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.

Join us for our public lecture series, running between November 2025 - May 2026, live online via Zoom. 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 funded in part by The Profectum Educational Endowment Fund Honoring Serena Wieder, PhD.

November 13, 2025

Joia Mukherjee, MD

January 15, 2026

Patrick Dwyer, PhD

March 12, 2026

Deborah Flaschen

May 14, 2026

Lori Desautels, PhD

Rewiring Discipline: Understanding the Nervous System's Role in Behavior

Lori Desautels, PhD
Thursday May 14, 2026 @ 12:00 pm eastern time

This session explores how the developing nervous system shapes behavior, especially under stress, adversity, and trauma. Educators will examine the shift from traditional discipline toward nervous system-aligned, relational practices. Grounded in applied educational neuroscience and Polyvagal Theory, participants will explore the neurobiological roots of student behavior and learn how to respond with compassion and regulation

Navigating the Road Toward A New Vision of Global Health

Joia Mukherjee, MD

Dr. Mukherjee highlighted lessons learned from this work and how they were applied during the COVID pandemic when Partners In Health was invited by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to support contact tracing. The group developed an equity-focused model to support the needs of the most vulnerable.

What Do Neurodiversity and Neurodiversity-Affirming Practice Mean?

Patrick Dwyer, PhD

Dr. Dwyer discussed what the neurodiversity movement and neuro-affirming practice are really about, and included quantitative and qualitative data about the types of support and practices that community members view as more socially-valid and acceptable.

A Meaningful Life: Creating Community Where Adults with Developmental Differences Can Thrive

Deborah Flaschen

Deborah Flashen shared insights from her journey building 3LPlace, highlighting the power of presuming competence, fostering autonomy, and creating community where adults with developmental differences can thrive.

Past Visionary Lecturers

2023-24 Lecture Series:

  • Alicia F. Lieberman, PhD and Chandra Ghosh Ippen, PhD
  • Nucha Isarowong, PhD, LICSW, IMH-E®
  • Pradeep Gidwani, MD, MPH
  • Kieran 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

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