About the Course
When children feel safe in their relationships, they’re more able to learn, communicate, and grow. This session explores how stress, trauma, and the world around them can uniquely impact autistic children—and how parents and caregivers can be a calming, empowering presence. Grounded in evidence-based Pediatric Autism Communication Therapy (PACT) strategies, this presentation will give families tools to support emotional safety, strengthen connection, and build everyday moments of trust that help children thrive.
Objectives
Participants will be able to explain how stress and trauma can uniquely affect autistic children’s nervous systems, communication and relationships.
Participant will explain how secure, affirming relationships with primary caregivers support regulation, communication, and confidence in autistic children.
Participant will be able to identify and integrate specific Pediatric Autism Community Therapy strategies that promote relational safety and trust.
Anna Paola Smith, LCSW, PACT Accredited Provider
Brenda Orozco, LMSW
Anna Paola Smith attended The University of Texas at Austin where she received her BA in Psychology and her Masters degree in Social Work. She has had the opportunity to work with children and families in the school, hospital, and clinical settings. Anna Paola's interests lie in family systems and how the development of one child may impact the entire family unit. She started a sibling support group at Autism Community Network to provide siblings a safe space to share their own experiences. Anna Paola also provides routine follow-ups for caregivers after their child receives an autism diagnosis and is a bilingual Pediatric Autism Communication Therapy Accredited Practitioner, supporting families impacted by autism through dyadic coaching. Anna Paola is part of an interdisciplinary diagnostic team that uses a strength-based approach to address the unique presentation of the child and family.
Speaker Disclosure: Ms. Smith receives a salary from Autism Community Network.
Brenda Orozco received her Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from St. Edward's University and a Master of Social Work from Texas State University. She has extensive experience providing case management services to children with disabilities and their families. Brenda specializes in working with uninsured and underinsured individuals to coordinate resources to address their health needs. Her desire in working with clients has always been to show them how to navigate systems and how to advocate for themselves. Brenda enjoys being active in her church community, planning family fun nights, and learning about automative/home repairs.
Speaker Disclosure: Ms. Orozco has no pertinent information to disclose.