From Behavior to Meaning:

Neurodiversity-Affirming Support in Early Childhood Settings

with Sara Rodrigues of Balanced Learning Center

Early childhood professionals are often asked to respond quickly to behaviors without always having the tools to understand what those behaviors represent. This interactive session shifts the focus from compliance-based responses to meaning-making, exploring how sensory needs, communication differences, and environmental factors shape behavior. Participants will engage in real-world scenarios, practice reframing common interpretations, and develop concrete strategies to support regulation, autonomy, and inclusion in early childhood settings. This session emphasizes practical, sustainable changes that can be implemented immediately across classrooms and programs.

Who is Sara Rodrigues?

Sara (she, her, hers) is the Executive Director of Balanced Learning Center. She earned her DSW from Simmons University. She has 20 years of experience working with children and families in outpatient clinics, private schools, community mental health, home-based treatment programs and residential facilities. The principles of wraparound are a major component of her work as she believes that families are the experts on their own experiences, strengths and needs. Understanding that navigating the system can be a challenge, Sara focuses on building an integrated team of both natural and professional supports can help a family meet their goals for themselves in a way that is sustainable.  Sara specializes in working with individuals facing anxiety and depression but also in children presenting with developmental issues.  Sara is often described as dedicated to her clients, creative in her treatment approaches and sensitive to the unique needs of each family. Aside from loving on her three children, she also fully admits to being a major book fanatic (feel free to give book recommendations!), a coffee snob and slightly obsessed with cute stationery products.