Every year the Center for Neurodiversity Education, Support and Training (NEST) hosts a Expert Speaker Series on a diverse range of topics.
Spring 2026 Expert Speaker Series
Culturally Responsive Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) With Latino Families: Practical Strategies for Clinicians
Alex Arevalo
- When: Monday March 30, 2026 from 6-7:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
- Where: Virtual via Zoom: the link is available after registration
- Cost: Free to students, affiliates and general public; $20 for Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) 1.5 Continuing Education Unit (CEU)s who are not affiliated with UMass Lowell.
Register for Culturally Responsive ABA With Latino Families: Practical Strategies for Clinicians
Brief Description
Latino families are one of the fastest-growing groups accessing autism and ABA services, yet many clinicians report challenges related to communication, engagement and navigating cultural differences in care. This session will focus on practical strategies clinicians can use to build trust, collaborate effectively with families, and improve participation in treatment.
Drawing from real-world clinical experience, this talk will highlight common barriers Latino families face when accessing ABA services and offer concrete, clinician-friendly approaches that support culturally responsive care while maintaining strong clinical practice.
Learning Objectives
At the end of the training, participants will be able to:
- Identify common barriers Latino families may face when accessing and participating in ABA services
- Describe practical strategies to improve communication and collaboration with families
- Recognize ways culture, language, and family dynamics influence engagement in treatment
About the speaker:
Alex Arevalo is the founder of Amigo Care ABA, a Maryland-based provider of in-home ABA services. He launched the organization in 2022 with a clear focus, building services that are accessible and effective for Latino families, including a dedicated Hispanic-focused division designed to strengthen communication, family partnership, and culturally responsive care for Spanish-speaking households.
Originally from Peru, Alex has more than 10 years of experience in applied behavior analysis and is a doctoral student at Western New England University. He is especially interested in practical, family-centered approaches that reduce barriers to care, support meaningful engagement, and help clinicians align intervention with a family’s language, values, and everyday routines. He is also involved with the Autism Society of Maryland, where he co-leads a Latino parent support group and has contributed to community advocacy efforts focused on improving access to services.
This event is sponsored by the University of Massachusetts Lowell Center for Neurodiversity Education, Support and Training and the Interdisciplinary Minor in Disability Studies.
You Can Have Both: Pathways to Professional Fulfillment and Reliable Employment.
Caitlyn Carpenter
- When: Wednesday February 25, 2026 from 6-7:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
- Where: Virtual via Zoom: Please email: Ashleigh_Hillier@uml.edu to request the zoom link for this event.
- Cost: Free.
For many neurodivergent adults, the journey toward a fulfilling career can become overwhelming with all the possibilities or to find genuine interest. If we dive deep into ourselves to our internal factors, the "soul-searching" required to identify passions and talents. While discovering what one loves, there is a necessity of balancing those internal drives with the external realities of the modern economy. Using the Ikigai framework, participants explore how to move towards their dreams in a sustainable but fulfilling way by identifying tangential pathways. You can have both; individuals can stay immersed in their areas of interest while securing financial stability. The goal is to use backwards planning to bridge the gap between passion and a paycheck, ensuring that personal strengths meet a market that is ready to pay for them.
About the speaker:
Caitlyn Carpenter is an educator and advocate dedicated to creating equitable access to higher education and career opportunities. As the Pathways Program Director at Unlimited Potential Richmond Virginia (UP RVA), she leads the organization’s efforts to support students through their development, from the ninth grade through college graduation and into their professional lives. In her current role, she is moving beyond the degree to help students discover meaningful career paths along with other expertise She holds a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in History and an Master of Art (M.A.) in Teaching from Virginia Commonwealth University. Caitlyn spent eight years as a high school history teacher in Henrico County before transitioning to the non-profit sector.
This event is sponsored by the University of Massachusetts Lowell Center for Neurodiversity Education, Support and Training and the Interdisciplinary Minor in Disability Studies.
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