Dr. Bearss joins Catalight to enhance autism care access in Walnut Creek

Dr. Karen Bearss, a leading psychologist known for her work in caregiver-mediated interventions, has joined Catalight as vice president of caregiver-mediated care solutions. This move aims to enhance the accessibility of autism care through the integration of her successful RUBI program, which supports families dealing with challenging behaviors in children with autism and other developmental disabilities. The collaboration addresses the significant wait times for autism diagnoses and services, which can span years in some regions, leaving many families without timely intervention. The RUBI program has demonstrated effectiveness, with research indicating a reduction in challenging behaviors by approximately 50% on average. Dr. Bearss has successfully promoted RUBI through grassroots marketing and advocacy, leading to its implementation worldwide with materials available in multiple languages. Her goal with Catalight includes expanding RUBI to support educators and developing programs for adults and their caregivers. Catalight's Chief Growth Officer, Trent Iden, expressed enthusiasm for integrating RUBI into their offerings, emphasizing the shared mission of delivering impactful care solutions. The partnership is expected to significantly increase the reach of RUBI, ultimately benefiting more families in need of autism care. Dr. Bearss highlighted her commitment to improving access to care, driven by the stories of families struggling to find services for their children. The collaboration with Catalight represents a pivotal step in scaling up the RUBI program and enhancing the overall support available to families navigating autism care challenges.