Understanding Autism: Evidence, Myth, and Realities

Dinner is provided for guests. Moderated by Dr. Megan Gross (speech-language pathologist and Associate Professor of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences), this panel will bring together faculty with varied expertise, including special guest Dr. Helen Tager-Flusberg, Professor Emerita and Director of the Center for Autism Research Excellence at Boston University. The panel will address common questions prompted by current discussions about autism in the news, including: What have we learned about autism and its causes from research? How can we interpret changes in the prevalence of autism over time? What has been the impact of statements about autism in the news on autistic individuals and their families? What could we be doing to improve supports? What are some myths about bilingualism and autism, and what does the research say?

In addressing the last question, Dr. Gross will share work about her ongoing study, Project ABC Familias: Autism, Bilingualism, and Communication in Familias Latinas, which examines bilingual development in children on the autism spectrum with a range of spoken language skills and explores the experiences of Spanish-speaking families in accessing autism support services.

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Host or Publisher UMass Springfield Center and UMass Office of Equity and Inclusion