Utah Valley University (UVU) is proud to announce the 2026 UVU Autism Conference, hosted by the Melisa Nellesen Center for Autism. This annual one-day professional and community event will be held on Friday, March 6, 2026, at the UVU Sorensen Student Center on UVU’s Orem Campus.
Utah Valley University (UVU) is proud to announce the 2026 UVU Autism Conference, hosted by the Melisa Nellesen Center for Autism. This annual one-day professional and community event will be held on Friday, March 6, 2026, at the UVU Sorensen Student Center on UVU’s Orem Campus. The 2026 conference will center on the theme “Autism and Mental Health,” addressing best practice approaches to mental health support and wellbeing within the autism community.
This year’s conference brings together leading researchers, practitioners, educators, caregivers, individuals with autism, and community members for a day of keynote presentations, breakout sessions, and collaborative learning opportunities tailored to a wide range of audiences.
The conference will feature distinguished autism researcher and clinician Dr. Christopher McDougle as the keynote speaker. In his address, Dr. McDougle will explore the intersection of autism and mental health, helping attendees deepen their understanding of co-occurring psychiatric conditions and evidence-based approaches to care.
Conference Highlights:
The conference is designed to benefit individuals on the autism spectrum, family members, caregivers, educators, clinicians, and any professionals who support autistic people throughout their lives.
Early bird and standard registration options are available leading up to the conference date. Same-day registration will be offered on March 6, 2026. Detailed registration information, session descriptions, and a complete conference schedule are available at uvu.edu/autism/conferences.
