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Eleven years ago, Leah Kuypers, M.Ed., an OT/autism specialist in school and clinical settings, presented her Zones of Regulation® curriculum to hundreds of therapists, educators and parents, at the 2009 Social Thinking Providers’ Conference.
The speech set off a chain of events that led to, what has become, a globally-embraced approach to teaching children self-regulation and emotional control.
“I love that The Zones provide a safe, common way to express big thoughts and feelings,” says Brittany Brown, M.Ed., an elementary school counselor in Durham, N.C. “Our students are naming zones, owning feelings and following up on next steps to select appropriate self-regulation strategies.”

Educators, therapists and parents, across the globe, have seen similar results, which is what Kuyper loves to hear.
And Friday, June 26, they can gain even more Zones advice from her. That’s because Kuypers will present at the 2020 Social Thinking Providers’ Conference. However, this time, she’ll be the opening day keynote speaker.
(It’s an online event, this year, due to COVID-19.)
Back and better than ever
Kuypers’ opening day presentation will provide strategies that make regulation and emotional management less abstract, and simpler to navigate. She’ll also share what she’s learned since first publishing the curriculum, including:
- considerations when implementing The Zones of Regulation with various populations of individuals
- how multi-tiered support systems can maximize The Zones’ effectiveness
- ways co-regulators can support individuals through challenges
- how to use The Zones in unison with social-emotional learning concepts and curricula
- common misconceptions
At the end of the livestream presentation, Kuypers will address questions that conference attendees are posting.
It will be a day of new ideas and best practices that’s as valuable to long-standing Zones of Regulation fans as those who are new to the curriculum.
Additional conference highlights
Event participants also will gain evidence-based, actionable advice – via livestream – from: developmental behavioral pediatrician Damon Korb, MD, FAAP; founder and CEO of Social Thinking® Michelle Garcia Winner, M.A., CCC-SLP; and Social Thinking’s chief strategy officer Pamela Crooke, Ph.D., CCC-SLP.
Topics will include:
- steps to foster organized thinking (via executive functions) from infancy through the teen years
- the roles of executive functions (such as self-regulation and perspective-taking) when trying to make – and keep – friendships
- how to teach Social Thinking® strategies at home and through tele-education
- five practical activities to teach perspective-taking and problem-solving: around the dinner table, in the car, during teaching time, in virtual groups, and with siblings
In all, it’s nine hours of insightful and actionable training. Presentations will be available via recording for two weeks following the conference (except for Kuypers’ talk, which will take place via livestream only).
In addition, continuing education (CE) credits will be available for those who qualify.
More details
Want more info on this year’s event? For pricing options, CE specifics, and other details, visit the 2020 Social Thinking Providers’ Conference webpage.
For more about the Social Thinking Methodology, read my Building Social Smart article.
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