2026 Rethinking Autism Conference:
Synchronizing Connection, Regulation, and Communication for Learning
University of Southern Indiana, Carter Hall
March 19-20, 2026
Provided through a partnership between University of Southern Indiana and Optimal ACCESS and underwritten by a generous grant from the USI Foundation.
Join self-advocates, parents, caregivers, students, educators, and practitioners from around the world when you attend this transformative event for innovative learning and skills training. In-person and virtual registrations will be available.
In-person / Virtual Participants will experience:
Presentations by leading autism advocates, occupational therapists, applied neuroscience specialists, neurologic music therapists, educators, and changemakers; Stories of self advocates who've overcome barriers to inspire systemic change
Interactive workshops to gain practical tools for supporting autistic individuals; Innovative approaches for multi-modal communication strategies to better support nonspeaking and minimally speaking individuals in their homes, schools, and community.
Continuing Education Credits (CEUs)
Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are available for attendees in Occupational Therapy, Music Therapy, and Behavioral Health and Human Services licensure tracks. To be eligible for CEUs, participants must register for either the Professional Full Conference or Virtual Professional Full Conference ticket option, attend the full sessions, and complete all required documentation as outlined at the conference. We are pleased to offer these credits to support professionals in expanding their knowledge and strengthening their practice.
Keynote Speaker: Erin Clarelli, MS, OTR/L
Erin Clarelli is an occupational therapist who helps caregivers, educators, and support professionals shift the way they understand nonspeaking and unreliably speaking autistic individuals—starting with one essential belief: presume competence.
Through her course Foundations in Apraxic Autism, Erin teaches what most traditional therapy models miss—that many of the challenges often labeled as behavioral in autistic individuals are actually rooted in motor planning differences, not a lack of understanding or intent.
Her work is built on recognizing the intelligence, insight, and agency of the individuals she supports—and helping others do the same. For too long, this community has been misunderstood, underestimated, and boxed in by systems that focus on behavior and compliance instead of connection and competence.
Whether she’s keynoting a conference or speaking to a group of moms via Zoom, Erin equips her audience with a deeper understanding of apraxic autism—helping them rethink behavior through a motor-based lens and walk away with fresh insight and clear strategies for supporting nonspeaking autistic individuals with respect and confidence.
Group Discounts for 5 or more registering together
In-person and Virtual tickets available
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