The movement to expand access to behavioral health care is gaining momentum, but one community has historically remained overlooked in national conversations: the neurodivergent.
That changed in a meaningful way last year when Solome Tibebu, Founder and CEO of Behavioral Health Tech, added autism and neurodiversity to the conference’s main agenda for the first time. It wasn’t an afterthought. It was a deliberate move grounded in growing demand, clinical urgency, and a belief that behavioral health innovation must center on inclusion.
Rethinking Care Models with Neurodivergent Needs in Mind
According to Tibebu, neurodiversity had already been organically showing up in previous years. Still, last year marked a turning point, sparked by repeated requests from attendees and the recognition that the intersection between neurodiversity and mental health diagnoses is both common and underserved. For Tibebu and her team, expanding the agenda wasn’t just about representation—it was about reimagining care delivery systems with neurodiverse individuals in mind.
That vision aligns with BHT’s mission: convening a diverse community to question the status quo of behavioral health care and collaborate on models that emphasize health equity, culturally responsive innovation, and evidence-based solutions.
Building an Inclusive Agenda: Autism Care and the Workplace
When planning the autism-related sessions, the team focused on two areas that exemplified their broader goals. First, they explored the role of technology in autism care—specifically, its potential to make services more accessible, efficient, and family-friendly. The panel included individuals with lived experience, and discussions tackled the ways in which thoughtfully designed tools can reduce caregiver burden while also empowering autistic individuals.
Second, they turned their attention to the workplace. While employers are increasingly aware that neurodiverse individuals bring valuable perspectives to teams, stigma still discourages disclosure. The session asked a deeper question: How can companies not only foster openness but also build supportive systems once disclosure happens? That theme—moving beyond awareness to action—underscored much of the conference’s programming.
From Silos to Solutions: Technology as a Connector
Across multiple sessions, innovation took center stage. Robin McIntosh, Co-Founder and CEO of Avela Health, shared how their team is redesigning autism care by focusing on the entire family. From offering flexible appointment times to creating simple, well-designed tools, the aim is to reduce stress and increase follow-through. Dr. Hoangmai Pham, President and CEO of the Institute for Exceptional Care (IEC), challenged outdated diagnostic rubrics and pointed out that many clinicians still aren’t adequately trained in neurodiversity. Pham argued that designing care systems with neurodivergent individuals in mind would ultimately benefit everyone.
“3-5% of the U.S. population has some form of IDD, and those numbers are only rising,” she said. “Considering their increased risk for behavioral health challenges, it’s essential to include them in all BHT events. There’s enormous opportunity for both population health and entrepreneurial action. For IEC, business leaders and payers must understand the priorities of the IDD community when designing new tools and services.”
The Challenge of Neurodivergent Integration—and the Cost of Fragmentation
Mike Franz, MD, Executive Medical Director of Behavioral Health at Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield, pointed to the fragmentation that still plagues systems meant to serve people with I/DD. Behavioral health, traditional healthcare, education, and even child welfare all operate in silos—leaving individuals and their caregivers to act as the glue.
“Surfacing the needs of the neurodivergent population is critical as we get better at identifying patients who may benefit from best practices with the goal of connecting them to the most appropriate services to improve functioning, many of which are being transformed by technology-enabled solutions,” Franz said.
Inclusive Models Are Already Taking Shape
Organizations like Merakey and Boundless are modeling what a more integrated future could look like. Becky Richwine of Merakey discussed how their transition services help autistic teenagers obtain driver’s licenses—a seemingly small milestone with major implications for independence, education, and employment. Jennifer Riha of Boundless detailed their wraparound approach, which combines everything from dental and primary care to therapy and after-school programming. These models aim to remove barriers and build true continuity of care.
Empowering Neurodivergent Employees with Real Tools and Real Results
Dr. David Sitt, Chief Clinical Officer at Agave Health, underscored the importance of workplace inclusion. As a clinician with ADHD and dyslexia and a parent to two children with ADHD, Sitt described the moment as both personal and professionally significant. He applauded BHT for spotlighting neurodivergence and said the workplace is finally catching up to what schools and universities have slowly learned—that neurodiverse individuals thrive when given the right tools and support.
At Agave, that means combining therapy, coaching, and skill-building tools into one platform. He emphasized that the impact is measurable: a 50% increase in productivity and a 75% reduction in stress when neurodivergent employees receive proper support. For employers and payers, Sitt argued that investing in specialized, outcome-driven care is no longer optional. It’s essential.
A Welcome Response—and a Long-Term Commitment to Autism
Attendees responded with enthusiasm. Sessions consistently ran over time, with lively Q&As and hallway conversations spilling beyond their scheduled slots. Many attendees said they had never seen autism-related topics represented at a national behavioral health event—and that including individuals with lived experience on stage made all the difference.
Tibebu confirmed that neurodiversity will remain a core theme in future conferences. The team plans to expand on the conversations that began this year, particularly around sustainable payment models. Former Indiana State Mental Health Commissioner Jay Chaudhary noted that reimbursement systems often fail to support integrated care. It’s a challenge that BHT plans to tackle head-on by bringing together states, providers, and payors to explore scalable solutions.
Neurodiversity Isn’t a Trend—It’s the Future of Behavioral Health
The inclusion of neurodiversity at Behavioral Health Tech wasn’t just a programming decision. It was a signal that autism, ADHD, and other neurodevelopmental differences must be part of the mainstream conversation on mental health, access, and innovation.
The BHT Team likes to think of each conversation as a ripple that grows into a wave of change and that will continue into this year’s conference, which will be held in San Diego, CA, on November 11th – 13th.
As the behavioral health ecosystem evolves, BHT is making it clear that neurodivergent voices belong at the center—not the margins.
