Join Dr. Ruth Aspy as she addresses two special topics: 1) Autism and Girls: Closing the Gender Gap, and 2) Catatonia and Autism: What You Need to Know. In this full-day session, Dr. Aspy will answer the questions: What challenges do girls and women face that differ from those faced by their male counterparts? What changes in identification and support services are needed specifically to address the needs of girls on the spectrum during their school years? What is catatonia? How does it impact posture/movement, speech, mood, and behavior? And how does it manifest in opposing ways? Strategies for supporting students with ASD will also be discussed. Session and materials costs are partially funded through state and federal grants.