Profound Autism Conference

Boston, MA, April 16th – 17th, 2026, with the Profound Autism Alliance. The Profound Autism Summit conference brings together leaders from the areas of research, medicine, treatment, advocacy, and education to discuss the needs and support of those with Profound Autism across disciplines and throughout the lifespan. lifespan.
* For a partial list of presenters, please see below, or visit the registration link.
Fees apply, registration is required to https://behaviorlive.com/conferences/profoundautismsummit/speakers

• William H. Ahearn,  serves as the Director of Research at the New England Center for Children and as Adjunct Faculty for the Western New England University’s Master’s and Doctoral programs in Behavior Analysis.  Bill’s research interests include peer reviewed publications on treating pediatric feeding disorders, teaching verbal and social skills, examining implications of the Behavioral Momentum metaphor, and exploring aspects of autistic behavior. His most cited work is on assessing and treating automatically reinforced behavior, specifically, repetitive behavior and restricted interests.
• Tracy Argueta – Overcoming Barriers for Research Participation For Individuals with Profound Autism
• Dr. James Bath is a board-certified Family Medicine Physician committed to serving patients with autism spectrum disorder and offers primary care services at the Lurie Center in Lexington, MA.
• Beth Bellone is the director of speech & language services and the AAC and assistive technology specialist at the New England Center for Children. She is certified as a BCBA since 2006. Beth is also an adjunct faculty at Worcester State University.
• Darlene Borre – Somewhere To Go/Something To Do: Building Meaningful Days for Autistic Adults
• Nathan Call, PhD, BCBA-D currently serves as the Vice-President of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta for Marcus Autism Center. He is responsible for all operations and clinical oversight for the center. Dr. Call is also a Professor of Pediatrics and Associate Chief of the Division of Autism & Developmental Health in the Emory University School of Medicine. His current research interests include the assessment and treatment of severe forms of dangerous and destructive behavior, with a particular emphasis on increasing access to evidence-based practices.
• Captain William A. Cannata, Jr, Westwood Fire Department (Retired). Bill was an officer with the Westwood Fire Department for fifteen years. He was also a Massachusetts Fire Academy instructor for 15 years. Bill became a member of Autism and Law Enforcement Education Coalition (ALEC), and eventually became the statewide coordinator of ALEC. ALEC currently educates first responders in Massachusetts and other states about Autism Spectrum Disorder and how to better understand a person who is on the spectrum. Bill is also the parent of a child with ASD.
• Chata A. Dickson is a Principal Researcher at The New England Center for Children and serves as Clinical Adjunct Faculty in the graduate programs in Behavior Analysis at Western New England University.Dr. Dickson’s research interests focus on effective methods for teaching individuals with autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Peter Gerhardt, Ed.D., is the Executive Director of the EPIC Programs in Paramus, NJ. Dr. Gerhardt has authored or edited several publications, including “Make it Meaningful: Creating Programs that Matter into Adulthood for Learners with Autism Spectrum and Related Disorders“  with Dr. Shanna Bahry, “Clinician’s Guide to Sexuality and Autism”   with Drs. Jessica Cauchi, Mary Jane Weiss, and Justin Leaf and “The Handbook of Quality of Life for Individuals with ASD”   on which he is a co-editor.
• Dr. Willow Hozella is responsible for overall delivery and integration of behavior analytic services into learning and behavioral programming within every program setting at May Institute. This includes supervising and coaching to support the development and implementation of universal and individual programming within an Applied Behavior Analytic (ABA) framework.
• Christopher J. McDougle, M.D.; Director, Lurie Center for Autism, Massachusetts General Hospital and MassGeneral Hospital for Children; Nancy Lurie Marks Professor in the Field of Autism, Harvard Medical School.  Dr. McDougle is an internationally recognized expert in the neurobiology and neuropsychopharmacology of childhood-onset neuropsychiatric disorders, including autism spectrum disorder, across the lifespan.
• Maura Sullivan is the Chief Executive Officer for The Arc of Massachusetts. She is also the Director of Operation House Call, a nationally recognized training program and partnership between The Arc and all major Massachusetts Medical Schools.  Maura’s Government Affairs work includes leading the advocacy for the passage of several significant legislative achievements, and she has been instrumental in securing increased funding for the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) budget, the direct support workforce, and MassHealth. She is also a devoted mother of three, including her two sons who have autism and intellectual disabilities.