From Clinic Visit to Genetic Insight: How Pediatric NPs Can Implement Genetic Testing in Neurodevelopmental Care with Lexi Vierling, CPNP, PMHS & Aubrey Rose, MS, CGC

• Pediatric nurse practitioners are often the first point of contact for children with developmental delay, autism, and other neurodevelopmental concerns. Yet many clinics lack clear workflows or genetics support to confidently implement genetic testing.

  In this practical, NP-focused webinar, attendees will learn when to consider genetic testing, how to navigate evolving guidelines, and how to integrate testing into everyday clinical practice. Through expert insight from a genetic counselor and real-world implementation strategies from a pediatric NP, this session will provide actionable tools to help NPs streamline workflows, improve diagnostic timelines, and better support families.

  By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:

  1. Identify clinical scenarios in which genetic testing should be considered for children with neurodevelopmental conditions, including developmental delay, autism, intellectual disability, epilepsy, and hypotonia.
  2. Describe key differences among commonly used genetic tests (CMA, Fragile X, exome, and genome sequencing) and apply current guideline-informed strategies to test selection.
  3. Implement a practical, clinic-ready genetic testing workflow, including patient identification, informed consent, ordering, result interpretation, and appropriate referral and follow-up.

  *CEU credit is not available for this webinar.*

Lexi Vierling, CPNP, PMHS | Presenter

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner at Soar Autism Center

Lexi Vierling is a pediatric nurse practitioner specializing in developmental and behavioral pediatrics. She has extensive experience supporting neurodivergent children across a variety of settings and working closely with multidisciplinary teams. Her interest in this work began at a young age, growing up alongside her two brothers with neurodevelopmental differences. Before joining Soar, Lexi practiced at Meliora Health, Mount Sinai’s Department of Neurology, and Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s Division of Developmental Medicine. In these roles, she provided comprehensive evaluations, medication management, and family support. She is dedicated to advancing care through participation in research, contributing to training initiatives that educate medical professionals on autism diagnosis and care, and helping improve access for families through telehealth. As Soar’s Head of Medical Services, Lexi leads the medical team in providing child-first, evidence-based care that is collaborative, compassionate, and tailored to each family.

Aubrey Rose, MS, CGC | Presenter

Genomic Science Liaison I at Ambry Genetics

Aubrey Rose is a licensed, certified genetic counselor who received her BS in Molecular Genetics from The Ohio State University and her MS in Genetic Counseling from the University of South Carolina. She joined Ambry Genetics in May 2025 as a Genomic Science Liaison specializing in neurology and rare disease. Before joining Ambry, she spent 4 years in a general genetics clinic at Greenwood Genetic Center with a primary focus in pediatric rare disease. She now leverages her clinical experience to support Ambry's rare disease initiatives both internally and externally, contributing to the development of new products while ensuring these innovations effectively meet the needs of clinicians and their patients.

Mandy Rex | Moderator

Marketing Manager - Rare Disease at Ambry Genetics

Mandy is a Product Marketing Manager at Ambry Genetics, where she leads initiatives for the rare disease portfolio. With seven years of experience in the rare disease space, she focuses on enhancing genetic testing education for healthcare providers. Mandy collaborates with clinicians to address challenges, identify knowledge gaps, and deliver resources that improve clinical decision-making. She is dedicated to expanding access to innovative testing solutions and ensuring providers have the tools to offer optimal care to patients with rare diseases.