Photo of Leah Kuypers

Zones of Regulation

Leah Kuypers, MA Ed., OTR/L

Keynote Description....

Leah Kuypers, MA Ed., OTR/L

Leah is the creator of The Zones of Regulation® and founder of TheZones of Regulation, Inc. where she serves as CEO. An internationally recognized trainer, consultant, and author, Kuypers is passionate about giving people the tools to understand their feelings, manage their states of alertness, and thrive in school, work, and life.

Kuypers earned her Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 2001 and began her career working in public schools in the Midwest, including the Chicago and Minneapolis/St. Paul areas. She specialized in supporting students with diverse needs, taking on leadership roles, mentoring colleagues, and building collaborative teams of educators, therapists, and families.

During this time, Kuypers noticed a common thread—many students struggled with sensory regulation and emotional control, affecting their learning and well-being. While completing her Master of Arts in Education and Graduate Certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorders at Hamline University, she developed the first draft of what would become The Zones of Regulation. Colleagues were quick to notice its impact, and soon Kuypers began sharing her approach at professional workshops.

After moving to California in 2009, Kuypers worked at Communication Works, expanded training opportunities, and collaborated with Michelle Garcia Winner of Social Thinking®. In 2011, The Zones of Regulation curriculum was published by Think Social Publishing, quickly gaining national and international traction.

Kuypers later founded Kuypers Consulting, Inc. in Minneapolis, growing it with the support of family members and colleagues. She co-created two award-winning apps—The Zones of Regulation (2013) and Exploring Emotions (2016)—and developed a suite of companion products. To meet the high demand for training, Kuypers brought on respected professionals and friends, Terri Rossman and Elizabeth Sautter, as collaborative trainers.

In 2024, Kuypers launched The Zones of Regulation Digital Curriculum and the companion book Getting Into The Zones of Regulation, now implemented in over 40 countries. Each year, more than 8,000 educators and practitioners are trained to deliver The Zones with fidelity.

Today, Kuypers continues to develop innovative resources, provide training worldwide, and expand The Zones’ impact across schools, therapy centers, and homes. She lives in Minneapolis with her husband, son, and daughter, and enjoys traveling, family time, hiking, skiing, and outdoor adventures.

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The AET Presents

2026 Annual Conference

November 6-8, 2026

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Upcoming Events

20 Jun
Virtual Workshop - Teaching Math Successfully Through the Cognitive Science of Math Learning and Modifying English Math Language
MOD_DPCALENDAR_UPCOMING_DATE 6/20/2026 8:00 am - 12:00 pm

Teaching Math Successfully Through the Cognitive Science of Math Learning and Modifying English Math Language

Increasingly complex language is required for mathematical learning and reasoning. From early quantitative and spatial language to advanced algebraic reasoning and beyond, language serves both as an essential tool for learning math and as a medium for expressing mathematical thinking. Thus, language deficits often lead children with dyslexia, Developmental Language Disorder (DLD), and other language challenges to struggle with mathematics. Children may struggle primarily due to insufficient language support rather than fundamental difficulties with numerical or spatial reasoning. Yet, math instruction in the United States today is heavily language-based, relying on number talks, peer discussions, and word problems. Cognitive research on math learning for all children has exploded in the past 15 years, and this workshop will provide key findings of the essential components of successful math learning.

 

Presenter info: Karen Tzanetopoulos, M.S., CCC-SLP — author, speaker, speech-language therapist, and expert in how children learn math and reading. She provides professional development for educators, while also working directly with children, focusing on the language of math, cognitive processes, and strategies that help all learners succeed.

 

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will identify strategies to modify the abstract English language of
math for more transparent instruction.
2. Participants will summarize ways to reduce the language load in math instruction
and increase the use of specific manipulatives to demonstrate math concepts.
3. Participants will describe the link between language, spatial skills, and math learning

 

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26 Jun
ASD VSG meeting
6/26/2026 8:00 am - 9:00 am

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26 Jun
Book Discussion VSG: Uncommon Sense Teaching *Special date*
6/26/2026 9:30 am - 11:00 am

Book Discussion Study Group with Uncommon Sense Teaching: Practical Insights in Brain Science to Help Students Learn (Oakley, Rogowsky, Sejnowski) —the 2nd of three conversations where we’ll unpack ideas, share applications, and connect it all to our work with students.

Tentative Reading/Discussion Schedule:

May 15 discussion on chapters 1-3

June 26 discussion on chapters 4-7

July 17 discussion on chapters 8 - 10

 

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17 Jul
Book Discussion VSG - Uncommon Sense Teaching
7/17/2026 9:30 am - 11:00 am

Book Discussion Study Group with Uncommon Sense Teaching: Practical Insights in Brain Science to Help Students Learn (Oakley, Rogowsky, Sejnowski) —the 2nd of three conversations where we’ll unpack ideas, share applications, and connect it all to our work with students.

Tentative Reading/Discussion Schedule:

May 15 discussion on chapters 1-3

June 26 discussion on chapters 4-7

July 17 discussion on chapters 8 - 10

 

RSVP to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Forthe join link, visit https://aetonline.org/events/vsg-login

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