2026 College Autism Summit

To register as a sponsor (and attend the Summit)

To sponsor without attending the Summit

Diamond Level (Presenting Partner)

Platinum Level

Gold Level

Silver Level

Bronze Level

Want to be a Summit sponsor? We would be grateful for your support. More info HERE.

We hope to offer the following continuing education credit, but cannot know for sure until program sessions have been determined. Please check back later in the summer to confirm CEU availability:

NCC, CRCC, SHRM, NASW, ASHA

Call for Award Nominations

In order to recognize the outstanding work being done by our colleagues, the College Autism Network seeks nominations for our annual College Autism Network Excellence in Autism Practice and Research Awards. Nominations may be submitted by colleagues, though self-nominations will also be accepted. Recipients will be recognized at the 2026 College Autism Summit in Baltimore, November 8-11.

Deadline for nominations:  June 15

Recipients will be notified by August 15

To submit a nomination for one or more of CAN's awards, use this form. 

Outstanding Autism Support Program

This award is given to a campus-based support program or initiative that has demonstrated excellence in implementation of evidence-guided practices. These may include some or all of the following:

• Individual practices, clusters or combination of activities

• Programs or initiatives that focus on autistic students directly, neurotypical students/peers or faculty/staff in relation to autistic students, or relevant to/about other key stakeholders

• Program may be longstanding or newly-created

• Program may be implemented by campus-based units, departments, or other programs, or may be initiated by independent entities that focus on college students and the higher education setting

Outstanding Neurodiversity Workplace Initiative

This award is given to an employer who has established a workplace initiative that recruits and supports autistic and other neurodivergent employees and encourages professional growth and advancement. These may include some or all of the following:

• Support of, and connection to, campus resources and initiatives

• Effective recruiting of neurodivergent applicants

• Outreach and education to all employees about neurodiversity

• Initiatives, policies and processes that demonstrate ongoing support of, and attention to, neurodivergent employees in their professional growth and advancement

Outstanding Research on Autism in Higher Education

This award is given to an individual (or research team) who has, in the previous year (2022-23), produced original scholarship advancing research, policy, and/or practice in ways that facilitate college success for autistic students. Such scholarship may include any/all of the following:

• Journal articles

• Project reports

• Books

• Research briefs

CAN Contributor of the Year

This award is given to an individual whose contributions to the College Autism Network, its members, and its mission, have been outstanding during the previous year. Contributions may include:

• Presentations at College Autism Summit or other event

• Consultations with other campuses 

• Contributions to CAN’s mission to support autistic college students and the professionals who work with them

• Engagement and/or service in CAN programming, including CANVAS, Program Director Calls, Summit planning

Timeline:

April 15: Call for nominations

June 15: Deadline

Aug 1:  Winners selected

Aug 15:  Winners notified

Nov 8-11:  College Autism Summit, Baltimore, MD 

Preconference Sessions

We will offer three preconference activities: The Program Leaders' Collaborative, Building Blocks for New Programs, and the Summit Student Experience, all scheduled from 1 pm until 5 pm (with a light reception for Collaborative and Building Blocks participants from 5 until 6). Pre-registration is required for all three.

The Program Leaders' Collaborative

If you are the leader of a campus autism or neurodiversity program/initiative, please join your colleagues for an afternoon of networking and valuable information sharing. A planning group comprised of program leaders organizes this four-hour session which will include an opening introduction to prominent topics in the field as well as dedicated time for in-depth discussion and collaboration on these topics. This event also provides ample opportunity to converse with program leaders from around the country, and the valuable connections you’ll make will pay dividends throughout the year as you become part of a network of committed professionals who share your challenges and value your insights. A light reception follows with participants from Building Blocks.

Building Blocks for New Programs

 Autism support programs take many forms, from small initiatives located in a disability services office to a fully-staffed stand-alone program serving many students across campus. All of these programs have one thing in common: they began with an idea and a plan to implement that idea.  Presenters will assist participants in determining campus needs, setting goals, gaining buy-in, budgeting and financing options, exploring different staffing models, the role of parents, mentoring and coaching supports, and effective campus training. In addition, presenters will address information on gathering data to evaluate success and work toward continuous improvement.

Summit Student Experience

As we celebrate the 10th College Autism Summit, we will be providing a more advanced Summit Student Experience for Graduate students.  This graduate student experience provides opportunities to build professional networks, refine and share research ideas, and explore the scholarly writing and publishing process. Participants will engage with professionals, researchers, and peers while learning how research can inform policy and practice. Through guided discussions and hands-on activities, students will develop skills in translating research into actionable recommendations and will create their own policy brief, strengthening their ability to communicate research to diverse audiences and contribute to meaningful change.

Facilitators:

• • John Caldora, Dartmouth University

  • Cherie Fishbaugh, West Chester University of Pennsylvania

  • Michael Ota, Kennesaw State University 

  • Brady Esham, Albus NeuroPolicy Solutions

• Registration cost:

  • The Summit Student Experience is free to graduate students who are registered for the Summit. You must also select this option if you wish to attend. Only those who are registered for this preconference workshop and the other components of the Summit Student Experience may attend this preconference workshop. This workshop is limited to 40 participants.

To join us for Wednesday's full day of employment/recruitment content, select this ticket, which includes lunch and a networking reception at the end of the day. Full Summit attendees are welcome to join the afternoon free of charge (the morning session is more appropriate for employers, especially those new to neurodiversity hiring). Nonprofit participants may request a discounted ticket by contacting co-chair Amy Tavares at atavares@andrew.cmu.edu

Opening Session:  Monday, November 9, 10:00 am-11:30 am

Forward and Back: A Conversation About Autism, Higher Education and the College Autism Network

The College Autism Network and the Summit are both celebrating ten years of making a difference in the lives of autistic college students. Three voices that have helped shape the field, the organization, and this event will share their perspectives on this journey. Looking back over ten years, they will consider the varied paths we all have traveled to be here today and how this field has evolved. Looking forward, they will consider the possibilities, potential and challenges we face as a community in the future. And looking at this very moment, well--that will be the fun part.

The conversation will be facilitated group will be wrangled, probably unsuccessfully, by CAN’s Executive Director Lee Burdette Williams who will be joined by:

Bradley E. Cox, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Higher Education at Michigan State University, co-principal investigator of the PEACES Study (the largest research study of autistic college students) and the founder of the College Autism Network;

Perry LaRoque, Ph.D., Founder and President of Mansfield Hall, a groundbreaking independent program for neurodivergent college students, the author of “Taking Flight: The Guide to College for Diverse Learners and Non-Traditional Students” and part of the planning team, with Brad and Lee, of the first College Autism Summit in 2017; and

Jane Thierfeld Brown, Ed.D., Founder of College Autism Spectrum and co-author (with Lorraine Wolf and Ruth Bork) of “Students with Asperger Syndrome: A Guide for College Personnel,” published in 2009, that was the first text of its kind to offer guidance to higher education professionals supporting autistic students.

As we celebrate the 10th College Autism Summit, we will be providing a more advanced Summit Student Experience for Graduate Students.  Advanced undergraduates may also participate. This graduate student experience provides opportunities to build professional networks, refine and share research ideas, and explore the scholarly writing and publishing process. Participants will engage with professionals, researchers, and peers while learning how research can inform policy and practice. Through guided discussions and hands-on activities, students will develop skills in translating research into actionable recommendations and will create their own policy brief, strengthening their ability to communicate research to diverse audiences and contribute to meaningful change. These opportunities begin with a preconference workshop on Sunday, November 8 from 1 until 5 pm. Facilitators will be: 

• • • John Caldora, Dartmouth University
    • Cherie Fishbaugh, West Chester University of Pennsylvania
    • Michael Ota, Kennesaw State University 
    • Brady Esham, Albus NeuroPolicy Solutions
  • Registration cost:
    • The Summit Student Experience is free to graduate students who are registered for the Summit. You must also select this option when registering if you wish to participate. Only those who are registered for this preconference workshop and the other components of the Summit Student Experience may attend this preconference workshop. This workshop is limited to 40 participants.

The College Autism Network is awarding several student travel scholarships up to $750 plus waived registration fee for high-achieving/presenting undergraduates and graduate students planning to contribute to research or practice within the college autism support field.  The initial review of scholarship applications begins on July 15, 2026 and will continue until all scholarships are awarded. If you have any questions you may email John at JCaldora@gmail.com or Cherie at cfishbaugh@wcupa.edu.

To apply for a Summit Student Travel Scholarship, please complete this form. Initial review will begin on July 15 and will continue on a rolling basis until all scholarships have been awarded.  

The Summit mobile app will be available for download in the early fall. 

Are you a new professional? A graduate student? Attending your first Summit? Participating in the Mentor/Mentee Match is a great way to connect with a more experienced professional throughout the Summit. It’s someone to sit with at lunch, chat up in the hallway, even meet for coffee. There will be some scheduled activities--always optional--for making connections.

If you’re an experienced professional, please consider signing up to be a Mentor. We’ll pair you with a new professional or graduate student to make a connection during the Summit. We hope you’ll use your wisdom and experience to help welcome someone into the CAN and Summit communities.

Sign up to be a mentor or a mentee during the registration process. We’ll be in touch when pairs are determined.

The Summit will take place at the Renaissance HarborPlace Hotel, 202 E. Pratt St, Baltimore. Rooms are available at a conference rate (See Hotel Reservation link). Other hotel rooms within walking distance of the Renaissance are available, though not at a discounted rate, and you'll need to make that reservation independently. The hotel is about a 25-minute ride from Baltimore Washington International Airport (BWI), and about a ten minute drive from Baltimore's Penn Station if you travel by train. Driving? It's a fairly easy route from I-95 to the hotel. Parking is available at the hotel for a fee (check back closer to the Summit for pricing).   

Visit Baltimore has created a guide curated for Summit attendees with everything you need to plan your visit, including hotel booking, dining recommendations, neighborhood guides, maps, and deals on top attractions.

Frequently Asked Questions About Submissions