Christine and Abbey Romeo are a mother-daughter duo known for their advocacy for autism awareness. Abbey, who was diagnosed with autism at a young age, is a singer, songwriter, and artist who has shared her experiences living with autism, especially through music. Her journey has included overcoming communication challenges, and her work often focuses on bridging the gap between autistic and neurotypical experiences.
In addition to her music career, Abbey is also known for her entrepreneurial venture, selling handmade hats, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Autism Society. She also gained recognition as a cast member of Love on the Spectrum (U.S. version), where she explored relationships and self-discovery.
Her story is a testament to resilience, creativity, and the importance of individualized support for autistic individuals
Tara Phillips is a speech-language pathologist (SLP) with significant experience working with children on the autism spectrum, particularly in early childhood education settings. She is known for her focus on practical strategies that promote independence and learning in young autistic learners.
Tara emphasizes building strong, positive connections with children through an understanding of their interests and strengths, which helps to create an engaging and supportive environment for learning.
In her work, Tara often highlights the importance of collaboration with families, encouraging activities that can be easily implemented at home to reinforce learning. She has also contributed to educational content such as adapted books, which help bridge the gap between learning at school and at home.
Eileen Lamb is a well-known autism advocate, author, and the founder of The Autism Cafe, a blog where she shares insights from her experiences raising two sons on the autism spectrum, one with profound autism.
Eileen, who was diagnosed with autism after her son, also advocates for others on the spectrum through her writing, podcasting, and social media presence. Her books include All Across the Spectrum, an autobiography detailing her experiences as both a parent and an autistic individual, and Be The One, a collection of prose poetry.
Eileen is also a prominent voice in the autism community, serving as the Director of Social Media for Autism Speaks.
Elaine Taylor-Klaus is a leading expert in the ADHD field and co-founder of Impact Parents, the first virtual coaching and training resource for parents of complex kids.
With over 20 years of experience, she has presented at major ADHD conferences worldwide and served as a parent advisor to the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Elaine is the author of several influential books, including the award-winning Parenting ADHD Now and The Essential Guide to Raising Complex Kids, both of which have received high praise.
Her work continues to empower parents and improve the lives of children with ADHD.
Dr. Temple Grandin is a world-renowned professor of animal science, author, and autism advocate. Diagnosed with autism at a young age, she is widely recognized for her groundbreaking work in both the fields of animal behavior and autism advocacy.
She is known for designing more humane livestock handling systems, and her work has had a profound impact on the agriculture industry. She is also a prominent speaker and author of several books, including Thinking in Pictures and The Autistic Brain, where she shares her unique perspective as an autistic individual and her experiences navigating the world.
Dr. Grandin is an inspiring advocate for neurodiversity and is celebrated for her achievements in breaking down barriers for those on the autism spectrum.
Maria Davis-Pierre, LMHC & Dr. Berry Pierre are the co-founders of Autism in Black®.
Autism in Black® provides culturally responsive education, advocacy, and resources tailored to support Black families navigating autism, while also offering specialized training for businesses to enhance their cultural responsiveness and inclusivity in serving Black autistic individuals and their families.
Maria Davis-Pierre, LMHC & Dr. Berry Pierre are the co-founders of Autism in Black®.
Autism in Black® provides culturally responsive education, advocacy, and resources tailored to support Black families navigating autism, while also offering specialized training for businesses to enhance their cultural responsiveness and inclusivity in serving Black autistic individuals and their families.
Shannon Penrod is a dynamic autism advocate, author, and Host of the #1 Rated Autism Podcast Worldwide, and Co-Founder of 'The Autism Network', offering resources, expert interviews, and support for families navigating autism.
As a dedicated mother to an autistic son, she brings a personal perspective to her advocacy, creating a welcoming platform for parents and caregivers. Shannon authored Autism: Parent to Parent and is a sought-after speaker, sharing practical advice, encouragement, and humor.
Her mission is to empower families with information and tools to help their autistic children thrive.
Dr. Doreen Granpeesheh is a clinical psychologist and a prominent expert in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). She is the founder of the Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD), one of the largest and most recognized organizations providing applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy worldwide.
With over three decades of experience, Dr. Granpeesheh has been a strong advocate for early intervention and individualized treatment plans to help autistic individuals reach their fullest potential.
She is also a researcher, speaker, and educator, contributing significantly to the field of autism treatment and support.
Paul, diagnosed with autism in 2015, works as a mentor and coach for autistic individuals and families. He shares insights into autism through his YouTube channel, Autism From The Inside, with over 330,000 subscribers.
Paul organizes the annual Autism From The Inside Online Summit, the largest event of its kind, featuring mostly autistic speakers.
He advocates for diverse autistic voices, focusing on topics like autistic identity, emotional intelligence, relationships, and creating autism-friendly environments. Paul has presented at international conferences and was the inaugural Autistic Co-chair of the Australian Autism Alliance.
Dr. Suzanne Goh is a pediatric neurologist, board-certified behavior analyst, and neuroscience researcher. She is the author of Magnificent Minds: The New Whole-Child Approach to Autism and the founder of Cortica – a health services organization with medical and behavioral health centers across the country that provide a comprehensive whole-child approach to autism care.
Dr. Goh is a graduate of Harvard Medical School; she attended Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar; and she completed her neurology residency training at the University of California, San Francisco. She has served on the faculty of Columbia University where she was Co-Director of Columbia’s Developmental Neuropsychiatry Clinic for Autism.
Her research has focused on the biological causes of autism and the use of brain imaging to identify patterns of neural circuitry and brain chemistry in autism.
Chris Wenger, also known as "Speech Dude," is a passionate Board-Certified Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) and neurodiversity advocate. He specializes in working with autistic students, focusing on neurodiversity-affirming practices in speech therapy.
Chris is dedicated to shifting the way clinicians assess and support autistic individuals by promoting strengths-based approaches that celebrate neurodiversity rather than focusing on deficits. Through his platform, he provides workshops, webinars, and resources aimed at helping professionals integrate neurodiversity-affirming techniques into their therapy practices.
His goal is to foster positive self-identity and long-term happiness for autistic individuals.
Amber Arrington is a passionate autism advocate, educator, and the founder of Autism in Action, an organization dedicated to providing support and resources for families and individuals on the autism spectrum.
Amber is known for her work in promoting neurodiversity-affirming practices and advocating for the inclusion of autistic individuals in all areas of life. She emphasizes the importance of understanding, empathy, and individualized approaches to support autistic individuals, particularly in educational and social settings.
Amber also speaks widely on autism-related topics, offering valuable insights and strategies to empower both parents and professionals.
Dr. Jared Skowron is a naturopathic doctor and expert in integrative medicine, specializing in autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders. He focuses on using natural, evidence-based approaches to support children and adults with autism, emphasizing diet, gut health, and overall wellness.
Dr. Skowron is the founder of the Autism Health clinic, where he helps families navigate the complexities of autism through individualized care plans that combine traditional and alternative therapies.
He is a strong advocate for personalized, holistic treatments and has contributed to the field with his writing and speaking engagements on autism and integrative medicine.
Sarah Hendrickx is a UK-based autism expert, speaker, and author known for her practical and neurodiversity-affirming approach. Diagnosed as autistic in adulthood, she offers unique insights into the lived experience of autism.
Sarah has written several books, including Women and Girls with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Asperger Syndrome and Employment. She specializes in topics such as relationships, workplace challenges, and understanding autism across genders.
With a background in coaching, she combines her expertise and personal experience to support autistic individuals, their families, and professionals in fostering inclusive practices.
Dr. Michael Greger is a physician, best-selling author, and internationally recognized speaker, known for his expertise in nutrition, food safety, and public health. He is the founder of the non-profit website NutritionFacts.org, which provides free, science-based nutrition information and updates on the latest research to the public.
Dr. Greger's work emphasizes the power of a plant-based diet in preventing and reversing chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. His notable books include How Not to Die, How Not to Diet, and How Not to Age.
He also been involved in various documentaries such as What the Health and The Game Changers, and has spoken at major institutions like TEDx and the World Bank. All proceeds from his books and speaking engagements are donated to charity.
Dr. Robert Melillo is a leading expert in the field of neurodevelopmental disorders, specializing in ADHD, autism, and learning disabilities. He is the founder of the Brain Balance Achievement Centers, which provide non-medical, drug-free programs designed to address underlying brain imbalances that contribute to behavioral and learning difficulties.
Dr. Melillo has authored several books, including Disconnected Kids and Reconnected Kids, which outline his approach to understanding and treating neurodevelopmental disorders through brain-based interventions.
His work focuses on identifying the root causes of learning and behavioral challenges and helping children achieve their full potential through personalized therapies and interventions.
Jessie Ginsburg is an autism advocate, therapist, and the founder of The Autism Helper, a platform designed to provide resources, strategies, and support for parents and professionals working with children on the autism spectrum.
She specializes in behavioral interventions and educational strategies, offering practical tools to help children with autism thrive in various environments, including home, school, and social settings.
Jessie is passionate about promoting inclusion, understanding, and neurodiversity, and she frequently speaks at conferences and provides online courses to help educators and families implement effective, evidence-based practices for autism support.
Dr. Funke Afolabi-Brown is a triple-board-certified sleep medicine physician. She is passionate about helping people discover sleep as their superpower. Dr. Brown is a clinician, speaker, consultant, and coach, and she helps busy professionals and their children prioritize sleep to thrive, achieve optimal health, and live to their fullest potential.
As a sleep expert, Dr. Brown is a frequent speaker at conferences nationally and internationally and has been featured on prominent media outlets, including ABC. She also works with organizations and businesses to improve employee health by incorporating healthy sleep into their wellness journey.
Dr. Brown is a member of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) and the American Thoracic Society (ATS). She has served on several committees locally, regionally, and nationally. She is also on several advisory boards, including Baby Center, Project Sleep, and Primasun.
Dr. Wendy Ross is a renowned pediatrician and expert in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with a focus on early diagnosis and intervention. She is the founder of Autism Inclusion Resources, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing resources and support for families and professionals working with autistic individuals.
Dr. Ross is passionate about improving the quality of life for individuals on the autism spectrum by promoting social inclusion, communication skills, and navigating the healthcare system.
She is also a sought-after speaker and advocate, working to raise awareness and create inclusive environments for people with autism across various sectors.
Born and raised in Hong Kong, Ming started working with ASD children in 2014 as an ABA therapist. After that, he earned his master's in speech therapy and began working in private clinics and mainstream schools. In 2019, he started coaching parents over the internet.
He helped parents who lived far away without therapy access to get things done at home. In 2020, everything went on lockdown, and Ming went full force in teaching online.
After 328 online consultations, he was convinced that parent education is much more important than clinic work. His work at Agents of Speech involves promoting free parent education and creating parent coaching programs alongside the team. He graduated from the University of Hong Kong as a psychology major and from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University with a Master of Speech Therapy.
Amanda is a Board-Certified Pediatric Occupational Therapist Specializing in Pelvic Floor Therapy and the creator behind "Your Pediatric OT" on Instagram and TikTok.
She offers resources on topics like potty training, fine motor skills, and sensory integration for therapists, parents, caregivers, and anyone passionate about child development.
Julie Matthews is a leading nutrition expert specializing in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and related conditions. As a certified nutrition consultant and founder of Nourishing Hope, she focuses on the connection between diet, gut health, and neurological function.
Julie emphasizes individualized dietary strategies to address the unique biochemical needs of autistic individuals, aiming to improve behavior, digestion, and overall well-being.
She is the author of Nourishing Hope for Autism and an international speaker, sharing evidence-based insights to empower parents and practitioners in supporting autism through nutrition and lifestyle changes.
And much, much more.
The Summit will empower you to navigate the complexities of raising a child on the spectrum with confidence and joy!
Here are answers to some of the most common questions. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, feel free to reach out to us at autism@strategicparenting.com!
[1] Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Autism Prevalence Higher, According to Data from 11 ADDM Communities.
[2] Child Mind Institute. (2024). What Is Profound Autism?
A proposed category for kids on the severely impaired end of the autism spectrum.
[3] Weill Institute for Neuroscience. (August 26, 2022). Half of moms of kids with autism have high depressive symptoms. University of California.
[4] Science Daily. (July 16, 2024). Large study confirms: Siblings of autistic children have 20% chance of autism.
[5] Verywell Mind. (July 29, 2024). What to Know About Autism and Life Expectancy.
[6] Whiteley, P., Carr, K., & Shattock, P. (2019). Is autism inborn and lifelong for everyone? Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, 15, 2885–2891.