< Back Angela Sanchez-Concha Caregiver Coordinator Angela Sanchez-Concha received a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Our Lady of The Lake University (OLLU). She has worked with individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism since 2010. Angela was born in Lima, Peru and enjoys to visiting family every opportunity possible. During her free time, she enjoys making memories with her husband and three children. angela.sanchez@acn-sa.org (210) 435-1000 ext. 5005

Educator Track: AM Breakout Session: Brains, Behavior, and Belonging Time 10:00-11:15 AM Presenter/Facilitator Rebecca Engle, MEd Back to Course List < Back Educator Track: AM Breakout Session: Brains, Behavior, and Belonging What if behavior isn't something to control...but something to understand? Join Rebecca Engle for a powerful session exploring how nervous system science reshapes the way we think about behavior, connection, and learning. This session challenges compliance-based models and replaces them with something deeper. Student don't need better behavior management systems. They need environments that understand their brains. Learning Outcomes: Participants will analyze how nervous system functioning influences behavior, connection, and learning in educational and caregiving environments. Participants will evaluate the limitations of compliance-based behavior management models and compare them to neurobiologically informed approaches. Participants will design supportive environments and strategies that align with students’ nervous system needs to foster regulation, engagement, and a sense of belonging. Rebecca Engle is a special education teacher a with a masters degree from Texas Tech University with a deep commitment to ending seclusion and restraint in schools. Making history in Texas politics at 19, she has been a passionate advocate for student rights and inclusive educational policies. As an award-winning children’s book author and neurodivergent public speaker, Rebecca amplifies the voices of marginalized learners and promotes trauma informed, compassionate approaches. Through her teaching, writing, and advocacy, she strives to create safe, supportive environments where every student can thrive without fear. Disclosure: Rebecca Engle, MEd is a paid speaker at ACN 2026 Summit- Toward Neuroharmony: Welcome to the Autism Renaissance.

Support Le Brunch des Chapeaux Help make Le Brunch des Chapeaux a success by supporting our premier fundraising event! Your contributions directly benefit autistic children and the people who love them. From sponsorships to in-kind donations, every act of generosity makes a meaningful difference. Together, we can create a brighter future! Table Sponsorship Opportunities Limited tables available - please email Cortney John, Chief Development Officer at Cortney@acn-sa.org Festival de Cannes $25,000 SOLD OUT Two tables for 10 Individuals at the end of the runway or the location of choice at the event Premium signage at event, sponsor logo or name on ACN website, program, and social media Elevated favors & décor and social media posts Two bottles of wine or champagne per table, signature cocktail upon request Afterparty reserved table, two bottles of wine and treats Prix de la mise en scéne $7,500 SOLD OUT Table for 10 individuals along the runway (as available and on first come, first served basis) with uninterrupted sight lines of the Julian Gold Fashion Show Signage at event, sponsor logo or name on ACN website, program, and social media Two bottles of wine at table Grand Prix $20,000 SOLD OUT Table for 10 individuals at the end of the runway with the best view of the Julian Gold Fashion Show Premium signage at event, sponsor logo or name on ACN website, program, and social media Elevated favors & décor, afterparty perks and social media posts Two bottles of wine and champagne Prix du scénario $5,500 SOLD OUT Table for 10 individuals on the lawn of The Argyle Signage at event, sponsor logo or name on ACN website, program, and social media One bottle of wine at table Prix d'interprétation féminine $10,000 SOLD OUT Table for 10 individuals on the runway with uninterrupted sight lines of the Julian Gold Fashion Show Prominent signage at event, sponsor logo or name on ACN website, program, and social media posts Special favors & décor, afterparty perks Two bottles of wine and champagne Palme d'Or du court métrage $3,500 SOLD OUT Table for 10 individuals on the lawn of The Argyle Signage at event Sponsor logo or name on ACN website, program, and social media. (If received by 2/16/2026) Umbrellas to provide shade One bottle of wine at table Purchase Online Table purchases are non-refundable. Underwriting Opportunities To secure your sponsorship, please email Cortney John, Chief Development Officer at Cortney@acn-sa.org Presenting Sponsor $50,000 Through the generosity of the Presenting Sponsor, Autism Community Network will be able to cover much of the costs associated with Le Brunch des Chapeaux 2026 allowing much of the revenue raised to be directed back to serving families. This sponsor will be part of the official event name and will be prominently recognized in all media related to the event and recognized on the ACN website. Preferred seating at the event will be extended to this person/organization and you will be honored during the Le Brunch des Chapeaux 2026 program. Additionally, you will have a reserved table at the afterparty with two complimentary bottles of wine. Floral Sponsor $10,000 The floral sponsor has the distinction of making the event beautiful and fragrant by underwriting the cost of florals. Recognition includes name in the formal invitation and recognition on Le Brunch des Chapeaux and ACN social media sites and event day signage. Valet Sponsor $5,000 North Park Lexus at the Dominion Your sponsorship ensures attendees arrive fashionably early and stress-free by supporting parking and shuttle services. Guests who walk, ride share, or use shuttle lots will enjoy a small gift featuring your name or logo, making your commitment to convenience unforgettable. Your generosity keeps the focus on the event while leaving attendees impressed by your thoughtful touch. Pommes Frites Sponsor $5,000 Adair Concepts Your sponsorship elevates the afterparty with delectable passable fare. You’ll be recognized on the event website, in the program, from the podium announcing the afterparty event, and on the afterparty signage. Guests will toast your generosity. Le Tapis Rouge Sponsor (The Red Carpet) $3,500 Gamez Law Firm The Tapis Rouge sponsor makes an unforgettable impact on guests as the underwriter of this eye-catching photo-op! All Le Brunch guests are invited to "walk the red carpet" during cocktail hour made possible by this opportunity. Afterparty Cocktail Sponsor $2,500 Rick & Suzanne Cavender Sponsorship underwrites 150 passed cocktails at Le Brunch des Chapeaux's signature afterparty hosted at The Argyle! This opportunity ensures the fun continues while supporting our mission. Founding Sponsor $30,000 The Donnell Family The Founding Sponsorship honors the founders of Le Brunch des Chapeaux, Shannon Turner and Kristan Northington, and their tireless work to make Le Brunch succeed annually. Their vision has allowed ACN to grow and families to receive the highest standard of care. This sponsorship opportunity includes premium recognition leading up to the event and at the luncheon, including recognition on the ACN website. Premium seating included at the end of the runway, as well as a reserved table at the afterparty with a complimentary bottle of wine. Paper Suite Sponsor $7,500 This sponsorship level underwrites all printed materials and postage necessary to share messaging about Le Brunch des Chapeaux. We all love a beautiful invitation. Help make 2026 sparkle! This sponsor will be recognized in the formal invitation and on Le Brunch des Chapeaux and ACN social media sites. Sweet Treat Sponsor $6,500 Underwrite everyone's favorite part of the day - dessert! Your donation will be recognized in the formal invitation and printed program. Runway Sponsor $4,000 Stacy Schlagel Your underwriting commitment will help dazzle the runway with a custom runway skirt for the Julian Gold models to shine in the latest trends for Spring 2026. Table Beverage Sponsor $3,000 Claire Cavender McNab & Paige Shafer Your sponsorship ensures the party will go on, setting the mood for a chic celebration. You will be recognized on the event website, in the program, and on afterparty signage. Cheers to you for keeping the party flowing and making the afterparty unforgettable! Luncheon Sponsor $25,000 Through the generosity of the Luncheon Sponsor, Autism Community Network will be able to cover all costs associated with the food and non-alcoholic beverages for 600 attendees at Le Brunch des Chapeaux 2026 . This sponsor will be prominently recognized in all media related for the event and on the ACN website and event day signage. Prominent seating at the event will be extended to this sponsor and they will be honored during the Le Brunch des Chapeaux 2026 program. Afterparty Sponsor $15,000 Corrina Holt Richter Why should the party stop at one o’clock? Let’s keep it going at The Argyle! This sponsorship will assist in covering costs associated with additional food, beverages, and entertainment post luncheon. The afterparty has been a huge success in previous years, however it can only go forward with the help of underwriting. Recognition includes signage at the afterparty, name in the formal invitation, recognition on the ACN website, and recognition on Le Brunch des Chapeaux and ACN social media sites and event day signage. Umbrella Sponsor $5,000 Carla and John Brozovich The Umbrella Sponsor covers the cost of umbrella and stand rentals. This sponsorship comes with recognition in the formal invitation and printed program. Picture Perfect Sponsor $3,500 Aja Pina Sponsor underwrites two fun photo options for guests to both share and treasure the great memories made on this day. You will be recognized by placing your name or logo on the digital photo frame. Welcome Reception Champagne Sponsor $2,500 A Friend of ACN This level underwrites passed champagne at the welcome reception. Your name or logo will be placed alongside Le Brunch des Chapeaux artwork on custom napkins with extras going to the sponsor as a memento. Purchase Online

< Back Wishlist Empowering families, one gift at a time. Explore our wish list! The spirit of giving is alive, and you have the power to brighten someone's day in the most meaningful way. We invite you to join us in making a difference by selecting a gift from our carefully curated Amazon Wish List. Every item on this list holds the potential to bring joy and comfort to the lives of those we serve at Autism Community Network. From educational tools that spark curiosity to sensory items that soothe, your thoughtful gesture can create a positive impact that lasts far beyond the moment. How to contribute: Visit our Amazon Wish List Choose an item that resonates with you. Complete your purchase, and it will be sent directly to us. Experience the joy of knowing you've made a positive difference! Your gift, no matter how small, has the potential to make a big impact. Let's get started

< Back Pediatric Autism Communication Therapy Improved Long-Term Child Outcomes Catherine Aldred Mar 27, 2023 Despite Autism being an enduring condition affecting 2% of people globally, evidenced intervention to improve the developmental impairments is limited. Paediatric Autism Communication Therapy (PACT) is currently the only scientifically evidenced early social communication intervention to demonstrate long-term improved child social communication outcomes into middle childhood. The PACT intervention has shown long-term improvement of autism core symptoms within randomised clinical trials (RCTs). PACT relatively low-intensity approach is referenced in UK national guidance for the new autism care pathway from pre- to post-diagnosis and education support. The evidence base Within the NICE recommendations for intervention and support for autistic development in early childhood, only two interventions met the evidential criteria set by NICE for inclusion.PACT was one of these (the other was JASPER). These two therapies were described as “social communication interventions” and their evidence was the basis for the NICE recommendation to services to consider social communication intervention for autism intervention. Both these therapies work with parents or teachers, and have evidence to improve autistic children’s social engagement, adaptation, communication, and in the case of PACT, autism symptoms. No other therapies were considered to have evidence of effectiveness. Recent independent reviews (e.g. Sandbank et al 2020) have reached similar conclusions. These findings should therefore guide evidenced commissioning of services in autism. How does Paediatric Autism Communication Therapy work? Parents or caregivers are guided through the six steps of PACT by a certified professional using video feedback techniques delivered in 12 alienate week sessions for six months and monthly maintenance sessions for a further six months. Caregivers send a video of a 10-minute interaction or play with their child to the therapist before each video feedback session. PACT builds on existing skills by sharing and analysing the best video clips identifying new strategies and techniques, summarised in an individual written programme for 30-minute daily practice between sessions. How is PACT different from other interventions? PACT has some unique distinguishing differences from other parent-mediated interventions. Firstly, it is the only intervention to use effective video- feedback methods with parents and caregivers and to use them within a modern developmental science-based model to optimise the social communication environment for the neurodivergent child. Secondly, PACT is the only intervention that has shown long-term sustained effectiveness in high-quality clinical trials in improving child autism outcomes for six years after the end of intervention. The Paediatric Autism Communication Therapy Trial An RCT of PACT delivered pre-school demonstrated significant endpoint effects to reduce symptom severity on ADOS Calibrated Severity Score (CSS) and ADOS-2 total algorithm score (Pickles et al. 2016; Carruthers et al. 2021). At follow-up, six years after the endpoint, treatment effects on child symptoms, adaptive outcomes, and child initiations with a parent were significantly sustained (Pickles et al. 2016). Furthermore, a mechanism study of the long-term impact identifies the ‘active processes’ by which interventions achieve their effects and provides insights into causal processes in development. PACT Trial Methods: Of 152 children randomised to receive PACT or treatment as usual between 2-5 years of age, 121 (79.6%) were followed 5-6 years after the endpoint at a mean age of 10.5 years. Assessors, blind to the intervention group, measured Autism Diagnostic Observation Scale Combined Severity Score (ADOS CSS) for child symptoms and Teacher Vineland (TVABS) for adaptive behaviour in school. PACT Trial Results: The treatment effect on child dyadic initiation with the caregiver (Dyadic Communication Measure for Autism, DCMA) was sustained through the follow-up period. Increased child initiation at the treatment midpoint mediated the majority (73%) of the treatment effect on follow-up ADOS CSS. A combination of midpoint child initiations and the direct effect of treatment also mediated the near- significant effect on follow-up TVABS. PACT Implementation The scalability of early evidence-based intervention is a global health priority. A not-for-profit social enterprise IMPACT CIC (Interaction Methods for Paediatric Autism Communication Therapy), established in 2017, disseminates PACT through a cascading ‘train the trainer’ model and implementation trials. Implementation trials test the feasibility, cultural acceptability and equal easy access to PACT in different contexts, including middle and low- economic settings. PACT video feedback methods are ideally adapted to online videoconference implementation. Pilot testing of online PACT has proved acceptable, feasible and accessible to families; further large-scale trials are in progress. Conclusions: Early social communication intervention can improve child social engagement with long-term generalised outcome effects on developmental. One thousand professionals have received PACT training, cascading PACT in twenty-six countries with six international implementation trials. Implications for autism services PACT is universally acceptable and feasible for implementation in different countries and cultures, enhancing autism care pathways from early identification and pre-diagnostic to post-diagnostic and education support. PACT training is available for professionals with appropriate training and qualifications and a minimum of two years of experience in autism. Please visit the website www.pacttraining.co.uk for more information on PACT training. Previous Next

< Back STATE & FEDERAL SUPPORT About State & Federal Support State and federal support programs can be tricky to navigate. Thats why we have compiled a list of all the right places to call for options for individuals with autism and their families. Our resource library provides information on the different types of support available, including Medicaid waivers, social security benefits, and state and federal programs. STATE & FEDERAL SUPPORT Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRCs) 855.937.2372 Web: https://hhs.texas.gov/services/aging/long-term-care/aging-disability-resource-center State Agency over Medicaid Waiver Programs like CLASS, HCS, and MDCP Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities 512.437.5432 Web: www.tcdd.texas.gov E-Mail: tcdd@tcdd.texas.gov 6201 E. Oltorf, Ste. 600, Austin TX 78741 Note: TCDD does not provide any direct services Texas Workforce Commission Vocational Rehabilitation Services 800-628-5115 Web: https://twc.texas.gov/jobseekers/vocational-rehabilitation-services Vocational and employment services, independent living services; Early Childhood Intervention is under this department; technology and resource center. Previous Next

< Back EARLY CHILDHOOD INTERVENTION About Early Intervention Services Our early childhood intervention resources provide information on early intervention services available for young children with autism. These resources can help families access services that can improve outcomes and help children with autism reach their full potential. BEXAR COUNTY AVANCE - San Antonio 210.270.4630 Web: www.avancesa.org 118 North Medina Street, San Antonio, TX 78207 Meaning "advance" or “progress,” AVANCE serves as a trusted guide to assist under-resourced families of young children in overcoming isolation and lack of opportunity. Using our unique two generation education and relationship-building methodology, we help family members become the best parents, employees, and citizens they can be. Brighton Center 210.826.4492 Web: www.brightonsa.org 14207 Higgins Rd. San Antonio, TX 78217 Throughout San Antonio and Bexar County, Brighton Center provides developmental and educational services to children of ALL abilities. With a holistic, family-centered approach, we offer enrichment and development through an inclusive early childhood education program, as well as therapy services, counseling, case management and special education support Camino Real Community Services 830.266.5500 Web: www.caminorealcs.org 19965 FM 3175, Lytle, TX 78052 ECI Services, Mental Health Services, Intellectual & Developmental Disability services. Center for Healthcare Services - CHCS-ECI, formerly PACES 210.261.3300 Web: https://chcsbc.org/ 5802 S. Presa, San Antonio, TX 78223 Offering a variety of services for parents with children under the age of 3, who are experiencing developmental delays. Services include case management, family centered services, activities in familiar settings, and more. Mo family is turned away because they cannot afford to pay. Free services for children on Medicaid. Other services provided based on family size and adjusted income. City of San Antonio Head Start - Edgewood ISD 210.444.7825 Web: www.eisd.com 5358 W. Commerce St., San Antonio, TX 78237 Serving Edgewood ISD; early Head Start/CCP Program in Bexar County for children ages 6 weeks to 35 months. City of San Antonio Head Start - San Antonio ISD 210.206.5500 Web: www.saheadstart.org 1227 Brady Blvd., San Antonio, TX 78207 Serving San Antonio ISD; early Head Start/CCP Program in Bexar County for children ages 6 weeks to 35 months. Easter Seals Rehabilitation Center 210.614.3911 Web: www.easter-seals.org 2203 Babcock RD., SA TX 78229 Easter Seals provides services, education, outreach and advocacy so people living with ASD and other disabilities can live, learn, work and play in our communities; Intervention strategies for children with ASD – Applies Behavior Analysis (ABA), Developmental, Individual-Difference, Relationship-Based (DIR) and The Education of ASD and Related Communication Handicapped Children (TEACCH). You can call to schedule an appointment and a representative will come out to your home for an evaluation. Education Service Center- Region 20 210.370.5200 Web: www.esc20.net 1314 Hines Ave., SA TX 78208 For more information see the following web-site: https://www.esc20.net/apps/pages/special-education Epic Pediatric Therapy 210.226.9536 Clinic: 98 Briggs Ave., Ste. 990, San Antonio, TX 78224 Home Office: 6800 Park Ten Blvd., Ste. 246-E, San Antonio TX 78213 In-home and clinic therapy, services available include speech, occupational and physical therapies, private duty nursing and enteral services (tube/oral). Epic Pediatric Therapy Services is one of the largest pediatric therapy providers in Texas. We provide personalized physical, occupational and speech therapy to children, adolescents and young adults ages 0-21 in our kids-centered clinics or in the non-clinical setting. Family Service Association 210.299.2400 Web: www.family-service.org 702 San Pedro Ave., #102 , SA TX 78212 Serving Northeast, Northside, Southwest, Judson, East Central, Fort Sam Houston and South San Antonio ISDs San Antonio ISD 210.554.2200 Web: www.saisd.net 141 Lavaca St., San Antonio, TX 78210 Serving San Antonio ISD; Pre-K and Head Start Small Hands Big Hearts Pediatric Therapy 682.738.3056 Web: http://shbhtherapy.com 404 Racquet Club Blvd. Bedford, Texas 76022 In-Home sensory integration therapy, camp, and Parent’s Night Out activities. Accept most major insurances as well as well as traditional Medicaid and CHIP. HILL COUNTRY Boerne Homespun 830.249.6067 216 Market Ave., Suite 120, Boerne, TX 78006 Provides home-based services for children age 0-3 years who may be needing therapy or service coordination. Children may qualify if they have a medical diagnosis, developmental delay, or atypical development. Fredericksburg Homespun 830.997.9503 Web: www.hillcountry.org 1328 S State Hwy 16, Fredericksburg, TX 78624 ECI Services, Mental Health, Adult Residential Services; Serving Gillespie, Kimble, Llano, Mason, Menard Counties; accepts Medicaid, CHIP, Private Insurance Hill Country MHDD-ECI Homespun 830.741.8083 Web: www.hillcountry.org 728 18th St., Hondo, TX 78861 Mailing Address: PO Box 433, Hondo, TX 78861 ECI program serves families with children birth to 36 months with developmental delays or disabilities, also providing family support and specialized services to strengthen family’s ability to access resources and improve their child’s development through daily activities. Kerrville Homespun 830.257.2277 Web: www.hillcountry.org 313 Leslie Dr, Kerrville, TX 78028 ECI Services, Mental Health Adult Residential Services, serves Kerr County; accepts CHIP, Private Insurance, Medicaid Uvalde Homespun 830.278.6261 Web: www.hillcountry.org 324 Crystal City Hwy., Uvalde, TX 78801 ECI Services Mental Health Adult Residential; Services Kinney, Real, Uvalde Counties; accepts Medicaid, CHIP, Private Insurance Previous Next

Therapeutic Offerings Your neurodiverse child is beautiful, and YOU are the EXPERT in your child! Therapies offered at ACN empower families by helping to nurture understanding and connection, building upon the existing strengths you ALL bring to the table. From our first meeting with your family, our focus is on identifying and amplifying strengths and supporting you and your child in building the strongest connection and communication possible. We help you understand your child’s unique profile, and we serve as your partners in navigating a new diagnosis and a new way of relating to each other and the world around you. Sensory Int 02 DIRFloortime® DIRFloortime® is a play and relationship-building therapy for autistic and neurodivergent children. It is a comprehensive foundational model that utilizes affect-based interactions and experiences tailored to individual needs to promote global child development. The DIR® model, developed by Drs. Stanley Greenspan and Serena Wieder, identifies relationships as the pivotal force that nurtures and optimizes development. Further, it was the first to propose a relationship-based model of comprehensive intervention for autism spectrum and sensory processing disorders focusing on relating and communicating. The latest research shows many benefits to DIRFloortime® therapy. At ACN, DIRFloortime® therapy is offered by an expert-level certified clinician working in tandem with parents and other primary caregivers. The DIRFloortime® program consists of 12-18 weeks of weekly or biweekly interventions, one hour in length, that can be completed in-person or via telehealth. Goals for the child and caregiver will be collaboratively established following an in-depth assessment. Families can expect to learn the following: •How to take an active role in helping their children relate and communicate with others •How to support the development of sensory integration and social-emotional connectedness within the brain •To identify the unique challenges and strengths of their children as it relates to their abilities to process sensory information, stay regulated and attentive more of the time and to learn from the social world around them •How to fortify their relationships with their children and facilitate their childrens’ intention and engagement to build the foundation for maximal social, emotional, sensory, motor, language and cognitive development. Contact carrie@acn-sa.org for more information. 01 Pediatric Autism Communication Therapy (PACT) Search View Research Pediatric Autism Communication Therapy (PACT) is a well-validated intervention supporting connection, celebrating difference, and enhancing communication. It has demonstrated effectiveness and long-term evidence of significantly enhanced child social communication outcomes and can radically improve quality of life for autistic children in relationship with their parents. In a 12 to 18-session staged intervention, the therapist uses specific video feedback techniques to help parents recognize, respond to, and enhance their child’s social communication. PACT is delivered via telehealth in the child’s natural home environment, which is one of the most effective ways of ensuring enduring development and generalization in social communication skills. Within each 60–90-minute session, the therapist reviews short video clips of the adult and child interacting or playing together. This video is jointly reviewed with the adult, using selected moments to identify and discuss the best individual communication strategies for the child. Between sessions, parents are asked to practice their PACT strategies with the child for around 30 minutes a day. Other interventions can be continued in parallel. PACT is the only intervention showing robust evidence of sustained enhanced child social communication skills, communication initiation, language, and engagement six years after early intervention, evidence which informs a new Autism Care Pathway. PACT is proven to improve child communication from first identification through a care pathway, to post-diagnostic intervention and school support, and is suitable for autistic children up to 11 years of age. The efficiency of PACT is in working with familiar adults in the child’s daily life to support the alternative ways autistic children learn, building stronger social communication skills, and simultaneously helping parents feel empowered with increased self-efficacy, well-being, and family resilience. PACT draws on individual positive attributes, strengthening relationships in building the basis for better understanding and accommodating of individual differences. Autism Community Network houses the largest concentration of PACT Certified trainers in the United States, and we are delighted to bring such an innovative, effective, and neurodiversity-affirming intervention to our families. PACT is made possible by generous funding from Betty Stieren Kelso, Autism Speaks, Texas Pediatric Society, and St. Luke's Lutheran Healthcare Ministries. Contact carrie@acn-sa.org for more information. 03 Making "Sense" of Autism Program Sensory Processing is something that all humans do as a normal function of our brains and nervous systems. It is the way we take in sights, sounds, tastes, smells, touch, body position, and the status of our internal bodily organs through our senses. Typical sensory processing happens without our even noticing, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. It supports a calm, organized, regulated state of being for the individual. Sometimes, it warns us of stimuli that are potentially harmful and other times, it alerts us when we are feeling particularly sluggish or too tired to function. It is a normal function of a typically developing brain and nervous system. Sensory Processing also underlies many aspects of development in all areas: communication, motor skills, cognition, and social-emotional skills. Confidence, coordination, empathy, mindfulness, and our very physical health are all tied to a finely tuned, well-functioning sensory processing system. In the 1960’s an Occupational Therapist and researcher, A. Jean Ayres, PhD., developed a theory outlining what she termed Sensory Integration Dysfunction (now known as Sensory Processing Disorder). This is when sensory signals from one’s own body and/or from the environment are not processed in an orderly manner. Dr. Ayres likened this phenomenon to a “traffic jam” in the brain and nervous system. The signals still get through, but they cause a person’s brain to react too much, not enough, or in such a way that the person seeks extra stimulation in order to register the presence of sensory input. This is evident in a person’s behavior. For example, a person who reacts too much to sensory input may cover their ears with typical environmental sounds, react like the simplest light touch is painful, or gag on certain textures of food. Another person who does not react enough to sensory stimuli may ignore a sound the first few times it is made, be able to tolerate copious amounts of pain before they perceive that something is hurting them, or be able to spin in place much more than the average person without becoming dizzy. Lastly, a sensory seeker may be in constant motion, crashing their bodies against surfaces and other people, putting lots of inedible things in their mouths, smelling non-food items, staring into bright lights, enjoying making loud noises with their own voices without any intent to communicate. Research has shown that approximately 1 in 4 Kindergarten students may have Sensory Processing Disorder, and about 95% of autistic individuals have difficulty properly registering and using sensory input and many autistic adults report that sensory processing differences are an ongoing significant stressor in their lives. This is why Autism Community Network has developed the Making “Sense” of Autism Program. Our program is different from traditional pediatric occupational therapy in that it typically runs for 12-18 weeks before the individual is discharged to another program that offers traditional occupational therapy focusing on play, fine motor, and self-care goals. Good sensory therapy and a parent who better understands their child’s nervous system (as well as their own !) can lead to a better modulated, self-regulated person who is then able to focus and attend to more traditional methods of teaching skills. In addition, the Making “Sense” of Autism Program focuses on using a child-led, parent-mediated approach, coaching caregivers in the basics of sensory processing and their child’s individual sensory differences. Strategies to improve the child’s brain and nervous system responses to sensory stimuli are taught directly to the caregiver during these sessions. Practice at home during naturally occurring daily routine activities is strongly encouraged. Sessions can be conducted in person or via teletherapy using reflective video feedback of the child and caregiver engaging in sensory-rich activities. Contact adrienne@acn-sa.org for more information. How to start: Contact our Clinical Team. If you are interested in any of our therapy programs, please take the time to contact us through the link below. Start Here Cost of Therapies Cancellation Policy If a therapy appointment is not cancelled at least 24 hours in advance you may be charged a fifty dollar ($50) fee; this will not be covered by your insurance company. Late Arrivals We understand that delays can happen however we must try to keep the other patients and doctors on time. If a patient is 15 minutes past their scheduled time we will have to reschedule the appointment. We accept many forms of medical insurance, including Medicaid. Contact Vanessa Amaya at: vanessa@acn-sa.org

< Back Lisa Martinez-Jimenez Board Certified Behavior Analyst Lisa M. Martinez-Jimenez holds her Master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) from Ball State University, completed her BACB coursework from the University of North Texas and received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Violence Prevention & Intervention Certificate from Our Lady of the Lake University. She has worked within the field of ABA for over 20 years and is dedicated to providing quality applied behavior analytic services. She has experience developing and providing ABA services with children, adolescents and adults within the home, clinic, school, and community settings. Her roles at ACN involve diagnostic assessments, autism screenings, parent/family coaching, behavioral consulting, PACT, and organizational leadership within ACN’s Autism Care Pathway Program. lisa.martinez@acn-sa.org (210) 435-1000

< Back Donate Every donation makes a difference. We're reaching out to you with an open heart and a shared vision for a brighter, better world. Today, we invite you to become a driving force behind the change we all wish to see. Your support, in any amount, can create ripples of impact that touch lives, uplift communities, and foster progress. Whether it's a small contribution or a larger gesture, every donation is a stepping stone towards positive transformation. Let's build BIG futures together. Let's get started