2026 Chattanooga Autism Conference Agenda/Presentations
We are beyond grateful to everyone who attended the 2026 Chattanooga Autism Conference! Thank you so much to our amazing sponsors, exhibitors, and presenters for making it possible. Below, you’ll find the presentations and any slides our presenters were able to share!
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Early Childhood Track
Playful Engagement: Helping Children Regulate, Learn, and Belong
Claire Stockman
Let’s play! This session explores how inclusive, play based practices support autistic learners. Participants will learn strategies for understanding behavior as communication, supporting regulation, creating welcoming environments, and building connection. Grounded in CDM philosophy, attendees will leave with tools for home, classrooms, and community settings.
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
Early Childhood Track - Room 14/15
Reimagining ABA: Assent, Autonomy, and Neuroaffirming Care
Amy Jarrell - M.Ed, BCBA, LBA
Autonomy, dignity, and collaboration guide assent based, neuroaffirming ABA. This session explores the difference between assent and consent, how to encourage assent, respect dissent, and maintain healthy boundaries. Attendees will gain practical ways professionals and parents can support self advocacy, autonomy, and autistic children and clients in daily life.
9:45 AM - 10:45 AM
Early Childhood Track - Room 14/15
Mitigating AAC Device Abandonment
Sidney Sherman - M.S. CCC-SLP
Your client or student just received an AAC device. Now what? This session gives teachers, aides and other support professionals a step by step approach to helping families and caregivers use AAC consistently, avoid abandonment, and support long term communication success. Attendees will learn practical ways to build AAC into everyday routines and environments.
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Early Childhood Track - Room 14/15
Beyond Behavior: Supporting Emotional Regulation in Autism
Dr. Laura Forkum - BCBA-D, LBA
When an autistic child is dysregulated, adult regulation matters. This session explores what dysregulation looks like in autism and how nervous systems shape escalation, recovery, and
co-regulation. Drawing from polyvagal theory, ACT, and ABA, attendees will gain tools to support their child’s regulation and their own. You cannot co-regulate from an empty cup.
1:45 PM - 2:45 PM
Early Childhood Track - Room 14/15
From Pathology to Partnership
Tanner Pickett - BCBA
Summer Bottini - BCBA, PhD Sandhya Rajagopal - BACA, PhD
Explore autism through a neurodiversity affirming lens. This session reviews common characteristics, challenges stereotypes, and defines the neurodiversity model. Attendees will learn to select affirming goals in early education and gain tools to reduce stigma and masking while creating classrooms where neurodivergent learners feel safe, valued, and understood.
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Early Childhood Track - Room 14/15
K - 12 Educators Track
Meaningful Collaboration Between Parents, Teachers, & Providers
Tucker McGuinness & Bertha Hensley
Supporting a student takes a team. This session explores collaboration among students, families, educators, and support professionals before, during, and after an IEP meeting. Participants will learn how to continue communication, discuss behavioral needs, and ensure supports reflect each student’s strengths and current needs.
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
K-12 Educators - Room 12
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Accessing Free Evidence-Based Strategies To Use In Your Classroom
Jason Gordon, PhD. & Jennifer Lynberg, PhD.
Grow your skills for free! This session introduces AFIRM, a free online resource from UNC Chapel Hill with 27 PD certificates for educators. Attendees will explore evidence based practices, including Discrete Trial Training, Prompting and Reinforcement and Social Narratives, then learn how to create an account and earn certificates for professional development.
9:45 AM - 10:45 AM
K-12 Educators - Room 12
​Autism Evaluation & IEPs: Avoiding Errors and Strengthening Outcomes
Amanda Hardin, Psy.D., NCSP
Accurate evaluations and effective IEPs help autistic students access support. This session examines common pitfalls in school-based autism assessments, eligibility, goal development, and service planning. Attendees will learn strategies to improve evaluations, strengthen IEPs, ensure compliance, and create meaningful educational outcomes for autistic students.
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
K-12 Educators - Room 12
From Chaos to Calm: Proactive Behavior Systems for Neurodivergent Learners
Veronica Crafton, M.Ed, BCBA, IBA
When behavior communicates a need, classroom supports can make a difference. This session helps educators use clear routines, antecedent strategies, and reinforcement to reduce challenges and increase engagement for neurodivergent learners. Participants will leave with a toolkit for structured, supportive classrooms that promote regulation and success each day.
1:45 PM - 2:45 PM
K-12 Educators - Room 12
Understanding and Accommodating Students with Autism in the School
Aimee Dukes, Ph.D. HSP NCSP
Level 1 ASD often goes unnoticed in students who excel academically, leaving their social and emotional struggles overlooked. Spending up to eight hours daily in school, these students need teachers who can recognize subtle signs, foster understanding, and prevent isolation during their most formative years. This presentation shows how educators can identify and support them.
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
K-12 Educators - Room 12
Medical Track
Autism Evaluations: What Medical Providers Need to Know
Olivia Demario, Psy.D.
This session gives medical professionals an overview of the autism evaluation process, including diagnostic criteria, evaluation pathways, and assessment tools. Attendees will explore misconceptions, referral barriers, and situations in which autism may be overlooked, while learning to identify referral concerns and collaborate with families and evaluation teams.
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
Medical - Room 20
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Neuroaffirming Practices in Healthcare
Chloe Holbrook, PhD, MEd
Neuroaffirming pediatric care values strengths, collaboration, and agency. This session covers affirming language, family perspectives, intersectionality, and strategies for diagnosis, treatment, and documentation. Attendees will learn to create goals prioritizing regulation and participation over compliance and normalization while building trust with families.
9:45 AM - 10:45 AM
Medical - Room 20
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At the Intersection of Autism, ADHD and Anxiety
Nancy Carnevale, MD
Autism, ADHD, and anxiety can share traits, making evaluation and support planning complex. This session will review overlapping features and differences among Autism, ADHD, and Anxiety. Attendees will explore how understanding each child’s unique profile can help clinicians choose individualized interventions and collaborate with families to provide meaningful support.
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Medical - Room 20
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Evidence-Based Interventions for Food Selectivity in Autistic Youth
Kaitlin B. Proctor, PhD, ABPP
Sandhya Rajagopal, PhD, BCBA-D, LBA
Feeding concerns affect up to 80% of autistic youth. This session reviews reseach on caregiver training-based approaches on feeding for school aged autistic youth and introduces the Managing Eating Aversions and Limited Variety Revised (MEAL PlanR) program. Attendees will learn strategies for identifying feeding concerns and strategies for supporting healthy mealtimes.
1:45 PM - 2:45 PM
Medical - Room 20
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Beyond Autism: Recognizing and Coordinating Care for Common Co-Occurring Conditions
Emily Walsh, M.A., LPC-A
Autistic individuals often experience co-occurring conditions affecting diagnosis, treatment, and quality of life. This presentation examines hEDS, POTS, MCAS, sleep, visual, and auditory processing disorders. Participants will learn indicators, screening considerations, referral pathways, and strategies to support recognition and comprehensive care across the lifespan.
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Medical - Room 20
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Parent Track 1
Transition to Adulthood: Preparing for Life After High School
Rachel Hill BS & Jamey Grisham
Preparing for life after high school starts now. Families and educational staff can learn about Tennessee diploma options, transition planning, work based learning, and life skills. Attendees will explore ways to support each student’s independence, employment goals, and real world readiness while building confidence and strengthening school home collaboration.
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
Parents 1 - Room 16/17​
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Family Dynamics: Brothers, Sisters, & Autistic Siblings
Ivy Varenhorst & James Seidl
This presentation blends clinical research, anecdotal evidence, and my personal experience. My own sibling relationships have been shaped by autism. I’ll explore the complex dynamics between autistic children and their neurotypical siblings, focusing on ways to preserve and strengthen family bonds while honoring each individual’s journey.
9:45 AM - 10:45 AM
Parents 1 - Room 16/17​
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Stronger Together: Collaborating With Your Child’s School Team
Meridith Pettigrew M.Ed
Strong IEPs begin with strong partnerships. This session equips parents with communication tools, meeting preparation strategies, and advocacy skills to build trust with school teams. Attendees will learn how school teams function, how to build positive relationships before challenges arise, and how to advocate for student needs without conflict. Participants leave with practical scripts, meeting-prep strategies, and tools that reduce overwhelm and shift IEP conversations toward partnership, problem-solving, and meaningful student progress.
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Parents 1 - Room 16/17​
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The Cafeteria Test: If social skills only work in therapy, are they really working?
Micki Benoit, MA, CCC-SLP
Knowing social rules does not always make using them easier. This session explores the gap between knowing and doing for neurodivergent teens and young adults alike, and why skills may not generalize across settings. Attendees will learn a framework for intervention success and strategies that support meaningful social growth in school, work, and everyday life.
1:45 PM - 2:45 PM
Parents 1 - Room 16/17​
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Executive Function & Autism: Understanding the Brain Skills Behind Behavior & Learning
Michelle Hecker Davis, BCCS
Executive function helps autistic children plan, focus, regulate emotions, adapt to change, and complete daily tasks. Parents and educators will explore transitions, organization, flexible thinking, task initiation, and multi step directions. Attendees will learn strategies to look beyond behavior, support independence, and build confidence at home and school.
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Parents 1 - Room 16/17​
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Parent Track 2
Beyond Words: How Autistic Children Build Meaning and Understanding
Cory Cannady, DBH, BCBA, LBA, IBA
Communication is about more than words. Using Relational Frame Theory, this session explores how autistic children develop language, emotional understanding, and social connection. Parents will learn practical, neurodiversity affirming strategies to support communication, regulation, flexible thinking, and connection in everyday life.
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
Parents 2 - Room 18/19​
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Understanding Feeding Challenges: Practical Tips for Parents
Eden Smyth, SLP
Samantha Mappes, OTR/L
This presentation helps parents understand feeding challenges in autistic children, especially those related to sensory differences. We’ll cover what’s typical vs. when to be concerned, and share practical, low-pressure strategies to support healthy eating at home. Parents will leave feeling more confident, equipped with realistic tools, and better able to support their child’s nutrition without stress or power struggles.
9:45 AM - 10:45 AM
Parents 2 - Room 18/19​
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What Happens at 18? A Legal Roadmap for Transitioning to Adulthood
Rebecca H. Miller, CELA,
Amy B. Boulware, LAP MSW
As autistic children approach adulthood, families face important legal decisions that can shape independence and long term wellbeing. This session offers a practical roadmap for parents and caregivers, addressing powers of attorney, advance directives, supported decision-making, and public benefits. You will learn how to plan ahead while balancing protection & independence.
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Parents 2 - Room 18/19​
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Navigating the ABA Journey: What Every Parent Should Know
Stephanie Horgan, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA
Emily Jenda, MS, BCBA, LBA
Starting ABA after an autism diagnosis can feel overwhelming. This session gives families an overview of ABA, including professionals, settings, treatment recommendations, questions, and service pathways. Attendees will explore what ABA is, what it is not, and how the field has evolved while gaining tools to make informed decisions and advocate for their child.
1:45 PM - 2:45 PM
Parents 2 - Room 18/19​
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We Heard You C.L.E.A.R.ly: Regional Programs for Autism & IDD
Billy Worsham & Alana Shores
This follow up to last year’s adult panel reviews discussions and actions taken to address identified needs. Topics include housing, transportation, independent living, planning for life, and social support. Attendees will learn about progress made, how programs have developed, and continuing efforts to expand support for autistic adults and their families.
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Parents 2 - Room 18/19​
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Autistic Adults
Relationships Matter: Social Connection and Psychological Well-Being
Amanda Hardin, Psy.D., NCSP
Midge Smith
Connection and belonging play an important role in mental health across adulthood. This session explores how friendships, family relationships, romantic partnerships, and community belonging support autistic adults. Attendees will learn practical tools to foster meaningful connections, reduce social isolation, promote belonging, and support positive mental health outcomes.
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
Autistic Adults - Room 11
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Making it Through Life's Biggest Obstacles: Finding Your Tensile Strength
Troy Krombholz
When life becomes unexpectedly hard, what happens when coping tools are no longer available? Designed for autistic adults and caregiving teams, this session uses tensile strength of trees and stories to explore resilience during extreme stress. Troy shares his helpful strategies and offers Q&A as participants learn how to face difficult situations together.
9:45 AM - 10:45 AM
Autistic Adults - Room 11
Turning Roadblocks into Roadmaps
Jordan Salzano, B.S. Health Science/Pre-Occupational Therapy
Turn roadblocks into roadmaps. This session explores how self advocacy, goal setting, and support systems can help autistic individuals navigate setbacks and move toward a comeback. Attendees will learn practical ways to use these tools during challenging times, build confidence, and create a path forward. Together, these tools can support growth and direction.
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Autistic Adults - Room 11
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The Seven Psychological Tasks of Late-Diagnosed Autism
Christopher J. Quarto, Ph.D., PLLC
Discovering you are autistic can reshape your view of yourself and your past. This session covers diagnosis, imposter syndrome, masking, disclosure, self advocacy, and an autism informed life. Attendees will gain new tools for developing a positive autistic identity and moving from self doubt toward greater self understanding, self acceptance, and authenticity.
1:45 PM - 2:45 PM
Autistic Adults - Room 11
Building Financial Confidence: Budgeting and Planning for the Future
Jourdan Reyes
Building financial confidence starts with practical tools and a plan. This session will explore budgeting, managing expenses, setting financial goals, and planning for the future. Autistic adults will learn strategies to make informed decisions, build independence and feel more prepared to manage money in everyday life and reach long term goals with confidence.
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Autistic Adults - Room 11
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