2023 Conference Schedule

Autism Across the Life Span 2023, presented by the Kansas Center for Autism Research & Training (KCART), is an opportunity for researchers, educators, students, providers, and autistic people and their families to learn from national autism experts.  The conference was most recently offered in 2023 and planning is underway for 2025. 

The 2023 past agenda and sessions are listed below:

Session details:

Welcome | 8:30 a.m.

BEST Conference Room

Matt Mosconi, Director of the Kansas Center for Autism Research and Training

Opening Panel: Autistic Voices Driving Autism Research

BEST Conference Room

Moderator: Spencer Hunley, Kansas City League of Autistics

Panelists: Community members Jade Littleton; Elizabeth Boresow; Ann Bales; Brie Clemens; and Ben Edwards, Kansas University Center on Developmental Disabilities

This panel of Autistic professionals will address the differences in research priorities that exist between neurotypical researchers and Autistic researchers, how funding distribution exacerbates these differences, and what discoveries autistic-led research has introduced. In addition, the panel will also discuss why it is imperative to include Autistic researchers - especially in matters of design, recruitment, methods and subject matter - and how current research professionals should properly engage with them.

Break | 9:45-10 a.m.

Keynote address | 10-10:50 a.m.

BEST Conference Room

Leah K. Davis, Ph.D.

Breakout Sessions | 11-11:50 a.m.

BEST 120, 125, 130

Advancing Understanding of Neurobiological Factors Contributing to Autism

Room: BEST 125

Panelists:

• Olivia Veatch, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences; Assistant Professor, Cell Biology and Physiology
• Bethany Plakke Anderson, Ph.D., Department of Psychological Sciences, Kansas State University
• Matt Mosconi, Ph.D., Director, Kansas Center for Autism Research and Training (K-CART); Senior Scientist, Life Span Institute; Professor, Clinical Child Psychology Program

This panel of researchers will present updates on the our quickly expanding knowledge base on the neurobiological factors contributing to Autism. Their contributions are described below:

Genetic Mechanisms Connecting Autism with Sleep & Circadian Rhythms

Olivia Veatch, Ph.D., will discuss how sleep and circadian rhythm disorders, which are common in individuals with Autism, may relate to convergent genetic risk factors. This presentation will offer a broad overview of evidence from genetic studies of Autism, sleep traits, and circadian rhythm regulation highlighting shared genetic mechanisms that may underlie expression of sleep and circadian rhythm problems in Autism.

Animal models of Autism Spectrum Disorder

Bethany Plakke Anderson, Ph.D., will discuss two rodent models. One uses an environmental induction approach to induce symptoms in offspring (valproic acid, VPA), and a second approach utilizes a genetic knock out (FMR1 Knock out). Using multiple approaches to understand shared neurobiological mechanisms is important for finding treatments which may apply more widely for those with ASD.

Familial endophenotypes associated with autism spectrum disorder

Matt Mosconi, Ph.D., will present findings and their implications for understanding polygenic processes associated with autism. Autism is a highly heritable neurodevelopmental condition. The inherited mechanisms that increase the likelihood of autism are not yet clear. Elevated rates of subclinical autistic traits, or broader autism phenotypes, in unaffected first-degree relatives of autistic individuals repeatedly have been documented, and the study of these traits represents an opportunity to understand familial pathways contributing to additive likelihood elements. We have extended this work to identify multiple cognitive and sensorimotor traits that are impacted in unaffected parents and siblings of autistic individuals. Further, these traits show highly variable associations with broader autism phenotypic characteristics suggesting multiple discrete pathways of inheritance.

From Isolation to Celebration

Room: BEST 130

Presenter: Leia Holley, Families Together

Leia has been with Families Together for over two decades and has done training at the local, state, and national level. She is also the proud parent of two amazing young men. Her youngest son, Sean, has autism and complex mental health needs.  Leia has been a strong advocate for Sean ensuring he receives the educational and medical services he needs to be a part of his community. She has navigated local, state, and national disability systems for more than 20 years.

Join Leia as she shares her family's story. Their journey begins with Sean's diagnosis of autism and the words he will never and continues through Sean's incredible journey as the first student with significant autism and mental health needs to be included in his school and community. Throughout this presentation, Leia will share strategies and resources that empowered her to go from an outsider to a vital member of Sean's IEP and medical teams. She will share resources, ideas, and strategies she used to help Sean's team go from Due Process to Inclusion. Participants will gain resources and a better understanding of how to effectively advocate for their own children or for students in their educational settings.

Medication Management for Co-occurring Mental Health Concerns in Children with Autism

Room: BEST 120

Presenters:

• Ann Genovese, M.D., University of Kansas Medical Center 
• Jessica Hellings, M.D.,  University of Missouri Kansas City School of Medicine

Dr. Genovese will present on medications commonly used for the treatment of behavioral and psychiatric conditions which frequently co-occur with Autism.   Psychotropic medications are often used for the management of target symptoms and in ages for which they are not FDA-approved, which is referred to off-label prescribing.  When considering medication, just as with any other therapeutic intervention, it is important to evaluate the evidence supporting expected benefits as well as potential risks and side effects.  

Dr. Hellings will discuss ADHD and Autism.  A diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is now allowed using DSM-5 in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder.  We will discuss manifestations of ADHD in ASD throughout the lifespan.  Relationships to aggression and self-injury will be covered.  We will also discuss treatments and side effects, and some case examples. 

Lunch Keynote

The Journey to Adulthood for People on the Autism Spectrum – An ecological lifecourse perspective

BEST Conference Room

Presenter: Elizabeth Hassrick, Ph.D.

 

Poster Session | 1-1:30 p.m.

BEST Conference Room

Breakout Sessions | 1:30-2:20 p.m.

Rooms: BEST 120, 125, 130

Healthcare Transition for Autistic Adolescents and Young adults: Rural and Urban Comparison

Room: BEST 130

Presenters:

• E (Alice) Zhang, PhD, Assistant Professor, University of Kansas Medical Center
• Ezra Kaiser, graduate research assistant, University of Kansas Medical Center  
• Spencer Hunley, Co-Investigator, University of Missouri Kansas City 
• Alyssa Witzgall, Undergraduate research assistant, University of Kansas 
• Ilana Engels, graduate research assistant, University of Kansas Medical Center  
• Eve-Lynn Nelson, Professor, University of Kansas Medical Center  
• Nancy Cheak-Zamora, University of Missouri Columbia

This session will define health care transition (HCT), types of HCT, and HCT in adolescents and young adults with autism. The presenters will share HCT data from adolescents and young adults who live in rural and urban communities. The presenters will discuss barriers preventing HCT and access to general healthcare in rural areas and highlight the experiences of adolescents and young adults who have completed the HCT process. 

 

Inclusive Research: Creating Opportunities and Challenging Barriers

Room: BEST 120

Presenters: 

• Karrie Shogren, Ph.D., Kansas University Center on Developmental Disabilities
• Brad Linnenkamp, Kansas University Center on Developmental Disabilities
• Ben Edwards, Kansas University Center on Developmental Disabilities
• Evan Dean,  Ph.D., Kansas University Center on Developmental Disabilities

This session will highlight opportunities and challenges to advancing inclusive research that brings together people with and with disabilities as partners throughout all phases of the research process: Planning, conducting, disseminating. We will provide examples of inclusive research projects, and current work to build training modules and a network to enhance inclusive research opportunities and supports.

Navigating Puberty and Changing Bodies in Youth with Developmental Disabilities

Room: BEST 125

Presenter: Kerry Prout, PhD, Children's Mercy, Clinical Child Psychologist

As children enter puberty, they experience changes in their bodies and begin to navigate new emotions and expectations. The goal of this talk is to provide education and strategies for how to support a child with autism or other developmental disability as they navigate physical changes during puberty, learn new self-care tasks, and teach new concepts necessary as they mature (e.g., teaching about boundaries, privacy, and addressing sexual urges and behavior).

Breakout Sessions | 2:30-3:20 p.m.

BEST CONF CENTER, BEST 120

Promoting Self-Determination and Careers: The Self-Determined Career Design Model

Room: BEST 120

Presenters: 

• Evan Dean,  Ph.D., Kansas University Center on Developmental Disabilities
• Brad Linnenkamp, Kansas University Center on Developmental Disabilities

This session will describe the Self-Determined Career Design Model (SDCDM), a structured way to promote self-determination while setting and going after career goals,. People attending this session will learn about self-determination and how the SDCDM promotes self-determination and career outcomes. People will also leave with practical strategies for setting career-related goals and developing a plan to achieve their goals.

Autistic Female Led Panel

Room: BEST CONFERENCE CENTER

Presenters:

• Mallorey Beckloff,  LMSW, Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, University of Kansas Medical Center,  KUMC-GNO Program Coordinator, Social Worker
• Katie Schmanke, Occupational Therapy Student, University of Kansas Medical Center 

Panelists: 

• Maeve Webb, He/They/She, Gender Questioning, Proud Neurodivergent
• Brooklyn Miller, She/Her/They/Them, Neurodivergent, Bisexual, Demisexual
• Avery, She/Her, Autistic
• Gigi Vollenweider, She/Her/They/Them, Autistic Person, Self-Advocate

The best way to learn and understand the perspectives of autistic and/or neurodivergent individuals is to ask them! Autistic girls and young women have been underserved and overlooked for a long time. It is important to hear and value their ideas and opinions and take their experiences into account when developing and implementing programs and interventions. During this session, you will hear from autistic females on a variety of topics such as neurodiversity, sexuality and dating education, connection, and community engagement.