Third annual Kansas Autism Summit

Join educators, caregivers, professionals, families, and community members for a full-day summit focused on understanding autism, supporting positive behavior, and creating more inclusive learning environments. The Kansas Autism Summit brings together expert insight, lived experience, and practical strategies attendees can immediately apply in schools, homes, work, and community settings.

Schedule and Sessions

8:00 AM - 8:30 AM | Registration

8:30 AM - 8:35 AM | Welcome Address

8:35 AM - 10:00 AM | Keynote Speaker
Promoting Positive Behavior in All Learning Spaces
Presented by: Dr. Abiola Taiwo

Challenging behavior remains one of the most frequently identified concerns among caregivers, educators, and service providers. During this presentation, participants will explore common behavioral challenges observed in children with Autism and develop a deeper understanding of the underlying factors that influence behavior. Grounded in current research and practical application, this session will highlight evidence-based strategies that can be implemented across learning environments to prevent/reduce challenging behaviors and intentionally promote positive, prosocial skills. Attendees will leave with practical tools, increased confidence, and a strength-based framework for supporting behavior in all learning spaces. At the end of this session, attendees will be able to identify common behavioral challenges observed in children with autism; understand key factors that contribute to the function and purpose of challenging behaviors; and apply evidence-based strategies to decrease challenging behaviors and increase prosocial skills effectively.

Bio: Dr. Abiola Taiwo is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in Missouri and Kansas and a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst. She specializes in diagnostic evaluation services for children and adolescence with concerns related to autism spectrum disorder and other neurodevelopmental differences. She also provides behavioral parent training therapy for families of developmental differences at Children’s Mercy Hospital. Additionally, Dr. Taiwo serves as a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Missouri Kansas City (UMKC) School of Medicine. She earned her PhD from the University of Oregon, completed her predoctoral internship at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine/Kennedy Krieger Institute, and joined Children’s Mercy in 2024 following her fellowship at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center/Vanderbilt Kennedy Center. Dr. Taiwo is passionate about increasing access to early evaluation and intervention services to all families with children with developmental disabilities.

10:00 AM - 10:15 AM | Break

10:15 AM - 11:30 AM | Session 1
How to Be a Friend: Building Understanding, Inclusion, and Empathy in Schools and Community
Presented by: Jaci Robinson & LeAnna Tillman

Easterseals Midwest’s How to Be a Friend is an interactive, experience-based presentation designed to increase understanding of autism and other developmental disabilities while strengthening kindness, inclusion, and perspective-taking. Participants engage in hands-on activities, including a guided sensory simulation that offers insight into how everyday environments can feel overwhelming for individuals with autism. Rather than relying on lecture alone, the program builds empathy through lived perspective and reflection. The presentation also features group discussions about inclusion and belonging, along with a panel of adults with autism who share personal stories and insights. These firsthand experiences help participants see autism through a human, authentic lens. How to Be a Friend has been delivered to elementary and middle school students, university classes, educators, and community groups.

11:30 AM - 12:45 PM | Complimentary Lunch

12:45 PM - 2:00 PM | Session 2
Identifying and Addressing Co-occurring Mental Health Concerns with Individuals on the Autism Spectrum
Presented by: Dr. Katrina Ostmeyer

Psychiatric comorbidities are a clinical reality for most individuals across the autism spectrum (Barlattani et al., 2023; Mutluer et al., 2022). Further, autistic individuals with comorbid psychiatric conditions tend to have poorer clinical outcomes than those who do not. Despite this fact, there remain significant gaps within the scientific literature in understanding how these conditions present in individuals across the spectrum, effective treatments when these conditions co-occur, and support needs. This presentation utilizes the current literature, clinical experience, and case studies to share the challenges, pragmatic solutions, and next steps in better supporting autistic individuals with mental health needs.

Bio: Dr. Katrina Ostmeyer is a licensed psychologist, licensed behavior analyst, and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) specializing in the treatment of children and adolescents with complex behavioral profiles. Dr. Ostmeyer earned her undergraduate degree at the University of Kansas, majoring in psychology and applied behavioral science. She completed her masters degree in psychology at Washburn University and completed a two-year assistantship/internship at the Kansas City Center for Anxiety Treatment. She received her doctorate in psychology at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University after completing a pre-doctoral internship at Integrated Behavioral Technologies and the University of Kansas Medical Center including a Leadership in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) fellowship. Upon graduation in 2014, Dr. Ostmeyer accepted a position as the Director of Community Research and Clinical Services, and later Associate Executive Director, at Integrated Behavioral Technologies, a small not-for-profit aimed at increasing access to evidence-based behavioral intervention for youth in rural and low-income settings. In 2018, Dr. Ostmeyer founded Beyond the Individual, a clinical program focused on improving systems of support for individuals with behavioral and mental health needs through consultation, training, and individualized assessment and therapy services. She currently maintains a small caseload and functions at the company CEO. While Dr. Ostmeyer enjoys her clinical work, she was offered the opportunity to help train the next generation of child psychologists as an Associate Professor of the Practice in the Department of Clinical Child Psychology at the University of Kansas. In her role at KU, she teaches graduate courses in ethics and clinical skills, supervises student clinicians, and acts as the Clinical Director of the KU Child and Family Services Clinic (KUCFSC), the in-house training clinic for the Clinical Child Psychology program.

2:00 PM - 2:15 PM | Break

2:15 PM - 3:30 PM | Session 3
Rhythm to Restore: Using Music for Neurological/Emotional Regulation
Presented by: Kelley Pujol

When is it finally time for me? Throughout the day, our needs are often paused as we provide for the individuals we support. How can you as an educator, therapist, or caregiver use music to address your own areas of need? In this session, we will explore how rhythm and music can be used to support your own neurological organization and emotional regulation to optimize your ability to help others. Participants will learn and practice practical, accessible strategies that can be incorporated into daily routines to improve focus, calm, and resilience.  

Bio: Kelley Pujol is a board certified music therapist and has provided music therapy services for individuals with autism spectrum disorders at Easterseals Midwest Autism Services since 2001. Kelley completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education at Luther College, a Master of Music degree in Music Therapy at The Florida State University, and a Master of Education degree in Special Education at the University of Louisiana at Monroe. Kelley has completed requirements and earned the title, Neurologic Music Therapist, Fellow. Kelley is the Chair of the Missouri Music Therapy Recognition Task Force, has been appointed to the American Music Therapy Association Judicial Review Board, served on the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) Professional Advocacy national committee, served as an executive board member of the Midwestern Region AMTA and has been published by the Journal of Music Therapy, American Music Therapy Association, Music Educator’s Journal, and the LAHPERD journal. Kelley received the service award from the Midwestern Region of the American Music Therapy Association in 2013 and the Changemaker Award for music therapy advocacy from the American Music Therapy Association in 2018.  Kelley has also been involved in providing music therapy services to individuals with special needs in Kenya, Africa. 

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