Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment

09/12/2026

We are grateful to recognize The Arc of the Ozarks as a Silver Sponsor of the 21st Annual Thompson Center Autism Conference!

The Arc of the Ozarks' mission is to support individuals with disabilities in directing their own lives as valued members of the community. We are grateful for their partnership and continued support of our conference and the individuals and families we serve.

Organizations like The Arc of the Ozarks help make it possible for us to provide a conference focused on discovery, learning, and collaboration, while sharing comprehensive, up-to-date research, intervention strategies, and supports for individuals across the lifespan.

Interested in becoming a sponsor? If your organization's mission aligns with supporting individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities, we still have sponsorship opportunities available.

For more information, visit https://brnw.ch/21x5DBe or contact [email protected].

Thank you, The Arc of the Ozarks, for helping make this year's conference possible!

09/10/2026

Dr. Stephen Sheinkopf — clinical psychologist and clinician scientist at the Thompson Center — and a team of collaborators recently investigated how independence and social connectedness play key roles in the well-being of autistic young adults: a very underrepresented area of research.

In a newly published study, the researchers explored data from over 260 autistic young adults between the ages of 18 and 24, examining the effects of where the participants lived and who they lived with on emotional and behavioral health, including satisfaction with social life, depression, and substance use. By providing insights into these patterns, the study aims to assist families, providers, and policymakers in creating better supports for autistic young adults as they transition to adulthood.

This article, "Understanding the Impact of Living Situation and Social Satisfaction on Depression and Substance Use in Autistic Young Adults Without Intellectual Disability," was published in Autism in Adulthood. Read more at https://thompsoncenter.missouri.edu/publications/

09/09/2026

In part 2 of our special podcast series with Molly Love, BCBA and self-advocate, we explore the experiences of autistic girls and women in education, the importance of lived experience in the field of ABA, and the challenges many autistic adults face when seeking diagnosis and support. Join us as we discuss masking, self-advocacy, adult autism diagnosis, and how professionals can better partner with autistic individuals to create more inclusive and affirming support systems. 🎧 Find us wherever you listen to podcasts! Or, get more details at https://thompsoncenter.missouri.edu/sts/

09/08/2026

Meet Kaelynn Partlow and get your copy of Life on the Bridge signed by her at this year's Thompson Center Autism Conference! 🌟 There are limited spots available for this special add-on event — register now using the links below:

To add the book signing to your current conference registration: https://brnw.ch/21x5x3V

To register for the book signing only (not attending the full conference): https://brnw.ch/21x5x3X

Haven't registered for the conference yet? There's still time! Register for the conference today at https://brnw.ch/21x5x3W. After you register, be sure to add on this special event by completing the book signing registration at https://brnw.ch/21x5x3V

Please note: you must purchase a signing ticket in order to attend the book signing, even if you are already registered for the conference.

09/06/2026

The Thompson Center will be closed tomorrow, September 7, in observance of Labor Day. Have a great and safe weekend, and we'll see you on Tuesday!

09/04/2026

Dr. Jennifer Sykes, licensed psychologist and conference presenter, shares her perspective on why the Thompson Center Autism Conference is valuable to every profession: every voice is represented. Self-advocates, medical professionals, psychologists, therapists, educators, parents, and more gather here each year to create more welcoming, supportive spaces. Join us in St. Louis this year — register now at https://tcautismconf.com/registration-information/

08/29/2026

We're so grateful to be a part of the remarkable innovation happening at 💛

Celebrating growth and transforming lives. 💛

In May, celebrated the opening of the Thompson Center for Autism & Neurodevelopment's new facility. Already, the expanded center is making an impact, with more than 21,000 patient visits.

Read more about how the Thompson Center is changing lives in President Choi's latest blog: https://brnw.ch/21x5icb

08/28/2026

It's time to look beyond the mask. In part 1 of this two-part podcast series, Tara and Jaclyn sit down with Molly Love, BCBA and autistic self-advocate, to explore how autism can present differently in girls and women. Together, they discuss common misconceptions, the concept of masking, why many autistic women go unrecognized for years, and the emotional impact of constantly hiding autistic traits. Molly shares both professional insights and personal experiences while offering practical strategies for creating environments where autistic individuals feel accepted, understood, and supported. 🎧 Find us wherever you listen to podcasts! Or, get more details at https://brnw.ch/21x5hHz

08/27/2026

Showcase your organization to hundreds of neurodevelopment professionals across several disciplines — be a sponsor at this year's Thompson Center Autism Conference! As a sponsor, you'll enjoy opportunities to connect with future clients and potential employees at your exhibit booth, build brand awareness with signage and program advertising, receive free conference registration, and more! For more information, visit https://tcautismconf.com/sponsors-and-exhibitors/

08/26/2026

We're excited to share that we recently received funding to purchase additional powered height-adjusting exam tables for our clinics, thanks to the generous support of Children's Miracle Network! This new table raises and lowers with the push of a button, providing a vital accommodation for patients with various mobility needs, especially in our multidisciplinary clinics. This is a game-changing contribution, and we're incredibly grateful to Children's Miracle Network for their support of our families!