Educate, Transform,

Include

ShiftEd Perspectives is here to redefine attitudes towards disability and cultivate inclusive environments. Our professional development, consultation, and coaching services cater to schools, families, and organizations, aiming to transform mental models to ensure accessibility.

Our Services

Shifting Perspectives

ShiftEd Perspectives provides consulting services to those supporting children with disabilities. We specialize in helping people shift mental models to increase adaptive expertise with a focus on adjusting the environment and implementing practices that center the internal experience of the individual.

Our approach

Shifting Mental Models

We all hold a mental model of disability, but very few of us investigate this lens. Without examination, we may think that our perception of disability is a universal truth rather than just one of many perspectives. While various models of disability exist, the most prevalent in our current society is the medical model. Adhering to this mental model can lead to deficit thinking and an approach that attempts to change or “fix” individuals with disabilities.

When we examine our mental model of disability, we can learn how it affects the way we serve others. If we want to adopt a strength-based lens, we may find that the social model of disability and the neurodiversity paradigm are more fitting to our values around inclusion and accessibility. Through this mental model, we shift our focus to restructuring the environment so that all can thrive. Being curious, investigating other perspectives, and shifting our mental models can lead to an increase in our adaptive expertise.

Behavior Support

Behavioral challenges are most often viewed through a behaviorist lens. This leads to solutions like ABA and other similar practices that focus on attempting to change the individual rather than recognizing the lack of appropriate supports within the environment. While these practices may “work” briefly for some, they fall short of building the skills needed for lasting success and come with unintended negative consequences that place the person in harm's way.

We reframe behavioral challenges as stress responses to environmental barriers, centering the individual's inner experience. This approach enables us to provide neurodiversity-affirming solutions, fostering reduced stress, enhanced regulation, and a sense of belonging, while promoting lasting skills. Through concrete shifts in the environment, we reduce cognitive load and external stressors, supporting executive functioning as well as emotional and behavioral regulation.

Testimonials

  • “Tabitha and Joanna are masterful at understanding student needs, then designing environments and learning experiences to support students reaching their highest independent potential. I have witnessed this firsthand when observing their classroom spaces and when participating in professional learning sessions they have led. Their unwavering belief that every child can learn and be successful is substantiated with both quantitative and qualitative data.

    "Shifted Perspectives" is the most appropriate phrase to encapsulate how and why their work with students, families and staff has been so successful- everyone that engages with Tabitha and Joanna begin to see the process of learning differently. Through their neural science, asset-based approach more possibilities become evident!”

    — Louann Stalder
    OSPI Director

  • “Tabitha Ellison is a champion for the success of every student and every educator. Her thoughtful approach helps schools reimagine classroom environments, with innovative teaching strategies that support the complex needs of students and unexpected behaviors.

    Her powerful work customizes support for teachers, fostering inclusive learning environments where every student feels engaged and empowered, while teachers feel supported and effective.

    With her innovative approach to coaching adults, Tabitha reshapes and redesigns classroom environments by tailoring support for teachers in the co-creation of inclusive settings to meet the diverse needs of learners.”

    —Kathi Weight
    Superintendent

  • “In addition to her many years of experience educating neurodiverse students and her educational background, Joanna has an intuitive understanding of neurodiverse individuals' experiences and perspectives.

    When given even the most challenging scenarios, Joanna is consistently able to identify factors that are impacting students' learning and behavior. She celebrates and honors each student's unique identity and ensures they are treated with dignity and respect.

    Joanna helps all members of a student's support network reframe challenges in order to design and implement plans that truly enable the student to experience greater happiness and success.”

    — Gudrun Sullivan
    Executive Director of Student Services

  • “Tabitha is a highly effective professional development facilitator who consistently delivers impactful and enriching experiences for educators. Her professional development positively impacts the professional growth and development of educators and changes the learning trajectories for students! Tabitha’s passion for students is inspiring!”

    — Jen Flo
    ESD 113 Regional Administrator

  • “Tabitha and Joanna are passionate about education and are eager to make a meaningful impact in the lives of all students and teachers. What sets them apart is their supportive and collaborative approach. If something doesn’t make sense they explain and show you in a variety of different ways until it does. They make things real and relatable.

    Shifted Perspectives trainings are engaging, meaningful, and full of effective easy to implement strategies. When you take a class with them it’s not just a class, it’s a transformative experience that helps equip you with the skills and confidence to succeed with all students.”

    — Brianna Cope
    Special Education Teacher

  • “You know when you have that lightbulb moment? This occurred to me after 20 years of teaching. Tabitha's training completely changed my perspective on education. I now view it through a neural lens and have the tools to help all students in their educational endeavors.”

    — Tiffany Matthies
    3rd grade teacher

  • "My son with Down syndrome has always had an inclusive IEP, but Joanna made sure that the legal document was actually being implemented meaningfully in the general education classroom. Joanna provided research-based professional development for my son's general education teacher and paraeducator on effective modifications so that he could access the grade level content. She also created meaningful social supports that helped my son and his nondisabled peers interact in meaningful and beautiful ways."

    — Courtney Hansen
    Parent

  • “Tabitha and Joanna are two educators that think outside of the box and are able to find effective solutions for a variety of student needs. They incorporate the principles of cognitive neuroscience into every aspect of what they do. One of their biggest strengths is setting up structures and systems that foster independence for all students.

    As a speech language pathologist working in the classrooms that Shifted Perspectives have supported, I have witnessed first hand the tremendous growth students make because they have the structures they need.”

    — Layne Zauner
    Speech-Language Pathologist

  • “Joanna embodies the essence of dedication and advocacy within the educational realm. Her insight, creativity, and unwavering commitment to the well-being and success of students, teachers, and families are truly remarkable.

    Her impact has been especially significant in the development of highly structured classrooms designed to enhance accessibility and inclusion. Recognizing that student behaviors often reflect responses to environmental challenges, Joanna worked closely with educational staff to reframe their thinking and develop individualized student support plans. Her collaborative approach ensures that every child, regardless of their unique needs, can fully engage and succeed in their educational journey.

    With a deep passion for creating inclusive and nurturing environments, Joanna not only leads by example but also empowers other educators to see the potential in every student. Her work continues to inspire and influence everyone involved in the educational community.”

    — Susan Greer
    Administrator

Have questions?

Contact us to find out more about our services