Autism Informed Care for Pediatricians: A Practical Guide Chapter Chat
Tuesday, February 3, 2026
6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Join us on Feb 3 at 6:30PM for the Chapter Chat on Autism Informed Care for Pediatricians: A Practical Guide. This interactive discussion will help pediatricians better support autistic patients and their families by exploring the systems families navigate, common therapeutic supports and practical strategies for care.We will discuss how to apply the AAP’s Heathy Mental Development Framework when caring for autistic patients.
Register Here
Meet The Speakers
David Rivera – President & Founder, Mentoring Autistic Minds
David Rivera is the autistic president and founder of Mentoring Autistic Minds, a California-based nonprofit dedicated to building a neurodiversity-affirming future through mentoring and education. He is also an undergraduate student at UC Berkeley studying political science. Through his advocacy and leadership, Rivera works to empower autistic youth and promote inclusion, understanding, and opportunity in communities across California.
Meet The Committee Chairs
Elizabeth Beth Grady, MD, FAAP – Mental Health Committee Chair
Beth Grady, MD, FAAP. is a pediatrician with 30 years experience caring for low income children and teens in San Mateo County, California. In 2025, she retired from full time clinical practice to focus on advocacy and education. She co-chairs the AAP California Chapter 1 Mental Health Committee and is national AAP Trauma Informed Care champion and a chapter champion for Healthy Mental Development. She is especially interested in the intersection between trauma and neurodiversity and has been a member of the Stanford Neurodiversity Project since 2022.
Maria Josefine Mba Wright MD, FAAP – Advocacy Committee Chair
Dr. Maria Mba Wright is a pediatrician with more than 20 years of experience caring for children and supporting families across the Bay Area. She currently serves as a physician consultant at the Golden Gate Regional Center in San Francisco and is the Co-Chair of the Advocacy Committee for AAP-CA1. Dr. Wright is deeply committed to advancing equitable care and advocating for the health, development, and well-being of children with diverse needs.