Hard Talks, Soft Landings (EI edition): Navigating Difficult Conversations About Development, Support Needs & Medical Referrals (Friday, August 21, 2026)

Fri, 21 Aug 2026 17:30:00 GMT

Hard Talks, Soft Landings (EI edition): Navigating Difficult Conversations About Development, Support Needs & Medical Referrals

Conversations about developmental concerns and referrals can feel like walking a tightrope—balancing honesty with empathy and expertise with family voice. In early intervention, these moments are shaped by culture, multigenerational beliefs, and lived experiences, including past trauma and systems mistrust.

This interactive webinar gives developmental therapists a clear, relationship-based roadmap for talking with families about possible delays and next steps. Participants will practice sharing observations without judgment, responding to emotional reactions, and introducing referrals in a way that builds trust and supports family choice. Through real-life scenarios and practical language tools, therapists will leave more confident and prepared to navigate these important conversations with clarity and care.

More from our presenter

Tracy Patton is a nationally recognized speaker, early childhood consultant and proud “mess maker,” helping educators, caregivers, and communities make sense of children’s behavior—and their own. With over 25 years of experience and a foundation in child development, trauma-informed care, and grief support, Tracy delivers interactive, sensory-rich workshops that turn everyday moments into powerful opportunities for connection and learning. Through her company, Once Upon Some Messy Fun, she brings social-emotional learning to life using play, storytelling, sensory activities and hands-on experiences—equipping adults with practical, relationship-based strategies to support self-regulation, navigate big feelings, strengthen partnerships, and prevent burnout. From classrooms to living rooms to conference stages, Tracy helps people understand one simple truth: all behavior is communication—and when we respond with connection, everything changes.

Early Intervention Credits: TBD

There will be a free reflective practice session offered after the webinar for all IDTA Members ONLY. This will require a separate registration.

Please note, a strict no cancellation policy will be enforced for all IDTA webinar

REFLECTIVE PRACTICE: Hard Talks, Soft Landings (EI edition): Navigating Difficult Conversations About Development, Support Needs & Medical Referrals (Friday, August 21, 2026)

Fri, 21 Aug 2026 19:00:00 GMT

Reflective Practice Session directly after Webinar. Separate registration required.

Reflective Practice Session for the Webinar:

Hard Talks, Soft Landings (EI edition): Navigating Difficult Conversations About Development, Support Needs & Medical Referrals

Join us for a one-hour reflective practice session following the Hard Talks, Soft Landings webinar. This interactive session invites participants to discuss and process new information about supporting infants and toddlers and their families in Early Intervention (EI). Together, we will reflect on key topics including the use of IEL resources, evidence-based strategies, and collaborative approaches to family-centered care. Participants will share insights, consider practical applications, and identify ways to enhance EI services for children birth to age three.

Early Intervention Credits - TBD

This is a closed training and is only open to IDTA Members who attended the Webinar.

Illinois Developmental Therapy Association upcoming events

Hard Talks, Soft Landings (EI edition): Navigating Difficult Conversations About Development, Support Needs & Medical Referrals (Friday, August 21, 2026)

REFLECTIVE PRACTICE: Hard Talks, Soft Landings (EI edition): Navigating Difficult Conversations About Development, Support Needs & Medical Referrals (Friday, August 21, 2026)