Join us on February 4th in our event online on Teams and learn more about neurodiversity and sensory systems! Please note, the event is moved to online only.
Register for the event on Teams
With a foundational understanding of neurodiversity and the sensory systems, educators and caregivers can begin making subtle yet powerful adjustments that support regulation and reduce dysregulation in classrooms, group activities, homes, and community settings. In this session, we will explore sensory‑seeking and sensory‑avoiding behaviors through the lens of self‑regulation, emphasizing how individuals of all ages use sensory input to stay engaged, calm, and connected.
By defining sensory processing and the sensory systems as universal human experiences—not challenges exclusive to neurodivergent individuals—we open the door to a more inclusive and compassionate understanding of behavior. Participants will learn to recognize how children and adults naturally seek or avoid sensory input as a way to regulate their nervous systems.
The session will also include practical, easy‑to‑implement strategies to support regulation across environments, along with time for questions and discussion.
About the Speaker:
Katie McMurray, M.Ed., CDMS (She/Her) is the founder and chief executive officer of Sensory Tool House, LLC, and co‑founder of Equity Access Solutions, LLC. With more than 17 years of experience supporting children, families, and professionals, Katie has built her career at the intersection of education, neurodiversity, and community advocacy.
Katie’s work in education spans classroom teaching, program development, and system‑level collaboration with schools. With a Master of Education in Guidance and Counseling, where she specialized in sensory processing disorder, she has dedicated her career to helping educators and caregivers understand the sensory and neurological needs of diverse learners. Her team partners with districts, educators, and student support teams to improve sensory accessibility, strengthen inclusive practices, and create learning environments where neurodivergent students can thrive.
As a certified disability management specialist and longtime vocational counselor, Katie brings a deep understanding of the lifelong impact of early educational experiences, transition services, and access to supportive learning environments. Her unique perspective as the parent of four neurodivergent children—including those who are autistic, have ADHD, dyscalculia, sensory processing disorder, and brain‑based differences due to adverse childhood experiences—grounds her professional work in lived experience and practical insight.
Katie is an award‑winning neurodivergent business owner known for creating inclusive workplaces that enhance well‑being, retention, and innovation. Her leadership has earned recognition including 2023 Boss of the Year and the Washington Small Business Development Center’s Star Client of the Year. She has been featured in multiple publications and podcasts for her advocacy and applied work in accessibility, sensory‑informed environments, and neuroinclusive practices. In every facet of her work, Katie is committed to expanding understanding of neurodiversity and empowering communities to remove barriers for all learners. She believes that when schools embrace sensory‑inclusive and neuroaffirming approaches, students not only access their education, they flourish.
When she is not working, Katie enjoys being near the water and spending time with her four children and grandchildren.