Princeton Lecture Series
2025-09-12 08:00 - 16:00 UTC
2025 Princeton Lecture Series
“Empowering Individuals with Autism: Support Throughout the Lifespan”
Friday, September 128 am to 4 pm
Attend virtually or join us at theNJHA Conference and Event Center760 Alexander Road, Princeton, NJ
$125 In Person | $75 VirtualFree for students with a .edu email address
Continental breakfast and lunch will be provided for in-person attendees!
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from outstanding leaders in autism services.
This year’s event is being hosted on BehaviorLive! Registration for both in-person and virtual attendance will be handled through BehaviorLive.

Register Now

Presenters
Jonathan Baker, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LBAWestern Michigan University
“Providing Behavior Analytic Services to Older Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: Complex Training Demands in an Area with Growing Needs”
The efficacy of the application of behavior analytic principles to supports for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities has been demonstrated across the life span (Kurtz & Lind, 2013) and has been a hallmark of applied behavior analysis for decades. Although a great deal of literature has provided guidance on behavior analytic support for children and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, considerably less literature has focused on how those supports can be adapted and provided across a person’s lifespan, particularly into older adulthood. As medical advances continue to extend the expected lifespan and improve the quality of life for all people including those with intellectual or developmental disabilities, we are faced with a growing older adult population in need of supports. Advancements in certification, licensure, and funding for behavioral services mean that more individuals have received support at an early age and increasingly more are receiving supports throughout life. This presents a complex intersection of training needs for specialized staff supporting the needs of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are experiencing aging-related changes. This presentation will review the existing literature on staff training and intervention for older adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It will then present existing resources that can be readily adopted into training, as well as ideas for the development of specialized trainings. Finally, these resources will be incorporated in identifying staff training needs for both direct support staff and clinical staff.
James Maraventano, Ed.D., BCBA-D, LBARutgers University
“Behavior Analytic Approaches to Enhancing Employment Outcomes for Neurodivergent Employees”
An oft-cited barrier to realizing higher quality of life outcomes for neurodivergent adults is the ability to procure and maintain meaningful and gainful employment opportunities. As neurodivergent individuals transition to adult services, their access to resources, supports, and funding are significantly reduced. This transition often results in poorer outcomes for acquiring and maintaining gainful employment. Studies indicate the highest rates of unemployment and underemployment are among autistic adults. This is more than any other population of job seekers (Baldwin et al., 2014; Hedley et al., 2018; Howlin et al., 2004; Roux et al., 2013; Shattuck et al., 2012; Taylor et al., 2015). It is critical for adult service providers to implement empirically validated procedures to improve employment outcomes for neurodivergent adults. However, published behavior analytic research addressing this problem is sparse. The purpose of this presentation is to present findings from recent and ongoing research informing approaches for supporting neurodivergent adults on their employment journeys as well as offer recommendations with specific focus on:

Methods for employing or adapting behavioral and vocational assessments
Skill acquisition and behavior modification strategies in community-based settings
Provision of competency-based staff training approaches
Approaches to collaborating with employers in committing to a neurodiverse workforce

Joel Ringdahl, Ph.D., BCBAUniversity of Georgia
“Contemporary Issues Related to Functional Communication Training: The Roles of Modality Preference and Concurrent Schedule Arrangements”
Functional communication training (FCT) has been identified as the most researched intervention to reduce challenging behavior exhibited by individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). With well over 200 demonstrations of successful applications, clinicians often utilize this approach when the referral concern includes reduction of challenging behavior. Historically, researchers identified the FCT components sufficient and necessary to yield successful outcomes, including the role of extinction and punishment, as well as strategies to enhance the practicality of the intervention outside of tightly controlled clinical contexts (i.e., schedule thinning). While these lines of investigation continue to be important, two additional contemporary issues related to FCT-based intervention that warrant discussion and exploration include (a) the communication modality included and (b) the use/utility of concurrent schedule arrangements. This talk describes recent research related to modality selection, centered on the individual’s preference, and variables to consider when developing FCT-based interventions that include concurrent schedule arrangements.
Guillermo Sapiro, Ph.D.Princeton University
“Early Detection of Autism at Home and in the Pediatric Clinic via the SenseToKnow App”
Early detection of autism is important for timely access to diagnostic evaluation and early intervention services, which improve children’s outcomes. Despite the ability of clinicians to reliably diagnose autism in toddlers, diagnosis is often delayed. SenseToKnow is a mobile autism screening application (app) delivered on a smartphone or tablet that provides an objective and quantitative assessment of early behavioral signs of autism based on computer vision (CV) and machine learning (ML). The app displays strategically designed movies and a bubble-popping game on an iPhone or iPad while recording the child’s behavioral responses through the device’s front-facing camera and touch/inertial sensors. Recordings of the child’s behavior are then automatically analyzed using CV. Multiple behavioral phenotypes are quantified and combined using ML in an algorithm for autism prediction. SenseToKnow showed extraordinary performance both at home, administrated by caregivers, or in the pediatric clinic. These results demonstrate that a mobile autism screening app based on CV can be delivered remotely by caregivers at home on their own devices and can provide a high level of accuracy for autism detection. Remote screening for autism potentially lowers barriers to autism screening, which could reduce disparities in early access to services and support and improve children’s outcomes.

Eden Autism 5K & Fun Run/Walk
2025-10-05 00:00 - 23:59
Save the date! Join us Sunday, October 4 for the annual Eden Autism 5K & Fun Run/Walk!
5K & 1-Mile Fun/Walk
2 Merwick Road, Princeton, NJ
USATF Certified Course
$40 pre-registration | $35 ages 5-17 | $35 USATF members | free for children 4 and under
$45 same-day registration
7:30 am: Same-day registration opens
9:00 am: 5K and Fun Run/Walk begin
Giveaways: The first 1,000 people who register for any race will receive a long-sleeved running shirt, hat, and finisher medal.
5K Awards: Awards will be given to the top 3 overall female and male 5K runners, as well as the top 3 runners in all 10-year age categories, from 9 and under to over 80. The top 3 overall non-binary 5K finishers will also receive an award. Awards can be picked up at the awards tent starting at 10:00 am.
Same-Day Registration: Your friends and family can join you the morning of the race! Simply head to the same-day registration tent to sign up.
Festival: Our race festival will be held before, during, and after the race. It will include activities for the whole family, including face painting, balloon animals, craft tables, and more!
Both the 5K and Fun Run/Walk will benefit Eden Autism’s mission to support individuals with autism throughout their lifespan—from the point of diagnosis through the school years and into adulthood. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive spectrum of services designed to enable individuals with autism to lead fulfilling, productive, and engaged lives in their communities, to the full extent of their abilities.
Visit edenautism5k.org to learn more about this year’s race and register!

2025 Service Awards
2025-11-02 12:00 - 16:00
2025 Service Awards
Sunday, November 2
Noon to 4:00 pm
The Westin Princeton at Forrestal Village
201 Village Blvd, Princeton, NJ 08540
Save the date! Join us on Sunday, November 2 for our annual celebration of school and adult services staff who have worked for Eden for five, ten, fifteen, or more years. This event also recognizes adult participants who have been in our day and employment program over five-year milestones.
This special event provides a unique opportunity for parents, adult participants, students, staff, and friends to dress up and celebrate our awardees! Stay tuned for additional information in the coming weeks.

Documentary Watch Party - 50 Years of Transforming Lives, Building Futures
2025-11-15 13:00 - 15:00
Fifty years ago, a small group of parents came together in search of a better life for their children with autism. During an era when few had even heard of autism, these parents set out to create, fund, and advance autism services. In 1975, thanks to the tenacity and determination of these parents and early staff, Eden Autism was born.
From working out of a Princeton church basement to expanding into residential and senior services, Eden’s history is as unique and wonderful as the participants we serve. With Stewart Films, we set out to capture this history in an updated documentary, “50 Years of Transforming Lives, Building Futures.”
Join us Saturday, November 15 for the film watch party! The Eden School will be transformed into a movie theater. Come walk the red carpet and enjoy a pre-movie reception featuring hors d’oeuvres, beer, and wine. Wear your best ’70s clothes or casual attire!
Tickets are $10. Please RSVP by November 7.
Saturday, November 15
1:00 – 3:00 pm
The Eden School
2 Merwick Road, Princeton NJ
Click here to RSVP and secure your spot!

Eden Dreams Shaping Tomorrow
2026-01-31 18:00 - 23:00
Join us at our new venue, Park Château Estate and Gardens, for an inspiring evening of creative cocktails, fine dining, and dancing to the music of Philadelphia’s dynamic dance band, The Heartbeats.
Shaping Tomorrow
For 38 years, the annual Eden Dreams gala has helped transform lives and build futures for individuals and families throughout New Jersey. This year’s gala will support renovations to our Old Trenton Road Day Center, where men and women in Eden’s Adult Day Services program continue to develop essential skills that pave the way for future employment and deeper community engagement. Join us as we come together to create a foundation for tomorrow’s possibilities.
To learn more and purchase tickets, visit edendreams.org.

Eden Family, Staff & Friends Picnic!
2026-05-16 11:00 - 14:00
Eden Family, Staff & Friends Picnic!
Saturday, May 16
11 am – 2 pm
The Eden School
2 Merwick Road, Princeton
This year’s free, family-friendly event will feature:
🍔 A delicious lunch
🍦 An ice cream truck
🎵 Music
🏀 Games and activities for all ages!
There is no charge for the event. Please RSVP by May 8 so we can best plan for food and beverages. Click here to RSVP!

Eden Autism 5K & Fun Run/Walk
2026-10-04 07:30 - 23:00
Save the date! Join us Sunday, October 4 for the annual Eden Autism 5K & Fun Run/Walk! Early bird registration opens May 18.
5K & 1-Mile Fun/Walk
2 Merwick Road, Princeton, NJ
USATF Certified Course
$40 pre-registration | $35 ages 5-17 | $35 USATF members | free for children 4 and under
$45 same-day registration
7:30 am: Same-day registration opens
9:00 am: 5K and Fun Run/Walk begin
Giveaways: The first 1,000 people who register for any race will receive a long-sleeved running shirt, goodie bag, and finisher medal.
5K Awards: Awards will be given to the top 3 overall female and male 5K runners, as well as the top 3 runners in all 10-year age categories, from 9 and under to over 80. The top 3 overall non-binary 5K finishers will also receive an award. Awards can be picked up at the awards tent starting at 10:00 am.
Same-Day Registration: Your friends and family can join you the morning of the race! Simply head to the same-day registration tent to sign up.
Festival: Our race festival will be held before, during, and after the race. It will include activities for the whole family, including face painting, balloon animals, craft tables, and more!
Both the 5K and Fun Run/Walk will benefit Eden Autism’s mission to support individuals with autism throughout their lifespan—from the point of diagnosis through the school years and into adulthood. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive spectrum of services designed to enable individuals with autism to lead fulfilling, productive, and engaged lives in their communities, to the full extent of their abilities.

2026 Service Awards
2026-11-01 12:00 - 16:00
2026 Service Awards
Sunday, November1
Noon to 4:00 pm
The Westin Princeton at Forrestal Village
201 Village Blvd, Princeton, NJ 08540
Save the date! Join us on Sunday, November 1 for our annual celebration of school and adult services staff who have worked for Eden for five, ten, fifteen, or more years. This event also recognizes adult participants who have been in our day and employment program over five-year milestones.
This special event provides a unique opportunity for parents, adult participants, students, staff, and friends to dress up and celebrate our awardees! Stay tuned for additional information in the coming weeks.

Eden Dreams 2027
2027-01-29 06:00 - 23:00
Save the date! Next year’s Eden Dreams will be held on Friday, January 29 at the Park Château Estate & Gardens!
The event theme and details will be unveiled later this year. Save the date so you don’t miss Eden’s most glamorous night.
