Ben Pfingston Senior Research & Data Analyst Ben is a Social Psychologist and Senior Data Analyst driven by a commitment to advancing our understanding of autism. With a Master of Science in Social-Personality Psychology, he brings over seven years of dedicated research experience to his work at Catalight. His core expertise lies in social cognition, with a specific focus on bidirectional communication between individuals with autism and those without. Through his academic research, Ben investigated how non-autistic individuals interpret the thoughts and feelings of autistic individuals to bridge understanding and reduce communication friction. As Catalight’s Senior Research and Data Analyst, Ben directly applies this psychological expertise to real-world impact. He leverages the organization’s rich clinical data to uncover meaningful, data-driven insights about autism spectrum disorder. This work is essential for ensuring that Catalight’s clinical strategies and support services are evidence-based, effective, and tailored to best serve autistic individuals and their families.
press release | March 6, 2026 Catalight Academy Grows Leading Nonprofit’s Autism and I/DD Clinical Training Capability Read press release
press release | February 24, 2026 Study Links Poor Sleep to Increased Risky Behavior Among Autistic People Read press release
press release | February 18, 2026 Catalight Researcher Awarded NIH Grant to Study Program Meant to Enhance Educator Training on Supports for Autistic Students Read press release
in the news | February 16, 2026 HITea With Grace Podcast: Modernizing Autism Education and Care Models to Empower Families Read News
press release | February 10, 2026 New Online Screener Offers Path to Autism Diagnosis and Care Read press release
in the news | January 20, 2026 More Treatment Hours May Not Yield Autistic Children’s Skills Improvement: Study Read News
press release | January 19, 2026 Leading Nonprofit Catalight Brings Value-Based Autism Care to the Global Stage at the World Economic Forum in Davos Read press release
press release | January 16, 2026 Study Finds More Treatment Hours for Autistic Children May Not Lead to Better Outcomes Read press release