Even a rare Los Angeles rainstorm couldn’t keep people away. On Friday, hundreds of clinicians, parents, educators, and researchers arrived—umbrellas in hand and spirits high—for our sold-out 29th Annual Help Group Summit. What unfolded was a day filled with discovery, compassion, and community.

The Help Group’s mission is deeply rooted in supporting individuals across the lifespan—a commitment reflected in our more than 80 years of service. As our CEO & President, Dr. Susan Berman, shared in her opening remarks:

This vision is also at the heart of The Help Group’s Knowledge Exchange, our year-round commitment to adult learning, caregiver education, and professional training. Through workshops, conferences, and community events, we create opportunities for shared learning that translate directly into better support, stronger practice, and improved outcomes for the individuals and families we serve.

The morning began with a keynote from Dr. Aliza Pressman, who grounded the room with a reminder that felt both tender and galvanizing: “When a flower doesn’t bloom, you fix the environment in which it grows, not the flower.” It was the perfect sentiment to open a day devoted to supporting individuals across the lifespan with empathy, curiosity, and evidence-based care. Attendees carried her message with them into the breakout sessions that followed, where experts shared new insights into early childhood resilience, executive functioning, the transition to adulthood, college readiness, the developing brain, and the growing role of AI in clinical care.

Throughout the day, the halls buzzed with conversation—families swapping stories, clinicians reconnecting with colleagues, educators finding new strategies they could bring straight back to their classrooms. There was a sense of shared purpose, a feeling that everyone in the room was working toward something bigger than themselves.

During our luncheon program, Dr. Berman had the honor of presenting the Spirit of Hope Award to Abbey Romeo—autism advocate, Love on the Spectrum cast member, and proud Help Group alum. Abbey’s courage, openness, and advocacy have helped countless people feel seen. As she accepted the award from Dr. Berman, the room rose in heartfelt applause. It was a moment that captured what Summit is all about: celebrating the strength and humanity within every neurodivergent voice.

The afternoon continued with sessions that explored meaningful social communication, friendship-building, mental health transitions, grief support, and the lived experience of autistic adults. Across campus, conversations echoed the day’s theme—Transformative Journeys—as attendees reflected on the many pathways individuals and families take, and the knowledge that collaboration can make each step a little easier.

We closed with a powerful keynote from Dr. Barry Prizant, whose decades of leadership in autism and neurodiversity have reshaped the field. He left us with a gentle challenge: to replace frustration with compassion, and to approach every interaction with a mindset of respect and curiosity. His words drew the day to a thoughtful, resonant close.

To everyone who braved the weather, shared their expertise, or came eager to learn: thank you. Your presence made this year’s Summit a day to remember. We can’t wait to continue this journey with you.

If you weren’t able to join us—or if you’d like to revisit the sessions that resonated with you most—our on-demand Summit experience is now available. You can access every keynote and breakout session at your own pace, and professionals can earn up to 16 Continuing Education credits. We’re also offering a special reduced rate for parents, caregivers, and students who are not seeking CE credits, ensuring the learning remains accessible to our entire community.

Register for on-demand access today and continue your own transformative journey.