AUCD 2026 Conference
November 8-11 | Washington, D.C.
November 8-11 | Washington, D.C.
Tuesday, November 10, 2026
10:45 am - 12:00 pm
This interactive discussion session highlights a rural UCEDD model integrating maternal-child health, transition, foster care, disability, and substance use supports through IMPACT WV, RTNS, and MODIFY programs. Participants will examine strategies for patient navigation, trauma-informed coordination, warm handoffs, and interdisciplinary partnerships that improve continuity of care across healthcare, behavioral health, education, and community systems. Attendees will engage in case-based discussions and implementation planning focused on scalable rural service coordination models.
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This presentation explores caregivers' experiences during their children's autism diagnostic journey using a mixed-methods research design. Findings highlight barriers to diagnosis and services, emotional impacts on caregivers, and effects on family dynamics and employment. Practical strategies for improving family-centered practices, caregiver supports, and service accessibility will be discussed. Relevant disciplines include special education, early intervention, psychology, counseling, social work, healthcare, and educational leadership.
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Every person brings a different piece to the puzzle. This session explores practical ways to meet individuals where they are while navigating diverse family dynamics and working alongside community partners. Participants will learn strategies for looking beyond traditional checklists, building strong relationships, using existing resources, and creating meaningful opportunities that support successful transitions and positive outcomes.
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People with disabilities are at increased risk of intimate partner violence (IPV) and resulting injuries, including brain injury (BI). IPV can also lead to disability through BI, causing cognitive, behavioral, and communication challenges that affect access to services. This session will explore the intersection of IPV, BI, and disability, highlighting an initiative led by Missouri's University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities that can be replicated among other UCEDDs.
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Lessons learned from creating mentorship programs for adults with IDD and their families, discussion around the value of lived experience in navigating barriers to employment, and how mentorship may be an untapped resource within disability services.
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Family-centered care is often taught as a principle but not always modeled in practice. This panel highlights two family-led educational initiatives—Family LENS and FLAG Rounds—that position families as faculty in pediatric healthcare education. Family leaders and a pediatrician educator will share lessons from authentic partnership, curriculum development, and storytelling, demonstrating how lived experience can help learners operationalize patient- and family-centered care and strengthen family-professional collaboration.
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This session will provide information on the new NADSP Code of Ethics for Direct Support Professionals. It will describe the partnership and process used to update it and offer tools and suggestions for implementing its use in your state.
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Children with prenatal opioid exposure have increased risk for differences in behavioral regulation, sensory processing, and communication development. This interdisciplinary panel (psychology, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology) will review evidence on childhood outcomes and provide practical, family-centered strategies to support participation in daily living and promote child development. Panelists will highlight shared approaches (regulation, co-regulation, participation) for coordinated care. Relevant for: psychology, allied health, early intervention, physicians, and trainees.
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A collaboration of state government, academic, and non-profit leaders with expertise in applied behavior analysis is guiding implementation of Positive Behavior Supports (PBS) through the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services (DDS). As the regulations initiated major changes for the adult intellectual and developmental service delivery system, DDS embarked on a multifaceted approach to implementation. The approach includes 1)provider self-assessment, 2)targeted online training modules, and 3)focused consultancy with cohort-based training.
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This presentation will describe the collaborative JOBWISE framework, which assists individuals and families moving from child to adult systems of care in both medical settings and the community. This session is applicable to self-advocates, families, psychology, developmental pediatrics, and other interdisciplinary partners.
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This interactive discussion examines how the RSA Disability Innovation Fund–supported Nebraska EmployABILITY Project combines career exploration, multidisciplinary assessment, virtual-reality simulation, structured skill building, and work-based learning. Participants will discuss strategies for gathering meaningful performance information across simulated and actual workplaces, translating findings into individualized training and microcredentials, and strengthening partnerships that connect demonstrated skills and support needs to competitive integrated employment.
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Partnership over time is a critical element of maximizing the impact of grant funded efforts. This presentation will highlight the development of strategic partnerships facilitated by WITH Foundation grants. Presenters will share how multiple projects together over time have led to sustained collaboration that has led to growth for both, resulting not only in improvements in project-specific health outcomes, but also in expanded dissemination networks.
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