Where Research, Policy, and Community Meet
Nashoba Learning Group’s Profound Autism Summit returned to Boston – this time at the Hilton Boston Park Plaza – for its biggest year yet, with 1,062 attendees over two days. With 75 speakers representing BCBAs, SLPs, researchers, medical providers, psychologists, caregivers, siblings, and self-advocates, the Summit brought together a vibrant cross-section of the Profound Autism community.
Governor Maura Healey joined us in person, connecting directly with our community. Her appearance came on the heels of a landmark Executive Order she signed establishing a statewide strategy and advisory council for adults with Profound Autism. Dr. Sylvia Fogel, chair of the IACC, led a listening session – a rare opportunity for attendees to speak directly to federal leadership. And Dr. Nicole Kleinstreuer of the NIH spoke about federal funding for research on Profound Autism, bringing a message of investment and momentum to the stage.
We also launched our first-ever poster session, showcasing original research on Profound Autism. And this year, we significantly expanded our continuing education offerings, adding CMEs for physicians and CEs for SLPs and social workers, alongside our longstanding CE programs for BCBAs and psychologists. As always, roughly a third of attendees were family members and caregivers, learning side by side with clinicians and researchers.
