Leading Inclusive Communities

Leading Inclusive Communities - Neurodivergent-Affirming Practices in Action

Shanghai American School, Puxi Campus

Saturday, January 31, 2026

A One Day Un-Conference In partnership with ELG

How can embracing neurodiversity shape more inclusive, innovative, and future ready schools?

This comprehensive one day event will explore the evolving understanding of neurodiversity and its critical role in creating inclusive, future-ready school communities. Through keynotes, dynamic workshops, and interactive case studies, participants will gain tools and strategies to effectively support neurodivergent students, fostering environments where all learners can thrive.

Participants will engage in discussions and hands-on activities designed to shift perspectives on neurodivergence from silence and stigma to visibility, advocacy, and celebration. The program will cover practical strategies for inclusion, including effective communication with families, creating sensory-friendly classrooms, and designing strengths-based pathways for student support.

ELG LogoAcamis logo
 

Workshop Outcomes

By the end of the event participants will have a deeper understanding of neurodiversity affirming practices and be equipped with practical tools to implement them in their schools. Improving educational outcomes for neurodivergent students and fostering a culture of inclusion.

Participants will be able to:

  • Use respectful, empowering language when discussing disabilities and learning differences with students, colleagues, and families
  • Create more inclusive classroom environments that accommodate diverse learning and sensory needs
  • Apply strengths-based approaches that focus on what students can do rather than their deficits or challenges
  • Develop personal action plans with concrete steps to implement neurodiversity-affirming practices in their teaching
 

Program Agenda

Workshops will be delivered by a range of specialists in this field working directly in educational settings

  • 09:00-09:30 Arrival and registration
  • 09:30-10:15 Keynote: Global Perspectives on Neurodiversity: Rethinking Inclusion in a Changing World
  • 10:30-12:00 Workshop A: Say the Word – Disabilities
  • 10:30-12:00 Workshop B: Organizing the Disorganized: Strategies that Work!
  • 10:30-12:00 Workshop C: Creating Sensory-Friendly Classrooms
  • 10:30-12:00 Workshop D: Compassionate Conversations – Engaging Parents in Difficult Dialogues
  • 13:00-14:00 Panel: What Inclusion Looks Like – School Leaders Share Wins and Realities
  • 14:00-15:15 Workshop E: Co-Regulation Strategies for Big Feelings in School Settings
  • 14:00-15:15 Workshop F: Designing Strengths-Based Support Pathways
  • 14:00-15:15 Workshop G: Supporting 2E Learners: When Giftedness Meets Learning Differences
  • 14:00-15:15 Workshop H: From Silence to Support: Navigating Disability Stigmas with Chinese Parents
  • 15:30-16:15 Closing Reflections and Commitments

Individual session titles may be subject to change

 

Keynote Speaker

Shari Rosen

Shari D. Rosen / 罗雪丽

Education:Ph.D., M.S., Communication Sciences and Disorders Emerson College, US
M.S., Forensic Psychology, Walden University, US
B.S., Communication Sciences and Disorders, Syracuse University, US

Career: Founder & Senior Consultant, Speech-Language Pathologist, Forensic Psychologist

Dr. Rosen co-founded ELG in 2006 and served as its Program Director until 2021. She now serves as an advisor and senior consultant. With a PhD in speech-language pathology and over 35 years of professional experience, she also holds a master’s degree in forensic psychology. Dr. Rosen is passionate about promoting awareness and acceptance of neurodivergent individuals, emphasizing strength-based teaching and interventions. As an autistic individual with ADHD and the parent of two neurodivergent children, she brings invaluable lived experience and insight into navigating a world often not designed for those with unique needs.
She regularly provides training for parents, educators, and medical professionals. Dr. Rosen is an active member of the American Speech and Hearing Association, the International Association of Logopedics, the International Association of Special Education, and the International School Counselors Association. She also serves on the Advisory Board of Lifeline, Shanghai, a mental health crisis hotline. Dr. Rosen has received numerous awards for her contributions, including the inaugural SENIA Advocacy Award in 2014 and the International Professional Women’s Society’s Social Contributor of the Year Award in 2017. She was also recognized as one of China’s 2021 Superwomen.

罗雪丽博士于2006年共同创立学建,并担任项目总监至2021年,目前担任顾问及高级顾问。她拥有言语语言病理学博士学位及逾35年的专业经验,同时取得法医心理学硕士学位。 罗雪丽博士致力于推动公众对神经多样性群体的认知与接纳,强调以优势为导向的教学与干预方法。作为一名孤独症及注意力缺陷多动障碍(ADHD)人士,同时也是两名神经多样性孩子的母亲,她将宝贵的亲身经验与深刻洞察融入专业实践,为有特殊需要的人士提供独到的支持与指导。
她定期为家长、教育者及医疗专业人员提供培训,并活跃于多个国际专业组织,包括美国言语听力协会(ASHA)、国际言语与听力学会(IALP)、国际特殊教育协会(IASE)、国际学校辅导员协会(ISCA)。同时,她也是上海心理健康危机热线 Lifeline 的顾问委员会成员。 凭借在专业领域的卓越贡献,罗雪丽博士荣获多项殊荣,包括2014年首届SENIA倡导奖、2017年国际职业女性协会“年度社会贡献者”奖,并于2021年入选“中国超级女性”。

 

Price and Information

Time: 9:00am-4:15pm

Location: Shanghai American School, Puxi Campus

Price (early-bird):

Early bird discount last until November 28, 2025

  • ACAMIS Members: 160 USD
  • Non-Members: 200 USD

Price (after November 28):

  • ACAMIS Members: 200 USD
  • Non-Members: 250 USD
 

Recommended Hotels

Radisson Blu

Radisson Blu Forest Manor Hotel

Address: 839 Jin Feng Road, Shanghai

Contact Name: Ella Meng

Contact Email: ella.meng@radissonhongqiao.com

Prices:
RMB650 with 1 breakfast
RMB750 with 2 breakfasts

Note: Bus provided by host school.

Alternative Hotel Options

Due to an exhibition at NECC (National Exhibition and Convention Center) coinciding with our workshop date, many hotel options are now either more expensive or fully booked. Below are two alternative hotels that remain available, fall within a different fare range compared to our recommended hotel:

Holiday Inn

Holiday Inn Express Shanghai Hongqiao Linkong

Address: No. 289, Linhong Road, Changning District, Shanghai

Prices: Estimated room fare RMB450.

Note: No bus provided, 20 mins/10km driving distance from school. Booking link here.

InterContinental

InterContinental Shanghai Hongqiao NECC

Address: Gate 3, No. 1700 Zhuguang Road, Shanghai

Prices: Estimated room fare RMB1000.

Note: No bus provided, 15 mins/5km driving distance from school. Booking link here.

Recommended Transport Hubs

National Exhibition and Convention Center station on Line 2 and Line 17 is the most convenient metro station near SAS Puxi campus. It provides easy access to downtown and connections to other metro lines.
Please download "Metro大都会" (available on Android and iOS) for more information.

 

Host School

Shanghai American School (SAS), founded in 1912, is mainland China’s oldest international school and a leader in education across Asia. With nearly 3,000 students from Pre-K to Grade 12 on two campuses, SAS fosters a diverse, inclusive community of over 40 nationalities. As a non-profit, it reinvests in top-tier facilities, programs, and teaching. Offering AP and IB programs, SAS emphasizes critical thinking, creativity, and global citizenship. Students benefit from nine college counselors, 140+ student-led clubs, 13 sports, and diverse extracurriculars. Committed to excellence, SAS prepares students to thrive academically and make a meaningful impact in the world.

James Nelligan

James Nelligan

Head of School

Shanghai American School, Puxi Campus

258 Jinfeng Road, Minhang District, Shanghai

+86 (21) 6221 1445