Register Now for Upcoming Sessions
May Virtual Learning Session: Actions Speak Louder Than Words: Common Behavioral Presentations of Underlying Medical Conditions in People with IDD
Thursday, May 21, 2026, at 11 a.m.
Behavior is a form of communication. For people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), changes in behavior are often a way of expressing pain, discomfort, or emotional distress. In this session, we’ll look at how certain behaviors can be signs of underlying medical issues. Before starting medication or behavior plans, it’s important to first understand what the behavior may be trying to tell us. Using real-life case examples, this presentation will walk through 10 common behavior patterns that may point to treatable medical causes. Identifying and addressing these causes can make a meaningful difference in health, comfort, and overall quality of life.
Presenter: Dr. Craig Escudé is a board-certified Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Developmental Medicine, and the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. He is also the President of IntellectAbility. He has more than 20 years of clinical experience providing medical care for people with IDD and complex medical and mental health conditions serving as medical director of Hudspeth Regional Center in Mississippi for most of that time. While there, he founded DETECT, the Developmental Evaluation, Training, and Educational Consultative Team of Mississippi. He is the author of “Clinical Pearls in IDD Healthcare” and developer of the “Curriculum in IDD Healthcare,” an eLearning course used to train clinicians on the fundamentals of healthcare for people with IDD. He is also the host of the IDD Health Matters Podcast.
What You’ll Learn
• Why behavior should be seen as communication, not just a challenge
• Common behavior patterns that may signal pain or medical concerns
• How identifying underlying causes can improve health and wellness
• Why medical evaluation is a critical first step before treatment plans
June Virtual Learning Session: ABLE Accounts
Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at 12 p.m. OR 6 p.m.
The NY ABLE Program helps New Yorkers with disabilities save money for everyday life expenses without losing benefits like SSI or Medicaid. Eligible individuals can use an ABLE account to pay for disability‑related costs such as housing, healthcare, transportation, education, and assistive technology. Presented by Jenna McClosky.
What You’ll Learn
- What the NY ABLE Program is and who can use it.
- How an ABLE account lets people save money without losing SSI or Medicaid.
- What kinds of everyday disability‑related expenses ABLE savings can be used for.
- How to open an account, add money, and use funds in simple ways.
Click to Register for the 12 p.m. Session
Click to Register for the 6 p.m. Session
June Virtual Learning Session: IDD Ombudsman (IDDO)
Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at 12 p.m.
OR
Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at 12 p.m.
The IDD Ombudsman (IDDO) program was established to provide independent, conflict-free Ombudsman services to assist individuals with developmental disabilities and preserve their rights. The IDDO operates independently of OPWDD or any other governmental entity. Members of the IDDO Team will present on the creation of IDDO, the role of this program, and the scope of services IDDO provides. Presented by Flor Ramirez and Rachel Shuman.
What You’ll Learn
- What the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Ombudsprogram (IDDO) is and how it helps people with IDD and their families.
- How IDDO can answer questions, give guidance, and advocate when someone is having trouble accessing OPWDD services or support.
- What kinds of issues IDDO can help with (like eligibility, housing, care management, and understanding OPWDD systems) and what is outside its role.
- How to contact the IDDO helpline and what to expect when someone reaches out for help.
Click to Register for the June 16th Session
Click to Register for the June 17th Session
Questions? Contact Member Relations.
Translations Available
Real-time written translations in Spanish, simplified Chinese, traditional Chinese, and other languages will be provided.
Traducción escrita en tiempo real disponible en Español.
提供中文实时书面翻译。
提供中文實時書面翻譯。