Social engagement isn't just about eye contact or polite conversation...
...it's about connection, self-advocacy, belonging, and emotional well-being.
But for many neurodivergent individuals, traditional approaches to social development fall short—often overlooking what truly supports meaningful interaction and lasting relationships.
That's why we've created this one-of-a-kind summit to support authentic and meaningful social engagement —a gathering grounded in research and built to reflect the real-world needs of individuals with Autism, ADHD, and other neurodivergences, and those who support them.
Join us for this immersive, two-day summit featuring renowned experts—Jed Baker, Stephen Shore, Michelle Garcia-Winner, Elizabeth Laugeson, and Brenda Myles —to tackle the questions that matter most:
- How do we support authentic social engagement without masking or burnout?
- What does social success look like for individuals with significant support needs?
- How can we reduce isolation and loneliness across the lifespan?
- How do we move away from neurotypical expectations to foster self-defined, values-driven growth?
You'll leave with practical, neurodiversity-affirming strategies to support individuals across settings—from early intervention to adulthood, from classrooms to workplaces and beyond.
Interested in renewing your Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist (ASDCS) certification? Register now and renew your certification the simple way — no hidden fees, no extra hassle, just more tools to help your clients heal.
2025 Neurodiversity Summit
Supporting Authentic and Meaningful Social Engagement- 30-day on-demand replay access
- 1 bonus session
- Earn up to 13.5 CE hours
Click here for Credit hours breakdown
- Get unlimited access to every session
- 1 bonus session
- Earn up to 13.5 CE hours
CE details available 4–6 weeks after the event
This conference is your space to reimagine how we teach, model, and support social development—not as a box to check, but as a human right.
Whether you're a mental health professional, therapist, or educator, you'll leave equipped to help neurodivergent individuals build relationships on their terms—with authenticity, agency, and joy!
- Supporting non-verbal and minimally verbal individuals in developing meaningful social engagement.
- Addressing emotional regulation and functional skill development as foundations for social success.
- Expanding beyond traditional social skills training to foster connection, independence, and self-advocacy.
- Reducing masking and supporting autistic individuals in preventing burnout.
- Addressing the loneliness epidemic—fostering friendships, dating, and workplace relationships.
- Practical strategies for collaborative goal-setting—helping individuals define social success on their terms.
- Supporting generalization and motivation—moving beyond rote social scripts to meaningful engagement.
Learn tools that honor the whole person—communication style, sensory profile, and emotional needs!
2025 Neurodiversity Summit
Supporting Authentic and Meaningful Social Engagement- 30-day on-demand replay access
- 1 bonus session
- Earn up to 13.5 CE hours
Click here for Credit hours breakdown
- Get unlimited access to every session
- 1 bonus session
- Earn up to 13.5 CE hours
CE details available 4–6 weeks after the event

In this high-impact session, Dr. Baker breaks down a powerful, inclusive model that blends a range of expert approaches, while tackling the big questions every clinician, educator, and parent faces:
- How do we pinpoint the right social goals?
- What sparks engagement and motivation in our learners?
- How can we adapt our strategies to different language and developmental levels?
- What ensures real-world success—not just in-session wins?
- How do we create a community that supports neurodiverse peers?

Join the developer of the world-renowned UCLA PEERS® program, for an engaging and interactive session on the science of social success.
Through valuable insights into research outcomes, resources, handouts, and real-world case studies, you will gain actionable strategies for:
- Making and keeping friends
- Handling bullying and rejection
- Developing and maintaining romantic relationships
- Thriving in the workplace
- Improving social confidence

In this powerful session, you will be equipped with:
- The six levels of the friendship pyramid and strategies to facilitate growth at each level
- Ready-to-use tools, including Thinksheets, that break down abstract social concepts into practical, teachable lessons
- Activities to help your clients tune into their feelings and recognize the role of feelings in social interactions
- And more!

In this session, you'll:
- Gain awareness of social interaction challenges faced by non-speaking autistic individuals
- Recognize when traditional methods fall short and AAC-based strategies are essential
- Appreciate the strengths and contributions of nonspeaking individuals
- Identify immediate and long-term steps to foster inclusive, empowering communication

This seminar will decode the underlying causes of behavioral outbursts and offer practical strategies to both calm and prevent them. You'll learn to:
- Remain calm in the midst of behavioral storms
- Partner with the clients to identify the triggers behind meltdowns
- Set up effective prevention plans to reduce outbursts
- Teach critical emotion regulation and coping skills

In this session, you will gain a compassionate understanding of the “hidden curriculum”—the often-unspoken social rules and expectations that can create barriers to inclusion and well-being. You'll learn:
- Respectful, strengths-based strategies for supporting neurodivergent individuals in recognizing, interpreting, and choosing how to respond to social expectations in ways that honor their authenticity
- Tools to help individuals build agency and confidence by understanding context, prediction, slang, metaphors, and nonverbal communication—without pressure to mask or conform
- Approaches to embed direct instruction and self-advocacy into everyday life, fostering independence and informed choice across environments
Through clinical stories, practical tools, and affirming guidance, you'll leave prepared to help your clients navigate the social world on their terms—supporting connection, autonomy, and emotional safety at every step.

This groundbreaking session aims to shift the narrative surrounding autism intervention by emphasizing empowerment rather than eradication of individual characteristics. You'll learn how:
- By embracing neurodiversity and capitalizing on strengths, you will learn how to create supportive environments encouraging confidence and exploration, ultimately promoting neuroplasticity and enhancing abilities across all domains, including sensorimotor, social, emotional, and cognition
- The brain-gut connection provides insights into managing client discomfort and challenging behaviors, paving the way for improved well-being and the expression of inherent gifts
- Sensorimotor techniques can optimize motor performance and sensory processing, leveraging areas of strength to foster social-emotional growth
2025 Neurodiversity Summit
Supporting Authentic and Meaningful Social Engagement- 30-day on-demand replay access
- 1 bonus session
- Earn up to 13.5 CE hours
Click here for Credit hours breakdown
- Get unlimited access to every session
- 1 bonus session
- Earn up to 13.5 CE hours
CE details available 4–6 weeks after the event
Attendees are encouraged to contact their local crediting agencies to confirm the acceptance and reciprocity of credit.
2025 Neurodiversity Summit
Supporting Authentic and Meaningful Social Engagement- 30-day on-demand replay access
- 1 bonus session
- Earn up to 13.5 CE hours
Click here for Credit hours breakdown
- Get unlimited access to every session
- 1 bonus session
- Earn up to 13.5 CE hours
CE details available 4–6 weeks after the event