Psychology Publications and Talks
By Dr. Debra A. Krodman-Collins, Psychologist
Publications
- S.T.O.P. and Relax Therapeutic Yoga-Based Curriculum. (2006, revised 2020).
- An adaptable curriculum with visual guides to teach self-calming and build resilience.
- Published by Stoelting Co., Wood Dale, IL.
- Authors Debra A. Krodman-Collins, Ph.D., NCSP, FL-PY, Louise Goldberg, M.A., ERYT500, C-IAYT, LMT, Sally Miller, M.Ed, and Daniela Morales, M.Ed.
- I was honored to be interviewed about S.T.O.P and Relax for Syracuse University's
- Stories of School Yoga: Narratives from the Field (2019)
- Chapter 4
- S.T.O.P. and Relax: A Yoga Curriculum for Students with Autism.
- "Provides firsthand perspectives from yoga practitioners and educators
- on the promises and challenges of school-based yoga programs...The stories here supplement and reframe quantitative research in the field; demonstrate how yoga can mitigate stress and tension...and offer lessons learned and practical insights into planning, implementing, and running these programs. Rich in detail and accessible to nonspecialists,"
- Therapeutic Yoga-Based Curriculum for Treatment of Disruptive Behavior in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Mixed-Methods Single Case Study.
- "S.T.O.P. and Relax is a customizable therapeutic yoga-based relaxation program for children that teaches relaxation and coping skills. The program was delivered to a child with autism who demonstrated disruptive, externalizing behaviors. A mixed-methods single case study design assessed the impact of this program. Measures of behavior showed reductions in disruptive behavior and improvements in areas of irritability and inappropriate language. Qualitative findings provided suggestions for implementing and adapting the program across settings."
- The International Journal of Indian Psychology, Volume 11, Issue 2, April- June, 2023.
- Available online at: https://ijip.in/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/18.01.011.20231102.pdf
- Psychological Assessments and Management of Autism Spectrum Disorder. (2026) Chapter in Contemporary and Global Perspectives in Physical Therapy:Promoting Clinical Practice Guidelines,
- "This chapter summarizes best practices for psychologists recommended in the CPGs by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, the New York State Department of Health, and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence...This psychologist also shares personal recommendations beyond considerations discussed explicitly in the CPGs."
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-86558-9_13
- Calm Minds, Ready to Learn: Empowering Children with Relaxation Training. (7/9/2025) Autism Spectrum News.
- "Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) encompasses a wide range of challenges, particularly in social communication, sensory integration, and self-regulation...some children with ASD frequently exhibit “meltdowns” that include behaviors of protest, withdrawal, and/or acting out...Understanding the dynamics underlying meltdowns is crucial to effective intervention to reduce these episodes and increase academic and social engagement.
Presentations and Workshops
- Lizard Brain, Wizard Brain: Full PreFrontal Podcast Episode 80 - Dr. Debra A. Krodman-Collins
- "On this episode school psychologist, Debra A. Krodman-Collins, Ph.D., NSCP, RYT, co-author of S.T.O.P. and Relax; a yoga-based curriculum, will discuss how to use yoga-based self-calming techniques for school-aged children to conquer their primitive lizard brain with the wizardry of executive function. With focused and intentional effort to connect mind and body, one can master the mechanism that governs Executive Function."
Social-Emotional Learning ~ The Wind Beneath Their Wings (Special Collaboration with Dr. Debra Krodman-Collins)
"Children are social and emotional beings well before they are subjected to academic instruction. Social-emotional learning comes first, and a social-emotional strain is a significant source of stress. To optimize academic learning, it is essential to promote the development and application of executive function. Optimizing executive function means building our children’s social-emotional competence: the wind beneath their wings."
Join Sucheta Kamath, CEO & Founder of ExQ, for a webinar and her collaborator, Dr. Debra Krodman-Collins, psychologist and co-author of the S.T.O.P. and Relax© yoga-based self-calming curriculum for a discussion showing how all learning is social-emotional, requiring effortful skill building.
"Children are social and emotional beings well before they are subjected to academic instruction. Social-emotional learning comes first, and a social-emotional strain is a significant source of stress. To optimize academic learning, it is essential to promote the development and application of executive function. Optimizing executive function means building our children’s social-emotional competence: the wind beneath their wings."
Join Sucheta Kamath, CEO & Founder of ExQ, for a webinar and her collaborator, Dr. Debra Krodman-Collins, psychologist and co-author of the S.T.O.P. and Relax© yoga-based self-calming curriculum for a discussion showing how all learning is social-emotional, requiring effortful skill building.
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S.T.O.P. and Relax
(Syracuse University connectED interview) "Using her years of experience in different classroom settings across two countries, Debra Collins, Ph.D., G'79, G'81, co-developed the S.T.O.P. and Relax Program to help people of all ages, but particularly children with developmental challenges, practice mindfulness skills. The program is available through Stoelting Co., but Debra has also generously donated a kit to the SOE that faculty and students can use in classroom, counseling, social work, and other settings!" |
Conference Presentations:
- Learning & the Brain (April 2018): Teaching Self-Calming, Yoga, and Social Engagement to Children with Autism and Special Needs with Louise Goldberg, M.A., ERYT
- Yoga in the Schools Symposium (YISS, April 2016): Evidence-Based Practices in Teaching Self-Calming to Children with Autism and Special Needs:
Foundations of the S.T.O.P. and Relax© Method with Sally Miller, M.Ed.,& Louise Goldberg, M.A., ERYT - Council for Exceptional Children, Division of Autism and Developmental Disabilities (DADD, January 2015): Yoga-Based Curriculum: Evidence-Based Practices for Teaching Self-Calming to Children with Special Needs. with Sally Miller, M.Ed.
- Young Child Expo & Conference (YCE, April, 2014): Evidence-Based Practices in Teaching Self-Calming to Children with Autism and Special Needs: Foundations of the S.T.O.P. and Relax© Method
- Learning & the Brain (February 2012): Evidence-Based Practices in Teaching Self-Calming to Children with Autism and Special Needs: Foundations of the S.T.O.P. and Relax© Method with Louise Goldberg, M.A., ERYT