Infant Toddler Specialist Network Conference
February 20, 2027 | Bryant Conference Center & Online
Connect with colleagues who share your commitment to babies and their families.
Overview
The Infant Toddler Specialist Network Conference is a special opportunity to focus on the uniqueness of the infant-toddler period and to connect with colleagues who share your commitment to babies and their families. This year’s theme “Listening Beyond Words: Attuning to Every Child’s Voice” highlights the belief that every child has a voice; our role is to learn how to listen. Through engaging presentations and real-world applications, participants will explore how to build stronger relationships through responsive caregiving, understand and support the unique ways infants and toddlers express themselves, and create inclusive environments where every child feels seen, heard, and valued.
| Available Dates | February 20, 2027 |
| Location | Bryant Conference Center 240 Paul W. Bryant Drive Tuscaloosa, AL 35487 |
| Keynote Speakers | TBA |
2027 Conference Agenda coming soon!
2026 Conference Agenda
| Time and Location | Sessions | Speaker(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 8:30 a.m. | Check-in | |
| 9:00 a.m. | Welcome | |
| 9:15-10:15 a.m. | Keynote – Keynote – Approaches for Care of Infants and Toddlers with Prenatal Drug Exposure (PSE) | Christy Isbell, PhD, OTR/L |
| 10:30-11:45 a.m. | Concurrent Sessions | |
| Sellers (also offered virtually) | Promoting Motor and Sensory Development for Infants and Toddlers | Christy Isbell, PhD, OTR/L |
| Mason | Playing to Learn: Examining How Natural Environment Play Supports School Readiness | Joanna Taylor and Megan LaVeck, Auburn University EHS-CCP |
| Mobile | Outdoor Play and Learning | Melody Patterson |
| Birmingham | My Teacher Mr. Potato Head: Going Back to the Basics | Savannah Loudin, CCEP |
| Central | Navigating Autism Conversations: Supporting Families through Honest and Open Communication | Pam Ramsey, M.C.D, CCC-SLP and Abby Hicks, M.A., Alabama Early Intervention System Autism Mentors |
| 11:45-12:30 p.m. | Lunch | |
| 12:30 pm – 1:45 p.m. | Concurrent Sessions | |
| Sellers (also offered virtually) | Responding to Challenging Behaviors: Supporting Social-Emotional Development in Toddlers | Maggie Bankhead, M.Ed., founder of My Blessings Preschool Online |
| Mason | Foundations for Reading: Building Early Literacy through Everyday Moments | Gay Finn and Kendall Hampton, Feed Me Words/APC |
| Mobile | Music, Play, and Early Learning: Promoting Emotional, Physical, Linguistic, and Cognitive Development in Early Childhood | Maggie Gill, MM, BM |
| Birmingham | Small Beginnings. Big Belonging: Inclusive Practices for Infants & Toddlers | Kelsey McFadden, M.A.Ed., Ashlyn West, Beth Babin, Taylor Hannah, Cindy Simpson, RISE Center |
| Central | Strengthening Infant- Toddler Well-Being Through Collaborative Relationship-Based Work with Caregivers and Families | Alicia Richardson, MA, LPC-S, NCC, IMH-E®, First 5 Alabama/APC |
| 2:00-3:15 p.m. | Concurrent Sessions | |
| Sellers (also offered virtually) | Power of One | Joy Winchester |
| Mason | Healthy Futures: Infant Breastfeeding Support, and the Role of Early Care Providers | Emily Campbell and Casey Willis, Healthy Kids Healthy Future/APC |
| Mobile | Sensory Shenanigans | Kimberly Keeton, TCR/CCC |
| Birmingham | Early Detection, Lifelong Impact: The Importance of Developmental and Social-Emotional Screening | Lindsey DeMarco, Help Me Grow/APC |
| Central | Acknowledge, Ask and Adapt: Strategies for Navigating Conflicts with Families and Colleagues | Alison Hooper, Ph.D., The University of Alabama College of Education |
| 2:00-3:15 p.m. | Intentional Spaces, Meaningful Interactions: Rethinking Room Arrangement (TCP) – field trip **LIMITED to 20 | |
| 3:30-3:45 p.m. | Closing Remarks, Evaluation, and Door prizes | |
| 3:45 pm | Conference Concludes |
2026 Keynote Speaker
Christy Isbell
Christy Isbell, PhD OTR/L is a pediatric occupational therapist with more than twenty-five years of experience working with young children. She is an Associate Professor and Research Coordinator in the Doctor of Occupational Therapy program at East Tennessee State University (ETSU) where she teaches graduate level child development and pediatric occupational therapy courses. Dr. Isbell maintains her clinical practice and her specialty is early intervention. She has presented nationally and internationally on topics related to sensory integration, autism spectrum disorder, fine motor development, and the design and implementation of inclusive early childhood environments. Dr. Isbell has written books and articles to educate early childhood educators and parents which includes the book, Sensory Integration: A guide for preschool teachers and Mighty Fine Motor Fun.
Conference Location
The Infant Toddler Specialist Network Conference is held annually at Bryant Conference Center in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Online attendance is also available.
Directions
Parking Your Vehicle
Attendees can park at the Capstone Parking Deck, which is located across the street from the Bryant Conference Center. A limited number of handicap parking spaces are available in front of the Conference Center. Approximately one week prior to the conference start date, you will receive a parking permit. The parking permit will only be valid for the Capstone Parking Deck and the handicap spaces in front of the Bryant Conference Center.
Registration
Registration Rate: $30.00
Registration Services Information:
Our Registration Services Office is open Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Phone: 205-348-3000
Special Accommodation Requests
The University of Alabama is committed to complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Requests for accommodation of physical and/or dietary needs should be made at least 30 calendar days in advance of the program date. Please email your request to professionaldevelopment@ua.edu.
Need our STAARS Vendor Number? Please use VC000118827 for UA Office of Teaching Innovation and Digital Education.
A portion of the invoice amount for this program will go to the Capstone Lifelong Learning Foundation to support activities of The University of Alabama and the Office of Teaching Innovation and Digital Education.
Contact hours: 5 hours
Cancellation Policy
A cancellation charge of 100% of the registration fee will be assessed on cancellations occurring within seven (7) days of the start of this session. Refunds will not be granted after the program has begun. The University of Alabama reserves the right to cancel, postpone, or combine class sections, to limit registration, or to change instructors. Contact the Registration Services department at 205-348-3000 or registration_services@ua.edu to cancel your registration. View the OTIDE Cancellation Policy.
2027 Exhibitor and Sponsorship Opportunities
Exhibit Booth $200 profit/$150 for nonprofit
- One exhibit booth
- Organization recognized in the conference program
- One conference pass
Sponsorship Opportunities
Bronze Sponsor – $500
- One exhibit booth
- Recognition in conference program
- One conference pass
- Recognition on social media
Silver Sponsor – $1,000
- One exhibit booth
- Recognition in conference program
- One conference pass
- Recognition on social media
- Recognition on website
Gold Sponsor – $1,500
- One exhibit booth
- Recognition in conference program
- One conference pass
- Recognition on social media
- Recognition on website
- Recognition and signage during lunch
Platinum Sponsor – $2,000
- One exhibit booth
- Recognition in conference program
- Two conference passes
- Recognition on social media
- Recognition on website
- Recognition and signage during lunch
- Post conference attendee list
Crimson Sponsor – $2,500
- One exhibit booth
- Recognition in conference program
- Two conference passes
- Recognition on social media
- Recognition on website
- Recognition and signage during lunch
- Post conference attendee list
- 3-5 minutes at podium during program
Questions about the conference?
For more information, please contact Jamie Dykes at professionaldevelopment@ua.edu or 205-348-6225.