Event Details
About the Second Annual Multidisciplinary Care of Autistic Youth Conference
This two-day virtual event will take place on Thursday, January 22, 2026 from 8:30 am - 4:30 pm EST and Friday, January 23, 2026, from 8:30 am - 4:15 pm EST. A recording of the event will be available upon request.
The conference is open to all, including mental health and pediatric professionals and trainees, parents and caregivers, self-advocates and members of the community.
The panel of providers includes specialists from the following disciplines: psychology, child neurology, sleep medicine, genetics, gastroenterology, speech-language therapy, behavioral therapy, nutrition, psychiatry, developmental pediatrics, legal, and family navigation. Providers will present information related to their specialty to provide background information and will discuss indications for referral to their particular specialty for further evaluation and provision of care.
Registration
Registration for the Second Annual Multidisciplinary Care of Autistic Youth Conference is hosted through the EEDS platform. Participants may register for one or both days of the virtual event, taking place on Thursday, January 22, 2026, and Friday, January 23, 2026.
Please note that each day requires a separate registration. REGISTER HERE:
When registering, you will either log into your existing EEDS account or automatically create one during the registration process. If you do not already have an account, one will be created for you using the information you provide.
All attendees will use their EEDS account to record attendance and complete evaluations. Participants who paid the additional fee and meet eligibility requirements will also use their account to access CE or CME certificates.
After completing registration, you’ll receive a confirmation email from EEDS containing your unique Zoom link and event details. Please note that CE and CME credits must be selected and purchased at the time of registration, and all registration fees, including CE and CME fees, are non-refundable.
The registration deadline for Day 1 will be Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET and the deadline for Day 2 will be Thursday, January 22, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET. Early registration is encouraged to ensure timely access to materials and updates.
Please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) resource before registering if you are not a provider.
If you have any questions during the registration process, please contact wcmpsychiatryce@med.cornell.edu.
Conference Agenda
DAY 1: January 22, 2026
8:30 am – 9:00 am
Autism Diagnostic Criteria and Clinical Assessment
Amy Lemelman, Ph.D.
9:00 am – 9:30 am
Differential Diagnosis of ASD and ADHD
Hallie Brown, Ph.D.
9:30 am – 10:00 am
Social Media and Autism Diagnosis: Considerations for Clinicians
Elisabeth Sheridan, Ph.D.
10:00 am – 10:15 am
Break
10:15 am – 10:45 am
Autism in Females
Sylvie Goldman, Ph.D.
10:45 am – 11:15 am
The Language of Care: Balancing Clinical Tradition with Neurodiversity Perspectives
Cynthia Martin, Psy.D.
11:15 am – 11:30 am
Break
11:30 am – 12:30 pm
Panel Discussion: Advocates’ Experiences: Medical Visits
Nicole Smart; Julius Towers, J.D., MPH; Jacalyn Lee; Ronni Miller, B.A.
12:30 pm – 1:00 pm
Lunch
1:00 – 1:30 pm
Autism and Gastrointestinal System: What to Do and What to Consider
Tom Ciecierega, M.D.
1:30 pm – 2:00 pm
Common Nutritional Deficiencies in Autistic Children
Cristine Del Pizzo, R.D., CDN, CDCES
2:00 pm – 2:30 pm
An Overview of Feeding Therapy for the Autistic Patient
Kylie Craig, M.S., CCC-SLP, TSSLD
2:30 pm – 2:45 pm
Break
2:45 pm – 3:05 pm
Staring, is it Seizure or Not? Deciphering Epilepsy in Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder
Wendy Silver, M.D., M.A.
3:05 pm – 3:30 pm
Decoding Symptoms: When Autism Warrants Neurological Evaluation
Jennifer Bain, M.D., Ph.D.
3:30 pm – 4:00 pm
Genetics Evaluation and Testing for Autism
Lakshmi Mehta, M.D., FACMG
4:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Sleep: When to Refer to Sleep Medicine
Arezou Heshmati, M.D.
DAY 2: January 23, 2026
8:30 am – 9:00 am
Role of the Developmental Pediatrician in the Multi-Disciplinary Care of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Betsy Poole-DiSalvo, M.D., MPH
9:00 – 9:30 am
IDEA, Early Intervention and Preschool Services: Special Education Law, Services and Advocacy
Gabriella Paskin, M.D.
9:30 am – 10:00 am
School Supports for Students with Autism: An Overview for Individuals Ages 3-21
Gazi Azad, Ph.D.
10:00 am – 10:30 am
Support Services in the Community
Lissbeth Santos, B.A.; Ivelisse Ferreira, B.S., M.S.
10:30 am – 10:45 am
Break
10:45 am – 11:05 am
The Science of Profound Autism
Alycia Halladay, Ph.D.
11:05 am – 11:45 am
Guardianship
Maria Campigotto, J.D.
11:45 am – 1:00 pm
Lunch
1:00 pm – 1:40 pm
Diagnosing and Treating Co-Occurring Mental Health Conditions
Jeremy Veenstra-VanderWeele, M.D.
1:40 pm – 2:10 pm
Recognizing and Addressing Suicide Risk Among Youth on the Autism Spectrum
Pankhuree Vandana, M.D.
2:10 pm – 2:30 pm
An Inpatient Psychiatry Consultation Model
Jamie Winter, Ph.D., BCBA-D
2:30 pm – 2:45 pm
Break
2:45 pm – 3:15 pm
Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) for Autistic Children and Adolescents -Ingredients for Success
Renae Beaumont, Ph.D.
3:15 pm – 3:45 pm
Targeting Social Skills in Adolescence and Adulthood
Michelle Gorenstein-Holtzman, Psy.D.
3:45 pm – 4:05 pm
Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions
Jamie Winter, Ph.D., BCBA-D
4:05 pm – 4:15 pm
Closing Remarks
Monica Pozzuoli, M.D., MPH; Jennifer Bain, M.D., Ph.D.
Featured Speakers
Gazi Azad, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Heilbrunn Department of Population and Family Health, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health
Jennifer Bain, M.D., Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Neurology and Pediatrics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center
Renae Beaumont, Ph.D.
VP, Personalized Health & Pediatric Innovation, SkyMedAI; Adjunct Associate Professor of Psychology in Clinical Psychiatry, Weill Cornell Medicine
Hallie Brown, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Psychology, Weill Cornell Medicine
Maria Campigotto, J.D.
Senior Supervising Attorney and Interim Associate Director, LegalHealth
Thomas Ciecierega, M.D.
Associate Professor of Pediatrics; Director of Pediatric Motility Center; Director of Pediatric Endoscopy, Weill Cornell Medicine
Kylie Craig, M.S., CCC-SLP, TSSLD
Speech-Language Pathologist, NewYork-Presbyterian Center for Autism and the Developing Brain
Cristine Del Pizzo, R.D., CDN, CDCES
Clinical Nutrition Supervisor, NewYork-Presbyterian Westchester Behavioral Health
Ivelisse Ferreira, B.S., M.S.
Family Navigator, NewYork-Presbyterian Center for Autism and the Developing Brain
Sylvie Goldman, Ph.D.
Developmental Neuropsychologist & Associate Professor, Columbia University Irving Medical Center
Michelle Gorenstein-Holtzman, Psy.D.
Assistant Professor of Psychology in Clinical Psychiatry, Weill Cornell Medicine
Alycia Halladay, Ph.D.
Chief Science Officer, Autism Science Foundation
Arezou Heshmati, M.D.
Associate Professor of Neurology and Pediatrics, Sleep Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center
Jacalyn Lee
The Atypical Advocate
Amy Lemelman, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Psychology in Clinical Psychiatry, Weill Cornell Medicine
Cynthia Martin, Psy.D.
Practice Owner, Clinical Psychologist, CM Psychology & Developmental Services
Lakshmi Mehta, M.D. FACMG
Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center/ Children’s Hospital of New York at NewYork-Presbyterian
Ronni Miller, B.A.
Panelist
Gabriella Paskin, M.D.
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center
Elizabeth Poole-Di Salvo, M.D., MPH
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Child Development Program, Division of General Academic Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medicine
Monica Pozzuoli, M.D., MPH
Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics in Psychiatry, Weill Cornell Medicine
Lissbeth Santos, B.A.
Lead Family Navigator, NewYork-Presbyterian Center for Autism and the Developing Brain
Elisabeth Sheridan, Ph.D.
Director of the Clinical Core, A.J. Drexel Autism Institute
Wendy Silver, M.D., M.A.
Associate Professor of Neurology and Pediatrics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center
Nicole Smart
Self-Advocate
Julius Towers J.D., MPH
Neurodivergence Counselor and Advocate
Pankhuree Vandana, M.D.
Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Division of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center
Jeremy Veenstra-VanderWeele, M.D.
William and Joy Ruane Professor of Pediatric Psychopharmacology; Director of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center
Jamie Winter, Ph.D., BCBA-D
Assistant Professor of Psychology in Clinical Psychiatry, Weill Cornell Medicine
Learning Objectives
By the conclusion of this activity, participants should be able to:
- Identify co-occurring medical, psychological and behavioral conditions in autistic youth, which will enhance the ability to provide care to this patient population.
- Manage the co-occurring medical, psychological and behavioral conditions commonly seen in this population.
- Identify the multidisciplinary team that is often a part of the comprehensive care of autistic youth.
- Describe when referral to a subspecialist or therapeutic provider is clinically indicated.
CE Credits
CE contact hours can be purchased during registration for each day of the conference separately. Please note that to be eligible for CEs, you must attend each conference day live (recordings will not be available) and sign in using the unique EEDS link provided for that day.
- Thursday January 22nd, 2026 - 6.75 CE credit hours
- Friday January 23rd, 2026 - 6.0 CE credit hours
CE contacts hours will be awarded to licensed psychologists, social workers, and mental health counselors who have met the attendance requirements below.
Psychologists: Weill Cornell Medicine (WCM) Department of Psychiatry, 525 E 68th St. New York, NY 10065, is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0192. Weill Cornell Medicine - Department of Psychiatry is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Weill Cornell Medicine - Department of Psychiatry maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
Social Workers: The NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital Department of Social Work is recognized by New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers # SW 0155. Social workers from other states, please confirm with your state licensing board. Please note that we do not specify type of credits (general, cultural competence, clinical, etc.)
LMHCs: WCM Department of Psychiatry 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-0302. LMHCs from other states, please confirm with your state licensing board. Please note that we do not specify type of credits (general, cultural competence, clinical, etc.)
CE Certificate Requirements
To receive CE credit, you must purchase CEs during registration. You may register for one or both days of the conference, but please note that all CE purchases are non-refundable.
To be eligible for a CE certificate, you must attend the full conference day LIVE and complete the required evaluation. A grace period of up to 10 minutes is allowed at the start or end of the webinar, but no more than 10 minutes in total may be missed. CE credit cannot be granted for viewing recordings.
Attendance must also be verified through the EEDS sign-in process. Each day of the conference will have its own unique sign-in link, which must be used to ensure your attendance is properly recorded. When you click the link, EEDS will automatically confirm your attendance, which you can verify on the event page by looking for the green check mark stating, “You have attendance for this activity.” The sign-in link also provides access to the webinar. Links will be shared in advance of each session and will look like this example:
https://www.eeds.com/sign_in.aspx?Sign_in_Code=12abcd
No partial credit will be awarded. For example, if you purchase CEs for January 22, 2026, you must attend the full day to receive that certificate. The same applies for January 23. Each conference day begins promptly at 8:30 AM EST. Participants should sign in by 8:15 AM EST to allow enough time for access and verification and must remain present until at least 4:20 PM EST. Participants who do not meet the attendance requirements will not receive a CE certificate or refund.
Evaluations
Evaluation forms will be available in your EEDS account after each day of the conference. Eligible participants will also receive the evaluation link via email. A separate evaluation must be completed for each day to receive the corresponding certificate. Once the evaluation is complete, your CE certificate will be available immediately to view and save for your records.
CE Distribution
To receive your CE certificate for each day, you must check in through the unique EEDS link provided, attend the entire live session, and complete the evaluation in the EEDS portal within 30 days, in accordance with NYSED and APA requirements. Participants who fulfill all requirements will receive 6.75 CE hours for January 22, 2026, and 6.0 CE hours for January 23, 2026. No partial credit will be granted.
Complaints
The Weill Cornell Medicine Department of Psychiatry (WCM) is fully committed to conducting all activities in strict conformance with the American Psychological Association's Ethical Principles of Psychologists. WCM will comply with all legal and ethical responsibilities to be non-discriminatory in promotional activities, program content and in the treatment of program participants. The monitoring and assessment of compliance with these standards will be the responsibility of the members of the Continuing Education committee in consultation with the CE Chair. While WCM goes to great lengths to assure fair treatment for all participants and attempts to anticipate problems, there will be occasional issues which come to the attention of the program staff which require intervention and/or action on the part of the program staff or an officer of WCM.
To submit a complaint to the WCM CE committee, please see the WCM CE website: https://psychiatry.weill.cornell.edu/education-training/continuing-education-committee-members
CME Credits
Accreditation and Credit Designation Statements
Weill Cornell Medical College is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Weill Cornell Medical College designates this live activity for a maximum of 12.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Evaluation
The CME Evaluation will be distributed following the conference. We encourage you to complete the Evaluation Form as this will allow us to assess the degree to which the activity met its objectives. It will also guide the planning of future activities and inform decisions about improving the educational program.
WCMC is accessible for individuals with disabilities or special needs. Participants with special needs are requested to contact the Office of CME at 646-962-6931.
Disclaimer Statement
Slide used with permission from Dr. Vanessa Bal
Note about language
- Terminology:
- Identity-first: “autistic adult”
- Person-first language: “adult with autism”
- Social model vs. medical model
- Neurodiversity/difference vs. neurodevelopmental disorder
- Terms such as “disorder,” “symptom” & “impairment” may be used when I talk about diagnosis, but with acknowledgement of the importance of environmental adaptations and supports to promote acceptance, understanding and inclusion
- Both perspectives inform how we conceptualize and approach diagnosis
References
1. Levy, S. E., Frasso, R., Colantonio, S., Reed, H., Stein, G., Barg, F. K., Mandell, D. S., & Fiks, A. G. (2016). Shared decision making and treatment decisions for young children with autism spectrum disorder. Academic Pediatrics, 16(6), 571–578. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acap.2016.04.007
2. Nolan, R., Walker, T., Hanson, J. L., & Friedman, S. (2016). Developmental Behavioral Pediatrician Support of the Medical Home for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, 37(9), 687–693. https://doi.org/10.1097/dbp.0000000000000348
3. Lord, C., Charman, T., Havdahl, A., Carbone, P., Anagnostou, E., Boyd, B., Carr, T., De Vries, P. J., Dissanayake, C., Divan, G., Freitag, C. M., Gotelli, M. M., Kasari, C., Knapp, M., Mundy, P., Plank, A., Scahill, L., Servili, C., Shattuck, P., . . . McCauley, J. B. (2021). The Lancet Commission on the future of care and clinical research in autism. The Lancet, 399(10321), 271–334. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(21)01541-5
Financial Disclosures
Gazi Azad, PhD has no relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose and DOES NOT INTEND to dicuss off-label or investigational use of products or services.
Jennifer Bain, MD, PhD (Course Co-Director, Moderator, Planning Committee) is a consultant at Grin Therapeutics, Guidepoint Consulting, and Tegus. They DO NOT INTEND to discuss off-label or investigational use of products or services. The relevant financial relationships listed for this individual have been mitigated.
Renae Beaumont, PhD has received royalties from Social Science Translated and is a consultant for the following: Cognoa, Kinzoo, Kuddo. They DO NOT INTEND to discuss off-label or investigational use of products or services. The relevant financial relationships listed for this individual have been mitigated.
Hallie Brown, PhD has no relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose and DOES NOT INTEND to discuss off-label or investigational use of products or services.
Maria Campigotto, JD has no relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose and DOES NOT INTEND to discuss off-label or investigational use of products or services.
Thomas Ciecierega, MD has no relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose and DOES NOT INTEND to discuss offlabel or investigational use of products or services.
Angela Constantine, BA has no relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose and DOES NOT INTEND to discuss offlabel or investigational use of products or services.
Kylie Craig, M.S. CCC-SLP, TSSLD has no relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose and DOES NOT INTEND to discuss off-label or investigational use of products or services.
Cristine Del Pizzo, RD has no relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose and DOES NOT INTEND to discuss off-label or investigational use of products or services.
Ivelisse Ferreira, BS, MS has no relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose and DOES NOT INTEND to discuss offlabel or investigational use of products or services.
Michelle Gorenstein-Holtzman, PsyD has no relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose and DOES NOT INTEND to discuss off-label or investigational use of products or services.
Sylvie Goldman, PhD has no relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose and DOES NOT INTEND to discuss off-label or investigational use of products or services.
Alycia Halladay, PhD has no relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose and DOES NOT INTEND to discuss off-label or investigational use of products or services.
Stephanie Harper, BA (Course Coordinator) has no relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose and DOES NOT INTEND to discuss off-label or investigational use of products or services.
Arezou Heshmati, MD has no relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose and DOES NOT INTEND to discuss off-label or investigational use of products or services.
Jacalyn Lee has no relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose and DOES NOT INTEND to discuss off-label or investigational use of products or services.
Amy Lemelman, PhD (Planning Committee) has no relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose and DOES NOT INTEND to discuss off-label or investigational use of products or services.
Tara Maloney, LMHC-C has no relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose and DOES NOT INTEND to discuss off-label or investigational use of products or services.
Cynthia Martin, PhD has no relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose and DOES NOT INTEND to discuss off-label or investigational use of products or services.
Lakshmi Mehta, MD has no relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose and DOES NOT INTEND to discuss off-label or investigational use of products or services.
Ronni Miller, BA has no relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose and DOES NOT INTEND to discuss off-label or investigational use of products or services.
Gabriella Paskin, MD has no relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose and DOES NOT INTEND to discuss off-label or investigational use of products or services.
Monica Pozzuoli, MD, MPH (Course Co-Director, Moderator, Planning Committee) has no relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose and DOES NOT INTEND to discuss off-label or investigational use of products or services.
Elizabeth Poole-DiSalvo, MD has no relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose and DOES NOT INTEND to discuss offlabel or investigational use of products or services.
Lissbeth Santos, BA has no relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose and DOES NOT INTEND to discuss off-label or investigational use of products or services.
Elisabeth Sheridan, PhD has no relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose and DOES NOT INTEND to discuss off-label or investigational use of products or services.
Wendy Silver, MD, MA has no relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose and DOES NOT INTEND to discuss off-label or investigational use of products or services.
Nicole Smart has no relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose and DOES NOT INTEND todiscuss off-label or investigational use of products or services.
Karen Tang, PhD (Planning Committee) has no relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose and DOES NOT INTEND to discuss off-label or investigational use of products or services.
Julius Towers, JD, MPH is an employee of Lantheus Medical Imaging, Inc. They DO NOT INTEND to discuss off-label or investigational use of products or services. The relevant financial relationships listed for this individual have been mitigated.
Pankhuree Vandana, MD has no relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose and DOES NOT INTEND to discuss off-label or investigational use of products or service.
Jeremy Veenstra-VanderWeele, MD has the following relationships: Research Contract (MapLight, Yamo, Acadia, and Roche), Unpaid Advisory Board (Yamo), and Research Grant (Acadia). They DO INTEND to discuss off-label or investigational use of products or services. The relevant financial relationships listed for this individual have been mitigated.
Jamie Winter, PhD, BCBA has no relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose and DOES NOT INTEND to discuss off-label or investigational use of products or services.
Planning Committee
Jennifer Bain, M.D., Ph.D.
Angela Chiu, Ph.D.
Erin Cornell
Stephanie Harper
Amy Lemelman, Ph.D.
Tara Maloney, LMHC-D
Monica Pozzuoli, M.D., MPH
Karen Tang, Ph.D.
Contact Us
For more information, please contact Stephanie Harper at wcmpsychiatryce@med.cornell.edu.
