$129 Regular Tickets
3 days live + 60-day on-demand + community acces
November 5, 12 & 19 | LIVE
Weekly | 8:00am-1:30pm MT
Some days, the world just feels like too much, too noisy, too fast, too demanding. Other days, it can feel distant, hard to reach, or quietly overwhelming. For many families supporting neurodivergent children, everyday life is a mix of both.
When the World Is Too Much is a live, interactive summit designed to help caregivers pause, restore, and build confidence in the middle of those moments. Over three half-day interactive gatherings, we will come together to learn neuroscience-informed, practical ways to support regulation, connection, and resilience, without adding pressure or perfectionism to the mix.
This event is about taking a breath and finding community: a space where lived experience meets science, and where being together brings both understanding and relief. Here you will discover strategies that help your child (and you) stay grounded through the small and big challenges of daily life—when getting dressed feels impossible, when transitions unravel, when the world just doesn’t cooperate.
You will also leave feeling a little more equipped and a lot less alone. Expect sensory-wise tools for calmer routines, ways to advocate compassionately in school and healthcare settings, and practical approaches to caring for yourself while caring for others.
When the World Is Too Much is more than education; it’s a moment to reconnect with hope, rebuild your sense of steadiness, and gather ideas that actually work in the real world.
Come as you are, refill your cup, and bring a friend who might need this too. Share the invitation widely, because every caregiver deserves a place to pause, learn, and feel understood. The more people who understand these experiences, the more caring and responsive our homes, classrooms, and communities can become.
Our 3-Day Program
Day 1: Understanding Sensory Life in Real Time | 8:00am-1:00pm MT
Our first day focuses on understanding the full range of sensory experiences — from those moments that feel like too much to those that feel just out of reach. Speakers will share stories and science to help caregivers interpret what they see and feel through a compassionate, sensory-informed lens. The goal is not to fix behaviors but to deepen understanding of what drives them, and to show how environment, expectation, and relationship shape daily life.
- 8:00am–8:10am | Welcome | Dr. Virginia Spielmann
- 8:10am-9:10am | All Day Long, All Day Strong: Moving Beyond Reactive Support for Regulation | Dr. Amy Laurent and Dr. Jacquelyn Fede
- 9:10am-10:10am | Choosing the Right Fit: Finding Therapies and Therapists That Truly Support Your Child | Allison Cost
- 10:15am-11:10am |Patterns, Preferences, and Perception: Understanding Your Child’s Sensory World | Dr. Alexa Herrera
- 11:10am-12:00pm | Unapologetically Whole: Belonging, Caregiving, and Reclaiming Yourself in a Neurodiverse World | Lola Dada-Olley
- 12:00pm-1:00pm | Protecting the Power of Play | Kelsie "Mick" Olds
Day 2: Co-Regulation and Everyday Wellness | 8:00am-1:30pm MT
Our second Thursday centers on practical and relational tools for co-regulation — how our own calm, energy, and empathy shape the nervous systems around us. Participants will explore small ways to build rhythm, routine, and restorative spaces within daily life, no matter how unpredictable things feel.
- 8:00am-8:05am | Welcome | Dr. Virginia Spielmann
- 8:05am-9:05am | Put Your Own Oxygen Mask On | Dr. Kathy Platzman
- 9:10am–10:10am | Finding Peace at the Table: Helping Your Child and Yourself Enjoy Food Again | Dr. Hannah Robertson
- 10:20am-11:20am | Creating Safety Through the Storms: Supporting Meltdowns, Shutdowns, and Sensory Overwhelm in the Moment | Dr. Carrie Alvarado
- 11:25am-12:25pm | CONNECTED Conversations | Carrie Dishlip
- 12:35pm-1:35pm | From Battle to Balance: Making Daily Routines Work for Wellness and Connection | Kristine Westmoreland
Day 3: Strengthening Hope and Advocacy | 8:00am-1:30pm MT
The final day brings everything together — how understanding and regulation become the foundation for advocacy, hope, and everyday courage. Families will discover ways to work with schools, healthcare providers, and community members from a place of calm clarity, not confrontation.
- 8:00am-8:05am | Welcome | Dr. Virginia Spielmann
- 8:05am-9:05am | How to Play, When to Win, Lose, & Cheat | Adam Johns
- 9:10am–10:40am | (More Than) Five Tools to Help Your Village Move from “Misbehavior” to “Understood Needs” | Dr. Virginia Spielmann
- SPONSORED | What is DIRFloortime and How Can It Help My Child? Live Q&A with Dr. Jeffrey Guenzel
- 11:25am-12:25pm | From Overwhelmed to Oriented: The Diverse Ecology of Co-regulation | Coriander Woodland
- 12:35pm-1:35pm | Parenting from a Strength-based Perspective – From Early Childhood Through Late Adolescence | Dr. Jeffrey Guenzel and Mickey Rowe
BONUS Presentations:
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Regulation is Contagious! Creating Sensory-Safe Environments and Preventing Power Struggles | Greg Santucci
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The Autism-Friendly Guide to Periods | Robyn Steward
Thank You to Our Inspire Sponsor
Get to Know Our 2026 Speakers - CONFIRMED TO DATE
Virginia Spielmann (she/her) |
Carrie Alvarado (she/her) |
Amy Laurent (she/her) |
Jacquelyn Fede (she/her) |
Jeffrey J. Guenzel (he/him) |
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Mickey Rowe (he/him) |
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Adam Johns (he/him) |
Alexa Herrera (she/her) |
Kristine Westmoreland (she/her) |
Carrie Dishlip (she/her) |
Kelsie “Mick” Olds (they/she) |
Coriander Woodland (they/them) |
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Hannah Robertson (she/her) |
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is this summit? A live, interactive virtual summit where caregivers of neurodivergent children can pause, learn, and find community. It's a space where lived experience and expert knowledge — without added pressure or perfectionism.
- Who should attend? Parents and caregivers of a neurodivergent child, whether that means sensory processing differences, autism, ADHD, anxiety, or simply a child who experiences the world intensely. You don’t need a clinical background. Come as you are.
Professionals are welcome too. Occupational therapy practitioners, speech-language pathologists, educators, mental health professionals, students, and others who work with neurodivergent children and families will find education sessions designed with them in mind.
- When does it take place? Three Thursdays: November 5, 12, and 19, 2026, with live sessions from 8:00 am – 1:30 pm Mountain Time each day.
- How much does it cost? Early bird tickets are $89 through October 11 — a $40 savings. Regular $129 pricing applies after that date.
- What if I can't attend live? You don't have to choose between attending and your schedule. All sessions are recorded and available on demand for 60 days following the event — from November 19 through January 19, 2027. You can join live when you can and catch everything else at your own pace.
- What does my registration include? All registered participants receive access to a dedicated virtual event space on STAR's online platform. This is your home base for the summit — where you'll find your livestream access, downloadable presentation handouts, and session recordings as they're uploaded after each live day. It's also where the community lives. Rather than a conference that ends when the last session closes, the event space gives you a place to continue the conversations, stay connected with fellow attendees, and integrate what you're learning over time.
- How do I access the recordings? Recordings are uploaded incrementally after each live session, so you won't need to wait until the summit ends to start watching. Access details will be provided after registration.
- How do I get in touch with questions? Email education@sensoryhealth.org or call 303-221-7827.
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Do you need any accommodations to participate fully and comfortably?
Please contact us at education@sensoryhealth.org and describe how we can help accommodate your needs.
At the conclusion of this three-day live virtual summit, participants will be able to:
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Describe how sensory processing, regulation, communication, and environmental factors interact to influence participation in daily activities for neurodivergent children and their families.
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Identify sensory-informed, family-centered, and neurodiversity-affirming strategies that support participation across home, school, and community settings.
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Explain how co-regulation, communication, play, feeding, and family routines support engagement and well-being, using examples from presentations.
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Differentiate observable behavior from interpretations of intent, and describe how caregiver experiences, environmental supports, and context shape participation, communication, and quality of life.
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Summarize evidence-informed concepts and practical strategies for supporting participation, communication, inclusion, and family-centered care in collaboration with caregivers, educators, and other professionals.
Continuing Education
When the World is Too Much is designed for parents and professionals who want more than a certificate — but we know continuing education hours matter too. An AOTA/ASHA CEU add-on is available at registration for an additional $75, giving you a straightforward path to credit without it getting in the way of the learning itself.
What's included with the CEU add-on:
- 1.475 AOTA CEUs (pending approval)
- CEU eligibility will be confirmed prior to the event
- 1.45 ASHA CEUs / credit eligibility (pending approval)
- Certificate of Completion
- Access to the ASHA CE Registry reporting process
Don't need CEUs? All registered participants receive a Certificate of Attendance at no additional cost — no quiz required.
Questions about continuing education? Contact us at education@sensoryhealth.org.
ASHA CE Provider approval and use of the Brand Block does not imply endorsement of course content, specific products, or clinical procedures.
Add-on ASHA CEUs Option Available for an Additional $75. Includes a Certificate of Completion and submission of credits to the ASHA CE Registry.
Note: This fee is separate from the annual ASHA CE Registry fee, which is processed directly by ASHA.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND - This event is for parents and caregivers of neurodivergent children who want practical strategies, support, and connection with other families.
For professionals: Occupational therapy practitioners, speech-language pathologists, educators, mental health professionals, and students can earn continuing education credit through dedicated professional sessions. These sessions are built for anyone who works with neurodivergent children and families in healthcare, educational, or community settings. 1.45 ASHA CEUs and 1.475 AOTA CEUs are available; see the CE details for approval information.
EDUCATIONAL LEVEL - Introductory / Foundational
DISCLOSURES - 2026 Speaker Disclosures
Attendance Policy
Participants may join the conference at any time during the live broadcasts and/or view the recorded presentations for 60 days after the livestreamed event.
Please note:
- All participants will receive a Certificate of Attendance
- Access to Presentation Recordings - Recordings will be available from November 19, 2026, through January 19, 2027. Live sessions are scheduled for November 5, 12 & 19, 2026, with recordings uploaded incrementally after each session.
To receive the Certificate of Completion, participants must meet the following criteria:
- Purchase the AOTA/ASHA CEU Add-on
- Attend the live event or watch the recordings
- Complete and pass a brief quiz for each approved presentation by December 19, 2026
- A passing score is 80% or higher
- Quizzes must be completed in the order of the presentations
- Quizzes may be retaken as needed
If you would like STAR Institute to report your credits to the ASHA CE Registry, please submit the ASHA CE Registry Reporting Form by December 19, 2026
Cancellation Policy
Since this program is recorded and available for on-demand access, cancellations are generally not accepted. If you have any questions or concerns, please get in touch with education@sensoryhealth.org.
In the rare event that this program must be canceled due to unforeseen circumstances such as illness, fire, strikes, war, acts of God, or other disruptions beyond our control, STAR Institute will make every effort to reschedule. If rescheduling is not possible, all registration fees will be refunded.