Presenters at Autism: Communication and Connection

Katharine Beals, PhD, has a doctorate in linguistics and is the mother of an autistic adult. She teaches courses on autism and on language and literacy acquisition at Drexel University, Temple University, and the University of Pennsylvania. Software tools she has created to teach syntax and pragmatics to ASD children and young adults are used in numerous Philadelphia autism support classrooms and at the Morningside Academy in Seattle. The author of Students with Autism and Cutting-Edge Language and Literacy Tools for Students on the Autism Spectrum, she has written and lectured extensively about language technologies for autistic individuals and about the misuse of pseudoscientific approaches like facilitated communication and its variants (Rapid Prompting Method, Spelling to Communicate, and Spellers Method). She has also served as a legal consultant and expert witness to school districts and family members on issues concerning the use of facilitated communication in school and home settings.

Disclosures:

• None

Belinda L. Daughrity, PhD, CCC-SLP, is an Associate Professor in the Speech-Language Pathology department at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB), where she serves as chapter advisor to the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA) and Graduate Advisor. She is the co-author of the textbook Autism Spectrum Disorders From Theory to Practice: Assessment and Intervention Tools Across the Lifespan, published by John Wiley & Sons in 2022.

Disclosures:

• Employed full-time at CSULB and receives a salary
• Co-author of Autism Spectrum Disorders From Theory to Practice: Assessment and Intervention Tools Across the Lifespan and receives royalties from Wiley Blackwell
• Member of ASHA, CSHA, and NBASLH
• Financial compensation from ASHA for this presentation

Elizabeth M. Delsandro, MS, CCC-SLP, is a speech-language pathologist and Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, with more than 30 years of clinical experience. Delsandro's professional background includes roles as a direct service provider in outpatient clinical settings and public schools, an autism consultant, an assistive technology trainer, and clinical educator. Her work has centered on comprehensive assessment and intervention for individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities, with particular emphasis on language development, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), social communication, and executive functioning. She has had the privilege of serving in two University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities: the Kennedy Krieger Institute and the Waisman Center. In addition to clinical work, Delsandro has held academic appointments as an adjunct instructor at Johns Hopkins University and George Mason University. Collectively, she brings 12 years of experience as clinical faculty in graduate programs in speech-language pathology at the University of Iowa and the University of Wisconsin–Madison. She has presented at state and national conferences and internationally in China. Delsandro is also a graduate of the ASHA Leadership Development Program.

Disclosures:

• Employee of the University of Wisconsin–Madison
• Financial compensation from ASHA for this presentation

Tim DeLuca, PhD, CCC-SLP, is an assistant professor in the Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and director of the Community Engaged Language and Literacy (CELL) Lab. His research examines best practices related to improving language and literacy outcomes for children in schools, especially children with developmental language disorder, dyslexia, and/or complex communication needs. His research is informed by over decade of clinical practice as both a speech-language pathologist and reading specialist, continued mentorship and instruction of undergraduate and graduate students, and multiple clinician-researcher partnerships. His work focuses on harnessing the power of implementation science and fostering interprofessional practice to enhance written and spoken language outcomes for children in schools. By bridging the gap between research and practice, the CELL Lab strives to unlock new strategies and tools that can significantly improve children's communication skills and overall quality of life.

Disclosures:

• Financial compensation from ASHA for this presentation
• Salaried faculty member at the University of Massachusetts Amherst
• Information in this presentation was partially funded by the Public Service Endowment Grant from the University of Massachusetts Amherst

Erin M. Edwards, MS, BCBA, LBS, is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), researcher, and clinician at the Penn State Hershey Medical Center in Hershey, PA. She provides behavior analytic services to children and adults who have autism or other developmental disabilities, ranging from mild symptoms to more severe symptoms of the diagnosis. While at Penn State, Erin helped to develop a clinic service to provide co-treatment, from a BCBA and SLP, with a focus on AAC communication development. Erin is also interested in developing free and accessible tools for natural caregivers and direct care providers to ensure that they have resources to support individuals with autism, as well as providing learning opportunities across the lifespan.

Disclosures:

• Salary from PennState Health
• Research in this presentation was funded by the Edith L Trees Charitable Trust
• Financial compensation from ASHA for this presentation

Erinn H. Finke, PhD, CCC-SLP, is a Research and Teaching Fellow in the Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology at Calvin University. She is an autism researcher and speech-language pathologist whose work centers on social development, friendship, and meaningful participation for autistic individuals across the lifespan. Her research is grounded in neurodiversity-affirming frameworks and prioritizes the perspectives and lived experiences of autistic people, including those with significant communication support needs who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Dr. Finke’s program of research examines how friendships are formed, experienced, and sustained, with particular attention to reciprocal communication, belonging, and relational outcomes that matter to autistic individuals themselves. Her work on autistic friendship, peer interaction, and the design of interventions and assessment tools move beyond deficit-based social skills models toward authentic, contextually embedded social participation. Her scholarship integrates qualitative methods, single-case experimental designs, and group-based research to address complex social phenomena in real-world contexts.

Disclosures:

• Financial compensation from ASHA for this presentation
• Salary from Calvin University

Carly Blustein Gilson, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Special Education at The Ohio State University, specializing in the secondary transition for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She started her career as a middle school special education teacher and college/career instructor. Dr. Gilson’s research expertise centers on fostering integrated employment and developing inclusive higher education programs for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Additionally, her work emphasizes the importance of collaboration among special education teachers, paraprofessionals, families, agencies, and related service providers to strengthen the transition process.

Disclosures:

• Financial compensation from ASHA for this presentation

Jessie Ginsburg, MS, CCC-SLP, and Chris Wenger, MS, CCC-SLP, are a neuroaffirming SLP couple from Los Angeles. They co-host a weekly podcast called The NeuroAffirm Show and are co-founders of the NeuroAffirm Therapy Academy & Therapist Directory, a worldwide interactive directory connecting providers and families. Jessie, globally known as the Sensory SLP, is the creator of the Sensory Certificate Course for SLPs and the best-selling author of Ready Set Connect: A Sensory-Based Approach to Accelerate Communication in Autistic Children. Chris, best known as Speech Dude, is a neurodivergent high school SLP of over 20 years and creator of the Dynamic Assessment of Social Emotional Learning, a strengths-based assessment for autistic students. He is the creator of the Neurodiversity Affirming IEPs course. Together, they speak internationally, have an audience of over a million followers, and are the parents to five boys.

Disclosures:

• Chris: lead SLP for CJUHSD, salary from the CJUHSD, and royalties from sales on speechdude.com
• Jessie: owner of Pediatric Therapy Playhouse, creator of the Sensory Certificate Course for SLPs, and founder of the NeuroAffirm Therapy Academy
• Both: financial compensation from ASHA for this presentation

Bronwyn Hemsley, BAppSc, PhD, is a Certified Practising Speech Pathologist in Australia and the Head of School of Health Sciences at the University of Newcastle. Hensley is a Fellow of Speech Pathology Australia and Fellow of the International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication.

Disclosures:

• None

Donna Henderson, PsyD, has been a clinical psychologist for 24 years. She earned her doctoral degree from the School of Professional Psychology at Wright State University and subsequently worked as a staff psychologist and then Director of Acquired Brain Injury at the Gaylord Hospital in Connecticut. Henderson joined The Stixrud Group in 2011, specializing in neuropsychological evaluations for individuals with cognitive, academic, social, and/or emotional challenges, with a particular interest in autism. Henderson is a frequent lecturer on the subtle presentation of autism, girls and women with autism, and parenting children with complex profiles.

Disclosures:

• Financial compensation from ASHA for this presentation

Alexa Kelly, MS, CCC-SLP, is a speech-language pathologist based in the Atlanta area. She completed her MS in Communication Sciences and Disorders at Georgia Southern University in 2018. Currently, Alexa owns and operates Brain Positive Therapy, a private practice that is a mobile practice specializing in the care of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Alexa was inspired to start her business after being diagnosed with autism and ADHD in September 2023. While owning her business, she has provided specialized care focusing on AAC, language skills, motor-based speech disorders, and social/pragmatic language to individuals of all ages and levels of support, both virtually and in-home. Additionally, Alexa has had the privilege of being a guest speaker/lecturer at the collegiate level, published author, and a presenter at national conferences. Alexa has been honored with the recognition of being a Distinguished Early Career Professional (ECP) by ASHA in 2023.

Disclosures:

• Financial compensation from ASHA for this presentation

Marie Martinez, MS, MEd, CCC-SLP, BCBA, LBA, is a dually certified professional in speech-language pathology and behavior analysis. She has provided services to early intervention populations since 2010. She has authored the Path for Words book and co-authored print and online curricula, workshops, and professional development designed to support families by integrating best practices in speech-language pathology and behavior analysis into daily routines. Before joining the team at Path for Words, Marie worked as an Educational Consultant at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where she focused on merging the fields of behavior analysis and speech-language pathology in clinical practice, research, and community outreach. She has presented at various national speech, language, and behavior analytic conferences focused on early intervention curricula, professional development programs, and caregiver training. She is passionate about bridging the gap between research and practice by providing caregivers with evidence-based strategies for speech, language, and behavior. She served as the professional development manager for ASHA's Telepractice Special Interest Group and has been a Convention topic committee member for the past 4 years. She is an invited presenter on the topics of teaching social communication and using evidence-based strategies with early childhood populations.

Disclosures:

• Financial compensation from ASHA for this presentation

Lance McLemore, BA, has been using AAC for several years. He got his first high-tech communication aid while in university. Since getting access to AAC, his world has greatly expanded. His current language system is LAMP Words for Life on an Accent 1000, which he received in 2016. He graduated from the University of Alabama in Huntsville with a BA in studio art and philosophy. He still makes art in various media: drawing, painting, and fiber art. He currently works as an ambassador for PRC-Saltillo and the Center for AAC and Autism. He attends AAC camps, workshops, conferences, schools, and universities to talk about and advocate for greater use and acceptance of AAC. His most important message is to remind people that the purpose of AAC is to make it easier to form relationships and increase inclusion in all spheres of life.

Disclosures:

• Contractor for PRC-Saltillo, Center for AAC and Autism, and Penn State University
• Board member of ImpAACt Voices
• Financial compensation from ASHA for this presentation

Michael Mintz, PsyD, is a psychologist and serves as a clinical associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. He is also an affiliate faculty member of the Child Health Advocacy Institute, primarily advocating on behalf of immigrant youth with the goal of increasing their access to mental health services and providing assistance as they work toward improving their immigration status. Dr. Mintz has been working at the Child Development Program at Children's National Hospital since his postdoctoral fellowship in 2011. He specializes in infant and toddler development and early childhood mental health, with extensive experience in the diagnosis and treatment of children on the autism spectrum. He also specializes in the neurodevelopmental impact of congenital heart defects, as well as immigrant mental health. He began working with young children on the autism spectrum in 2000 while studying psychology at the University of Michigan. He later worked as a case manager at the Transitional Living Program of the Latin American Youth Center and attended graduate school at George Washington University.

Disclosures:

• Clinical associate professor at Children's National Hospital
• Senior associate psychologist at Joseph Gorin PsyD & Associates

Kathleen Oppenheimer, MS, CCC-SLP, holds a BA in Linguistics from Harvard College and an MS in SLP from Northwestern University. She has provided SLP services at a children’s hospital and in clinical trials. Kathleen co-authored six papers, conducted research on language processing, and completed graduate coursework on language processing and research methods. She is the owner of Oppenheimer Speech and Language, LLC, a company that provides clinical speech-language services, professional development, and science communication.

Disclosures:

• Financial compensation from ASHA for this presentation
• Owner of Oppenheimer Speech and Language, LLC
• Financial compensation for professional development talks and science communication on topics relating to this presentation
• Science communication related to this topic on Instagram (@language_processing) and via a website she created (www.gestaltlanguageprocessing.org)

Jeannette Reiff, MS, CCC-SLP, is an ASHA-certified speech-language pathologist with more than 30 years of experience supporting young children and their families. She holds dual licensure in California and Virginia and currently works for TheraPeds, LLC, providing early intervention (EI) services to infants and toddlers in Arlington and Alexandria City, Virginia. In addition to her clinical work, Jeannette serves as Associate Director of Clinical Issues in Speech-Language Pathology at ASHA, where she contributes to national initiatives that support evidence-based, family-centered practice. Jeannette began her career in a medical center specializing in pediatric feeding disorders, working with infants in the neonatal intensive care unit. She later provided EI services across multiple regional centers in Northern California and worked in the public schools before returning to EI practice exclusively. She also served as Clinic Director in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at California State University, Sacramento, where she supported the clinical training of graduate students in speech-language pathology. Jeannette specializes in working with autistic toddlers and their families to support communication development through relationship-based, strengths-focused, and family-centered approaches. Her work emphasizes coaching caregivers, fostering connection, and building communication in everyday routines.

Disclosures:

• ASHA staff

Howard C. Shane, PhD, CCC-SLP, is an Associate Professor of Otology and Laryngology at Harvard Medical School and Director Emeritus of the Center for Communication Enhancement and the Autism Language Program at Boston Children’s Hospital. His career has centered on improving communication access for individuals with complex communication needs through clinical work, research, and technology development. In 2015, Boston Children’s Hospital established the Howard C. Shane Center for Communication Enhancement Directorship Chair in recognition of his contributions to the field. Dr. Shane has worked clinically with thousands of individuals with significant communication challenges and has contributed to the design of multiple computer-based communication tools, including technologies covered by two U.S. patents. He is an ASHA Fellow and a recipient of ASHA's Honors of the Association. His work has also been recognized with the Frank R. Kleffner Lifetime Clinical Career Award and the Goldenson Award for Innovation in Technology from United Cerebral Palsy. Dr. Shane is the author of six books and numerous peer-reviewed articles, and he has lectured internationally on severe speech and communication impairments.

Disclosures:

• None

Shannon Welch, MS, CCC-SLP, is a Speech-Language Pathologist at Penn State Health. She specializes in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). Her clinical focus includes both AAC evaluations and ongoing treatment for individuals with autism, intellectual disabilities, and developmental delays with complex communication needs. She began her career in the school-based setting, where she developed a strong foundation in the principles of Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA). She then transitioned to outpatient therapy and currently provides services to patients in the Functional Communication Clinic at Penn State Health. She collaborates and provides weekly co-treatment sessions alongside a Board-Certified Behavioral Analyst (BCBA). Her research centers on AAC service delivery, enhancing collaboration between SLPs and BCBAs, and developing tools and resources for natural caregivers and direct support staff.

Disclosures:

• Salary from PennState Health
• Research in this presentation was funded by the Edith L Trees Charitable Trust
• Financial compensation from ASHA for this presentation