Trauma-Informed IEPs: When Behavior Signals More with Dr. Desirie Sykes — Inclusive Education Project (IEP) Podcast

Happy New Year! We can’t believe it’s already 2026. We made it through the holidays, which can be a particularly challenging time for many students. Our last episode of 2025 covered the topics of misbehavior and dysregulation, and we continue in that direction with today’s guest. Join us to learn more!

Dr. Desirie Sykes is a speaker, leader, advocate, author, and CEO. She is the founder of NESS Behavior Consulting and NESS Cares, a nonprofit in New York. NESS Behavior Consulting provides resources for mental health and special education, targeting children with a primary diagnosis of autism. Dr. Sykes collaborates with local school districts in the Long Island, NY, area, providing support and services tailored to meet a student’s IEP. Her passion is to enlighten, uplift, and empower, while changing the narrative around mental health and providing accessible resources to those who need them.

Show Highlights:

Being sensitive and intuitive when behavior signals a deeper mental health issue
Bridging the gap between home and school behavior: A look at the big picture
Parents should speak up in IEP meetings and ask questions confidently.
Identifying your “starting point” in getting real about behavioral responses
The challenge: Turning functional behavioral plans into doable bits
Importance of concrete, objective data about student behavior
“How does the child feel about their environment?”
Look at the big picture, not just the IEP meeting.
Implementation of the needed supports is the key!
One thing Dr. Sykes wants educators and parents to know
Services available through NESS Behavior Consulting

Resources:

Connect with Dr. Desirie Sykes

NESS Behavior Consulting

NESS Cares

DesirieSykes.com

Contact us on social media or through our website for more information on the IEP Learning Center: www.inclusiveeducationproject.org.

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