In this episode, Dr. Lauren meets with the 2026 PMSF Family Conference co-chairs and PMSF staff, Amanda Bergen (Director of Communications) and Carla D'Imperio (Director of Family Support).

Taking place July 15–19, 2026 in Aurora, Colorado at the Gaylord Resort, this year’s conference is centered around the theme “The Climb We Make Together”, highlighting the shared journey of families, clinicians, researchers, and advocates working to improve the lives of individuals with Phelan-McDermid syndrome.

We discuss:

• What to expect from this year’s conference programming
• The three core pillars: Connect (Basecamp), Care (Ascent), and Cure (Summit)
• New structure of "Deep Dive" sessions on GI issues, loss of skills/regression, and neuropsychiatric illness
• Connection to Pathways, like pre-conference family focus groups and post-conference follow-up
• Expanded support for families, including travel assistance, sibling programming, and one-on-one expert consultations
• Why attending in person can be such a meaningful and transformative experience

With nearly 700 attendees expected, this conference offers a unique opportunity to connect, learn, and make the climb—together.

Learn more about the conference and direct links to register here: https://pmsf.org/2026-conference/

You can also reach out directly at [email protected]