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 World: 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
Thursday, February 12, 2026
6:00-7:30pm
Nurturing Sleep for Children with Autism: Strategies for Healthier Bedtimes
This webinar will share the reasons why sleep difficulties may be more common in autistic individuals, realistic ways to use evidence-based strategies to address the common challenges or difficulty falling asleep, night wakings, or overall reduced with sleep with autistic children and adolescents, and available resources to continue to learn more about these strategies or share this information with others.
Following participation in the seminar, participants will be able to:
1. Understand why sleep may be more difficult in autistic individuals
2. Make a plan to apply evidence-based strategies to address common sleep concerns
3. Know how to access additional resources for continued learning
Presenter Bio:
Whitney Loring, Psy.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist and has been part of Vanderbilt Kennedy Center's Treatment and Research Institute for Autism Spectrum Disorders (TRIAD) for over 15 years. Dr. Loring's current responsibilities include developing and conducting trainings and consultation for parents, educators, and providers in the community regarding evidence-based assessment and intervention strategies for individuals with autism spectrum disorders. Her research interests include developing and evaluating intervention strategies that address behavioral pediatric concerns for children with autism spectrum disorders (e.g., sleep concerns, toileting difficulties) and the effectiveness of various models of parent training and consultation. Regarding sleep, Dr. Loring has been a sleep educator, co-investigator, and principal investigator across several studies examining behavioral sleep education for children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental disabilities and sleep concerns, as well as models for training providers in the use of these strategies.
1.5 contact hours available for NYS LMHC, NASP, and NYS SW
Thursday, March 12, 2026
6:00-7:30pm
Pediatric Feeding Disorder: Where to Start
Feeding is an interaction between the caregiver and the child, one that is essential for growth and wellbeing of the parent-child pair. This presentation will address assessment and treatment of pediatric feeding disorder (i.e., psychosocial, medical, feeding skill, and nutritional). Implications for referral to medical and community providers and parent implemented strategies will be discussed.
In addition, this webinar will include an overview of evidence-based practices, in four domains (food characteristics, communication supports, the physical environment, and the social environment), that can be implemented during mealtimes to help children eat safely at home, thus reducing parents stress while increasing food acceptance.
Following participation in the seminar, participants will be able to:
1. Identify two aspects of feeding pediatric feeding disorder.
2. Describe at least one evidence-based strategy to improve mealtime participation of children
3. Identify at least two of four primary areas to address to promote mealtime participation of children with autism spectrum disorders (i.e., food characteristics, social environment, physical environment, and communication)
Presenter Bio:
Deirdre M. Muldoon, PhD, CCC-SLP, BCBA-D, LBA has a master's degree in communication sciences and disorders (i.e., speech-language pathology) and a master's degree in applied behavior analysis. She is dually certified and licensed as a board-certified behavior analyst-doctoral (BCBA-D) and a speech-language pathologist (CCC-SLP). In addition, Deirdre has a PhD in special education.
Deirdre has extensive experience working with families and children with speech and language disorders and challenging behaviors in homes, clinics, and school settings. Deirdre’s research centers on understanding and implementation of evidence-based behavioral practices in the areas of behavior management and speech-language pathology. She has published qualitative and quantitative research in the areas of feeding disorders and communication deficits in ASD and/or developmental disability.
1.5 contact hours available for BCBA, 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.