
10: countries and 31 U.S. states represented
100%: would recommend the Summit

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