Profectum's Visionary Lecture Series

A FREE community learning event highlighting the work of innovative thinkers in the field of child development, families, and relationships. Everyone is welcome - the series is open to all! We invite everyone who is interested in DIR® and related areas of knowledge and practice to attend.

The Visionary Lecture Series is supported in part by The Profectum Educational Endowment Fund Honoring Serena Wieder, PhD, established in celebration of her contributions to child development, relationships, and the founding vision of Profectum. Together with the generosity of our community, this support allows Profectum to continue highlighting innovative thinkers and meaningful dialogue across the fields of child development, families, and human connection. Contributions to Profectum help strengthen this work and honor the values Dr. Wieder has helped shape.

2026-2027 Lecture Series

Habeebah Rasheed Grimes

Thursday, October 15, 2026 |  8:00 - 9:30 pm eastern

Description soon

Morton Ann Gernsbacher, PhD

Thursday, January 28, 2027 |  8:00 - 9:30 PM eastern

Description soon

Barry M. Prizant, PhD, CCC-SLP

Thursday,  March 18, 2027 |  12:00 - 1:30 PM eastern

Description soon

Jennifer Sims, LPCC, RPT

Thursday, May 13, 2027 | 8:00 - 9:30 pm eastern

Description soon

Past Visionary Lecturers

2023-24 Lecture Series:
Alicia F. Lieberman, PhD and Chandra Ghosh Ippen, PhDNucha Isarowong, PhD, LICSW, IMH-E®Pradeep Gidwani, MD, MPHKieran Rose and Amy Pearson, PhD


2024-25 Lecture Series:
Betty Peralta, MIT, MS-MHC, IMH-E (III)
Mary Claire Heffron, PhD
Carmen Rosa Noroña, LICSW, MSW, MS. Ed., IECMH-E® and Ivys Fernández-Pastrana, JD
Mel Houser, MD

2025-26 Lecture Series:
Joia Mukherjee, MD
Patrick Dwyer, PhD
Deborah Flaschen
Lori Desautels, PhD

About Profectum Foundation

Profectum Foundation is the premiere organization for DIR®, the Developmental, Individual Difference, Relationship-based Model that is an interdisciplinary approach for enabling developmental progress. Focusing on individual profiles and strengths, and building robust connections through relationships, DIR® honors neurodiversity and assists individuals of all ages to develop to their full potential.

Profectum provides DIR® certification training and education for licensed professionals and educators, and also provides extensive resources for parents and caregivers. DIR® and Profectum provide education, tools and resources to navigate diagnoses of Autism Spectrum Disorders, Sensory Processing Disorders, and other learning and developmental challenges, enabling progress for children, families, and the professionals who work with them.

Your donation amplifies the impact of the DIR® Model.

Together, we can recognize and celebrate all individual differences, and leverage the power of relationships for healthy development.