Free Webinar for Healthcare Providers Supporting Autistic Patients Seeking Medical Care
The University of North Carolina TEACCH Autism Program is offering a free webinar on Thursday, Feb 19, 2026 at 12:00 PM ET that provides practical, applicable strategies to help healthcare providers accommodate autistic patients, enhance communication, increase patient comfort, and improve the quality of care across medical settings.
Autism affects 1 in 31 children and approximately 1 in 45 adults. Given this prevalence, medical providers are bound to encounter autistic patients, and most often for care unrelated to autism. Autistic patients have higher rates of medical comorbidities than their neurotypical counterparts, yet consistently report difficulties accessing the care they need and effectively communicating with their care providers. Similarly, providers report limited confidence regarding how they may need to modify their care delivery for autistic patients.
This webinar aims to support healthcare providers in learning how to better accommodate the needs of their autistic patients, thereby improving provider-patient communication, enhancing patient comfort during medical visits, and ultimately increasing the quality of care provided.
Target Audience: It is specifically designed for healthcare providers who do not specialize in autism-related services, including general practitioners, pediatricians, specialists, nurses, CNAs, and medical office staff who wish to learn how to deliver accessible healthcare to patients with diverse learning and communication needs are encouraged to attend. No prior training in autism or experience with autistic patients is required, although practitioners with expertise in autism are also welcome.
Questions, please contact TEACCH Registrar