Autism Across the Life Span 2025

Join us for Autism Across the Life Span, a one-day conference that will be held Friday, March 14, 2025. Presented by the Kansas Center for Autism Research & Training, Autism Across the Life Span brings together families, autistic individuals, researchers, educators, clinicians, providers and students.

The conference includes a wide variety of breakout sessions, a research poster session, and presentations by two distinguished scholars, Steve Kanne, Ph.D., and Dr. Kristin Sohl, M.D. 

Registration rates

Professionals: $150
Families and self-advocates: $75 per person
Students: $50

Register here. Conference registration includes lunch. 

Location

KU Edwards Campus - Best Conference Center
12604 Quivira Road, Overland Park, KS 

Schedule

8:00 a.m. — Check in
8:30 a.m. — Opening remarks with KCART Director Matt Mosconi, Ph.D.
8:45 a.m. — Morning keynote address, presented by Kristin Sohl, M.D.
10-10:50 a.m. — Breakout session 1
11-11:50 a.m. — Breakout session 2
12:00 p.m. — Lunch
12:15-1:20 p.m. — Lunch keynote address, presented by Dr. Steve Kanne, Ph.D.
1:30-2:00 p.m. — Research poster session
2-2:50 p.m. — Breakout session 3
3-3:50 p.m. — Breakout session 4
4:00 p.m. — Conference concludes

A list of breakout sessions is available, with speakers and a short summary. View the condensed schedule with session titles. 

Steve Kanne, Ph.D. 

"Special Interests in Autism: Are they really that different?"

Presented by Steve Kanne, Ph.D., Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, Cornell Medical College

Special interests are a core diagnostic criterion for autism, yet everyone has passions and interests. This presentation will begin by explaining the role of special interests in autism diagnosis. It will then examine whether and how the special interests of autistic individuals differ from those of others, focusing on variations across age and sex.

About the speaker:
Steve Kanne Ph.D., ABPP, is Professor of Psychology in Clinical Psychiatry at Weill Cornell Medical College and serves as the Director of the Center for Autism and the Developing Brain. Previously, he was the Executive Director of the MU Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders and a Professor in the Department of Health Psychology at the University of Missouri.

Dr. Kanne earned both his bachelor’s degree and doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Washington University. He completed a clinical internship at the University of California, San Diego, and pursued a post-doctoral fellowship in Pediatric Neuropsychology at the University of Missouri-Columbia. His early career included five years as a pediatric neuropsychologist at St. Louis Children’s Hospital, followed by four years at the University of Missouri focusing on autism and pediatric neuropsychology. He later became Director of the Autism Center at Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital before returning to the University of Missouri in 2012 to lead the Thompson Center. In 2020, he transitioned to Weill Cornell.

Dr. Kanne’s research interests center on autism, emphasizing diagnostic tools, behavioral phenotyping, co-occurring symptoms, special interests, subthreshold symptoms, and evidence-based therapies. He has published extensively in these areas, as well as in cognitive neuropsychology, the history of neuropsychology, and pediatric traumatic brain injury. Board-certified in Clinical Neuropsychology, Dr. Kanne is passionate about education and training, frequently delivering national and international workshops on autism.

Kristin Sohl, M.D. 

"ECHO Autism Communities - Bringing Autism Best Practices to All Communities."

Presented by: Dr. Kristin Sohl, distinguished pediatrician and Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Missouri

ECHO Autism Communities is a leading initiative enhancing access to autism best practices across healthcare, education, and advocacy. Discover how collaborative learning communities—bringing together specialists, generalists, and individuals with lived experience—are transforming autism services and fostering inclusive communities through empowered partnerships.

About the speaker: 
As the Founder and Executive Director of ECHO Autism Communities, she spearheads efforts to improve access to high-quality screening, evaluation, and longitudinal support for individuals on the autism spectrum, particularly in underserved and rural populations. Under her leadership, ECHO Autism Communities has established partnerships with over 50 children's hospitals and autism centers across the U.S. and 30 international locations, creating a vast network of professionals committed to enhancing autism and disability services and research.

An influential advocate for children’s health, Dr. Sohl is the Immediate Past President of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Missouri Chapter, and chairs the American Academy of Pediatrics Autism Subcommittee within the Council on Children with Disabilities. She also serves as the Medical Director for the MU Missouri Telehealth Network and the MU Office of Continuing Education for Health Professions. Dr. Sohl earned her medical degree and completed her pediatric residency at the University of Missouri. She is passionate about engaging other healthcare professionals to elevate the discourse on children’s health and well-being.