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Uniquely Human: A Different Way of Seeing Autism Time Keynote Address - 8:15 AM Presenter/Facilitator Barry Prizant, PhD, CCC-SLP Back to Course List < Back About the Course In this keynote address, Professor Green will cover the theory, ethics and practice of an integrated early intervention pathway for autism and neurodiversity. This will include a discussion of the neurodiversity movement and ethics of healthcare, concepts and evidence for the iBASIS and PACT models of early intervention, and how these can be combined into an integrated and evidenced based early care pathway for health services. Objectives Participants will list the features and effects of parent-mediated social communication interventions like iBASIS and PACT, and explain what mechanistic studies reveal about autistic development. Participants will identify the core concepts of a transactional approach to neurodiversity and autism development and discuss the role of health services in neurodiverse development. Participants will identify the health system characteristics best suited to an autism care pathway using examples of practical implementation in the UK and internationally in South Asia and Australia to propose specific changes or enhancements to existing health systems. Barry Prizant, PhD, CCC-SLP Jonathan Green is Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at University of Manchester and Hon Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital. He studied medicine at Cambridge, Paediatrics in London and Psychiatry in Oxford, before establishing clinical and research groups in Manchester, UK. He has undertaken developmental science in both autism and early relationship development and the development and testing of early parent-mediated interventions for autistic development for both pre-school diagnosed children (PACT) and in the pre-diagnostic stage (iBASIS). He has built on this evidence to advocate an early developmental pathway approach to autistic care that is now being applied in the UK and internationally. The not-for-profit, IMPACT which he co-directs, has trained PACT in 30 countries and now also iBASIS. Since 2018, he has undertaken increasing participatory work with the autistic community, including discussion on neurodiversity and the ethics of intervention (see Green 2023), a novel participatory project on autistic phenomenology (Murray et al 2023, Green and Shaughnessy 2023) and true co-design of a new anxiety intervention for young autistic children (Cullingham et al 2024). Jonathan sat on the most recent UK NICE development group for autism care. He is a Senior Investigator in the UK National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), Fellow of the UK Academy of Medical Sciences, and UK Global Senior Leader in autism for the International Society of Autism Research (INSAR). Speaker Disclosure: Professor Green received a speaking fee for this course.

< Back Kathryn "Katie" Benson, MPA Director of Outreach and Education Kathryn “Katie” Benson has a Bachelors degree from Florida State University, and a Masters degree in Public Administration with a concentration in Non-Profit Management from the University of Texas Arlington. She spent 14 years total in the public education setting as a special education teacher. Ms. Benson’s other work experiences include volunteer coordinating for San Antonio events, directing and over-seeing productions at a local theatre, and managing community programs at another local non-profit. She is excited to be part of the ACN team, where she can use all of her myriad experiences in one place. In her spare time, Katie enjoys trivia and board games with her family, as well as spoiling her three fur babies. Katie is the proud sister to a neurodivergent adult. katie@acn-sa.org (210) 435-1000

Who we are. At Autism Community Network, we are passionate about empowering families and caregivers to be the principal advocates, caregivers, and champions in their children’s lives. Our mission is to provide support, education and resources to those affected by autism. We strive to make a difference in the lives of autistic individuals and their families by providing educational resources, support groups, and community events. Our goal is to ensure that those affected by autism get the support and resources they need to lead a successful life. Our organization. Autism Community Network (ACN) was established as a 501(c)(3) in 2008 by a consortium of health care funders concerned about the lack of child development services available to children suspected of having autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This initiative was led by Palmer Moe, former executive manager of the Kronkosky Charitable Foundation. ACN addresses the diagnostic, therapeutic, educational, and recreational needs of families impacted by autism living in South Texas. Our mission. Our mission is to maximize the potential of children with autism by providing early diagnosis for those with limited access and educating and empowering the community to support them. Elephant-sized values. You may have noticed our larger-than-life mascot. As an autism nonprofit dedicated to forming relationships and nurturing the wellness of the autism ecosystem, we thought of nothing more fitting than the elephant. Elephants live in tightly bonded herds, also known as “packs” or “parades.” The herd, led by the oldest and largest matriarch, can consist of up to 100 individual elephants. Known for their high intellect and ability to store memories, elephants have been observed to display signs of emotions such as playfulness, joy, anger, and grief. These beautiful giants communicate through subsonic rumbles, which travel through the earth under their feet more quickly than through the air above them. Interestingly, elephants receive the rumbling messages through the skin on their feet and trunks, indicating highly attuned sensory systems. When a baby calf is born, the entire herd helps to raise and protect their young. ACN believes our commitment to holistic community support mirrors this natural phenomenon, and we are happy to take cues from our mammalian friends! Read More Team Our team. Tiffany Fresher Chief Executive Officer Read More Jennifer Cleveland, PhD Licensed Psychologist Read More Lisa Martinez-Jimenez Board Certified Behavior Analyst Read More Arjai Ramos Front Desk Coordinator Read More Noelia Cheatham Billing Specialist Read More Carrie Alvarado, PhD, OTR Chief Operating Officer Read More Adrienne Gaither, OTR, CSIPT, C/NDT Chief Programs Officer & Occupational Therapist Read More Anna Paola Smith, LCSW Licensed Clinical Social Worker Read More Vanessa Amaya Referral Coordinator Read More Cathy Kersey Accounting Manager Read More Alma Patricia del Angel, MD Chief Medical Officer & Developmental Behavioral Pediatrician Read More Nicolle Reyna, MS CCC-SLP Speech Language Pathologist Read More Kathryn "Katie" Benson, MPA Director of Outreach and Education Read More Angela Sanchez-Concha Caregiver Coordinator Read More Reach out. Each family's journey with autism is AUsomely unique. Let our staff walk beside you on your pathway. Start Now Our board of directors. OFFICERS Joshua Behnke - President Behnke Legal Consulting, PLLC Denise Garcia - Vice President Texas Partners Bank Matthew Occhipinti - Treasurer Northwestern Mutual Greg Hanson, DO, FAAP - Secretary Southwest Children's Cente r MEMBERS Wendy Faldet HEB Beth Jones Assistant Superintendent - SAISD Corey Livingston Indeco Manny Nsien President and CEO of Superior Living Foundation Ursula Pari Former KSAT 12 News Anchor & CEO of San Antonio Polo Club Michael Thompson Merrill Lynch Kristen Williams, PhD Executive Director of Disability Services - SAISD, Retired Neurodiversity-Affirming Practice Advisory Committee. We're excited to introduce our Neurodiversity-Affirming Practice Advisory Committee. This committee, including neurodiverse individuals of all stripes, serves to provide our board and our staff with ongoing guidance and support from a position of lived experience to assure our consistent alignment with strengths-based and neurodiversity-affirming practice.

< Back Anna Paola Smith, LCSW Licensed Clinical Social Worker 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 system and how the development of one child may impact the entire family unit. After living in Austin for 6 years, she relocated to San Antonio with her husband, Daniel. During her free time she enjoys creating recipes for her Paleo-based Instagram account, exploring the culinary scene in San Antonio with her family and friends, and living an active, healthy lifestyle. anna.paola@acn-sa.org (210) 435-1000 ext. 2010

< 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 Adrienne Gaither, OTR, CSIPT, C/NDT Chief Programs Officer & Occupational Therapist Adrienne Gaither has been a pediatric occupational therapist for over 25 years. She received her degree from The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and began her pediatric therapy career, eventually gaining experience in every setting available for the provision of children’s Occupational Therapy services. Adrienne has had the opportunity to serve as a member of ACN’s team since 2009. She is a Pediatric Autism Communication Therapy Accredited Practitioner, supporting families impacted by autism through dyadic coaching and a part of ACN’s interdisciplinary diagnostic team that uses a strength-based, neurodiversity-affirming approach to address the unique presentation of the child and family. Adrienne also holds specialty pediatric certification in the Sensory Integration and Praxis Tests (SIPT) and has completed advanced training in Neurodevelopmental Treatment (NDT) for children. Locally, Adrienne had the privilege of serving on the planning team for the development of Morgan’s Wonderland; in particular, contributing recommendations for the Sensory Village portion of the park. In addition to her work with ACN, Adrienne is a part-time Program Director and Sensory Consultant with Kinetic Kids, Inc., a local non-profit agency providing sports and recreation activities for children and teenagers with special needs. When she is not working, Adrienne enjoys life with her husband, 2 children, and 2 dogs, running, singing, and traveling. adrienne@acn-sa.org (210) 435-1000

< Back Noelia Cheatham Billing Specialist Noelia Cheatham joins our team as a Billing Specialist with twenty three years of work experience with an Early Childhood Intervention Program (ECI). Her work background also includes working as a Special Education Teacher’s aide, interpreter and Peer Counselor for the Women Infants and Children Program (WIC). At WIC she taught health related classes in English and Spanish. Noelia is very involved with an orphanage in Mexico, Casa Hogar. She organizes drives for school supplies, school uniforms, and bi-yearly summer festivals for the children. She has two grown children and her hobbies are crafting, gardening and baking. Noelia is excited about new opportunities with ACN and helping to serve the community. noelia.cheatham@acn-sa.org (210) 435-1000 ext. 5008

< Back Jennifer Cleveland, PhD Licensed Psychologist Dr. Jennifer Cleveland received her degree from the University of North Texas. She has worked in various settings (and states!) throughout her career including community mental health, the pediatrics department at Bronx Lebanon Hospital, and the school health program through Montefiore Hospital. She has always loved to work with children and adolescents and has a special passion for evaluations and neuropsychological testing. In 2015 Dr. Cleveland became a faculty member at Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU) in New Jersey, where she served as the administrator for a program providing support for autistic college students. After four years at FDU, Jennifer decided it was time to get back to Texas and began working at UTSA’s former Counseling and Mental Health Services from 2019 – 2021. She left in 2021 to begin private practice full time where she particularly enjoyed evaluating and providing treatment for autistic adults. Jennifer served on the executive committee of the Bexar County Psychological Association as their Early Career Psychologist representative and wrote her first book chapter in 2022 in the book titled, Postsecondary Transition for College- or Career-bound Autistic Students. She joined ACN's clinical team in August of 2023 and is excited to contribute to the organization. In her free time, she loves going to music concerts with her husband, relaxing with her two teen children at home, reading, travelling, watching any good Netflix series (more recently The Lincoln Lawyer, Triptych, and Suits), and doing SPENGA workouts! jennifer@acn-sa.org (210) 435-1000

< Back Arjai Ramos Front Desk Coordinator Robert Ramos, Front Desk Coordinator, brings 25 years of medical experience to Autism Community Network in the following areas: mental health, children with disabilities, and oncology. He is the parent to four dogs and one cat. He loves spending time with his family and friends. When not working, he can be found riding through the hill country checking out local Texas wineries. robert.ramos@acn-sa.org (210) 435-1000 ext. 5000

< Back Nicolle Reyna, MS CCC-SLP Speech Language Pathologist Nicolle Reyna holds a Master of Science degree in Communication Disorders from Texas Woman's University, a BA in Psychology from the University of the Incarnate Word, and a special education teaching certificate from Region 20. Nicolle was a special education teacher for 13 years in Edgewood ISD and San Antonio ISD where she developed a passion for helping students reach their maximum potential with the mindset that ALL children can learn. Prior to ACN, Nicolle worked in Early Childhood Intervention ( ECI) for 10 years where she enjoyed meeting and working with so many wonderful children and their families. Nicolle is passionate about empowering parents and caregivers with the tools they need to help their child learn and grow since they know them best! When Nicolle is not devoting her time to her career, she can be found cheering on the Texas Tech Red Raiders (fan by marriage) and the San Antonio Spurs with her husband, daughter, and two dog children, Theo and Bentley. Nicolle is a proud mom of a 21 year old neurodivergent daughter and loves to face time across the miles with her 5 year old neurodivergent niece. nicolle@acn-sa.org (210) 435-1000