Join the Arc of Massachusetts to learn practical tips and strategies to improve healthcare access for individuals with autism spectrum disorder and intellectual and developmental disabilities.

This webinar will focus on reducing anxiety and enhancing care through the use of social stories, visual supports, desensitization, and individualized accommodations. Participants will also learn effective strategies for advocating and collaborating with medical providers. Available resources, including social stories for preventative care procedures, will be highlighted to support successful and positive healthcare experiences.

Dr. Jill Pineda is a licensed clinical psychologist at the Lurie Center for Autism and a clinical instructor at Harvard Medical School. She provides neuropsychological evaluations and therapeutic services for children, adolescents, and adults with autism spectrum disorder and other neurodevelopmental disorders. Dr. Pineda has developed expertise in providing desensitization for medical procedures for individuals with developmental disabilities in the hopes to improve access to medical care for this underserved community.

Dr. Pineda has led the Healthcare Access for Autism grant, designed to create social stories on preventative care procedures for adults with autism and related disabilities. Dr. Pineda regularly collaborates with caregivers, healthcare providers, and other stakeholders to improve access to medical care within Mass General Brigham and the broader community.

Visit https://thearcofmass.org/webinars/ to learn more about the webinar and to register.