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
Each Other's Harvest: Creating Conditions for Collective Wellbeing
In this time of colliding crises, it's critical that we remember the power of relationships to buffer ourselves and our loved ones from the effects of chronic stress. However, it takes significant intention to be in right relationship, particularly during challenging times. This conversation will explore the integration of trauma science and healing justice to advance wellbeing in our families and communities.

Morton Ann Gernsbacher, PhD

Thursday, January 28, 2027 |  8:00 - 9:30 PM eastern
Constructing Meaning, Challenging Paradigms: A Career in Experimental Psycholinguistic
This presentation traces Gernsbacher's career-long journey through experimental psycholinguistics, exploring how human cognitive processes construct meaning. Following Gernsbacher’s pioneering Structure Building Framework, Gernsbacher transitioned into empirical research that challenged autistic communication, as well as the language used to describe autistic people. The presentation concludes with Gernsbacher’s recent work on modern pragmatics, including the evolving linguistic landscape of singular “they” and applying the Structure Building Framework to assess autistic comprehension.

Barry M. Prizant, PhD, CCC-SLP

Thursday,  March 18, 2027 |  12:00 - 1:30 PM eastern
A Uniquely Human Lens for Supporting Young Neurodivergent Children and their Families
How can educators, therapists and families best support children with neurodevelopmental conditions? Our growing understanding of neurodiversity can provide guidance and direction. All human beings have uneven developmental profiles due to neurodevelopmental differences. However, for young autistic children and those other neurodevelopmental differences, strengths and challenges may be more pronounced, especially in areas related to social communication and emotional regulation.

Using meaningful examples, this presentation will discuss and give examples of productive and supportive ways to identify and capitalize on strengths, enhance social communication competence and confidence, support emotional regulation, build trust and empower young autistic individuals and those with related neurodevelopmental conditions. This neuroaffirming, strength-based approach is in stark contrast to “deficit-checklist” approaches primarily designed to change behavior and “fix” individuals.

Jennifer Sims, LPCC, RPT

Thursday, May 13, 2027 | 8:00 - 9:30 pm eastern
The Radical Idea at the Heart of Play: Moving Toward Connection and Liberation
For generations, childhood has been shaped by the belief that adults know best and that children must be directed, corrected, and controlled. But what if one of the most powerful forces for healing is something much simpler: an adult who trusts children enough to follow their lead?

This presentation explores the radical idea that children are already whole, worthy, and inherently driven toward growth when given safety, relationship, and the freedom to play. Drawing from child-centered principles and the framework of child liberation, participants will examine how play challenges childism, redistributes power, and creates space for authentic expression, autonomy, and resilience.

Together, we'll consider what changes when adults move from managing behavior to witnessing experience, from teaching compliance to cultivating connection, and from asking "How do I make this child behave?" to "What does this child need to flourish?"

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.