Mental Health KC Presents…
Mental Health KC Presents is a series of free webinars intended to extend the education and training provided by the Mental Health KC Conference.
The views and opinions presented are those of the speaker and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of Metro Council.
Mental health professionals: Join us for the live webinar in order to receive a one-hour certificate of attendance. Certificates will not be offered for watching replays.
Important note for participants: AI note-taking apps are not permitted as a substitute for attendance. If an AI notetaker is logged in without the participant also being present in the session, it will be removed. Certificates of attendance will only be issued to individuals who are personally logged in for the full session.
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Trainings and Webinars
Title: Rethinking “Noncompliance”: A Neurodiversity-affirming lens for challenging behaviors in youth
Presenter: Katie Black, M.Ed.,
Thursday March 12, 2026 from 12-1pm Central Time (US and Canada)
Description:
This webinar challenges traditional, behavioral framing and offers a practical neuroscience-informed approach to understanding and supporting dysregulated or avoidant behavior in youth. Participants will explore how factors like demand, avoidance, cognitive inflexibility, working, memory breakdowns, and sensory overload often presents as defiance, but reflect underlying needs. Drawing from executive function coaching, trauma-informed teaching, and neurodiversity affirming practice, the session will offer real world strategies that help staff and families de-escalate conflict, improve engagement, and build trust.
Learning Objectives:
1. Identify at least three root causes of behavior commonly mislabeled as noncompliant in neurodivergent youth.
2. Apply a neurodiversity, affirming lens to reframe behavior using strengths-based and trauma-informed language.
3. Integrate practical co-regulation and executive function supports into treatment or case planning.
Zoom Registration for this webinar:
REGISTER HERE »
Katie Black, M.Ed., is an executive function coach, social worker in training, and Program Director at Summit Ranch, a nonprofit supporting youth mental health and wellness. She specializes in helping children and teens build tools for attention, regulation, and independence through strengths-based, neurodiversity-affirming strategies. With a background in education and extensive experience supporting ADHD, autism, and anxiety, Katie designs programs that bridge therapy, coaching, and real-world application. She regularly presents on executive functioning, neurodivergent-affirming practices, and inclusive support for children and teens.
Past Webinars May Be Available on our YouTube Channel
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Mental Health KC (Metro Council) hosts free educational webinars the 2nd and 4th Thursday of every month.
Would you like to be a presenter? We take webinar proposals on a rolling basis throughout the year.
These webinars are a great way to spread information or share research that helps educate either the general public or clinicians/therapists/social workers/others in mental health fields.
