Teal W. Benevides, PhD, MS, OTR/L, FAOTA is a wife, mother, occupational therapist, and researcher. Dr. Benevides is a tenured Professor in the School of Public Health at Augusta University. Dr. Benevides is committed to fostering access to services and supports for autistic people and others with intellectual and developmental disabilities through community-engaged approaches and partnerships. Dr. Benevides is a Fellow of the American Occupational Therapy Association and serves on several autism, suicide prevention, and occupational therapy organizations as a board or committee member to advance scientific knowledge translation and promotion of community priorities.