Join us for a webinar series designed for parents and caregivers of children with autism. Learn from expert guest speakers as they share practical tools, strategies, and insights on a variety of important topics. All webinars are offered through Zoom. The sessions will not be recorded.
Registration is required.
Thursday, December 11, 2025
6:00-7:30pm
Supporting Emotional Regulation in Neurodiverse Children: Considerations & Strategies for Setting Children Up for Success
Holidays, while joyful, can also be stressful. For neurodiverse individuals the change in their routine, anticipation, uncertainty, and many other factors, can lead to heightened emotionality (positive or negative) that may lead to “big” emotions. This presentation will focus on these challenges and highlight proactive strategies to both minimize distress and further support the development of emotional regulation skills.
Following participation in the seminar, participants will be able to:
1. Identify proactive strategies to reduce instances of dysregulation.
2. Identify strategies to implement as early warning signs emerge.
3. Identify strategies to increase the acquisition and generalization of emotional regulation skills.
Presenter Bio:
David L. Meichenbaum, Ph.D. is a NYS licensed clinical psychologist specializing in the diagnostic evaluation and treatment of developmental and mental health disorders. For the past 20+ years, Dr Meichenbaum has served as both the Clinical Director of the Behavioral Pediatrics Clinic and the Director of Community Consulting and Clinical Services at The Summit Center in Amherst, NY. Dr. Meichenbaum is a highly sought after consultant and presenter, offering practical cognitive and behavioral strategies that target social, emotional, adaptive, and behavioral development for neurodiverse children.
Thursday, January 8, 2026
6:00-7:30pm
Surviving and Thriving in the Real Word: Targeting Daily Living Skills in Autistic Teens
During this webinar, we will discuss how daily living skills - which are the tasks that individuals do every day to take care of themselves at home, school, and the community - have an impact on one's ability to achieve goals in adulthood. We will review the development of the Surviving and Thriving in the Real World (STRW) intervention that targets age-appropriate daily living skills in autistic teens. Finally, we will discuss how to assess and then develop a treatment plan for building daily living skills in autistic children, adolescents, and young adults.
Following participation in the seminar, participants will be able to:
1. Understand the importance of daily living skills (DLS) and their relationship to achieving a successful adult outcome.
2. Discuss the development and evaluation of the Surviving and Thriving in the Real World (STRW) intervention for autistic adolescents.
3. Understand how to assess for and use a range of evidence-based strategies to build DLS in autistic children and teens.
Presenter Bio:
Amie Duncan, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist in the Division of Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and is a Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. She has been working with autistic children, adolescents, and young adults for over 20 years. Dr. Duncan specializes in helping autistic adolescents develop the necessary skills to make a successful transition to the adult world in the areas of employment, college, independent living and community participation. Her main area of research focuses on developing and evaluating an intervention that targets daily living skills such as hygiene, cooking, laundry, and money management skills in autistic adolescents. She also has developed an intervention targeting executive functioning skills such as organization, planning, and prioritizing for adolescents with autism in both the school and clinic settings. She currently has funding through NIH and has previously had funding through the Department of Defense, NICHD, and the Department of Education.
1.5 contact hours available for CTLE, NYS LMHC, NASP, and NYS SW
The Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD Albany) offers these seminars at no cost to participants living in New York State through a grant from the New York State Education Department. The funding is administered by The Research Foundation for SUNY. The out-of-state resident registration fee is $5.
PAST EVENTS
Thursday, October 16, 2025
6:00-7:30pm
Safeguarding Youth with Autism from Cyberbullying: Practical Strategies for Families and Caregivers
This session will provide families and caregivers with practical, research-based strategies to help protect youth with autism from the risks of cyberbullying. Participants will learn how to recognize warning signs, support social and communication skill development, and foster positive relationships at home, in school, and online. Emphasis will be placed on tools that families can use immediately to build resilience, promote digital safety, and strengthen supportive connections for their children.
Following participation in the seminar, participants will be able to:
1. Identify common risk factors and warning signs of cyberbullying among youth with autism.
2. Apply practical strategies to strengthen social and communication skills that reduce vulnerability to online victimization.
3. Implement family- and school-based approaches for monitoring, responding to, and preventing cyberbullying incidents.
Presenter Bio:
Chad A. Rose, Ph.D., is a Professor at the University of South Carolina and a leading researcher on bullying prevention and the social experiences of students with disabilities, including youth with emotional and behavioral disorders and autism. He has authored over 100 peer-reviewed publications and book chapters and previously directed the Mizzou Ed Bully Prevention Lab at the University of Missouri. A former special education teacher, Dr. Rose now works nationally and internationally to provide families, schools, and communities with practical, research-based strategies that promote safety, resilience, and positive relationships.
Thursday, November 13, 2025
6:00-7:30pm
Neuropsychological Issues Affecting Children with Autism in Daily Life
This seminar will explore how neuropsychological factors influence the daily functioning of children with autism at home, in school, and in the community. We will discuss common challenges in executive functioning, attention, memory, communication, and social-emotional skills, and provide practical, evidence-based strategies that families can use to support their child’s success across settings.
Following participation in the seminar, participants will be able to:
1. Identify common neuropsychological domains affected in autism and how they influence daily functioning
2. Recognize signs of executive functioning, attention, memory, and communication difficulties in home, school, and community settings
3. Apply practical strategies to support skill development and independence in children with autism
Presenter Bio:
Paula Zuffante, Ph.D., ABPP-CN, is a board-certified clinical neuropsychologist with a subspecialty in pediatric neuropsychology. She earned her Ph.D. in clinical psychology with a neuropsychology specialization from the University of Florida and completed advanced training at Brown University and Long Island Jewish Medical Center. Dr. Zuffante is the founder of Children’s Neuropsychological Services, PLLC, where she evaluates and supports children and adolescents with neurological and developmental conditions. She also provides training, consultation, and supervision, and serves on committees for the New York State Association of Neuropsychology and the American Board of Clinical Neuropsychology.
Supporting Your Adolescent with Autism
A three-part series offered at no cost to families with autistic children.
Below please find the registration links to the recordings of our sessions.
Areas discussed include:
* Unique needs of autistic adolescents experiencing puberty
* Considerations and support needs with regard to communication and social relationships
* Fostering organizational and time-management skills as well as independence in all areas of adaptive functioning
PART ONE
Part One Recording Registration Link
Handouts:
PART TWO
Part Two Recording Registration Link
Handouts:
PART THREE
Part Three Recording Registration Link
Thursday, September 18, 2025
6:00-7:30pm
New Year, New You: Optimizing Your Child’s Adjustment to a New School Year
Kick off the school year with confidence! This practical session offers caregivers actionable strategies to support their child’s transition back to school. Learn how to build effective routines, reset sleep schedules, navigate IEP meetings, and prepare for common challenges, including unpredictable weekends and last-minute routine changes. Designed for families of children on the autism spectrum, this interactive session will help you create a smoother, more successful start to the year.
Following participation in the seminar, participants will be able to:
• establish and implement effective morning, evening, and sleep routines to support a smooth transition into the school year
• prepare for and engage more effectively in IEP meetings and school communication to advocate to their child's needs
• identify and apply strategies to manage unstructured time, such as weekends and unexpected schedule changes, to reduce stress and promote consistency.
Presenter Bio:
Stephanie Fox, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist in a community outpatient practice in the South Hills of Pittsburgh, PA. She provides individual and family therapy, as well as diagnostic evaluations, for clients across the lifespan. Dr. Fox earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University at Albany, SUNY. She previously held positions at the UPMC Center for Autism and Developmental Disorders (CADD) and the Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities (CIDD) at UNC-Chapel Hill. Dr. Fox’s clinical interests include early identification of autism and other developmental differences, complex differential diagnosis, and family-centered care.
Policies:
Attendance policy: In order to receive a certificate of attendance or CEU certificate, participants must attend the entire session to receive credit. Attendance is tracked through your unique Zoom link. Partial credit will not be awarded. Upon competition of the entire session, attendees will receive an email with an evaluation form to complete. After the evaluation form is completed, attendees will receive a certificate of attendance via email. CEU certificates will be emailed within 48 hours of the webinar completion.
Cancellation Policy: Cancellation must be made 24 hours before the start of the event to receive a refund. This includes CEU registration fees. Please send cancellation request to [email protected]. We do not allow same-day cancellations. In the unlikely event that we need to cancel the webinar, we would provide a refund to each participant.
Continuing Education:
There is a $5 registration fee for each CEU selected.
Each organization/entity uses their own calculation to determine the number of CEUs based on contact hours. As with all continuing education, the attendee should verify CEU requirements by their professional organization and/or state licensure board.
SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGISTS: CARD Albany is approved by the National Association of School Psychologists to offer continuing education for school psychologists. CARD maintains responsibility for the program.
LICENSED MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELORS: University at Albany, SUNY, Center for Autism and Related Disabilities is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0194.
NEW YORK STATE SOCIAL WORKERS: Center for Autism and Related Disabilities, SW CPE, is recognized by the New York State Education Department State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed master social workers # 0292.
CONTINUING TEACHER AND LEADER EDUCATION: CARD Albany is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s Office of Teaching Initiatives as an approved provider of CTLE for Professional Classroom Teachers, School Leaders and Level III Teaching Assistants.