From Affect Autism in 2023: Supporting Adolescents Around Taboo Topics
"In our last podcast episode together, back in 2019, Dave Nelson discussed puberty and how we can best support our kids in a respectful way using a developmental approach. In this episode, we want to continue on that topic by touching on the developmental way to support our adolescents in taboo areas." Link to the show notes with links to key discussion points and other ways to view or hear the episode here: https://affectautism.com/2023/02/18/adolescence/
From Affect Autism in 2019: Puberty
"Dave Nelson is with us this week to discuss puberty and how we can best support our kids in a respectful way using a developmental approach. He shares with us a fantastic presentation I attended in the Floortime for Adults course this past fall through the International Council on Development and Learning (ICDL)." Link to the show notes with links to key discussion points and other ways to view or hear the episode here: https://affectautism.com/2019/02/04/puberty/
From Affect Autism in 2017: Process-Oriented and Affinities-Based Learning
"Continuing with the back-to-school series this episode is the topic of process-oriented and affinities-based learning. We heard Dave Nelson talk about how they use these approaches at Threshold Community Program (formerly called The Community School) with their students." Link to the show notes with links to key discussion points and other ways to view or hear the episode here: https://affectautism.com/2017/11/13/process-oriented-learning/
Selected Past Professional Activity
Presented In Search of Perspective, Nuance, and Shades of Grey: The Evolution of Political and Cultural Attitudes in Two Autistic Men and the Impact of DIR/Floortime at the 2026 International Council on Development and Learning (ICDL) Conference, Union, NJ, March 2026.
Presented Storyboarding: A Therapeutic Technique at the 2025 International Council on Development and Learning (ICDL) Online Conference, October 2025.
Presented Using DIR/Floortime With Adolescents and Adults, an online 3 hour short-course, on the International Council on Development and Learning (ICDL) online platform, June 2024, March 2025, November 2025, April 2026.
Presented Beyond Bubbles and Balloons: How To Communicate About Your Work To Foster Buy-In, Alignment, and the Support of Parents, Other Professionals, and Funding Sources at the 2023 NYC ICDL Conference, New York City, March 2023.
Presented TCS Honor Store: Building a Business From a Gleam in the Eye, a presentation about experiential learning, at the 2019 NYC ICDL Conference at The Rebecca School, NYC, March 2019.
Presented two units of an online course (sexuality and managing aggression), Working with Adults Using the DIR Framework, at the Interdisciplinary Council on Development and Learning (ICDL) website, December 2018.
Presented Autism Intervention: Positive Support With a Relationship-Based, Developmental Model, at the Georgia Association for Positive Behavior Support Annual Conference, Atlanta, November 2017.
Presented All About Autism to the Dekalb Behavioral Health Team, Atlanta, September 2017.
Presented The Basics of the DIR/Floortime Model: An Evidence-Based, Interactive Approach for Working with Individuals on the Autism Spectrum, at Autism Conference & Expo of Georgia, Atlanta, May 2017.
Co-Presented Autism and Relationships: Building Meaningful Connections, at Autism Conference & Expo of Georgia, Atlanta, May 2017.
Presented The Importance of Family Support, at the Interdisciplinary Council on Developmental and Learning Disorders (ICDL) DIR in Education Conference, Atlanta, January 2017.
Presented Keynote Address, Emotional Interdependence: The Crux of Learning, at ICDL Regional Conference at Rebecca School, New York City, April 2016.
Presented Moving Beyond Vocational Support: Fostering Independence, Self-Determination, and the Capacity for Relationships in a Unique Therapeutic Transition Program for Young Adults, at the Interdisciplinary Council on Developmental and Learning Disorders (ICDL) Annual Conference, Atlantic City, NJ, September 2015.
Co-presented a series of four workshops entitled Understanding Sexuality and Developmental Disabilities for All About Developmental Disabilities, an advocacy and education organization, Decatur, GA, Fall 2014.
Co-taught a series of courses about the DIR®/Floortime Model for Dynamics Therapy Center in Singapore, July-October, 2014.
Co-presented in a keynote panel discussing the merits of inclusion based on a presentation by Paula Kluth, You’re Going To Love This Kid, Interdisciplinary Council on Developmental and Learning Disorders (ICDL) Annual Conference, East Orange, New Jersey, October 2013.
Co-taught a graduate-level course for the PhD program of the Interdisciplinary Council on Developmental and Learning Disorders (ICDL) entitled Understanding How Children Learn: Recognizing Differences and Strengths and Creating Engaging, Supportive, and Effective Learning Environments, online virtual classroom, Spring 2013.
Co-presented Sexuality on the Autistic Spectrum: A Relationship-Based Approach to Sexuality, at the Interdisciplinary Council on Developmental and Learning Disorders (ICDL) Annual Conference, East Orange, New Jersey, November 2012.
Co-presented The Power of Affect: Innovative Approaches to Education, at the Interdisciplinary Council on Developmental and Learning Disorders (ICDL) Annual Conference, East Orange, New Jersey, November 2012.
Presented The Community School in Action: Innovative Approaches to Education, an online webinar for the Interdisciplinary Council on Developmental and Learning Disorders, October, 2012.
Co-presented A Relationship-Based Approach to Sexuality: Moving Beyond Content and Behavior, at the 24th LPCA Georgia Annual Convention, Atlanta, Georgia, June 2012.
Co-presented Affinities-Based Learning: Harnessing the Power of Student-Driven Ideas, an online webinar for the Interdisciplinary Council on Developmental and Learning Disorders, May, 2012.
Co-presented Written Expression: Helping Students Put Ideas on Paper, an online webinar for the Interdisciplinary Council on Developmental and Learning Disorders, April, 2012.
Co-presented Meaningful Math: Teaching the Underpinnings of Quantitative Thinking, an online webinar for the Interdisciplinary Council on Developmental and Learning Disorders, January, 2012.
Co-presented Supporting Adolescents and Adults in Community-Based Interventions, at the Atlanta Autism Consortium, December, 2011.
Presented a workshop, Supporting Learning in the Non-Standard Teen: Relationship-Based Learning with Adolescents with Challenges in Relating, Communicating, Thinking, and Problem-Solving, to the Niles Township (Chicago area) School District, October, 2011.
Presented a half-day workshop, Understanding and Working With Individuals with Autistic Spectrum Disorders: A Relationship Based Approach, at the 23rd LPCA Georgia Annual Convention, Savannah, Georgia, May 2011.
Presented Beyond Rainman: Understanding Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders in the Context of Law, Society, and the Child Welfare System, to Georgia Department of Family and Child Services (DFCS) Conference, April 2011.
Presented a half-day workshop, The Power of Play: How to Use the DIR®/Floortime Model to Strengthen the Communication Skills of Clients, at the Mississippi Speech Language Hearing Association annual conference, Jackson, Mississippi, April 2011.
Presented The Importance of Play: Building A Solid Foundation for Critical Thinking and Complex Learning, McNair Discovery Academy Parent University, Dekalb County School System, Decatur, Georgia, November 2010.
Co-presented Special Needs Victims and Witnesses: Best Practices in Investigations Involving Children with Autism and Other Communication Disabilities, Georgia Office of the Child Advocate, Duluth, Georgia, November 2010.
Presented Supporting Peer Interaction and Social Skills Development in Young Adults With Asperger’s Syndrome and Related Challenges, Jewish Family and Career Services Clinical Staff Development Workshop, Atlanta, Georgia, November 2010.
Co-presented a two-day staff training workshop to the staff of the Strategic Learning Institute, a 100 student school for children with autistic spectrum disorders, Port of Spain, Trinidad, November 2010.
Presented Daily Planning: Helping People to Find Meaningful Activity at Autism Society of America, Georgia Chapter conference, A Purpose-Filled Life: Supporting Individuals on the Autism Spectrum Beyond Adolescence, Atlanta, Georgia, November 2010.
Participated in panel discussion, New Approaches to Address the Needs & Wants of Adolescents & Adults with ASD, at the Interdisciplinary Council on Developmental and Learning Disorders (ICDL) Annual Conference, McLean, Virginia, November 2010.
Co-taught a three day workshop, Putting DIR®/Floortime Into Action: A Relationship-Based Approach to Children with ASD, to educators and interventionists in New England, an event hosted by The University of Maine Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies, Orono, Maine, July 2010.
Co-presented (with a team from The Community School) a multi-day series of workshops and trainings to the parents and staff of the Strategic Learning Institute, a 100 student school for children with autistic spectrum disorders, Port of Spain, Trinidad, June 2010.
Received Alumni Achievement Award from St. Paul’s School, high school alma mater, recognizing accomplishments in the field of education of and intervention with individuals with autistic spectrum disorders, Concord, New Hampshire, June 2010.
Presented Demystifying Autism and Related Disorders to Skyland Trail, an adult mental health services facility, Atlanta, Georgia, May 2010.
Presented a one-day workshop, An Introduction to the DIR® Model, at the annual conference of the American Academy of Private Practice in Speech Pathology and Audiology (AAPPSPA), Orlando, Florida, April 2010
Presented a one-day workshop, Special Education from a DIR® Perspective, for Dekalb County School System Special Educators, Dekalb County, Georgia, February, 2010
Co-Presented Teaching "Thinking" in Schools from a DIR® Perspective: A Discussion About Curriculum Strategies and Educational Program Structure at ICDL Summer Training Institute, Monterey, California, July 2009
Co-taught a three day workshop, Putting DIR®/Floortime Into Action: A Relationship-Based Approach to Children with ASD, to educators and interventionists in New England, an event hosted by The University of Maine Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies, Orono, Maine, June 2009.
Presented A Relationship-based Model for Working with Autistic Spectrum Disorders at the 21st LPCA (Georgia) Convention, Callaway Gardens, Georgia, May, 2009
Presented a keynote address, Addressing the Core Deficits in Individuals with Autism Across the Lifespan, and a workshop, Interactive Approaches for Working with Children on the Autism Spectrum, at the Autism Directory Service annual conference, Autism: A Journey Through Life, Wappinger Falls, New York, April 2009.
Presented Embracing Adolescents: Using the DIR® Model to Reclaim Capacities and Develop Potential, ICDL Annual Conference, Lansdowne, Virginia, November, 2008
Presented Putting DIR®/Floortime Into Action: A Relationship-Based Approach to Children with ASD, Georgia Psychological Association Annual Conference, September, 2008
Presented Embracing Adolescents: Using the DIR® Model to Reclaim Capacities and Develop Potential, ICDL Summer Training Institute, Lansdowne, Virginia, July 2008
Co-Presented Putting DIR®/Floortime Into Action: A Relationship-Based Approach to Children with ASD, 20th LPCA (Georgia) Convention, Stone Mountain, Georgia, May 2008.
Co-Presented Putting DIR®/Floortime Into Action: A Relationship-Based Approach to Children with ASD, Autism Society of Georgia Conference, Atlanta, Georgia, March, 2008