Highlighting EpiEco — treating the emotional wellness of the autistic individual as the Epicenter of the Ecosystem — as an effective caregiving approach to manage autism meltdowns by addressing the root causes, in contrast to short-term, reactive measures that seek to suppress meltdowns. EpiEco is a relational and empathetic approach that is centered on building relationships with the autistic individual.

Unlike traditional autism treatment approaches, EpiEco is not about normalizing the profoundly autistic individual. Rather, it places the responsibility of change on us — the caregivers (be it specialists, educators, and family) and the public. The focus is on transforming caregivers into a robust Ecosystem of committed champions of the profoundly autistic individual at the Epicenter, hence the name, EpiEco.