Article | October 23, 2025Catalight’s Postdoctoral Program Inaugural Year: Success, Learnings and Trainee Experience 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. Read article
In the news | October 20, 2025How Telemedicine Has Transformed One Autism and I/DD Provider Network Catalight’s Chief Health Officer Tracy Gayeski, Psy.D., shares how telemedicine evolved from a pandemic necessity into a sustainable, family-centered care model that enhances access, flexibility, caregiver engagement and overall wellbeing. Read News
Press release | October 16, 2025Large-Scale Study Finds Autistic Youth Far More Likely to Be Hospitalized for Mental Health Conditions 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 need for autism-informed care, Pfingston and Dr. Sneed call for earlier intervention and clinician training to better address the unique needs of autistic children before crises arise. Read press release
In the news | September 23, 2025What to Know About Autism in Children In an article on the early signs of autism, U.S. News & World Report features Catalight Chief Clinical Officer Doreen Samelson, Ed.D., MSCP, who suggests treatment that prioritizes a child’s needs and empowers parents to build skills into daily routines, reducing intensive therapy hours. Read News
In the news | August 22, 2025The Future Of Autism: From Barriers To Breakthroughs As autism prevalence continues to rise, builders are thinking more about designing spaces that are more welcoming to individuals with developmental disabilities. Catalight Chief Clinical Officer Doreen Samelson, Ed.D., tells Forbes that designers should consult with autistic advocates and families early to help further support inclusion. Read News
In the news | July 9, 2025Becoming the Person I Once Needed Diagnosed with autism at 11, Ben Pfingston, senior research and data analyst at Catalight, reflects on how internalized stigma shaped his life. Through psychology and autism research, he found healing and purpose – to be who he needed and help others feel seen and valued. Read News
In the news | June 16, 2025Making Summer Travel Easier: Helpful Tips for Autism Families Catalight Vice President of Clinical Impact Brianna Fitchett shares strategies for easy travel and routine disruptions as children with autism transition into summer. This article highlights how planning and familiar comforts can turn disruptions into chances for growth. Read News
In the news | June 1, 2025Using Common Sense to Weigh the Pros and Cons of Vaccination In an op-ed about how vaccine benefits far outweigh perceived risks, Col. Eric Flake, M.D., interviews Catalight Chief Clinical Officer Doreen Samelson, Ed.D. – who shares the personal story of her son’s Rubella-related disabilities to illustrate the cost of skipping vaccines. Read News
Video | May 12, 2025Catalight’s Parent-Mediated Autism Care: Angela’s Family Story of Empowerment When two of Angela’s children were diagnosed with autism, Catalight’s caregiver-led therapy equipped her with tools to support them at home. Through guided ABA strategies and flexible telehealth sessions, Angela and her husband turned uncertainty into confidence – transforming their family’s journey to care Watch video
In the news | May 9, 2025Autism, Rubella and the Rising Fear of Vaccines Catalight Chief Clinical Officer Doreen Samelson, Ed.D., shares a personal story about her son, who was exposed to rubella from his birth mother in utero. Once a common illness, rubella is now rare in the United States because of vaccines but Dr. Samelson is concerned that more parents are skipping vaccines due false belief that they cause autism. Read News
