2023 UNC TEACCH Autism Program Conference – Diversity in Autism

This year’s UNC TEACCH Autism Program Conference focuses on understanding and supporting diversity among autistic individuals and their families including neurodiversity and diversity in gender, race, ethnicity, and communication.

The following topics and speakers will be featured at this year’s conference: 

Authentic Engagement: Strategies to Include and Support Neurodiverse Individuals in Research and Practice

Co-Presented by Teal Benevides, PhD, MS, OTR/L, FAOTA, Augusta University, and Stephen Shore, EdD, Adelphi University

Interventions and Outcomes Across the Spectrum: Diverse Needs Require Diverse Solutions

Tony Charman, PhD, Kings College London

Perspectives of Black Families on Navigating Autism Services

Moderated by Christina Corsello Orahovats, PhD, UNC Chapel Hill

Accelerating our Understanding of Females on the Autism Spectrum

Clare Harrop, PhD, UNC Chapel Hill

Creating Culturally Tailored Interventions for Latino Parents of Children with Autism and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Sandy Magaña, PhD, MSW, University of Texas

The Common Intersection of Gender Identity Diversity and Autism-Related Neurodiversity

John Strang, PsyD, Children’s National Medical Center

Disparities, Despair, and Determination: Addressing the Needs of Black Autistic Children and Their Families

Jamie Pearson, PhD, North Carolina State University

Learning Objectives

At the completion of the conference, participants will be able to:

1. Recognize the diversity of autism symptom presentation and the need for services to fit the unique needs of the entire autism spectrum.
2. Recognize the need for equity in services for autistic individuals with diversity in gender, race, and ethnicity.