Minnesota Virtual Autism Conference
A Virtual Learning Experience | April 15-16, 2026
For more than 30 years, the Minnesota Autism Conference has been a place to learn, connect, and feel less alone — bringing together autistic adults, caregivers, educators, service providers, therapists, and advocates from across Minnesota and beyond.
In 2026, the Autism Society of Minnesota is making a thoughtful shift to a virtual, two–half-day format. This change helps us respond to rising event costs and budget challenges from 2025 while lowering the overall cost to our community. Going virtual allows us to keep this conference accessible to more people — no travel, no hotel costs, less time away from work or caregiving, and more flexibility for how and when you participate.
The heart of the conference stays the same. The format just makes it easier to join.
Registration & Pricing
Registration includes access to all conference keynote and breakout sessions over two virtual half days plus access to session recordings for a full month, so you can revisit content on your own schedule.
- Standard registration: $149.99
- AuSM member rate: $99.99
- Early bird rate: $99.99 (available through January 31)
- Scholarship rate: $74.99
Scholarships may be requested through the registration form.*
*In previous years, AuSM was able to offer full conference scholarships. For 2026, we’re adjusting our scholarship model to better support our community while keeping the conference sustainable.
Instead of full scholarships, we’re offering a 50% discounted registration rate, with AuSM covering half the cost and the attendee contributing the other half. Because the conference is virtual and overall costs are lower, this approach allows us to stretch scholarship funds further and make the conference accessible to more people across our community, while continuing to invest in high-quality, affirming programming.
What to Expect
The 2026 Minnesota Autism Conference will feature:
- Two virtual half days of live programming
- Two keynote speakers
- Eight breakout sessions
- Presenters that include autistic voices and experienced professionals
- Content designed for a wide range of audiences and experience levels
Whether you’re just beginning your autism journey or bring years of lived or professional experience, you’ll find sessions that meet you where you are — practical, thoughtful, and grounded in community wisdom.
A detailed schedule and session descriptions will be shared soon.
Rooted in Community, Shaped by Autistic Voices
The Minnesota Autism Conference has always been shaped by the community it serves. Sessions are informed by lived experience, current research, and practical application — with a focus on dignity, inclusion, and neurodiversity-affirming practices.
By attending, sponsoring, or sharing the conference, you are supporting AuSM’s mission to build a more understanding, inclusive, and accessible Minnesota for autistic people of all ages.
Why a Virtual Format?
We know how meaningful it is to gather in person — and that connection has always been part of what makes this conference special. While the 2026 conference will be virtual, we anticipate returning to an in-person format in 2027.
For this year, moving online is a practical, community-minded choice. It helps us lower registration costs, remove travel and lodging barriers, and make high-quality autism education available to more people across the state.
A virtual format allows AuSM to:
- Keep registration more affordable for families and professionals
- Eliminate travel, lodging, and time-away barriers
- Reach people in rural and underserved communities
- Continue offering this conference as a sustainable, annual resource
This shift helps ensure we can keep showing up for our community — not just this year, but for years to come.
Who Should Attend
Educators
Service Providers and Professionals
Family Members and Caregivers
Autistic Adults
Sponsor the Minnesota Autism Conference
Where learning, access, and impact meet.
As Minnesota’s largest autism-focused learning event, the Conference offers sponsors:
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Direct access to professionals and families seeking trusted resources
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Brand visibility before, during, and after the event
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Extended exposure through a printed conference program mailed to every attendee
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Alignment with AuSM’s mission to advance education, advocacy, and support
This is more than sponsorship—it’s an investment in community-wide learning.
Cancellation Policy
Notification of cancellation: If an event or class is cancelled or postponed, AuSM will attempt to notify you via phone, using the phone number provided with your registration. We also will post notice of cancellations and postponements on www.ausm.org.
Cancellation by registrant: Refunds less a $25 processing fee will be given for cancellations received in writing to info@ausm.org ten business days prior to the start of the event or class. Following this date, no refunds will be given. Requests for transfer of registration to another individual will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Cancellation by program organizer: AuSM reserves the right to cancel an event or class due to low registrations or other circumstances that make the event or class non-viable. If AuSM cancels an event or class, registrants will be offered a full refund. If the event or class is postponed, registrants will have the option to either receive a full refund or transfer registration to the same event or class at the new, future date.
