For this webinar series, participants will automatically be enrolled in all 5 sessions.

Speaker

Elise W. Wulff, M.Ed., Senior Manager, MGH Aspire

Description

This webinar will provide an overview of autism spectrum disorder, including diagnostic criteria and the dimensional framework with specific considerations for the educational setting. Content will include an overview of the neurodiversity framework, inclusion, and concrete recommendations to promote sensory processing, social communication, stress and anxiety management, and executive functioning across individual, small group, whole class, and building-wide settings.

To receive PDPs and CEUs, participants must attend all 5 sessions and successfully pass a quiz following Session 5. Within 24 hours of the live webinar, registrants will be emailed a link to view the recorded webinar. The recording will be made available for 7 days after each session.

This session offers educators an overview of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) through both the medical model and a dimensional framework, with attention to co-occurring conditions, masking, and caregiver perspectives. Participants will explore the neurodiversity framework and learn how to apply a strengths-based approach in goal-writing, IEP development, and meeting facilitation to better support students on the autism spectrum.

This session will translate the philosophical approach of inclusion into practical tips and tools. Participants will leave with action items to readily implement in their classrooms and schools that demonstrate a commitment to creating spaces that work for today’s students and are sustainable for educators. The PEA-R Model, borrowed from Occupational Therapy, encourages staff to view a student’s visible behavior as a constellation of variables coming together: features of the Person, the Environment, the Activity, and the Relationship. In schools, this model facilitates a systematic approach for discussions around a student’s performance that promote highlighting student strengths as well as addressing unsustainable challenges. Additionally, PEA-R can help create community-wide consistency in classroom management practices. The PEA-R model creates a more informed and effective staff approach to supporting student performance and building a truly inclusive, strengths-based program, starting with staff perspectives around behavior.

This interactive session will breakdown the specific skills that make up Executive Functioning and introduce both whole classroom and individual strategies. Workshop goals are for educators to feel more confident and competent spotting EF skills, strengths and challenges in practical settings, and building and defining a menu of more specific EF-centered interventions to match the strategy to the situational challenge at hand.  

In this session, we’ll present an overview of Stress Theory/the Biology of Stress and recommendations for how to provide developmentally and therapeutically appropriate interventions to help students better manage their stress and anxiety. Content will also include an overview of Sensory Processing and its impact on learning, with specific considerations for students on the autism spectrum. Emphasis will be on practical strategies accessible to all teachers including whole class and individual tools.

The Hidden Curriculum describes social expectations that exist in every setting (e.g. self-advocacy, group work, and perspective-taking) that can often be a frustrating barrier to student success. This interactive workshop will teach strategies educators can use to help all students be successful in understanding and demonstrating social competency with greater independence across a range of settings. 

About the Speaker

Elise Wulff, M.Ed., (she/her) has more than 20 years’ experience working with the neurodiverse population in both public and private sectors. With Aspire since 2007, Elise currently manages consultation and professional development services. As a neurodivergent individual herself, Elise applies her extensive experience and unique perspective in collaboration with neurodiverse individuals, caregivers, and providers to customize tools and strategies that enhance success across various life domains including home, school, and work. Elise has written curriculum to promote healthy self-awareness, disclosure, transition planning, and executive functioning. As an international speaker, Elise supports organizations and corporations to implement practical and sustainable inclusion. She has specific expertise in the neurodiversity framework, special education, universal design, social-emotional learning, tools to build independence, and strategies for executive functioning. 

Elise received her undergraduate degree in psychology and theater arts from Emory University and her master’s degree in special education from Lesley University. Her clinical interests are in the areas of neurodiversity, executive functioning, parent/caregiver support, and effective and sustainable inclusion practices for individuals, educators, parents/caregivers, and providers.

Membership Information

Most MPY webinars are available ONLY to current staff from member districts and organizations. Public school memberships include police and fire personnel. Former and retired employees and members of committees, including but not limited to, PTO/PTA, PAC, School Improvement Councils, Health Councils, Drug/Alcohol Councils, and school volunteers, are not considered MPY members.

PDPs and CEUs

MPY is an approved Professional Development Provider through the Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education (Provider No. F20180079). Professional Development Points (PDPs) are offered for most MPY professional development webinars. PDPs are issued in 10 hour increments, per DESE requirements.

Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are available for clinical staff through the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and the Massachusetts Mental Health Counselors Association, Inc. (MaMHCA). The NASW and the MaMHCA approve each event individually. CEUs may be given in hourly increments.

To receive PDPs and CEUs, participants must pass the quiz.

Event Cancellation Policy

If you are unable to attend a MPY webinar you must cancel, through Bonnie Mullen at bonnie@mpyinc.org, one business day before the webinar.

For MPY hybrid conferences, the date in-person registration closes will be posted on MPY’s website. Virtual conference registration will close one business day before the hybrid conference. You cannot cancel or switch your registration from in-person to virtual after in-person registration closes. Please email Bonnie Mullen at bonnie@mpyinc.org with any questions regarding registration.

 

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All sessions are 12:00 – 2:00 pm

  • Session 1: January 8, 2026, Autism Spectrum Disorders
  • Session 2: January 29, 2026, Inclusion and the PEA Model
  • Session 3: February 12, 2026, Executive Functioning at School
  • Session 4: February 26, 2026, Stress and Anxiety Management and Sensory Processing at School
  • Session 5: March 12, 2026, Social Communication at School