TAP - UIUC Champaign Urbana

THERE'S STILL TIME TO REGISTER FOR THE 2026 TAP SYMPOSIUM!

For only $30, you get breakfast, lunch, up to 5.5 CEUs or PDHs, a chance to collaborate with parents and professionals, and a deeper understanding of several topics related to autism.

To register, visit: https://forms.illinois.edu/sec/1617112725

We can't wait to see you on June 26th!

We are SO excited to share this sensory-friendly event coming up next week!

One Root Collective is a nonprofit here in CU focused on building a more connected, inclusive, and supportive community for youth and families. On June 12th from 6-8PM, they will be hosting a Silent Disco fundraiser and community event!

To learn more, buy tickets, or sign up to volunteer, see the flyers or visit: https://www.onerootcollective.org/calendar-events/event-one-rg2bh-mx2wm-3ea3j-katl2

Have you registered for the 2026 TAP Symposium yet?

This event is PERFECT for parents, educators, and professionals. CEUs and PDHs are available!

To register, visit: https://forms.illinois.edu/sec/1617112725

🏳️‍🌈💜HAPPY PRIDE! 💜🏳️‍🌈

Did you know that autistic individuals are more likely than allistic (or non-autistic) people to identify as LGBTQIA+? People that identify as transgender are also more likely to be autistic than cisgender individuals.

We at TAP recognize the strong ties between the autism and the LGBTQIA+ communities, especially in advocacy spaces. Recognizing the interconnectedness of both groups, and their closely tied social justice goals, is an important step towards a more just, safe, and joyful future for all.

To learn more about the intersection of the LGBTQIA+ and autism communities, and how to support, visit the Autism Research Institute's website: https://autism.org/lgbtq-and-autism/

REGISTRATION STILL OPEN!! 🎉🎉

There are still spots available in our High School and Young Adult Social Groups! For more information, see the flyers.

To register or to ask questions, please email group leader Megan McGinty ([email protected]).

PARENTS - Check out this event coming up in June in Urbana!

To learn more, visit: https://21stcenturydads.org

💜2026 TAP SYMPOSIUM SPEAKER SPOTLIGHT 💜

Cassie Alpers is the Assistant Director of The Autism Program (TAP) at the University of Illinois. In her role, she helps oversee TAP’s Resource Room and the student interns who help staff it. She also provides community support and training on autism and neurodiversity, primarily in educational and therapeutic settings. She has a background in special education, with teaching experience in a variety of settings with individuals ages 2-22 who have a wide range of support needs. Additionally, she has a master’s degree in social work, with experience as a mental health therapist working with neurodiverse individuals of all ages. She uses knowledge from her experiences to provide direct services to families, including resource referral and advocacy, and to pilot social groups at TAP for neurodivergent children in elementary and middle grades.

Her breakout session, Writing Autism-Affirming IEP Goals, focuses on developing strengths-based, autism and neurodiversity-affirming IEP goals that promote meaningful growth while honoring student identity. Participants will examine common pitfalls in traditional goal writing and learn how to construct measurable, functional goals that support communication, independence, self-advocacy, and social-emotional development. Emphasis will be placed on aligning goals with student needs, communication styles, and long-term outcomes

We can't wait to learn from Cassie on June 26th!

To register, please visit: https://forms.illinois.edu/sec/1617112725

💜2026 TAP SYMPOSIUM SPEAKER SPOTLIGHT 💜

Adrienne Shockley is the Associate Director of The Autism Program at the University of Illinois and an instructor of autism and neurodiversity in the Department of Human Development & Family Services. She oversees TAP’s Resource Room and the student interns who help staff it. She also provides community support and training on autism and neurodiversity, primarily in early childhood settings. She has a background in early childhood special education, developmental therapy, and training in the PLAY Project. She uses this knowledge to run a play group for preschool-aged children on the spectrum-providing parents and caregivers coaching to foster their children’s play and communication skills.

Her breakout session, Using Visual Supports to Strengthen Communication, Routines, and Social-Emotional Skills, provides participants with practical, evidence-based strategies for using visual supports to enhance communication, predictability, independence, and emotional regulation for autistic and other neurodivergent individuals. Participants will explore how visual systems reduce cognitive load, clarify expectations, promote communication, and support self-regulation across settings. The session includes a hands-on “make-it & take-it” component in which attendees create ready-to-use visual tools for immediate implementation.

We can't wait to learn from Adrienne on June 26th!

To register, please visit: https://forms.illinois.edu/sec/1617112725

💜2026 TAP SYMPOSIUM SPEAKER SPOTLIGHT 💜

Dr. Kim Patton is the current Associate Director and soon-to-be Director of the Illinois Neurodiversity Initiative (INI), a four-year wraparound support program for autistic students admitted to the University of Illinois (UIUC). After over 10 years as a master’s level special educator, Dr. Patton returned to receive her PhD in Special Education, specializing in transition age and digital accessibility for disabled students. She worked at Illinois State University as an Instructional Assistant Professor for over three years. In her role at INI, Dr. Patton provides program development and student support and teaches courses in pre-employment and leadership skills to neurodivergent students.

In her breakout session, Preparing for College and Career Success, participants will be equipped with research-informed strategies to support autistic and neurodivergent students in preparing for college and meaningful employment. Participants will explore evidence-based practices for building college readiness skills, navigating disability services and academic accommodations, and developing the self-advocacy and workplace competencies students need to thrive beyond high school. Practical tools and resources will be shared to help educators and support professionals bridge the gap between high school preparation and postsecondary success.

We can't wait to learn from Dr. Patton on June 26th!

To register, please visit: https://forms.illinois.edu/sec/1617112725

💜2026 TAP SYMPOSIUM SPEAKER SPOTLIGHT 💜

Dr. Jeanne Kramer is the founder and Director of the Illinois Neurodiversity Initiative (INI), a four-year wraparound support program for autistic students admitted to the University of Illinois (UIUC). This program supports academic performance, mental health, social satisfaction and success, and employment outcomes for UIUC students on the autism spectrum. Her activities have contributed to increased accessibility to learning in the classroom as well as acceptance and inclusion of neurodiverse individuals across campus. More than all of this, she is the mom of four wonderful adult children, two of whom have late diagnoses of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Her energy, passion, creativity, drive, and love for neurodivergent Illinois students is owed to her love for them.

In her breakout session, Executive Function Strategies to Support Independence and Regulation, Dr. Kramer will explore executive functioning differences in autistic and neurodivergent students and provide practical strategies to support organization, task initiation, flexible thinking, and self-regulation. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how executive functioning impacts academic performance, behavior, and emotional well-being. This session emphasizes proactive environmental supports and skill-building approaches that increase independence across settings.

We can't wait to learn from Dr. Kramer on June 26th!

To register, please visit: https://forms.illinois.edu/sec/1617112725