HSU Hosts Inaugural Autism Conference Focused on Inclusive Classrooms
Hardin-Simmons University’s Irvin School of Education welcomed a wide range of participants on June 18 for its inaugural autism conference, “Making Space for All Learners: Thriving Together in Autism-Inclusive Classrooms,”
The half-day event, hosted at the Houston-Lantrip Center for Literacy and Learning, brought together parents, daycare providers, and educators as well as service providers like occupational, physical, and speech-language therapists to explore strategies for supporting individuals with autism in educational and community settings.
Dr. Amber Prentice, assistant professor of educational studies and conference organizer, noted that autism support requires collaboration across multiple fields and community roles.
“At this conference, we’re trying to bring awareness to autism and help others to understand this population that’s in our communities and in our schools,” Prentice said. “We believe all children deserve to be educated to the highest potential.”
The conference was offered free of charge and included opportunities for attendees to connect directly with the speaker, including a free book and book signing.
Featured speaker Emily Kircher-Morris, LPC, a nationally recognized advocate for neurodiversity and educator based in St. Louis, delivered a keynote presentation focused on supporting autistic learners across all classroom settings.
“I’m talking about how to support autistic learners in the classroom and recognizing students who are autistic are not necessarily placed in special education classrooms,” Kircher-Morris said. “We really want to focus on how we understand and support them in all spaces of our schools so that they can feel like they belong, they have a voice, and they are able to participate.”
Her message aligned with a broader shift in education toward neurodiversity-affirming practices, an approach that values differences in learning and development rather than viewing them as deficits.
“One of the biggest things that I would want people to leave with is that the strategies that are good for neurodiverse students are good for all students,” she said. “When you create environments that are inclusive, it’s good for everybody.”
Dr. Renee Collins, associate dean of the Irvin School of Education, said the conference represents an important step in strengthening HSU’s commitment to serving diverse learners and the broader community.
“We’re excited about this conference,” Collins said. “This is the first of many to come. We love empowering parents, educators, and health professionals. We want the community to know as much as they can about how to help diverse learners.”
Collins added that the university hopes the conference will have a lasting impact, planting seeds for the future.
With plans to continue the conference annually, HSU aims to build on this momentum, equipping educators and families with the knowledge and resources needed to create more inclusive environments where all learners can thrive.
