Don't miss out on the year's biggest event! With renowned guest speakers, this free event is one you won't want to miss. Register now!
In the News
The January 2025 American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Voices Blog, titled “A Primer on the Words We Use to Describe Autism,” was authored by two developmental-behavioral pediatricians and two parents of autistic children. Their goal is to clarify crucial terms such as neurodiversity, profound autism, identity-first, and person-first language, which play a significant role in understanding and discussing autism.
Neurodiversity embraces the idea that differences in thinking and behavior are natural variations, not deficits. It includes conditions like autism, ADHD, and learning disabilities. Neurodiverse-affirming language emphasizes respect and acceptance.
However, families with children who have greater levels of impairments may feel invalidated by neurodiversity-affirming language. “Profound autism” was introduced to describe individuals with significant challenges who may require lifelong support, though this term is debated within the community.
Identity-first language, such as “autistic individuals,” is used to affirm neurodiversity, while person-first language, like “person with autism,” aims to humanize individuals beyond their condition. Clinicians are encouraged to honor families’ language preferences and use “on the spectrum” as a neutral term when uncertain.
The blog emphasizes that understanding and respecting these terms can help clinicians better support patients and their families.
Stories: Read How ECHO Autism is impacting communities worldwide
ECHO Autism: ‘Nothing For Us or About Us, Without Us” By: Project ECHO
Self-advocates are integral to every aspect of ECHO Autism sessions! ECHO Autism has integrated self-advocates since 2015, benefiting from their lived experiences and perspectives. Self-advocates correct misinformation, present cases, and offer insights on medication and family issues, embodying the “all teach, all learn” approach. They share personal experiences to provide a deeper understanding of autism and advocate for respectful language and systemic changes in autism care. The advocates emphasize the need for services supporting intellectual disabilities across the lifespan, pushing for societal and healthcare changes to better accommodate and respect individuals with autism. Through their involvement, ECHO Autism highlights the value of firsthand experience in improving patient care and provider understanding.
ECHO Autism Communities Partner Launch Class of January 2025
We had an incredible turnout for our January 2025 ECHO Autism Communities Partner Launch Trainings!
Look at these organizations who are changing the world! 41 participants from 17 different organizations across 5 countries (USA, Canada, Uganda, Jamaica, Cote d’Ivoire) came together, united by a shared commitment to transforming autism care in their communities.
- University of Iowa
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
- University of New Mexico Center for Development and Disabilities
- University of Missouri
- Superhub: Northeast Ohio Medical University
- Lurie Center for Autism
- Teens and Tots Neuro Development Center
- Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center
- The Regents of New Mexico State University
- Superhub: Institut National de Santé Publique
- Children's Healthcare of Atlanta
- Prosper Health
- The University of Texas at Austin
- EDS Learning Institute
- Sunny Hill Health Centre at BC Children's Hospital
- The Smile A While Foundation/Mico CARE Centre
Over two powerful days, we saw passion, collaboration, and a vision for a more inclusive world take shape. At the end of the training, we asked our partners to share a thought or feeling about their experience. Here’s what they had to say:
Their words reflect the energy and dedication driving this global movement. Together, we are building a future where every person has access to the care and support they deserve.
We are grateful to Autism Speaks for their sponsorship of the ECHO Autism
ECHO Autism Program Launches
Saskatchewan Health Authorities
Congratulations to Saskatchewan Health Authorities for concluding the successful launch of their ECHO Autism SK Diagnostics and Care program! The hub team of subject matter experts were based in based in Saskatchewan, and include a Developmental Pediatrician, Psychologist, General Pediatrician, Autism Consultant, Occupational Therapist, Autism Navigator, Parent Advocate, Lived Experience Expert and a dedicated coordinator. This eight session ECHO was offered from September through December 2024 and covered best practices in diagnosing and caring for autistic children.
In addition, Saskatchewan Health Authorities completed the second series of their ECHO Autism SK Early Intervention program. This ECHO ran for six sessions from September through November 2024 and focused on best practices in screening and supporting autistic children up to six years of age. The subject matter experts include two parent advocates, an autism consultant, autism navigator, developmental pediatrician, psychologist, speech-language pathologist, occupational therapist, and a coordinator.
Congratulations to Saskatchewan Health Authorities for their dedication to delivering high quality ECHO Autism programs in Canada!
Missouri Alliance for Dual Diagnosis ECHO
This month we are highlighting Missouri Alliance for Dual Diagnosis (MOADD) ECHO.
MOADD ECHO bridges the care gap between professional mental health providers, state agencies and service systems, and children with dual diagnoses.
Who Should Participate:
- Community Mental Health Center professionals (therapists, social workers, case managers, psychologists, psychiatrists, nurses)
- Developmental Disability Service Professionals (support coordinators, BCBA’s, professional managers, direct care staff).
- Child welfare industry workers (teachers, juvenile officers, children’s division workers, parent and child family advocates, guardian ad litem)
Content Experts/HUB Team: Greg Cejas, MD, Paul Glaser, MD, PhD, Amber Stockreef M. ED, BCBA, LBA, Seth Allen, Licensed Psychologist, Shawna Shelton, BSN, RN, Laura Shapiro, MSW, ACSW, LCSW, and Lisa Nothaus, BS
How It Helps:
- Children and families experience improved treatment outcomes and quality of life experience closer to home
- Missouri mental health providers get greater access to cross system resources and supports to provide comprehensive care for people with dual diagnoses
- Communication and collaboration improve between state agencies and the service systems for children with dual diagnosis
- Care Gaps are identified, and long-term solutions are developed
How It Works:
- Presenting professionals receive specific case guidance to better support children with dual diagnoses
- All participate in a convenient, web-based, small-group format
- All participants learn and share best practices for supporting children with dual diagnoses/behavioral health diagnoses and for trauma responsive care
What You Get:
- FREE CME/CE – up to 1.5 per clinic
- Real-time case guidance with a multidisciplinary team of medical and state resource specialists
- Learn best practices for children with dual diagnoses
- Learn how to improve communication between care systems
- Meet a network of other providers navigating similar scenarios
Sign up today at MOADD » ECHO Autism
If you have questions or need help registering, please contact the MOADD ECHO program coordinator, Sarah Towne at sarahtowne@health.missouri.edu
