Our executive director, Guy Stephens, is available to present to your organization or for your special event.

Guy has presented at state, national, and international conferences as well as for graduate and undergraduate college courses and community organizations.

We are happy to develop custom presentations for your audience to meet your organizational needs. 

We look forward to presenting to you in person or virtually. Please reach out to schedule a time to discuss your needs.

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Upcoming Presentations and Speaking Engagements

2026

Beyond Behaviorism: The Need for Trauma-Informed, Neuroscience-Aligned,
Neurodiversity-Affirming, Relationship-Driven, and Collaborative Approaches
School Based Practitioners (SBP) Summit
Ohio School Health Services Association (OSHSA)
August 3rd – 4th
Location: The Hilton Columbus at Polaris
Register for the Event

Restraint and Seclusion: What OTs and PTs Need to Know
School Based Practitioners (SBP) Summit
Ohio School Health Services Association (OSHSA)
August 3rd – 4th
Location: The Hilton Columbus at Polaris
Register for the Event

Moving Beyond Behaviorism to Trauma-Informed, Neuroscience-aligned, Neurodiversity-affirming, Relationship-driven, and Collaborative Approaches
9th Annual Creating Trauma-Sensitive Schools Conference
Attachment & Trauma Network
June 26th – 29th
Location: Hilton Anatole in Dallas, Texas
Register for the Event

Restraint and Seclusion: What Advocates and Professionals Need to Know
Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service (MVLS)
March 24th @ 12:00-1:00 p.m. (ET)
Location: Virtual
Register for the Event

Restraint and Seclusion: What You Need to Know
Alliance for Equitable Disability Inclusion in Education
March 11th @ 6:00-7:00 p.m. (ET)
Location: Virtual
Register for the Event

Restraint and Seclusion: What You Need to Know
Arc of NEPA
March 5th @ TBA
Location: Virtual
Register for the Event

Restraint and Seclusion: What Advocates and Professionals Need to Know
National Center for Child Traumatic Stress (Trauma and IDD+ Call)
February 18th @ 12:00-1:00 p.m. (ET)
Location: Virtual
Private Event

Restraint and Seclusion: How Applied Educational Neuroscience Can Help!
Applied Educational Neuroscience
Butler University
February 10th @ 6:00-7:00 p.m. (ET)
Location: Virtual
Private Event

Restraint and Seclusion: How Applied Educational Neuroscience Can Help!
Applied Educational Neuroscience
Butler University
February 9th @ 6:30-7:30 p.m. (ET)
Location: Virtual
Private Event

Behavior is Biology: The Need for Trauma-Informed, Neuroscience-Aligned, Neurodiversity-Affirming, Relationship-Driven, and Collaborative Approaches
Special Meeting
Calvert County Special Education Citizens Advisory Committee (SECAC) in collaboration with Citizens’ Advisory Committee for Special Education of Saint Mary’s County and the Charles County Special Education Citizens Advisory Committee (SECAC)
February 2nd 6:00-8:00 pm (ET)
Location: Calvert County Board of Education 1305 Dares Beach Rd. Prince Frederick, MD 2067
Register for the Event

Behavior Is Biology: How Seeing Behavior Through a Neuroscience Lens Can Help Reduce the Usage of Restraint and Seclusion
NextGen Synergy Winter Training Series
NextGen Synergy
January 27th 1:00 to 2:00 pm (ET)
Location: Virtual
Register for the Event

Beyond Behaviorism: The Need for Trauma-Informed, Neuroscience-Aligned, Neurodiversity-Affirming, Relationship-Driven, and Collaborative Approaches
15th Annual Progressive Education Summit
City Neighbors Foundation
January 24th 10:00 to 3:00 pm (ET)
Location: City Neighbors, Hamilton Campus, 5609 Sefton Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21214
Register for the Event

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2025

Seclusion and Restraint: Understanding the Impacts and Exploring the Alternatives
Monthly Meeting
Harford County Maryland SECAC
December 11th @6:00 p, (ET)
Location: Virtual
Register for the Event

Panel Discussion: Impact of Isolation and Restraint
Leading Change: Working Together to Reduce Restraint and Eliminate Isolation in WA Schools
Coalition to End Isolation and Reduce Restraint
December 6th @11:00 p, (ET)
Location: Virtual
Register for the Event

Restraint and Seclusion: What Parents and Caregivers Should Know
Monthly Meeting
Bloomingdale SEPAG
November 24th @7:00 p, (ET)
Location: Walter T. Bergen, Library (Virtual)
Register for the Event

Behavior is Biology: The Need for Trauma-Informed, Neuroscience-Aligned, Neurodiversity-Affirming, Relationship-Driven, and Collaborative Approaches
Monthly Meeting
Howard County SECAC
November 11th
Location: Patuxent Valley Middle School
Event Information

How PDA Children Are Misunderstood in the Name of Behavior and How Neuroscience Can Help
Understanding Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA)
Starbridge
September 26th 8:30 a.m. (ET)
Location: Monroe Community College 1000 E Henrietta Rd, Rochester, NY 14623
Register for the Event

Misunderstood in the Name of Behavior: What You Need to Know
Webinar Series
Anne Arundel County Public Schools
September 24nd 4:30 (ET)
Location: Anne Arundel County Public Schools
Private Event

Misunderstood in the Name of Behavior: What You Need to Know
Webinar Series
Anne Arundel County Public Schools
September 22nd 4:30 (ET)
Location: Anne Arundel County Public Schools
Private Event

Seclusion and Restraint: Understanding the Impacts and Exploring the Alternatives
Special Event
Missouri Disability Empowerment (MODE)
September 20th 1:00 p.m. (ET)
Location: 5850 Elizabeth Ave Saint Louis, MO 63110
Register for the Event

Poster Session: About the Alliance Against Seclusion and Restraint
FASD Impact Week
FASD United
September 15th 5:15 p.m. (ET)
Royal Sonesta Washington DC Dupont Circle, 2121 P St NW, Washington, DC, 20037
Register for the Event

Behavior is Biology: Seeing Children with Complex Conditions Differently
Summit on Children with Complex Behavioral Health Conditions
The Link Center
August 7th
Location: Hilton Capitol Hill Washington, DC
Register for the Event

Behavior is Biology: The Need for Trauma-Informed, Neuroscience-Aligned, Neurodiversity-Affirming, Relationship-Driven, and Collaborative Approaches
Youth I/DD Mental Health Summit
The Arc Oregon
August 6th
Location: CH2M/OSU Alumni Center, Corvallis
Register for the Event

Classroom Crisis: Reducing Restraint and Seclusion Through Proactive Leadership
Leadership EDIT
Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools
June 6th
Location: Kauffman Foundation Conference Center 4801 Rockhill Road Kansas City, MO 64110
Register for the Event

The Five Principles to Better Supporting All Children
PPAL Conference
Parent/ Professional Advocacy League (PPAL)
May 30th TBA
Location: Virtual
Register for the Event

Misunderstood in the Name of Behavior: What You Need to Know
Behavior Symposium
Anne Arundel County Public Schools
April 26th TBA (ET)
Location: Anne Arundel County Public Schools
Private Event

Restraint and Seclusion in Schools: What You Need to Know
Teen Advocators Team Presentation
Teen Advocators
March 28th @ 4:00 p.m. (ET)
Location: Virtual
Private Event

Misunderstood in the Name of Behavior: What You Need to Know
PDA North America Webinar
PDA North America
March 20th @ 8-9:30 p.m. (ET)
Location: Virtual
Register for the Event

Going Upstream to Prevent Crisis: How Brain Science and Trauma-Informed Approaches Help Misunderstood Children
Hope Reform
Raising Anchor Conference
Leading with Prevention: Navigating Crisis of People Served with Compassion
March 18th @ 7:00 p.m. (ET)
Location: Virtual
Register for the Event

Alternatives to Restraint and Seclusion
Stop the Shock Meeting
Stop the Shock Coalition
March 11th @ 7:00 p.m. (ET)
Location: Virtual
Private Event

Restraint and Seclusion in Schools: What You Need to Know
Monthly Meeting
Virginia Family Network
March 10th @ 10:00 a.m. (ET)
Location: Virtual
Private Event

Restraint and Seclusion: How Applied Educational Neuroscience Can Help!
Applied Educational Neuroscience
Butler University
March 4th @ 6:00-7:00 p.m. (ET)
Location: Virtual
Private Event

Restraint and Seclusion: How Applied Educational Neuroscience Can Help!
Applied Educational Neuroscience
Butler University
March 3rd @ 6:30-7:30 p.m. (ET)
Location: Virtual
Private Event

Opportunities with the Alliance Against Seclusion and Restraint
Preceptor Panel
Saint Louis University
February 24th @ 1:00 p.m. (ET)
Location: Virtual
Private Event

Town Hall Facilitator for Community/ Organizations Breakout
8th Annual Creating Trauma-Sensitive Schools Conference
Attachment & Trauma Network
February 18th @ 2:00 (ET)
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Register for the Event

School Discipline Shifting from a Punitive Mindset
PPAL Statewide Meeting
Parent/Professional Advocacy League
February 11th @ 10:00 a.m. (ET)
Location: Virtual
Register for the Event

Reducing & Eliminating Restraint, Seclusion, and Punitive Discipline: How Self-Reg can help
Healthy Learning Environments
Acadia University
February 10th @ 10:45 – 11:45 a.m. (ET)
Location: Virtual
Private Event

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2024

Behavior is Biology: The Need for Trauma-Informed, Neuroscience-Aligned, Relationship-Driven, and Collaborative Approaches
Arc Maryland Partners in Policymaking
Arc Maryland
December 14th
Location: Columbia, Maryland
Register for the Event

Raise Your Voice: Ending Restraint and Seclusion in Schools
The Arc’s 2024 National Convention
The Arc of the United States
November 2nd @ TBA
Location: Virtual
Register for the Event

Misunderstood in the Name of Behavior: What You Need to Know
DC Area Regional Event: Supporting Autistic PDA Individuals
PDA North America
November 1st @ TBA
Location: Holiday Inn College Park
Register for the Event

Hosting the Event
Making Sense of a Chaotic World: Brain, Body, and Beyond
Studio3 and Partnership with the Alliance Against Seclusion and Restraint
October 24th @ 5:30 (BST)
Location: Virtual
Register for the Event

Misunderstood in the Name of Behavior: How Trauma-informed and Neuroscience-aligned Approaches Can Lead to Improved Outcomes for Children
Fall Research Spotlight
Saint Louis University Center of Excellence in Maternal and Child Health Education
September 25th @ 1:00 (ET)
Location: Virtual
Private Event

Restraint and Seclusion: What Therapists Should Know
New Hampshire Occupational Therapy Association
September 11th @ 7:00 (ET)
Location: Virtual
Register for the Event

Seclusion in Schools
Panelists include Guy Stephens and Chantelle Hyde
Autistic Children and School Seclusion Rooms Webinar
Institute for Research and Education on Race Relations
August 26th @ 7:00 (ET)
Location: Virtual
Register for the Event

Addressing Student Trauma Using Brain Science and Reframing Strategies
MCIE Summer Institute
Maryland Coalition of Inclusive Education
August 7th @ 10:15 (ET)
Location: Crowne Plaza Annapolis
Register for the Event

Restraint and Seclusion
Presented by Jennifer Abbanat and Christopher Ripke
Silver State Self-Advocacy Conference 2024
Nevada Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities (NGCDD)
August 6th @ 10 (MT)
Location: Grand Sierra Resort Reno NV
Register for the Event

Q&A with Guy Stephens on Seclusion & Restraint in Schools with PDA Children
PDA North America
July 19th @ 12:00 (ET)
Location: Virtual
Register for the Event

Restrained and Secluded at School: What Neurodiversity-Affirming Therapists Need to Know
Neurodiversity Training
Therapist Neurodiversity Collective
June 28th @ 7:00 (ET)
Location: Virtual
Register for the Event

Reducing Systemic Trauma: A Neuroscience-Aligned Approach to Discipline
PPAL Conference
Parent/ Professional Advocacy League (PPAL)
May 31st @ 10:50 (ET)
Location: Virtual
Register for the Event

Keep Kids in Classrooms Stop the Use of Exclusionary Time Out Rooms in Schools
Disability Law Center
May 17tht @ 9:00 (ET)
Location: Virtual
Register for the Event

Reframing Behavior: Neuroscience-Based Practices for Positive Support
Education Week
April 30th @ 2:00 (ET)
Location: Virtual
Register for the Event

Shifting Practice to Improve Outcomes for Students Whose Behaviors are Misunderstood
Roots of Inclusion
April 24th @ 4:00 (PT)
Location: Virtual
Register for the Event

Misunderstood: Shifting from a Punitive Mindset
2024 Autism Conference
YAI
April 11th @ 11:00 (ET)
Location: Virtual
Register for the Event

Panel Discussion: Addressing Student Trauma Using Brain Science and Reframing Strategies
COPAA’s 26^th Annual Conference
Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates
March 9th or 10th @ TBA (ET)
Location: Atlanta Georgia
Register for the Event

Town Hall Facilitator for Community/ Organizations Breakout
7th Annual Creating Trauma-Sensitive Schools Conference
Attachment & Trauma Network
February 20th @ 2:00 (CT)
Location: Dallas, Texas
Register for the Event

Reframe: The Power of Seeing Children Differently
7th Annual Creating Trauma-Sensitive Schools Conference
Attachment & Trauma Network
February 19th @ 12:45 (CT)
Location: Dallas, Texas
Register for the Event

Reframing Behavior: Understanding the Neuroscience of Positive Support
7th Annual Creating Trauma-Sensitive Schools Conference (Pre-Conference)
Attachment & Trauma Network
February 18th @ 1:00 (CT)
Location: Dallas, Texas
Register for the Event

Restraint and Seclusion: Understanding the Impact and Exploring Alternatives
PPAL Statewide Meeting
Parent/Professional Advocacy League
February 13th @ 10:00 a.m. (ET)
Location: Virtual
Register for the Event

Reducing & Eliminating Restraint, Seclusion, and Punitive Discipline: How Self-Reg can help
Healthy Learning Environments
Acadia University
February 12th @ 11:00 – 12:00 p.m. (ET)
Location: Virtual
Private Event

Restraint and Seclusion in Arkansas
Partners in Policymaking
Arkansas Alliance for Disability Advocacy
February 10th @ TBA (ET)
Location: Virtual
Private Event

Reducing Systemic Trauma: A Neuroscience-Aligned Approach to Discipline
Behavior Detour Virtual Conference
Counselor Accents
February 9th @ TBA (ET)
Location: Virtual
Register for the Event

Restraint and Seclusion: How Applied Educational Neuroscience Can Help!
Applied Educational Neuroscience
Butler University
January 30th @ 6:30-7:30 p.m. (ET)
Location: Virtual
Private Event

Restraint and Seclusion: How Applied Educational Neuroscience Can Help!
Applied Educational Neuroscience
Butler University
January 29th @ 6:30-7:30 p.m. (ET)
Location: Virtual
Private Event

Restraint and Seclusion: What Parents of Autistic Children Should Know
An xMinds Event
XMinds
January 23rd, 2024 @ 7:00-8:30 p.m. (ET)
Location: Virtual
Register for the Event

Misunderstood: Shifting to a Trauma-informed Neuroscience-aligned Perspective
Partners in Policymaking
The Arc of Maryland
January 14th, 2024 @ 11:30 a.m. (ET)
Location: Columbia, Maryland
Private Event

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2023

Reducing Systemic Trauma: A Neuroscience Aligned Approach to Discipline. November 2023, Bridging to Resilience (Wichita, Kansas) ESSDACK (Wichita, Kansas)

Restrained and Secluded: How a Change in Perspective for Students With Disabilities and Simple Science Can Change Everything. October 2023, The Arc@School Series The Arc of the United States (Virtual)

Misunderstood: Shifting from a Punitive Mindset. August 2023, Webinar Series (Virtual) Wisconsin Family Ties (Virtual)

You are the Strategy to Reduce Punitive Discipline. July 2023, Self-Reg Summer Symposium 2023 The MEHRIT Centre (Ontario, Canada)

How Children with Disabilities are Often Misunderstood at School and What You Can Do to Help. April 2023, Health Matters: Supporting Children & Youth with Disabilities (Pittsburgh) Parent Education & Advocacy Leadership (PEAL) Center (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)

How Children with Disabilities are Often Misunderstood at School and What You Can Do to Help. March 2023, Health Matters: Supporting Children & Youth with Disabilities (Lancaster) Parent Education & Advocacy Leadership (PEAL) Center (Lancaster, Pennsylvania)

Moving from compliance to connection: How trauma-informed approaches can disrupt the school-to-prison pipeline. March 2023, 2023 Annual Conference Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (San Francisco, California)

More than tools and strategies: How a simple philosophy and fundamental neuroscience can reduce the need for punitive discipline practices. February 2023, 6th Annual Creating Trauma-Sensitive Schools Conference Attachment & Trauma Network, Inc. (Houston, Texas)

Restraint and Seclusion: How Applied Educational Neuroscience Can Help! January 2023, 
Applied Educational Neuroscience Butler University (Virtual)

Neuroscience-Aligned & Trauma-Informed Approaches to Supporting Students, Teachers & Staff. January 2023, EducationWeek Webinar EdWeek (Virtual)

Reducing & eliminating restraint, seclusion, and punitive discipline: How Self-Reg can help. January 2023, Healthy Learning Environments Acadia University (Virtual)

Misunderstood: Shifting to a Trauma-informed Neuroscience-aligned Perspective. January 2023, Partners in Policymaking The Arc of Maryland (Virtual)

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2022

Misunderstood: Shifting from a Punitive Mindset. November 2022, Children Come First Conference (Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin)

Trauma, Stress Response & Behavior. October 2022, Prepared for Crisis Prevention Institute (Virtual)

It’s time to move away from punitive discipline. October 2022, Compliance to Compassion: Supporting Students, Teachers & Staff in Challenging Times (Virtual)

Reducing & eliminating restraint, seclusion, and punitive discipline: How Self-Reg can help. July 2022, Mehrit Centre Summer Symposium 2022 (Virtual)

A leadership approach to reducing and eliminating the use of restraint and seclusion. June 2022, The Leadership EDIT Summit (Virtual)

Restraint and seclusion in Nebraska: How we can work together to reduce and eliminate these practices. June 2022, Arc of Nebraska (Virtual)

Do No Harm: Ending School-Based Trauma. June 2022, Trauma Informed Educators Network Conference: Shifting Paradigms (Nashville, Tennessee)

Rethinking the Policy of Seclusion and Restraint with Mona Delahooke. April 2022, Psychotherapy Networker (Virtual)

Understanding Restraint and Seclusion. April 2022, Community Care Licensing Children’s Residential Program University of California Davis (Virtual)

Federal Laws & Advocacy in Action: Advocating for legislative change, preparing and giving testimony. March 2022, The Arc of Maryland Partner in Policymaking (Maryland)

Understanding Restraint and Seclusion. March 2022, Community Care Licensing Children’s Residential Program University of California Davis (Virtual)

Ending Punitive School Discipline: Reducing and eliminating Restraint and Seclusion, March 2022, The National Juvenile Justice Network (Virtual)

Sharing my journey: Reducing and eliminating restraint and seclusion. March 2022, The Arc of Frederick County and Frederick County Public Schools (Frederick, Maryland)

Restraint and Seclusion: Ending it in New Hanover Public Schools. March 2022, New Hanover County Special Education PTA (Virtual)

Restraint and Seclusion: What you need to know and what you can do. February 2022, Prader-Willi Syndrome Association (Virtual)

Restraint and Seclusion Use in Maryland Schools. February 2022, Laurel Hall Schools Frederick, Maryland (Virtual)

Restraint and Seclusion: Issues in education. February 2022, University of North Florida Spring 2022 (Virtual)

Restraint & Seclusion: SEAS of Luzerne. February 2022, SEASofLuzerne (Virtual)

Breaking the trauma cycle: Ending the use of restraint and seclusion in schools. February 2022, 2022 Creating Trauma Sensitive-Schools Conference(Houston, Texas)

Restraint and Seclusion: How Applied Educational Neuroscience Can Help! January 2022, Butler University (Virtual)

Behavior is Communication: Shifting to a trauma-informed Perspective. January 2022, The Arc of Maryland Partners in Policymaking (Virtual)

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2021

What are restraint and seclusion, and what harm do they cause? October 2021, 2021 Lives in the Balance Children’s Mental Health Conference

Restraint and Seclusion: Breaking the trauma cycle. October 2021, MHTS 502 – Building a Trauma-Sensitive Environment with Strategy North Central College

Keeping All Students Safe: Reducing and eliminating the use of restraint and seclusion. June 2021, Campaign for Trauma Informed Policy and Practice Call

Restraint & seclusion elimination in the United States: Challenges and Hope. May 2021, Studio 3 Training

Reducing & Eliminating Restraint & Seclusion: In Saline, Michigan and across the nation. April 2021, Saline Supports Our Community Presentation

Institutional Abuse: Restraint and seclusion use in schools and residential facilities across the nation. April 2021, American Bar Association Presentation

Ending the cycle of Restraint and Seclusion: How applied educational neuroscience can help! March 2021, Applied Educational Neuroscience Class (Butler University)

No More Seclusion Rooms: Reducing and eliminating the use of restraint and seclusion in Farmington and across the nation. March 2021, Farmington Social Justice League Presentation

We can and must do better: Reducing and eliminating the use of restraint and seclusion in Arkansas and across the nation. February 2021, 8th Annual Family Bistro Conference

Restraint and Seclusion use in Maryland Schools: We can do better and if we can do better we must do better. January 2021, Maryland Association of Nonpublic Special Education Facilities Presentation

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2020

Restraint and Seclusion use in Maryland Schools: Dangerous interventions that can lead to trauma, injuries, and even death. December 2020, The Arc of Maryland Presentation

Breaking the cycle: The case for ending the use of restraint and seclusion in our schools. December 2020,  American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children (APSAC) Presentation

Inclusion Not Seclusion: Reducing and eliminating the use of restraint and seclusion in our schools. December 2020,  2020 TASH Conference Presentation

Inequity in the Schoolhouse: How restraint and seclusion feed the school-to-prison pipeline. October 2020,  National Allies for Parents in Special Education Presentation

Inclusion Works Exclusion Hurts: Ending the cycle of restraint and seclusion. October 2020, Inclusion Works Conference Arc of Texas

Restraint & Seclusion: Understanding the issue and how we can and must do better for our children in Maryland. October 2020,  Child in Need of Assistance (CINA) Presentation

Restraint and Seclusion: A blueprint for how parents, attorneys and advocates can work together to create change. March 2020, 2020 COPAA Conference Presentation