Meet the Summit Panels
The 2026 1 in 31 Connection Autism Summit brings together more than 80 autistic adults, family members, educators, researchers, clinicians, advocates, innovators, and community leaders from around the world. Explore each panel below to see who will be joining the conversation.
Live Summit Panels
Research: Science, Policy & Discovery
Day 1 • Friday, July 31 • 9:00 AM MT
Exploring research, lived experience, policy, and discoveries shaping the future of autism and neurodiversity.
Speakers
- Ben VanHook
- Dr. Victoria Verlezza
- Wendy Edwards
Spellers & Supported Communication
Day 1 • Friday, July 31 • 10:00 AM MT
Centering communication access, spelling, nonspeaking voices, and the right to be heard.
Speakers
- Adetutu Folorunsho
- Julia Pearce
- Cheri Sanderson
Family & Community Connections
Day 1 • Friday, July 31 • 11:00 AM MT
Practical conversations for families, caregivers, providers, and communities supporting neurodivergent people.
Speakers
- Jillian Eisloeffel
- Shalise Lopez
- Monica Goodvin
- Paul Voss
AI, Innovation & the Future of Accessibility
Day 1 • Friday, July 31 • 12:30 PM MT
How technology, AI, and inclusive design are transforming access, communication, and opportunity.
Speakers
- Liam Murphy
- Dr. Angela Lauria Kingdon
- Shamus Hart
Advocacy: Voices Creating Change
Day 1 • Friday, July 31 • 1:30 PM MT
Autistic advocates and changemakers sharing stories, strategies, and action for a more inclusive future.
Speakers
- Martin Slyngstad
- Theo Maynard
- Chris Weakly
Families, Caregivers & Everyday Supports
Day 2 • Saturday, August 1 • 9:00 AM MT
Practical conversations for families, caregivers, providers, and communities supporting neurodivergent people.
Speakers
- LaRita Smith
- Catherine Hughes
- Dr. Diane Hudson
- Jan Stewart
Research: Science, Policy & Discovery
Day 2 • Saturday, August 1 • 10:00 AM MT
Exploring research, lived experience, policy, and discoveries shaping the future of autism and neurodiversity.
Speakers
- Piper Hart (Hutson)
- Crystal Gaddy
- Dr. Adam "Dutch" Hazlett
Advocacy: Leadership, Lived Experience & Action
Day 2 • Saturday, August 1 • 11:00 AM MT
Autistic advocates and changemakers sharing stories, strategies, and action for a more inclusive future.
Speakers
- Kyzia Wunderlich
- Jackie Garcia-Morales
- Roismi Rajakumar Mangrove
Education: Inclusive Learning & Student Success
Day 2 • Saturday, August 1 • 12:30 PM MT
Innovative approaches to supporting neurodivergent learners across schools, homes, and communities.
Speakers
- Dr. Norrine Russell
- Bryson Tarbet
- Alison Cosgrove
- Dr. Kelvin Smith
Community Resources & Collaborative Care
Day 2 • Saturday, August 1 • 1:30 PM MT
Highlighting collaboration, belonging, and practical ways communities can support inclusion.
Speakers
- Emily Ransom
- Samantha Ferris
- Patrick Crowthers
Thriving Across the Lifespan: Identity, Late Diagnosis & Growth
Day 3 • Friday, August 7 • 9:00 AM MT
A conversation on identity, self-understanding, late diagnosis, and growth across every stage of life.
Speakers
- Patty Laushman
- Jennifer Dantzler
- Khaliah Moody
- Meghan Bonde
Education: Inclusive Learning & Student Success
Day 3 • Friday, August 7 • 10:00 AM MT
Innovative approaches to supporting neurodivergent learners across schools, homes, and communities.
Speakers
- Maryse Alexander
- Amy Radochonski
- Adam Logue
Advocacy: Leadership, Employment & Community Impact
Day 3 • Friday, August 7 • 11:00 AM MT
Exploring leadership, employment, systems change, and meaningful community participation.
Speakers
- Greg Arnold
- Timothy Rohrer
- Whitney Hodgins
- Jennifer Bennett
Building Inclusive Communities
Day 3 • Friday, August 7 • 12:30 PM MT
Highlighting collaboration, belonging, and practical ways communities can support inclusion.
Speakers
- Francisco de Paula
- Laura Connerton
- Veronica Ibarra
- Meg Lietzau
Education: Transition, Independence & Lifelong Learning
Day 3 • Friday, August 7 • 1:30 PM MT
Supporting students and adults through transition, independence, self-advocacy, and lifelong learning.
Speakers
- Dr. Siobhan Lamb
- Lilli Higgins
- Rebecca Knowles
- Ally Wiener-Avraham
Supporting Families Across Every Stage
Day 4 • Saturday, August 8 • 10:00 AM MT
Practical conversations for families, caregivers, providers, and communities supporting neurodivergent people.
Speakers
- Cait Fling, CCLS
- Eileen Bowden
- Jeffrey Light
Education: Inclusive Learning & Student Success
Day 4 • Saturday, August 8 • 11:00 AM MT
Innovative approaches to supporting neurodivergent learners across schools, homes, and communities.
Speakers
- Staci Neustadt
- Michelle Vinokurov
AI, Innovation & the Future of Accessibility
Day 4 • Saturday, August 8 • 12:30 PM MT
How technology, AI, and inclusive design are transforming access, communication, and opportunity.
Speakers
- Brindha Arumugam
- Sathiyakeerthi
Community Leadership
Day 4 • Saturday, August 8 • 1:30 PM MT
Celebrating leaders building connection, belonging, and lasting community impact.
Speakers
- Kimberly Frey
- Tarah Neujahr Bryan
- Vivianna Barnwell
Summit Finale
Day 4 • Saturday, August 8 • 2:30 PM MT
A closing conversation celebrating connection, progress, and the road ahead.
Speakers
- Dr. Stephen Mark Shore
- Rob Bernstein
- Danielle Terrell
VIP Spotlight
- VIP Spotlight
Elizabeth Bonker
Communication 4 ALL
"Nonspeaking Autism, Presuming Competence & Communication"
Premieres Friday, July 31, 2026 • 3:00 PM MT
International Spotlight
Anila Khan
Pakistan
Lindsay Malkinson
Canada
Ebony Birch-Hanger
Australia
Shamus Hart
Australia
Dr. Angela Kingdon
United Kingdom
Tarassa Qinthara
Indonesia
Advocate Spotlight Series
- Andrew Arboe
- Carl Reneman
- Connor Trang
- Daniel Durany
- Eric Wyatt
- Evan Barnwell
- Gyasi Burks-Abbott
- Heidi Balmer
- Jeff Snyder
- Jessica Block
- Jocelyn Sanders
- Joel Kottman
- Kara Kolmar
- Dr. Kelvin Smith
- Lynne (Awesomism)
- Morgan Bevell
- Muzna Kazim
- Peyton (Awesomism)
- Samantha Leonard
- Shea Belsky
- Stephanie Helene Lewis
- Tarassa Qinthara