2026 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 15-17, 2026 • Jacksonville, FL
3/18/2026 | 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM | Nervous System Regulation: What it Is, What it Isn't, and How it Applies to EI | City Terrace 8
Nervous System Regulation: What it Is, What it Isn't, and How it Applies to EI
Like many popular psychology concepts, nervous system regulation is a generally understood part of brain science. However, many people don't really know when to apply self-regulation or co-regulation techniques for themselves as providers, and don't know what to accurately expect from others' ability to manage their nervous system arousal levels. Common frameworks for this topic include the Window of Tolerance, the Triune Brain, Attachment Theory, and Vagus Nerve Toning. It can be hard to differentiate between each theory and practice. So what is nervous system regulation? How does it develop? What compromises it? And how can we optimize it? In this session we will ask these questions together. Join us to explore how we can apply these theories and strategies for the EHDI workforce and ultimately support parents and children to connect and develop through a baseline skillset of nervous system regulation.
- Participants will be able to define different types of nervous system arousal and regulation.
- Participants will practice different types of self-regulation and co-regulation, up-regulation and down-regulation.
- Participants will explore applications of nervous system regulation science and strategies to early intervention techniques.
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Presenters/Authors
Djenne Amal Morris
(Co-Presenter), Today With Djenne, LLC, djennemorris@gmail.com ;
Djenne-amal N. Morris, M.A., is a national and international parent/professional trainer, facilitator, and motivational speaker. Rooted in her personal experience as a mother of a son with CHARGE Syndrome, she is passionate about empowering families and the professionals who serve them.
Her career is dedicated to building an atmosphere of support and diversity, having served as a Family Specialist for the New England and North Carolina Deaf-Blind Projects. She currently holds the role of Family Faculty Advisor for the NC-LEND program at UNC-Chapel Hill.
Djenne is married with three children and, alongside her husband, runs a consulting business.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with Today with Djenne LLC.
Nature: none.
Nonfinancial -
Non-Financial relationship with Today with Djenne LLC.
Nature: none.
Jessica Dallman
(Primary Presenter), Natural Wisdom Counseling LLC, jessicadallmancounseling@gmail.com;
Jessica Dallman is a tri-lingual (English, ASL, Spanish) multicultural counselor based out of Wisconsin. Jess is passionate about weaving together trainings as a wilderness/equine therapist (Naropa University), special education teacher (Teach for America), early interventionist (Gallaudet University), and infant mental health clinical mentor (UW-Madison) to serve clients and the community. They have an interdisciplinary, relational, and social justice framework that she brings to all of their work. Jess launched the Wisconsin Hawthorn Project, a free trauma-informed care resource for agencies that serve children and families, and provides Reflective Supervision/Consultation to organizations serving young children.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.