Sparking Collaboration | Advancing Treatment
The Profound Autism Summit is a two-day conference that brings together researchers, clinicians, educators, and families to address the needs of people with profound autism across every discipline and every stage of life. It was created in 2023 by Nashoba Learning Group in collaboration with the Profound Autism Alliance.
Profound autism is the population with the highest support needs and the least representation in research, training, and services. Most autism conferences give it a track. We built an entire conference around it, and we bring medicine, behavior analysis, speech, social work, education, research, advocacy, and family experience into the same room rather than keeping them in separate ones.
The 2027 Summit, our fourth, is April 15 to 16 at the Hilton Boston Park Plaza.
Profound autism refers to autistic people who have significant intellectual and communication challenges and require 24/7 support. The Lancet Commission first proposed the term in its December 2021 report, giving families, advocates, and providers a way to describe this group's distinct needs.
A consensus-based research definition for profound autism was introduced at the 2025 INSAR Annual Meeting. That clarity is a first step toward making sure people with profound autism are accurately represented in research rather than excluded from the science that shapes their care. Our thanks to the Profound Autism Alliance and the Autism Science Foundation for supporting that effort.
The Summit was created in 2023 by Nashoba Learning Group in collaboration with the Profound Autism Alliance. One runs the services day to day. The other works on the research and policy that shape them. Bringing both into the same room is the point.
Founded by CEO Liz Martineau in 2002, NLG has served and advocated for autistic people for more than two decades. Through a specialized day school and an adult day program, it works primarily with people who have profound autism, providing individualized, evidence-based support. Its work is guided by a commitment to dignity, safety, and independence for every student and member.
Learn more about NLG →
PAA is committed to recognizing the distinct challenges faced by people with profound autism and intellectual disability. Its mission is to improve their health and connection through inclusive research and focused advocacy that leads to meaningful services and supports. PAA also offers conference scholarships and helped support the consensus research definition introduced in 2025.
Learn more about PAA →The Summit is run by the leadership of its two founding organizations.
Katherine joined NLG in 2023 and oversees staff training, recruiting, and business development. She brings 30 years of experience in ABA, including 16 years running Advances Learning Center, the home services agency she founded. She holds a master’s degree from Columbia University Teachers College and has taught behavior analysis at the graduate and undergraduate levels.
Liz started NLG with a group of colleagues in 2002 and still leads its clinical and strategic direction. She sets the organization’s long-term plans, keeps its educational and clinical practices current, and mentors the senior clinical and management team. She has presented widely on the clinical and strategic work NLG has developed.
Judith cofounded the Profound Autism Alliance and serves as its president. She trained as a CPA and spent a decade in tax accounting before autism advocacy became her focus in 2005, when her son Jack was diagnosed at age two. She has since worked on passing, implementing, and enforcing autism insurance reform, part of the effort that saw legislation adopted in all fifty states.
Two days with the researchers, clinicians, educators, and families working on profound autism. Registration, sponsorship, and exhibitor spots are all open now.
Summit announcements, new Village resources, and CE course releases. Choose what you would like to hear about.