March 12–13, 2026
Invited Speaker
Brenna Maddox, Ph.D.
Co-chair of the Autism and Suicide Prevention Workgroup
About Dr. Brenna Maddox
Dr. Brenna Maddox is a clinical psychologist with expertise in the assessment and treatment of co-occurring psychiatric conditions in autistic individuals across the lifespan. She is particularly interested in preventing suicide and improving mental health outcomes for people on the autism spectrum, training and supporting community mental health clinicians to work with this population, and prioritizing authentic engagement of autistic people in community-partnered research. She is the co-chair of the Autism and Suicide Prevention Workgroup and an adjunct faculty member at the University of North Carolina TEACCH Autism Program.
Symposium
Crisis Supports and Suicide Prevention for Autistic People
Brenna Maddox, Ph.D., and Lisa Morgan, Ph.D.
Friday, March 13 | 2:55PM to 3:55PM | 60 MINUTES | LIVE
Autistic individuals are significantly more likely to think about, attempt, and die by suicide than the general population. Suicide is a leading cause of premature death for autistic people. Suicide prevention is a top priority in the autistic community. However, the resources, supports, and interventions designed for the general public can unintentionally harm autistic people. Autistic people think, communicate, and experience the world differently than non-autistic people. This strengths-based presentation will focus on ways that mental health professionals can adapt their approaches to better meet the needs of autistic individuals in crisis. Attendees will learn about unique risk factors and warning signs of suicide for autistic people, as well as specific coping and regulation strategies. The presenters will highlight recent research findings, include powerful stories of lived experience, discuss case scenarios and common clinical challenges, and share practical autism-specific suicide prevention resources developed in collaboration with autistic adults.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Objective 1:
Learners will be able to identify the key ways in which ubiquitous digital technologies are integrated into support systems and media education for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
Objective 2:
Learners will be able to evaluate the effectiveness of two AI-based projects by assessing user experiences and outcomes for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
Objective 3:
Learners will be able to specify two actionable recommendations for applying emerging digital technologies in research and practice related to intellectual disabilities.
Elevate Your Impact is Catalight’s annual virtual conference, dedicated to advancing person-centered care for individuals with autism and intellectual developmental disabilities (I/DDs). Offering continuing education to those who qualify, the conference features a dynamic mix of live sessions and on-demand content, providing a flexible learning experience. Elevate Your Impact is an opportunity to connect with thought leaders, gain insights and optimize care outcomes in behavioral health.