Chris Walsh Center
For Educators And Families
AT FRAMINGHAM STATE UNIVERSITY
Upcoming Events
Understanding BSEA Meditation Webinar
Presented by Beth Ross
The BSEA will present an easy-to-understand overview of BSEA Mediation and what participants can expect from the process. They will explain that mediation is a voluntary, confidential, and free option for resolving special education disputes between parents and school districts, and review when it may be helpful, such as disagreements about evaluations, eligibility, IEPs, placement, services, and 504 Plans. The BSEA also will describe the role of the impartial mediator, how mediation sessions are scheduled and structured, how issues are discussed, and how any agreements reached are put into a written, legally binding document. The presentation is designed to help families and educators understand how to request mediation and how to participate in a thoughtful, collaborative way.
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April 8 | 7:00 PM | Zoom
Coaching Neurodivergent Children and teens to Success
Emily Kircher Morris
Raising and educating neurodivergent young people often feels like coaching a team without a playbook: Every day brings new challenges, unexpected wins, and moments that test your patience and your heart. In this encouraging and practical presentation, Emily shares a framework to help support the development of five essential skills that neurodivergent kids need to navigate both school and life: self-advocacy, emotional regulation, executive functioning, communication, and motivation. With insights drawn from neuroscience, real-life stories, and her work with neurodivergent, gifted, and twice-exceptional learners, Emily helps families shift from crisis mode to connection, offering tools that grow confidence, not just in kids, but in the adults who support them.
Who is Emily Kircher Morris?
We are honored to welcome Emily Kircher-Morris, LPC, a nationally recognized speaker and a highly respected voice within the neurodivergent community. Emily is widely known for her work in advancing neurodiversity-affirming practices and for supporting educators, families, and clinicians in better understanding and serving neurodivergent individuals.
May 21st 7-8:30
Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools Transforming Classroom Practices to Build Belonging
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Join us for an engaging, in-person professional development experience focused on creating classrooms and schools where every student feels accepted, supported, and valued. Participants will leave with practical, classroom-ready strategies they can implement immediately:
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✔ Inclusive and affirming language
✔ Responding to student needs without shame
✔ Supporting student self-advocacy
✔ Creating environments where neurodivergent learners belong
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Centered learners include:
• Autistic
• ADHD
• Gifted/Twice-Exceptional
• Learning-Disabled
Featured Presenter
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Emily Kircher-Morris, M.A., M.Ed., LPC
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Educator, clinician, author, and host of The Neurodiversity Podcast, Emily specializes in supporting neurodivergent children, teens, and families and is nationally recognized for her strengths-based, affirming approach.​​
The Science of Friendship — Practical Tools for Kids, Teens, and Adults
In this interactive session, participants will explore the science and skill of building meaningful friendships across the lifespan, with a focus on the unique experiences of neurodivergent individuals. Drawing on evidence-informed frameworks and practical strategies from Friendship Skills for Neurodivergent Adults, this session will address common questions such as how to start and sustain conversations, how much to share and when, and how to move from acquaintance to authentic connection. Attendees will gain actionable tools, real-life examples, and clear guidance to support social confidence, deepen relationships, and foster a greater sense of belonging in everyday life.
PDP Opportunity: Educators can earn 1.5 PDPs for attending and participating in this event.
Meet the Speaker
Caroline Maguire, M.Ed., ACCG, PCC is an internationally recognized expert in social-emotional learning, ADHD coaching, and relationship development. She is the author of the award-winning book Why Will No One Play with Me? and the forthcoming Friendship Skills for Neurodivergent Adults (Balance Books, April 2026), and she hosts The ADHD Social Playbook podcast. As a neurodivergent person with ADHD, dyslexia, and learning disabilities, Caroline brings both professional expertise and lived experience to her work supporting children, teens, and adults in building meaningful relationships.
An educator, coach, and sought-after speaker, Caroline developed a comprehensive Social Emotional Learning (SEL) training methodology that equips parents, clinicians, and educators with practical tools to build self-awareness, emotional regulation, social understanding, and friendship skills. She holds a Master’s degree in Education and Early Childhood Development from Lesley University and is a graduate of the ADD Coach Academy (ADDCA), where she founded and directs the Fundamentals of ADHD Coaching for Families program. Her work has been featured in U.S. News & World Report, MindBodyGreen, Salon, Huffington Post, TODAY Parenting, ADDitude, Attention Magazine, and WebMD.
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