IDD Health Matters

Brian Connery, Vice President of Sales at On Health, explains how their electronic medication administration record (EMAR) system and connected "med box" hardware aim to reduce medication errors and simplify workflows for direct support professionals (DSPs). Connery describes the company's person‑centered, collaborative design approach, shaped by a founding story involving a family tragedy related...

This IDD Health Matters episode features Adam Chittam, a pharmacist specializing in long-term care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Chittam explains that his organization, Tarrytown XPO Care Pharmacy, uniquely serves only the IDD population, which often faces complex medication regimens and polypharmacy—commonly 13–15 medications compared to four in the gener...

Kaylee Graham, a nurse specializing in care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), shares her journey from starting as an LVN in Texas to her current role at StationMD, where she supports IDD populations through specialized telehealth services. She emphasizes the importance of innovation, continuing education, and addressing gaps in dental care, noting that prevent...

Dr. Laura Brackin shares her professional journey from special education to leadership roles in advocacy, policy, and state services, emphasizing the shift toward community integration over institutional care. Laura recounts a deeply personal experience with her grandson Jude, who was born with Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome, a rare genetic disorder affecting cholesterol production and overall develop...

Dr. Jodi Tate is a psychiatrist from Iowa who specializes in working with adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and mental health challenges. Dr. Tate shares her journey into this field, emphasizing the lack of formal training for healthcare providers in treating individuals with IDD and advocating for better education through initiatives like a specialized psychiatry resid...

Steve Gonyea, an advocate and foster parent from New York, shares his journey from seeking help for his son with autism and other disabilities to becoming a statewide leader in disability advocacy. Initially struggling to find proper diagnoses and services, Steve began helping other families and eventually served on agency boards, fostering over 170 children with complex needs. He highlights syste...

Nick Alexander shares his journey from industrial engineering in regulated industries to innovating healthcare technology. Nick explains how his company, Never Alone, focuses on improving independence and social connection for seniors and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Initially designed as a telehealth platform, it evolved into a holistic care solution combini...

Jackie Kancir, a lifelong patient and policy advocate and current Policy Director for the National Council on Severe Autism, discusses her work to improve health equity and services for individuals with profound autism and intellectual disabilities. Speaking at the American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry conference, she highlights challenges such as the "cliff" faced when individu...

Nick Wood, speaking at the Kansas InterHab conference, discusses the role of InterHab as a statewide trade association supporting providers for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). He emphasizes the benefits of collaboration, communication, and training among member organizations, as well as advocacy for policy improvements. Key challenges include workforce shortages, rec...

In this episode of IDD Health Matters, Dr. Craig Escudé interviews Mary Kay Rizzolo, CEO of the Council on Quality and Leadership (CQL), an international accreditation body focused on improving services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Mary Kay discusses CQL's mission to enhance quality of life through person-centered practices, training, research, and accred...

This IDD Perspectives webinar episode centers on person-centered thinking and practices in supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), especially those with co-occurring mental health and behavioral challenges. Hosted by Dr. Craig Escudé and featuring Bob Sattler, the discussion emphasizes the importance of autonomy, informed decision-making, and balancing person...

Kayla McKeon, the first registered lobbyist with Down syndrome, discusses her advocacy work, including lobbying for disability rights and health equity, and her involvement in the creation of a Barbie doll representing individuals with Down syndrome. She highlights the importance of inclusive representation and policy change, such as the Organ Transplant Discrimination Prevention Act and fair wage...

Christine Clause, a dedicated mother and advocate, shares her profound journey of raising her son with developmental disabilities and her professional role at Neighbors Inc., a nonprofit in New Jersey supporting adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). She recounts the challenges she has faced navigating the healthcare system, including a harrowing experience when her son was...

In this episode of the IDD Health Matters podcast, Terry Reiser discusses her deep involvement in the field of aging and developmental disabilities, highlighting her journey from attending a conference in 2017 to becoming a board member of the Association on Aging with Developmental Disabilities. She shares a personal story about her aunt with Down syndrome, who lived through the traumatic experie...

Dr. Alicia Thatcher, a family physician from Saskatchewan, Canada, specializes in primary care for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Her passion for this field began as a camp counselor and evolved through involvement in organizations like Special Olympics and Best Buddies. Recognizing the gap in adult services compared to pediatric care, she has pioneered curriculum d...

Andrea Palmer, CEO and co-founder of Awake Labs, was featured on the IDD Health Matters podcast to discuss her company's innovative assistive technology designed to support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Awake Labs uses smartwatches to monitor stress and emotional escalation in real time, providing alerts for self-regulation and enabling timely intervention by...

Massalan Forfana Bility, honored as the Direct Support Professional of the Year at the ANCOR conference, shares her inspiring journey in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) support. Starting in 2018, she transitioned from hospital work to direct support, driven by a passion for helping others. Her role involves assisting individuals with daily routines, promoting indepen...

Melody Johnson, Director of Education and Professional Development at Arc of Monroe, shares her personal and professional journey in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Growing up in a family that provided care for individuals transitioning out of institutions, Melody was deeply influenced by her mother's progressive approach to fostering independence. Her career evolve...

In this IDD Perspectives webinar episode Dr. Craig Escudé and behavior analyst Ley Linder discuss the five core functions of behavior—access to items/activities, access to attention, escape, avoidance, and sensory/autonomic reinforcement—and emphasize that behaviors are typically multi-functional and require multidisciplinary approaches for effective support. They highlight the importance of recog...

Dr. Jack Dillenberg is a pioneering figure in public health and dentistry, known for founding the Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health with a focus on service, public health, and underserved communities. His career spans impactful roles including state health director in Arizona, global health work in Jamaica and India, and advocacy for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabi...

This IDD Health Matters podcast features a conversation between Dr. Craig Escudé and Ley Linder, focusing on a collaborative initiative called "Unlocking Behaviors." This project, inspired by Dr. Rick Rader, aims to bridge the gap between medical and behavioral approaches when evaluating challenging behaviors in individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The discussion emp...

Dr. Anthony Rodriguez, featured on the  IDD Health Matters podcast during the 2025 AAIDD Conference, shares his journey from a finance major to a full professor at Providence College, driven by a passion for supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). His work blends mathematics education with advocacy, focusing on financial literacy and scam prevention to empowe...

This IDD Perspectives webinar episode features Dr. M. Dian Chin Kit-Wells, a board-certified pediatric dentist and president of the American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry. The discussion centers on the most common dental health concerns affecting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Topics include the systemic importance of oral health, gum disease,...

Rebecca Enders discusses supports and services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Rebecca, a board-certified case manager and director of case management at Optimal Health Care in Maryland, outlines the importance of coordinated services, including Medicaid waivers, community integration, and support across the lifespan. Having transitioned from a 15-year career in e...

Carol Price Guthrie has spent over three decades working in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), beginning as a direct support professional in Tennessee. Her career journey includes roles in case management, program development, and managed care, with experience founding her own case management agency and contributing to projects at UnitedHealthcare. Currently, she serve...