K-12 Panel 6: Improving Agency and Self-determination for Neurodivergent Students through Diverse Collaborations

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Improving Agency and Self-determination for Neurodivergent Students through Diverse Collaborations

Moderator: Yael Valek

Objectives:

• Participants will be able to describe a method for creating partnerships that center neurodivergent voices to develop effective social emotional learning solutions.
• Participants will be able to explain how play based learning and project based learning promote agency for neurodivergent students.
• Participants will be able to discuss the role of teacher preparation programs in preparing new teachers to evaluate and use neurodiverse affirming strategies and tools.

Carolyn Long, MCD, CCC-SLP, CEO, Social Optics Inc.

Carolyn Long is a Speech Language Pathologist with over 26 years of experience supporting neurodivergent individuals across home, healthcare and educational settings from birth through adulthood. Carolyn regularly presents on the role of social communication and self-identity at conferences including the American Speech and Hearing Association National Conference. She is also the founder and CEO of Social Optics, a software and curriculum for understanding diverse communicators that builds social communication skills through neurodiverse affirming content. Social Optics focuses primarily on grades 9-12 and transition to college or career. It has received funding through the NSF/VITAL Prize Competition and NewSchools Ventures Fund. Carolyn lives in Bozeman, MT with her husband and 2 daughters.

Vanessa Castañeda Gill, CEO, Social Cipher

Vanessa Castañeda Gill is the CEO and Co-Founder of Social Cipher, an EdTech company that builds social-emotional learning video games and curriculum for neurodiverse youth. Based on her own experiences as an Autistic/ADHD individual, Vanessa formed a 50% neurodivergent team to create a product that helps neurodivergent youth advocate for themselves and embrace who they are. Trusted by over 200 schools and therapy centers in 8 countries, Social Cipher's games are evidence-based by university-led studies to improve skills like self regulation and sense of belonging. Their innovative games have earned them recognition as Forbes 30 under 30s in Education, MIT Solvers, and most recently LEGO Foundation Play for All Long Term Partners.

Leslie Rodgers, PhD, Assistant Professor, Montana State University

Leslie Rogers, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of Special Education at Montana State University and a former K–12 special education teacher (8.5 years). For the past eight years, she has led longitudinal research focused on the evolving nature of school-home communication and collaboration between families and special education teachers, with particular attention to how these relationships impact student agency and self-determination. At MSU, Leslie serves as a research team member and co-PI on an interdepartmental project aimed at making introductory chemistry courses more accessible to neurodiverse students. In its first semester alone, this project engaged over 1,000 students, with expanded efforts underway for Fall 2025. Her work centers on improving educational access and outcomes for students with disabilities through evidence-based practices, meaningful family partnerships, and inclusive design. She looks forward to contributing to the panel’s conversation on how diverse collaborations can strengthen agency and support for neurodivergent learners.