Behavioral Health Tech Prioritizes Neurodiversity in Expanding Access to Care
The movement to broaden access to behavioral health care is gaining momentum. However, one community has historically been overlooked in national discussions: the neurodivergent. This changed significantly at the Behavioral Health Tech (BHT) conference last year.
Solome Tibebu, Founder and CEO of Behavioral Health Tech, deliberately incorporated autism and neurodiversity into the conference’s main agenda for the first time. This was not an afterthought but a strategic move driven by increasing demand, clinical urgency, and the belief that behavioral health innovation must prioritize inclusivity.
Rethinking Care Models with Neurodivergent Needs
According to Tibebu, neurodiversity emerged organically in previous years’ discussions. However, last year marked a turning point because of requests from attendees. The BHT team acknowledged the common intersection of neurodiversity and mental health diagnoses. Expanding the agenda wasn’t just about representation but about reimagining care delivery systems with neurodiverse individuals in mind, in alignment with BHT’s mission.
BHT aims to convene a diverse community to challenge the status quo of behavioral health care and develop collaborative models. These models focus on 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 key areas to exemplify their broader goals. The first area was the role of technology in autism care, particularly its potential to make services more accessible, efficient, and family-friendly. The panel included individuals with lived experience. Discussions tackled how well-designed tools can reduce caregiver burden while empowering autistic individuals.
The second area of focus was the workplace. While employers increasingly recognize the value neurodiverse individuals bring to teams, stigma often discourages disclosure. The session aimed to address how companies can foster openness and build supportive systems after disclosure.
From Silos to Solutions: The Role of Technology
Innovation took center stage in multiple sessions. Robin McIntosh, Co-Founder and CEO of Avela Health, presented how their team is redesigning autism care by focusing on the entire family. Their approach includes flexible appointment times and well-designed tools to reduce stress and increase follow-through.
Dr. Hoangmai Pham, President and CEO of the Institute for Exceptional Care (IEC), challenged outdated diagnostic rubrics. She pointed out that many clinicians still lack adequate neurodiversity training. 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.”
Addressing the Challenge of Neurodivergent Integration
Mike Franz, MD, Executive Medical Director of Behavioral Health at Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield, highlighted the fragmentation in systems meant to serve people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Behavioral health, traditional healthcare, education, and child welfare often operate in silos, leaving individuals and their caregivers to manage these fragmented systems.
“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 Already Emerging
Organizations like Merakey and Boundless are showcasing models for a more integrated future. Becky Richwine of Merakey discussed how their transition services assist autistic teenagers in obtaining driver’s licenses. This is a key milestone with significant implications for independence, education, and employment.
Jennifer Riha of Boundless detailed their wraparound approach. This approach combines dental and primary care with therapy and after-school programming. These models aim to remove barriers and build true continuity of care.
Empowering Neurodivergent Employees
Dr. David Sitt, Chief Clinical Officer at Agave Health, emphasized the importance of workplace inclusion, applauding BHT for highlighting neurodivergence. As a clinician with ADHD and dyslexia and a parent to children with ADHD, he described the moment as personally and professionally significant. Sitt emphasized the workplace is catching up to schools and universities. He highlighted that neurodiverse individuals thrive when given the right tools and support.
At Agave, Sitt’s team combines therapy, coaching, and skill-building tools into one platform. He also emphasized the measurable impact: a 50% increase in productivity and a 75% reduction in stress when neurodivergent employees receive proper support. Sitt argued that investing in specialized, outcome-driven care is no longer optional for employers and payers; instead, it’s essential.
Positive Feedback and Future Plans
Attendees responded enthusiastically. Sessions consistently ran over time, with lively Q&As and hallway conversations. Many attendees reported they had never seen autism-related topics represented at a national behavioral health event. Including individuals with lived experience on stage made a significant 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. BHT plans to address this challenge by bringing together states, providers, and payors to explore scalable solutions.
Neurodiversity: The Future of Behavioral Health
The inclusion of neurodiversity at BHT wasn’t merely a programming decision, but 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 sees each conversation as a ripple that will grow into a wave of change. This will continue into this year’s conference, scheduled for November 11th – 13th in San Diego, CA.
As the behavioral health ecosystem evolves, BHT is making it clear that neurodivergent voices belong at the center.
