Catalight

11/14/2025

There's no quiet on the Catalight set! Our virtual Elevate Your Impact conference is for autism experts to speak out about progressive support and innovation in the industry.

This year's theme is "Evidence in Action."

Join us on March 12 and 13 for !

Learn more here: https://bit.ly/42DDpj2

11/11/2025

From strengthening value-based partnerships to expanding access to care, Catalight’s CEO Susan Armiger, continues to lead innovative solutions that prioritize personalized care, meaningful outcomes and wellbeing for people with developmental disabilities.

Her leadership and impact were recognized at the 2025 The Stevie Awards for Women in Business last night, where she received the Silver Award for Innovative Woman of the Year in Healthcare.

Congratulations Susan on this well-deserved recognition. Your lifelong work to improve care, equity and human dignity is an inspiration.

Read the full press release: https://bit.ly/3JPPKu3

11/10/2025

We've made it to November but don't be a turkey – be an early bird instead!

Register now and take advantage of the discounted pricing now through Dec. 15 for our virtual Elevate Your Impact conference in March: https://bit.ly/4oTvvuk

11/07/2025

Meet Sarah Muñoz, Psy.D. – a diagnostic evaluator who uses compassion and play to support children and families throughout the assessment journey.

Each day, Sarah bonds through bubble-blowing, Play-Doh and laughter, using her expertise to evaluate and diagnose autism. She leads with heart and says she feels lucky to have “the best job in the whole world.”

When she’s not working, Sarah enjoys morning walks with her dog, caring for her animals and spending time with her children.

Want to learn more about Sarah?: https://bit.ly/3LwKkok

11/06/2025

What happens when ethics, diversity and joy become the foundation of autism intervention?

Keynote speaker Shahla Alai-Rosales, Ph.D., BCBA-D, CPBA-AP, will dive into this topic and more during her session “Contingencies of Joy” at Catalight’s virtual Elevate Your Impact ( ) conference, happening March 12-13, 2026

As a professor of behavior analysis at the University of North Texas, Dr. Alai-Rosales brings over 40 years of experience teaching, mentoring and partnering with families across Texas, Europe and the Middle East. An award-winning educator and co-author of “Responsible and Responsive Parenting in Autism: Between Now and Dreams,” she has trained hundreds of behavior analysts and continues to advance ethics, diversity and joy in autism intervention.

Learn more about Dr. Alai-Rosales and the full lineup of speakers who are putting research and experience at the heart of autism and I/DD care: https://bit.ly/43XiZ4Z

10/30/2025

How can culture shape the way we provide care for adults with I/DD and mental health needs?

Join our complimentary webinar “Cultural Considerations for Clinical Treatment for People with I/DD” on Tuesday, Nov. 4, at 11 a.m. PT.

Tim Barksdale, Psy.D., CEO of Indian Creek Organization, will explore how cultural factors influence assessment, treatment planning and therapeutic interventions for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) who also experience mental health challenges.

Through case examples, discussion and applied exercises, participants will gain strategies for delivering culturally responsive behavioral health services while earning one continuing education unit (CEU).

You’ll learn how to:

•Develop individualized clinical strategies that reflect cultural and language diversity
•Identify key ways culture influences clinical decision-making
•Apply cultural standards to core clinical competencies like behavioral support and assessment.

Register here: https://bit.ly/3JakGFl

10/29/2025

When the pandemic forced behavioral health providers to rethink care delivery, Catalight didn’t just adapt – it transformed.

In a new Healthcare IT News, Chief Health Officer Gayeski, Psy.D., lays out how the organization built a care model that’s more connected, flexible and family-centered.

Here’s what that transformation means for families:
☑️ Choice and flexibility: families can now receive care in-person, at home or online.
☑️ Technology that empowers: secure telehealth and AI tools free clinicians to focus on people, not paperwork.
☑️ Less stress, more access: no more long drives or rigid schedules; families get support where and when it works for them, allowing them to play in an active role in their child’s care.

Read the full article to see how Catalight is leading the way in transforming autism and I/DD care:

Through robust use of telehealth, Catalight offers care to 99% of families within 10 days – roughly 80% faster than national norms. The customer satisfaction score is 4.34 out of 5. And there has been a 30% reduction in care costs.

10/27/2025

Catie Allen, Ph.D., witnessed firsthand how long waits for autism evaluations can delay children’s access to care.

Determined to help bridge that gap, she joined Catalight’s postdoctoral training program, designed to address the nationwide shortage of psychologists trained in autism assessment. Now a graduate of the first class, she’s preparing for licensure and plans to continue this important work.

Read her full journey here:

Catalight’s postdoctoral program trains psychologists to deliver timely, culturally informed autism evaluations, addressing nationwide shortages while offering hands-on experience, supervision, and a supportive environment for future clinicians.

10/27/2025

Autistic youth are hospitalized for mental health reasons at dramatically higher rates than their non-autistic peers, according to a new study led by researchers Ben Pfingston and Lindsey Sneed, Ph.D., BCBA-D.

Drawing on data from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project’s 2019 Kids’ Inpatient Database the team compared hospitalizations for children and young adults ages 2 to 20 with and without autism.

Key Findings:
• 36% of admissions among autistic youth were for a primary mental health or behavioral health condition – compared to 21% among non-autistic youth.

• 45% of hospitalizations for autistic youth included at least one mental health diagnosis, versus 27% of their non-autistic peers.

• Autistic youth admitted with mental health conditions were younger, stayed longer and had greater illness severity, which drove up hospital charges

Link to press release: https://bit.ly/4qJlemu

After analyzing over 1.2 million hospital admissions, Catalight’s Ben Pfingston and Lindsey Sneed, Ph.D., BCBA, found autistic youth are hospitalized for mental health issues at higher rates than non-autistic peers – often due to delayed diagnosis and limited support. Highlighting the urgent nee...

10/23/2025

Behavioral Health Business/WTWH Healthcare 2025 Future Leader Winner Lindsey Sneed, Ph.D., BCBA-D, Catalight’s vice president of clinical excellence, is at the INVEST conference in Nashville to accept her award.

Lindsey, who hosts the "What's Up With Catalight!" podcast, is being honored for transforming autism care through research, public advocacy and innovation – championing lower-dose, individualized treatments that are outcome-focused and expand access.

See how she got there and where she wants to go in this Q&A from Behavioral Health Business: https://bit.ly/3KL72sz

10/22/2025

Explaining a diagnosis can be one of the most important and often complex conversations providers and families have with children.

At Catalight’s virtual Elevate Your Impact conference, Liz Angoff, Ph.D., will share insights and strategies during her session: “Explaining a Diagnosis to Kids (And Their Parents, Too!)”

Dr. Angoff is a licensed educational psychologist with advanced board certification in school neuropsychology, offering assessment and consultation services to children and families across the Bay Area. With more than 20 years of experience in schools, community settings and private practice, she empowers neurodivergent children to understand and celebrate their amazing brains through her “Brain Building” books. She also shared her expertise as the special guest on the “Highways in the Brain” episode of the What’s Up With Catalight! podcast.

Don’t miss this inspiring session from a leading voice in neurodiversity and child psychology. Meet our invited speakers and register today: https://bit.ly/42DDpj2

10/19/2025

By advocating for inclusive workplaces, we open the door to full opportunity.

Through our Compass Work program, we prioritize the wellbeing of individuals with and ensure their talents are valued by their employers.

As we recognize National Disability Employment Awareness Month we further emphasis our commitment to creating equal access to all spaces every day.

Learn more about Compass Work: https://bit.ly/4osf2xb