About This Webinar
Many families of young children with autism and related disorders face challenges related to diet, nutrition, and food selectivity. This webinar addresses common concerns of families surrounding dietary preferences and limitations often seen in young children with autism. The presenters highlight the effects of food preferences, aversions, and special diets on child and family outcomes and discuss ways professionals and families can encourage young children with autism to broaden their diet. They also provide strategies for ensuring quality nutrition in young children with autism and related disorders.
Continuing Education (CE) Credit
- Early Interventionists and Early Childhood Educators: This webinar offers 1.5 continuing education (CE) credits through the Early Intervention Training Program (EITP) at the University of Illinois through 6/30/2026.
Presenter Information
Dr. Jamie Pearson, a former ABA therapist, and autism program consultant is an Assistant Professor of Special Education in the Department of Teacher Education and Learning Sciences at North Carolina State University. Dr. Pearson earned her PhD in Special Education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where she developed FACES, a parent advocacy program designed to support African American families of children with autism. Her areas of focus include: (a) investigating disparities in the diagnosis of autism and access to services for minority families, (b) assessing the impact of parent-advocacy and empowerment training on family dynamics and child outcomes, (c) implementing classroom-based interventions that promote effective learning and engagement for underrepresented children with autism; and (d) building positive partnerships between educators and parents of children with disabilities.
Dr. Hedda Meadan is a professor in the Department of Special Education at the University of Illinois, a Goldstick Family Scholar, and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Dr. Meadan’s areas of interest include social-communication skills and challenging behavior of individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities and intervention methods to enhance these spheres of functioning.
Supporting Children with Autism Through Their Day | Series
The four-part webinar series focuses on supporting young children with autism and their families. Throughout the series, highly respected presenters lead us through important steps in the lives of families of children with autism and related disorders.
