A Great Experience at the Documenting Hope Conference: Reflections from the Autism Knowledge Gateway Team

This year, the Autism Knowledge Gateway (AKG) team had the privilege of attending and exhibiting at the Documenting Hope Conference in Orlando. It was an exciting and inspiring experience, filled with meaningful conversations, enlightening presentations and valuable networking opportunities. As an organization dedicated to advancing integrative healthcare for children, the 3-day conference and expo gave us the chance to engage directly with parents, caregivers and practitioners—all of whom share our mission of improving care and treatment for autistic individuals.

Conversations that Affirm Our Mission

One of the most powerful takeaways from the conference was the affirmation of the importance of our mission. Many attendees shared their frustrations with the lack of integration between scientific findings and clinical care for individuals on the autism spectrum. At AKG, we’re committed to translating the latest research into practical solutions that can guide treatment decisions. These discussions reinforced the fact that when research is made accessible and understandable, it can empower medical professionals to make informed choices that lead to better health outcomes for autistic patients.

There Is an Urgent Need for Accessible Treatment Information

While ongoing research is crucial for advancing autism care, it was clear from our conversations that we do not have to wait for the next breakthrough to make a difference in the lives of those with autism. There is so much we already know about how to address common comorbidities associated with autism, such as gastrointestinal issues, sleep disturbances and anxiety, but that it can be difficult to access, validate and put that information into action. Many of the parents and practitioners we spoke to expressed a desire for more straightforward, accessible information on how to manage these conditions in real-time.

A Need for Education and Awareness

Despite the energy and enthusiasm around better medical care, our discussions illuminated a sobering reality – the path to improved health remains complex and fragmented for many people. The diversity of medical needs among autistic people, the large number of conditions to consider and the vast and fragmented terrain of research remains overwhelming to caregivers and practitioners. We saw a consistent need to make this information easier to access, but also to educate the community that this is possible and available.

Taking the Next Step

We’re excited to announce that enrollment is now open for our upcoming parent and practitioner pilot programs, which will run from January to March 2025. These pilots are an important step toward refining our approach to translating research into actionable guidance for autism care. What’s more, these programs will be completely free to participants! We encourage anyone—whether a parent of a child with autism or a healthcare professional—to get involved and help spread the word.

By joining these pilots, participants will have the opportunity to contribute to a growing body of research that could have a real impact on the future of autism care. This is an exciting chance to be part of something transformative that could directly benefit individuals on the spectrum.