Author: Val Luther

Author

Val Luther

Val Luther is the Book Study Coordinator for the Alliance Against Seclusion and Restraint. She is a late diagnosed Autistic mom of two neurodivergent children, and is in her 19th year as an elementary music teacher. Val earned her graduate certificate in Applied Educational Neuroscience from Butler University. Supporting her sons through their school challenges has created a passion for supporting all children. She is also a volunteer with AASR's affiliate group, EndSaR-NJ (End Seclusion and Restraint-NJ).

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Advocacy, Brain, Equity, Neurodiversity-Affirming

What If We Presumed Need in Addition to Presuming Competence?

by Val Luther June 2, 2025 0

You may or may not have heard the edict "presume competence." It is a crucial part of creating neuro-affirming spaces. I was first introduced to it through the... Read more.

Green sprouts of cucumbers close-up. Growing vegetables in greenhouse.

Advocacy, Brain, Education, Neurodiversity-Affirming, Neuroscience-aligned

Have You Heard of the Tendril Theory?

by Val Luther March 17, 2025 0

Have you heard of the Tendril Theory? I came across it online a few years ago, and understanding it has helped me to support my neurodivergent sons. The graphic... Read more.

Brain, Education, Neurodiversity-Affirming

Be Curious and Dig Deeper

by Val Luther October 7, 2024 0

Struggles with non-preferred tasks. How many of us have read this sentence about our child? How many have written this sentence about a child we work with, or... Read more.

Brain, Challenging behavior, Education, Parenting, Rewards and Consequences, Science

Stickers Don’t Work for Adults Either

by Val Luther August 7, 2024 0

We are a society of “earners.” The transactional systems many of us have been raised on that focus on earning prizes, tickets, and rewards do not have the... Read more.

Brain, Parenting, Story

A Walk to the Park: A Story about Authority and Autonomy

by Val Luther July 18, 2024 0

I have since learned so much about supporting my now-diagnosed neurodivergent sons. I share this day to reflect on how far we have come and how far we still need... Read more.

Brain, Education, Science, Story, Training

A Journey of Hope and Healing Through Neuroscience

by Val Luther July 2, 2024 0

I have been a fan of Dr. Lori Desautels on Social Media for some time. I even had a chance to interact with her as part of the Alliance Against Seclusion and Restraint's... Read more.

Story

My AASR Story: Val Luther

by Val Luther March 13, 2024 0

I first came across the Alliance Against Seclusion and Restraint through a post shared by Dr. Mona Delahooke online. I had just devoured her book Beyond Behaviors... Read more.