Author Talk: Heart Centered Connections
About this Event
Join educator, neurodiversity expert, and author Dr. Niki Elliott for an urgent conversation on how educational neuroscience and polyvagal theory can transform how we lead, heal, and teach. Drawing from her book Heart-Centered Connections (launching July 2026), Dr. Elliott introduces the concept of Embodied Equity—the biological reality of creating psychological "felt-safety" for neurodivergent and systemically marginalized communities.
Discover why adults must learn to be the "thermostat" rather than the "thermometer" in high-stress spaces, and leave with evidence-based strategies to manage your own stress baseline, cultivate deep co-regulation, and build genuinely inclusive spaces where everyone can thrive.
A book signing and community Q&A will follow the presentation.
We encourage everyone to prepurchase their books before the event as we cannot guarantee book availability without prepurchase.
ABOUT THE BOOK
In Heart Centered Connections: Essential Skills for Helping Neurodiverse Youth Thrive, pioneering educational neuroscientist and equity expert Dr. Niki Elliott delivers an urgent, evidence-based paradigm shift for educators, healthcare professionals, counselors, and parents: meaningful learning and equity cannot happen without psychological "felt-safety."
Grounded in polyvagal theory, social-emotional learning, and insights from training over a thousand child-serving professionals, Dr. Elliott reveals a profound biological truth: children unconsciously mirror the stress levels of the adults around them. To calm a dysregulated child, we must first learn to regulate ourselves. We cannot be a thermometer that merely reacts to the temperature in the room; we must become the thermostat that sets it.
Structured around an actionable, transformative framework, Heart-Centered Connections breaks down the seven essential skills required to cultivate deep, lasting bonds with neurodivergent and marginalized children.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dr. Niki Elliott is a clinical professor and director of the Center for Embodied Equity and Neurodiversity at the University of San Diego. A leading voice in neurodiversity and trauma-informed education, she has trained thousands of teachers, school counselors, and helping professionals worldwide to better support children with learning differences, mental health diagnoses, trauma histories, and behavioral challenges. Her work integrates educational neuroscience, polyvagal theory, mind-body practices and embodied equity to build emotionally safe, inclusive learning environments. Dr. Elliott serves on the Board of Directors and teaching faculty of the Polyvagal Institute and is the author of Heart-Centered Connection: 7 Essential Skills for Helping Neurodiverse and Marginalized Children Thrive.
EVENT SCHEDULE
2:00pm Welcome to MATTER
2:05pm Dr. Elliott introduction
2:10pm Dive into conversation with Dr. Elliott
3:00pm Q&A with attendees
3:30pm Book signing
ACCESSIBILITY
Parking: Metered street parking is available (parallel parking) on Market St. Paid lots are available within a few blocks. The closest one is on 21st and Market St.
Entrance Access: Our front door is at street level and manually operated, accessible for wheelchairs and mobility aids. The rest of the block has sidewalks raised by five steps; however, the bike lane offers a step-free route down the block with minimal car traffic.
Restrooms: All-gender restrooms. Just like at home.
Communication: All staff on site speak English. There will be one Spanish speaking staff member. We welcome communication via translation apps (Google Translate is available). While we do not use ASL, we’re happy to communicate through apps or other tools that work for you.
Alcohol Policy: No alcohol will be served or permitted at this event.
Questions or Requests: Please contact us at [email protected] with any accessibility needs or questions.
We encourage everyone to prepurchase their books before the event as we cannot guarantee book availability without prepurchase.
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 0.00 to USD 23.04
