Sponsored by Southern Bank

Celebrating Connection and Growth at the Second Annual Kansas Autism Summit 

Four women smile and pose in front of an "Easterseals Midwest" banner inside a building with teal-colored flooring. They are wearing casual to business-casual outfits, including jeans, cardigans, a floral blouse, and a long patterned dress with a denim jacket. The atmosphere appears friendly and welcoming, likely at a work-related event or gathering.With 130 passionate attendees and local news coverage amplifying the impact, the second annual Kansas Autism Summit presented by Southern Bank was a powerful day of learning, collaboration, and community. This year’s event brought together educators, practitioners, families, and advocates to explore innovative strategies for supporting individuals with autism, reflecting our growing commitment to serve and engage the Kansas autism community.  

“As we grow into Kansas, we want to connect with as many people as possible in the autism community,” says Casey Melancon, Autism Services Director in Kansas City and summit organizer. “April is such a fitting time to host the summit because it is Autism Acceptance Month and together we can celebrate those on the autism spectrum and their remarkable abilities. The summit offered us a safe place to learn, foster understanding, and challenge misconceptions about this very capable and vulnerable community.” 

Keynote speaker Dr. Alec Bernstein from University of Missouri – Kansas City and Children’s Mercy Kansas City kicked off the day with practical insights on managing meltdowns, offering a thoughtful framework for knowing when and how to respond with the right strategies. Additional sessions were presented by our own Easterseals Midwest team and covered the use of visual supports to increase communication and independence, the power of music and rhythm to aid neurological organization, and a strengths-based constructional approach to building skills rather than focusing solely on problems. 

Attendees left energized, inspired, and equipped with fresh tools to support individuals with autism. Watch the video below of two Kansas school teacher sharing how this summit gave them the tools to help their fellow teachers care for students with autism.

 

“We are already planning next year’s conference, which will be held in April 2026,” says Casey. “We’re proud to celebrate this incredible milestone and can’t wait to continue growing with this community next year!”