2026
Autism Conference

Presenter: Pen Baxter, Cocreator, The Odds; Constance Kristofik: Cocreator, The Odds

The session will explore how creative media can be leveraged to address behavioral health and accessibility issues among neurodivergent youth. Presenters will share the development process behind The Odds, a social-media-based comic series designed to raise awareness about gambling risks in digital spaces. Participants will learn about inclusive storytelling practices, strategies for youth co-creation, and approaches to integrating accessible art into public health and education initiatives.


Inspired by the play theory of Straut Brown, Andrew makes a case for professionals to invest in using play histories of young adults to create routines to establish structures after aging out of school. Andrew uses his own experiences to illustrate how using childhood passions introduced him to life themes and how finding a community group helped increase his self-confidence. His own play style helped him find purpose and be empowered in finding his professional passion through autism work.

Presenters: Maura Sullivan, CEO, The Arc of Massachusetts;Jonathan Gardner, Disability Advocate, The Arc of Massachusetts & Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts; Ilyse Levine-Kanji, Parent/Advocate, Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts

The autism community is at a critical juncture. Waitlists, a workforce crisis, and federal threats place the stability of services in jeopardy. Particularly for those with complex needs or who require one-to-one care, we must advocate with strength and focus. It is more important than ever for states like Massachusetts to pass important policy priorities to strengthen and support this community. This engaging panel, led by The Arc of Massachusetts and Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts, will provide advocates, families, and professionals with a complete policy briefing on current legislative priorities. Hear from self-advocates, family members, and advocacy leaders on bills involving health equity, police interactions, and the turning 22 transition process. Learn advocacy tips and tricks to make your voice heard in this critical moment.

The workshop will focus on a literary analysis of the barriers and traumas faced by parents and/or caregivers when bringing a child with special needs to the U.S. The material would include best practices outlined by past and current research, with considerations for evaluating nonverbal children and adults with disabilities. The workshop will focus on a literary analysis of the barriers and traumas faced by parents and/or caregivers when bringing a child with special needs to the U.S. The material would include best practices outlined by past and current research, with considerations for evaluating nonverbal children and adults with disabilities.

Presenters: Ingrid Flory, Director of Family Supports for the Central/West Regional Office of the Department of Developmental Services; Sam Hunter, DDS/DESE Regional Program Coordinator

Do you have questions about what DDS eligibility is? Would you like to apply for eligibility for yourself, your child, or someone else, but don't know where to start? Do you want to know more about the services that DDS offers throughout the lifespan? This overview will teach you about what eligibility means, how to apply, and what to expect from DDS throughout your life.

Change can be a stressor for people with autism. As many people with autism, like oneself, prefer routine and structure in life, it’s challenging. However, there’s no way to live a life 100% free of change: we all face it. This session will discuss how people with autism can get more comfortable with change, with emphasis on sensory processing disorder and its role in one being initially accepting of change and transitions. The audience will walk away with inspiration to feel more comfortable with trying new things and being more accepting and okay with pivots and changes made in life. This talk will include a mixture of individual evidence-based research and information learned in occupational therapy school about autism and sensory processing disorders, and own personal experiences involving sensory processing, its role in accepting change, and ways to overcome the barriers it can impose with transitions.

Presenters: Jordan Salzano, B.S. Health Science/Pre-Occupational Therapy, Springfield College; Soreliz Roldan Soto; Amanda Rodriguez; Christopher Edwards; Robin Kirk

The panelist breakout session will celebrate the autistic community, highlighting belonging and the experience of community in empowering individuals. Research has highlighted the influence of positive social identity (belonging and community) in the promotion of stronger psychological well-being for autistic young adults and positive aspects of mental health for autistic adults (Cooper et al., 2023; Maitlan et al., 2021). Four self-advocate panelists and one parent of an autistic child will provide their unique definitions of belonging and community, share experiences of how they have cultivated community, and communicate the value of belonging and community in their lives in support of empowered living.

Presenters: Elise Wulff, Consultant and Public Speaker, Mass General Hospital, Aspire; Jillian Dymant, Manager for Group Programming, Mass General Hospital, Aspire

This workshop is for parents/caregivers, educators, mental health professionals working with school-aged children and teens with autism or other neurodivergent profiles. The presentation will cover when and how to involve children in the IEP process, offering resources and strategies to support their participation. The goal of this workshop is to demystify what student participation can look like and how to achieve it, leading to increased self-awareness, collaboration, and advocacy for the student as a member of the IEP Team.

Presenters: Mary Ajwala, Therapeutic Supports Director of supported employment at ServiceNet; Natalie Dunn, Therapeutic Supports for CBDS (Community Based Day Services) program at ServiceNet

This breakout session will explore the phenomenon of “masking”—the act of suppressing or camouflaging neurodivergent traits, behaviors, or needs to fit into social and workplace norms. Masking is common among autistic and neurodiverse individuals, who may feel compelled to hide their authentic selves to avoid misunderstanding, exclusion, or discrimination. While masking can help individuals navigate social and professional environments, it often comes at a high emotional and psychological cost.

Presenter: Tara Young, Captain Storm's mom

A parent’s personal perspective on raising a child with autism—beginning with the early days and the initial diagnosis, and continuing through evaluations, therapies, school IEPs, and all the moments in between, highlighting the unique quirks, challenges, and meaningful victories along the way.

Presenters: Shelby Cortis, Senior Director of Assistive Technology, MSOT, and ATP, UCP of Western Massachusetts; Iris Long, Assistive Technology Regional Center Manager, UCP of Western Massachusetts

This session will introduce you to the world of assistive technology (AT) and how it can help you increase, maintain, or improve your daily life in school, work, and in the community. We will be sharing what you need to know about what AT is, who benefits of using AT, and how to acquire AT for yourselves or others.

Presenter: Dawn Capelli, LICSW, DIRFloortime® Expert Training Leader

Ginger McGill is a mother of 14-year-old boy on the autism spectrum who understands her son, celebrates him for who he is, and advocates for his well-being. In this workshop, she will share her experience and video examples of her son at different points in his development. You will learn about DIRFloortime®, a respectful, individualized, transdisciplinary, and evidence-based approach developed by Dr. Stanley Greenspan that uses the power of relationships and joyful interactions to support individuals’ agency and healthy development.

Presenter: Panel of Nutrition and Feeding Professionals

Autism can present unique challenges in supporting feeding and nutritional management. Our panel discussion will offer insights from the perspective of a variety of professionals, from a pediatrician to speech language pathologist, and more.

Presenters: Sopheap Nhim, BCBA for Positive Behavior Supports Corporation and North Adams Public Schools; Jessica Kemp, Parent/advocate

Meaningful and lasting behavior change occurs when interventions extend beyond the in-home teaching session and are consistently practiced and supported, especially after the provider leaves. This presentation explores the powerful role of collaboration between Behavior Analysts and caregivers in achieving positive, meaningful outcomes for learners. Through real-world examples and evidence-based practices, attendees will learn how to strengthen partnerships, align goals, and empower caregivers to implement strategies that promote teaching skills, skill generalization, and maintenance. Discussion will include how goals are selected, practical tools for communication, data sharing, and training approaches that foster mutual trust and consistency. Participants will leave with actionable strategies to enhance caregiver engagement, increase treatment fidelity, and ultimately improve learner outcomes that last well beyond the scope of direct services.

Presenters: Rachel Adams, Associate Director for Education and Training, UMass Amherst Disability Services; Alex Deschamps, Associate Director of Accommodation Services for Disability Services, UMass

Disability diagnoses are often understood through an individualistic deficit lens- where the focus is on what an individual cannot do or what they must compensate for. The social model of disability, however, understands a disability diagnosis like autism as a natural part of human diversity (i.e., neurodiversity), and shifts the focus from individual deficits to examining how environments can be disabling and marginalizing. When environments can shift to be more inclusive of neurodiversity, Autistic individuals with autism are more empowered to understand themselves and utilize the strengths they possess.

A growing number of colleges are gaining awareness of the social model and are incorporating it into their systems and praxis-- thus helping increase access for Autistic students with autism to gain a degree. This session will highlight key offerings a local university (UMass) is providing to neurodivergent students through a social model approach.
Through this session, participants will leave with a working awareness of the barriers Autistic students with autism face when entering college, and the types of holistic supports available that help foster positive identity, academic, social, and emotional development through their college experience.