Rural Autism ECHO

July 30, 2025: Autism Review

Presenter: Sarah Rotschafer, Ph.D

• DSM-5 criteria for autism and examples of behaviors on the spectrum
• Autism red flags
• Autism severity levels and variations in how the DSM-5 autism symptoms can present
• Co-occurring conditions: gastrointestinal issues, sleep disturbances, sensory sensitivities, elopement, motor delays, etc.
• Coping mechanisms: masking, scripting, etc.
• Differences in how autism can present in women and girls
• Cultural differences in how autism is perceived: rural communities, Hispanic communities, Asian communities

Workshop: ways to talk to parents about autism and autism red flags, different ways that behaviors can manifest, how to discuss autism with people of different cultural backgrounds, how to approach variations in autism presentation

August 27, 2025: Developmental Milestones and Autism Detection 

Presenter: Donna Evans, MD

• Review what developmental milestones are and the AAP recommendations for testing
• Discuss what developmental monitoring, developmental screening, and developmental evaluation are
• Review tools that can be used to help parents monitor development
• Review what the M-CHAT-R/F is and when if should be performed. Discuss the importance of isolating behaviors during the R/F portion.  Discuss appropriate follow up options.
• How to do a referral for developmental evaluation – the paperwork involved and where to send it. How to find people who can perform testing.

Workshop:  Challenges participants have faced when trying to establish autism testing/treatment, how to talk to caregivers about the need for testing, discuss which screeners participants use in their practice

September 24, 2025: Brain Development and Early Intervention Therapies

Presenter:  Sarah Rotschafer, Ph.D

• Brain development and differences in autism
• Critical periods and sensory periods
• Types of EI, how the work, and when they are meant to be used: caregiver mediated intervention, applied behavior analysis, sensory integration therapies, etc…
• Research on the efficacy of early intervention therapies and missed therapeutic opportunities
• Additional therapies: occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, physical therapy, feeding therapy, play therapy, etc…

Workshop:  When are autistic children/people usually diagnosed?  What to do if patients face delays in getting treatment, Which types of EI are your patients receiving

October 29, 2025: Conditions that Co-Occur with Autism

Presenter:  Felissa Goldstein, MD, DFAPA, DFAACAP

• Why early autism detection is important
• How autism is diagnosed: ADOS-2, ADI-R, other tools. What caregivers can expect when they send a patient for testing.
• What caregivers can do if there are long wait times
• How and when to refer a child for testing: navigating DPH resources, other sources of help
• Conditions that mimic autism

Workshop: how to talk to parents when a child is showing signs of autism/may need additional testing, factors that interfere with scheduling testing, how to handle long wait times

November 19, 2025*:  EarliPoint and Biomarkers of Autism 

*Meeting a week early b/c Thanksgiving

Presenter: Sarah Rotschafer, Ph.D and EarliTec

• Early brain development and possible brain development delays in autism
• Critical periods and sensitive periods
• Changes in neurotransmitter and how they may underlie certain behaviors
• Biomarkers of autism
• Research behind EarliPoint
• Where EarliPoint fits into the autism testing/treatment landscape
• Billing for EarliPoint

Workshop: what can be done when sensitive/critical periods have been missed, what skills would be impacted by delayed brain development, participants who have received training – how was it?, concerns about using EarliPoint, questions about EarliPoint, suggestions for EarliPoint training, likelihood they will use EarliPoint*

January 28, 2026: School Services for Autistic Children 

Presenter:  Christie Cook, Guidance Counselor at Ben Hill School District

• Overview of special education laws (IDEA) and the school district’s role in identifying children who need services.
• Timeframes for different programs (i.e. about how long does it take to determine which services a child needs and when BCW ends)
• Psychoeducational assessments
• How schools determine which services a child needs (paperwork needed, assessments schools can perform)
• Services that schools can offer (EI, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, physical therapy, feeding therapy, play therapy)
• Things physicians/nurses can do to help children get school services in a timely manner

Workshop: Have participants worked with school districts previously?  Any tips for working with school districts?

February 25, 2026:  Providing Health Care for Autistic Patients and Frequently Used Medications 

Presenter:  Jonathan Lawrence, MD

• Things that can make going to the doctor’s office more difficult for autistic people
• Ways to make doing exams more tolerable for autistic people
• How to improve communication at the doctor’s office
• Frequently used medications for autism
• When to consider medications
• Managing side effects in autistic people with limited communication ability
• How to talk to caregivers about medication for autism symptoms

Workshop:   Practices that participants have employed for nonverbal patients?  Patients who have difficulty with tests?  Any materials that you find helpful?  Any materials that you wish existed?

March 25, 2026:  Support for Autistic Young Adults

Presenter:  Jennifer Wertalik, Ph.D, BCBA

• What should caregivers and physicians think about as autistic teens transition into young adulthood?
• Outcomes for autistic adults: likelihood of achieving independent living, employment, education, etc…, and practice that could encourage independence.
• Finding support for autistic adults
• Mental health and autistic adults
• How to discuss sensitive topics with autistic people (sexuality, interpersonal conflict, work stress, etc…)
• How to talk to caregivers about changes in an autistic adult’s needs

Workshop:  What challenges to caregivers face as autistic children become young adults?  How can you detect mental health symptoms in autistic adults?  How to determine what occupational skills an autistic young adult can/should learn?

April 29, 2026:  Challenging Behaviors in Autism

Presenter:  Kayla Randell, Ph.D BCBA-D

• What maladaptive behaviors can autistic children/people manifest?
• What can cause autistic people to act out?
• Why addressing challenging behaviors when children are young is important.
• What can be done for autistic children with challenging behaviors?
• What can be done for autistic adults with challenging behaviors?
• What can caregivers with limited treatment options do?

Workshop:  How to talk to parents who are not addressing behaviors?  How to talk to caregivers with behavioral concerns?

May 27, 2026:  Autism in Rural Spaces

Presenter: Sarah Rotschafer, Ph.D and GRHIC(?)

• Breakdown of autism statistics in rural areas
• How a lack or resources can impact autistic people over the course of their lives
• Laws surrounding autism treatment/detection
• Where you can find resources/help for autistic people
• How autism is perceived in rural areas

Workshop:   What autism resources exist in participant’s home counties?  What resources do their home counties especially need?  What do participants usually do for their autistic patients?