About me
Dr. David A. Palmer is an educator, speaker, and neurodivergence-affirming coach dedicated to empowering parents, educators, and mental health professionals in supporting neurodivergent children and teens. With over 30 years in general and special education trauma-informed teaching, he specializes in emotional regulation, behavior support, and resilience-building strategies for emotionally dysregulated and trauma-affected youth.
As the founder and director of The Inclusion Matters Collective, Dr. Palmer integrates neuroscience, education, child development research, and mental health best practices into his proprietary Thriving Resilience Framework. His work focuses on co-regulation, strength-based interventions, and culturally responsive approaches that foster self-regulation, emotional resilience, and academic success in neurodivergent students.
A sought-after speaker, Dr. Palmer has presented at national conferences, professional development workshops, and educator training programs, equipping parents and professionals with actionable strategies that move beyond behavior management to create inclusive, emotionally safe learning environments. He is also a parent of five adopted neurodivergent teens, giving him a unique, lived perspective on the intersection of neurodivergence, trauma, and education.
His mission is to ensure all neurodivergent children and teens feel seen, supported, and empowered to thrive—both in the classroom and beyond.
