Evaluating the Effectiveness of the BearACCESS (building Autism Clinical Competencies through Education and Service Supports) Program at Children's National Hospital

This proposal provides an overview of a quality improvement study aimed at evaluating the acceptability and effectiveness of a multi-tiered autism-specific provider training program on change in provider attitudes, perceived skill delivery, practice patterns related to autism diagnostic services, and ultimately, access to autism care for patients and families.

"Everybody Deals With This" How Adults with IDD Experienced a Telehealth Mindfulness Group

Qualitative evaluation of an 8‑week telehealth mindfulness group for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), focusing on participant experience rather than outcomes. Reflexive thematic analysis of interviews identified key themes: shared normalization of stress, supported emotional expression, embodied regulation practices, and the role of repetition in sustaining access. Findings highlight how relational safety and accessible design features shape engagement, emotional awareness, and meaningful participation.

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Adaptive Pan-Football Tournament for Learners with Disabilities

Physical activity improves academic performance by up to 78.6% through enhanced cognitive development and classroom attention. However, 90% of children with disabilities in rural Kenya lack access to sports due to accessibility barriers, teacher shortages, stigma, and weak educational support systems. Guided by the FIFA , we are enabling 1,000 learners with disabilities in adaptive football, which is leading to improved attendance, academic performance and future opportunities.

Trends in Autism Diagnosis Among School-age Children and Adolescents in an Urban Developmental Center, 2019-2025

The rising population prevalence of autism would be expected to increase the proportion of autism clinic referrals; however, this hasn't been systematically examined using yearly data. In this multidisciplinary urban developmental center serving school-age individuals with developmental disabilities, autism diagnoses increased significantly from 2019-2025, with more than a fivefold increase in odds in 2025 compared to 2019. These findings likely reflect increased referral rates, evolving diagnostic practices, and improved recognition.

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Measuring Patient reported mental health service experiences of people with Intellectual/ Developmental Disabilities

While many people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) receive mental health care, knowledge of their experiences is limited. The Person Experiences Interview Survey, developed as part of this study, was completed by 1006 adults with IDD. Less than 50% had "all they wanted or needed" for their mental health service supports. Findings identify gaps in care and lay the groundwork for shared healthcare decision making.

From Maladaptive to Meaningful: Reframing Feeding Behaviors Through a Sensory Lens

Children with Pediatric Feeding Disorder (PFD) often engage in behaviors such as smelling, inspecting, touching, manipulating, or refusing foods. Rather than viewing these behaviors as maladaptive, this poster explores how they may reflect sensory processing and food exploration. Attendees will learn how a sensory-based understanding can support positive feeding experiences. Relevant disciplines include occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, psychology, medicine, education, and family support.

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Advancing Gastrointestinal Health Equity for Autistic People and Individuals with Neurodevelopmental Disabilities

Gastrointestinal (GI) conditions are common among autistic people and individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities (NDDs), yet barriers to assessment and care persist. This panel presents complementary research on lived experiences of GI symptoms, innovative approaches to measuring gastrointestinal motility, and stakeholder-driven design of accessible GI clinical care. Relevant to disability researchers, clinicians, trainees, self-advocates, family partners, gastroenterologists, developmental pediatricians, psychologists, implementation scientists, and public health professionals.

Residence Placement and Loneliness in Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: Understanding the Relationship at the State Level

Loneliness has been defined as a health epidemic. For those with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD), national findings show that the residence placement they reside in can influence their loneliness. The current study explores whether at the state level these findings are the same. This session is useful for those interested: public health, policy, disability studies, psychology, program development, and other related disciplines in the field.

Trends in Depression Prevalence Among Adolescents with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Depression is common among adolescents with developmental disabilities, yet remains underrecognized. In this urban multidisciplinary center, nearly half screened positive for at least mild symptoms, and over 15% reported moderate-severe depression, with peaks in 2022 and 2024 likely reflecting pandemic related disruptions. These findings highlight the need for routine mental health screening and stronger national efforts to improve identification and intervention for youth with developmental disabilities.

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Aligned for Impact: Creating a Continuous PBIS Framework from Early Childhood to K–12

This session highlights one state's efforts to align early childhood Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) with school-wide PBIS, creating a seamless behavioral support system for children from birth through age 21. Participants will learn about the shared vision and mission developed across early childhood and K–12 systems, the collaborative steps taken to achieve alignment, and the overarching goals guiding this integrated approach.

Expanding Outdoor Recreation Access Through Collaboration and Innovation in Wyoming

Discover how interdisciplinary partnerships are advancing equitable access to outdoor recreation for people with disabilities. This session will highlight Wyoming initiatives that promote inclusion through adaptive equipment, accessible trails, community engagement, and collaboration across disability networks, education, recreation, and state agencies. Relevant to disability professionals, self-advocates, families, educators, clinicians, researchers, assistive technology specialists, and community partners focused on inclusive practices.

Sensory Processing in Children with Prenatal Opioid Exposure: Implications for Behavior, Regulation and Interdisciplinary Care

This poster session explores sensory processing patterns in young children with prenatal opioid exposure and links to two aspects of behavior – executive functioning and anxiety. Findings highlight the need for interdisciplinary screening, and family-centered intervention. Emphasis is placed on caregiver coaching and optimizing sensory environments to support regulation and participation across contexts. Relevant to occupational therapy, psychology, developmental pediatrics, early childhood education, social work, family and self-advocates.

Positive Parenting Support ECHO Program Review, University of Washington LEND

Using the ECHO Model of didactic and case-based learning, we developed a parent education and resource navigation program. An interdisciplinary HUB team with expertise in education, psychology, social work, and lived experience shares knowledge with learners in a multidirectional format. Pre- and post-session data collection shows how LEND, IDDRC, and UCEDD missions can expand collective impact through workforce development, research, and community engagement while supporting families with skills and resources.

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Which outside research should we share? Deciding through a collaborative, value-based system

The Institute on Disabilities receives requests to share research opportunities with our networks. At AUCD 2023, we presented our system for deciding which research opportunities to share based on our values. This poster highlights our collaborative, inclusive self-evaluation process for revising our system, and the new revised system. Our poster shares strategies for 1. system development through inclusive staff collaboration 2. ongoing practice to fold organizational values into everyday work.

Geographic Variation in the Association Between Disability Prevalence and Coronary Heart Disease Across U.S. Census Tracts

Using national data at the census tract level, this ecological study examines geographic variation in the association between the prevalence of disability and coronary heart disease (CHD). Ordinary least square regression and geographically weighted regression assessed global and local (respectively) variation across 83,335 U.S. census tracts. Results demonstrate significant geographic differences in disability-associated CHD burden. Relevant to public health, epidemiology, disability research, health policy, geography, GIS, and population health.

Mothers' Experiences Following an Unsupported Period to Inform Community-Based Physical Activity Programs

The poster presents qualitative findings from mothers of children with disabilities following participation in a feasibility exercise intervention. Findings highlight the experiences of participants in physical activity after structured program support ended and identify factors influencing continued participation. Implications for refining caregiver-focused, community-based physical activity programs will be discussed. This session is relevant to professionals in physical activity, occupational and physical therapy, disability services, family/caregiver support, and community-based health promotion.

PARA-AIDD: Leveraging technology and alternative workforces in an in-home acute care model for adults with developmental disabilities

The Paramedic Acute Response Approach for Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (PARA-AIDD) is an in-home, acute care program for adults with developmental disabilities living in the community. This presentation examines the first six months of implementation to assess whether the program can safely provide acute care to avoid the need to visit the Emergency Department.

Understanding the Reality of Emergency Department Medical Care for Individuals with IDD: Building a Disability-Informed Healthcare Framework

Many studies highlight high rates of diagnostic overshadowing and poor health outcomes in emergency settings for patients with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, with limited provider training as a contributor. This poster presents an evidence-based infographic equipping clinicians with a practical framework for medical assessment and accommodations to improve care for individuals with IDD. Disciplines include emergency medicine, pediatrics, social work, nursing, family members and medical education

Growing Skills in Maine: The Center for Community Inclusion & Disability Studies Farm Project.

Growing Skills in Maine CCIDS's Farm Project provides opportunities for adults with I/DD to learn about and experience farm and garden activities. Through collaboration with the UMaine Cooperative Extension program and local farms we are providing volunteer experiences in planting, tending and harvesting vegetables. We provide opportunities for individuals to have small raised bed gardens to tend at home. Disciplines: OT, PT, SLP, education, family support professionals may be interested.

The association of individual, family, social, and system characteristics and receiving health care transition services for youth with autism

A secondary analysis of 2023 National Survey of Children's Health data was conducted to assess association between individual, family, social, and system characteristics and the receipt of health care transition services for youth with autism and other developmental disabilities.

How does local health include persons with disabilities in activities, programs, and functions? A statewide training inquiry and needs assessment

A statewide training inquiry and needs assessment was conducted of local health department directors on how persons with disabilities are included in local health in Connecticut. Responses from 45 directors are now informing training and technical assistance and support to local health departments.

Accessible Audiology Testing for Children with Neurodivergence through Video Modeling + Story Boards     

Accessible Audiology Testing for Children with Neurodivergence through Video Modeling + Story Boards, focuses on the exploration of more inclusive audiology evaluations through the utilization of clinical tools in the form of story boarding + video modeling. A literature review was conducted in order to build the tools which were then evaluated on their accessibility. This project is relevant to the following; psychology, audiology, and speech pathology.

Evaluating the Utility and Validity of a Comorbidity Index Among Autistic Adults.

Autistic individuals experience greater comorbidity than other individuals, but the impact of co-occurring conditions on the populations' quality of life has not been explored. This study examined the impact of comorbidity on autistic quality of life using the Refined Health Related Quality of Life Comorbidity Index, which demonstrated significant concurrent and predictive validity. This index could inform future interventions that center autistic peoples' lived experiences and overall health.

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People with Disabilities Training Healthcare Professionals in Simulation Labs

This poster presentation explores the role of inclusive simulation labs where people with disabilities actively participate in training doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. It highlights how lived experience can improve understanding, communication, and quality of care in healthcare settings. The poster will share examples of how individuals with disabilities contribute to simulation-based learning by providing real-life perspectives, feedback, and guidance during training scenarios.

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