A FREE 1-DAY SUMMIT
The Neuroaffirming IEP Summit
Join us as we talk about the current state of special education, how to create a curriculum that is culturally competent and neuroaffirming, providing affirming mental health for disabled learners, and addressing potty training from a neuroaffirming standpoint.
Speakers and their Topics
Host
Dr. Destiny Huff, LPC
Neuroaffirming Non-Attorney Special Education Advocate & Mental Health Therapist
Dr. Destiny Huff, LPC, is a late-diagnosed Autistic and ADHD military spouse, therapist, and mother of two neurodivergent children. As a mental health therapist and non-attorney special education advocate, she empowers families to navigate the IEP process with clarity and confidence. Dr. Huff serves on the boards of PDA North America and Sistahs with Ausome Children, where she advocates for the rights, inclusion, and well-being of neurodivergent learners. She specializes in helping parents advocate effectively at the IEP table while training schools and organizations to build neuroaffirming, supportive environments. Her work centers on dismantling shame-based educational practices and promoting strategies that honor the agency, identity, and mental health of neurodivergent students. Through her unique perspective, Dr. Huff bridges the gap between mental health and special education, ensuring that neurodivergent learners are seen, supported, and empowered to thrive both in and outside the classroom.
Respectful Toilet Training
Compassionate and Tailored to Every Learner
Tara Phillips
Speech/Language Pathologist and
Owner of Autism Little Learners
Tara is a dedicated speech/language pathologist with over two decades of experience working with young autistic children. Recognizing a need for engaging resources, she founded Autism Little Learners in 2019. Tara's passion for learning and her innovative approach have consistently driven her to find new ways to support her students and their families.
Now running Autism Little Learners full-time, Tara offers a wealth of resources, including courses and an online membership for educators and parents of young autistic children. Her commitment to fostering inclusive education is also reflected in her recently published children's book, "The Different Ways We Communicate," which aims to celebrate and support diverse communication styles.
Tara's dedication to inclusivity and professional growth has made her a leading voice in the special education community, inspiring educators and parents alike to create environments where every child can thrive.
A Curriculum That Doesn't Accept You, Rejects You
Leroy Smith
Educational Consultant
Leroy earned a Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Music and Pedagogy from Gettysburg College in 2012 and dual Master of Education degrees in Elementary and Special Education from Lesley University in 2014 through the Urban Teachers program. Over the past 14 years, he has served as a special education teacher, curriculum specialist, instructional coach, and education advocate in Baltimore, Prince George’s County, and Washington D.C., using his background in music, empowerment, and advocacy to support students from historically marginalized communities.
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In 2020, Leroy founded Realized Solutions, LLC (doing business as Realized Curriculum Solutions), which focuses on improving academic outcomes for students with disabilities and learning challenges. His work includes developing culturally responsive curriculum in English language arts, math, and social studies for companies such as The Innovative Learners and Carnegie Learning. Notably, he partnered with the Center for Civic Education to adapt the We the People civics curriculum for students with disabilities and diverse backgrounds, equipping educators with tools to increase student engagement, efficacy, and access. He also contributed to the 2024 Project Citizen Level 2 teacher manual, helping over 1 million students benefit from more inclusive civic education.
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Currently, Realized Curriculum Solutions is developing educational technology with Barbershop Books for their Reading So Lit™ program, which recently received the 2024 New Schools Venture Fund Award in the Learning Solutions category. Leroy also advocates for policies at all levels that address systemic inequities and promote effective educator training. His lifelong mission is to dismantle barriers such as ableism, racism, and classism in education and ensure that all students—regardless of background or ability—can succeed at high levels.
Bridging the Gap: Supporting Neurodivergent Learners with Culturally Affirming Mental Health Care
Maria Davis-Pierre, LMHC
Autism Awareness Advocate &
Founder of Autism In Black
When it comes to breaking down barriers related to autism in the Black community, no one does it with more passion and clarity than Maria Davis-Pierre, a licensed mental health counselor, autism awareness advocate and founder of Autism in Black.
With a keen ability to educate and guide communities in desperate need of resources and support, Maria has transformed the lives of countless Black families parenting autistic children. As the parent of two autistic children, and being autistic herself, Maria understands firsthand the isolation, shame and stigma that often accompanies an autism diagnosis. Armed with that knowledge, she uses her professional expertise to connect with and empower Black parents of autistic children. Through Autism in Black, she also provides essential training to organizations so they can more effectively serve the Black disability community.
A dynamic, in-demand speaker, Maria has conducted many powerful workshops and lectures on topics related to autism including autism in the Black community, the intersection of race and disability, and self-care. Her work has gained national acclaim with features in Forbes, The New York Times, USA Today, BET, Parents magazine and on PBS. Maria has also collaborated with Microsoft.
Is Special Education the WWE or the WWW (Wild Wild West)?
Ashley Barlow, J.D.
Special Education Attorney/Advocate (Kentucky)
Ashley Barlow’s passion for special education advocacy stems from her experiences as a general education teacher and from advocating for a more inclusive educational placement for her son, Jack, who has Down syndrome. She has attended and presented at many national conferences for special education attorneys and advocates, including the Institute of Special Education (faculty in 2020, 2021). She also holds an Advanced Advocacy Certificate from the Council of Parents Attorneys and Advocates. Ashley is also on the State Advisory Board for Exceptional Children in Kentucky.
Ashley owns a law firm, Meier & Barlow Law Firm, that focuses on special education and special needs estate planning, as well as an on-line business, Ashley Barlow Co., which was established to empower IEP team members via a podcast, on-line courses, many other resources. Prior to practicing law, Ashley was a teacher in Jefferson County and Cincinnati Public school systems and a professor at her alma mater, Miami University. Ashley attended Salmon P. Chase College of Law.
When not working, Ashley is normally at the pool with her husband and two sons or grabbing a coffee in her 1975 Volkswagen bus.
All Access Pass!
$25 ​
Access to the Summit Recordings and Handouts
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Discount on the Neuroaffirming Guide to Special Education Services courtesy of Dr. Destiny Huff, LPC
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Autism Toilet Training Visual Supports courtesy of Tara Phillips
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"5 Steps to Culturally Affirming Mental Health Support for Neurodivergent Learners" courtesy of Maria Davis-Pierre, LMHC (Autism in Black)
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"Checklist to Facilitate a Productive IEP Meeting" courtesy of Ashley Barlow, J.D.
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Automatically enter in to a raffle where two lucky winners will each get to choose 1 Learning Lab webinar (a $59 value) courtesy of PDA North America. *Please note Level 1 Trainings and Bundles are not eligible for selection!
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Automatically enter in to a raffle where two lucky winners will each get access to the Alliance Against Seclusion and Restraint Professional Development Bundle (a $49 value) courtesy of the Alliance Against Seclusion and Restraint.
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50% off of the Alliance Against Seclusion and Restraint’s book studies, "Beyond Behaviors: Using Brain Science and Compassion to Understand and Solve Children's Behavioral Challenges" courtesy of the Alliance Against Seclusion and Restraint