The Considerations for Autistic Populations and Neurodivergent Populations Across the Lifespan Topic Committee is dedicated to addressing crucial issues related to autistic and neurodivergent individuals and is committed to curating a convention program that serves to inform a community of professionals and students who serve, and/or are vested in autistic and neurodivergent populations.

Proposals appropriate for submission to this topic area include those focused on aligning the most current research, evidence-based interventions and clinical strategies, and supports for working with autistic and neurodivergent persons, as well as understanding their diverse lived experiences across the lifespan, in all aspects of life. These include, but are not limited to language learning and use, communication, social interaction and relationships, and life skills. Emphasis will be on improving quality of life outcomes across all ages and all persons. Topics may include assessment and service provision, including acknowledging the importance of culturally responsive practices, agency, advocacy, and initiatives to reduce stigma, increase understanding and support, and promote neurodiversity affirming perspectives. (Note: Intentional use of identity-first language; see Gernsbacher, 2017 for full discussion.)

Research

• Basic, applied, or translational research that advances the understanding of autism and neurodivergence and the lived experience of neurodivergent individuals
• Basic, applied, or translational research related to social-communication skills of autistic and neurodivergent populations
• Qualitative inquiries into the experiences of autistic and neurodivergent individuals and their families

Professional Education

• Speech, language, and social-communication in autism and neurodivergence
• Theoretical models of autism and neurodivergence
• Neurobiology of autism neurodivergence
• Sensory processing disorders associated with autism and neurodivergence
• Behavioral responses to environmental factors (e.g., masking, burnout, self-injurious)
• Co-occuring conditions, including mental health
• Transitions and quality of life outcomes across the lifespan
• Cultural and linguistic diversity of autistic and neurodivergent individuals
• The role of the SLP in assessment and treatment of autism and neurodivergent individuals
• Autism and neurodivergence and aging
• Ethical issues related to autism and neurodivergence service delivery
• Neurodiversity and cultural perspectives of autism and neurodivergence
• Technology as it relates to autism and neurodivergence
• Interprofessional issues related to autism and neurodivergence
• Self-concept and identify in autistic and neurodivergent individuals.
• Vocational and occupational information with autistic and neurodivergent individuals.
• Social, occupational, and higher education considerations for autistic and neurodivergent individuals.

Related Topics

Proposals that have a primary focus on other areas but involve the autistic or neurodivergent community should be submitted to the topic of primary focus. For example, topics involving this topic but have a primary focus on:

• Policy and professional system-level issues when serving diverse populations should be submitted to Equity, Inclusion, and Cultural-Linguistic Diversity topic area.
• The use of telepractice in the delivery of service that include technology-based approaches and outcomes at the system level should be submitted to the Telepractice topic area.
• Spoken language and learning in school-age children and adolescents with typical hearing and support/services for individuals with a history of child language disorders should be submitted to the Language and Learning in School-Age Individuals topic area.
• Education models and the training of clinicians regarding autism and neurodivergence should be submitted to the Academic and Clinical Education Practice Models topic area.
• Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) should be submitted to the Augmentative and Alternative Communication topic area.