FACES for Autism: A Psychoeducational Intervention for Black Families Supporting Autistic Children and Youth

Please join us for our final presentation in the 2025-2026 Duke Center for Autism Seminar Series. Our presenter will be Dr. Jamie Pearson, Associate Professor of Special Education and Educational Equity at North Carolina State University and a former behavioral interventionist and autism program consultant. Dr. Pearson developed FACES (Fostering Advocacy, Communication, Empowerment, and Support), a psychoeducational intervention for Black families raising autistic children. Her research focuses on: (a) disparities in autism identification, service access, and service utilization, (b) the impact of parent-advocacy and empowerment training on child and family outcomes, and (c) strategies to promote positive parent-professional partnerships between educators and historically marginalized communities. This presentation will highlight how FACES aims to increase Black families' capacity to (a) advocate for school and community-based services, and (b) build partnerships with professionals (e.g., healthcare providers, educators, related service providers) to strengthen student outcomes. Dr. Pearson will also discuss ways FACES partners with community-based organizations to strengthen service access and utilization for Black families. Finally, she will provide strategies for practitioners and researchers to facilitate culturally responsive partnerships with racially marginalized families in their own communities of practice. Registration is required for this event. Please register in advance at the link provided.