This presentation was not recorded.
Resources provided by the presenter:
- ECHO Autism Challenging Behavior: https://echoautism.org/challenging-behavior/
- Autism Speaks Challenging Behavior Toolkit: https://www.autismspeaks.org/tool-kit/challenging-behaviors-tool-kit
For more information and resources, view Dr. Ferguson’s 2024 webinar, Self-Regulation Strategies for Self-Injury
About the speaker:
Emily Ferguson, Ph.D., is a postdoctoral academic researcher and clinician within Stanford University’s Autism and Developmental Disorders Research Program within the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. She earned her doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of California Santa Barbara and completed her clinical internship at the University of California Los Angeles. Dr. Ferguson’s research focuses on advancing understanding of mechanisms of challenging behaviors in autistic youth and adults to inform treatment development. Her work takes a comprehensive perspective, integrating methods from implementation science to improve the accessibility and quality of clinical care for underserved autistic populations, especially those with higher support needs (or “profound autism”). She is also interested in developing methods to improve self-regulation in individuals with profound autism to effectively manage self-injurious behaviors and aggression. Dr. Ferguson is currently supporting research in the Preschool Autism Lab, and exploring profiles of challenging behaviors with the Program for Psychometrics and Measurement-Based Care in a diverse range of autistic and non-autistic youth to inform treatment approaches.
Take the knowledge quiz
Can’t see the quiz below? Take it online HERE
Emerging Research on Autism Rates and Covid
Free webinar at 1:00 p.m. Eastern time (US), April 22, 2026 Tune in to hear about the Columbia University COVID-19 Mother Baby Outcomes Initiative (COMBO), which resulted in the first report demonstrating that
Understanding Autism through the Lens of Sensorimotor Features and Early-Developing Brain Regions
Sensorimotor differences are commonly reported in autistic individuals. However, the daily-life impact and neurobiological basis of motor differences are not clear. This talk will discuss sensorimotor differences commonly reported in
Towards the Development of a Diagnostic Test for Autism Spectrum Disorder: Data Science Meets Metabolomics
Hear Juergen Hahn, Ph.D., ARI Scientific Advisory Board member, discuss how using machine learning can lead to biomarker discoveries in autism research. Handouts are online HERE
How Genetics is Shaping the Field of Autism Research
Learn about how research on genetic influences is shaping our understanding of autism. About the speaker: M. Pilar Trelles, MD, is a licensed and
Disparities in Autism Ascertainment in Black Children
Handouts are available HERE You can access the ongoing study Dr. Dickerson discusses during the Q&A HERE Learn about disparities in autism ascertainment in Black children and accessible treatment models
Nutrition Research Updates: Five Underappreciated Nutrients that Neurodivergent Kids May Be Missing
Vicki Kobliner, MS, RDN, reviews current nutrition research and shares practical strategies to support the health of neurodivergent children.Handouts are online HERE About the speaker:






