April is Autism Acceptance Month. This month is about more than just raising awareness—it is about embracing autism in a way that reflects acceptance and promotes understanding. We greatly value the gifts, contributions, and strengths of autistic members of our community. At the Center, we strive to dispel misperceptions and create communities where every member matters. We encourage others to join us in this effort to cultivate a world where all people with disabilities are celebrated, included, and supported to share their gifts.
Erik Carter & Kristen Padilla
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We are committed to positively transforming the landscape for people with disabilities. We cannot do this work without the collaboration, prayer, and support of others.
What better time to give than on Baylor Giving Day? This annual 24-hour philanthropic event brings the community together to support the work of the University. In alignment with Baylor In Deeds, this year the School of Education has named our Center as part of their signature initiatives on Giving Day.
We humbly ask that you consider making a gift. Each donor who makes a gift of $25 or more—from now through April 2— will receive Sic’Em Socks!
Your support helps:
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- Facilitate research and training for accessible ministry.
- Expand community clinics.
- Conduct groundbreaking research to improve lives.
- Ensure every person with a disability has the opportunity to thrive and contribute.
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Erik Carter and Melody Escobar presented a webinar highlighting their findings from the Center’s study of Jill’s House on the impact of respite care on families who experience disability and the collective call to make rest more accessible for families throughout our faith communities.
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Emily Frake presented on advocacy in the higher education classroom for TED Policy Committee’s webinar and workshop series, Advocacy in Action. The series aims to foster community, share and build resources, and support education advocacy efforts.
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We were thrilled to join the Heart of Texas Down Syndrome Walk in March! We enjoyed meeting new friends and seeing some familiar faces. This year's theme, Empower Every Step, celebrated the strength, resilience, and joy of our community. Thanks for being a part of ours!
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Melody Escobar will be featured at the April session of the Baylor Libraries Author Series, which will spotlight her book, “Revelations of Divine Care: Disability, Spirituality, and Mutual Flourishing.” She will be interviewed by Devan Stahl, Associate Professor of Bioethics and Religion. The session will be held at 12 p.m. on April 15 at Moody Memorial Library and online via Zoom webinar.
- Our clinic site will host a Sibling Success event from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on May 10, which is designed specifically for siblings of children with autism. Through the event, participants will learn about autism and explore helpful strategies for building positive relationships with their siblings. For details and to register, email Jessica_Akers@baylor.edu.
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The next Equipping Educators Training will take place from 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. on April 24 at the Hurd Welcome Center. It will cover key topics, including evidence- and research-based practices, effective data collection methods, developing meaningful learning goals, and data-based decision-making to drive student success. Participants will gain tools and strategies to track student progress, make informed instructional adjustments, and create individualized learning plans. Useful to new and seasoned educators alike, this training will equip attendees with the knowledge and confidence to support diverse learners effectively.
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We continue to have fruitful conversations with our Bridges to Belonging cohort which met virtually last month. We were honored to learn from guest presenter, Rev. Dr. Sarah Griffith Lund, who spoke about disability, mental health and neurodiversity. Our team is excited to continue moving forward with the next phase that includes church visits to learn more about how God is at work in our cohort’s congregations.
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We are excited to welcome Dr. Dalila Ochoa to the team! Dr. Ochoa joins us from La Vega ISD where she served as Emergent Bilingual Coordinator. At the Center, she will serve as Family Outreach Program Manager for Project LEER! In this role, Dr. Ochoa will focus on cultivating family-school partnerships as well as identify and address the needs of families with children who are emergent bilinguals with and without disabilities.
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Last month, the Flourishing Futures program hosted a parent, youth, and young adult workshop over financial planning and money management with guest speaker, Crystal Herrington of Northwestern Mutual.
MacKenzie Wicker is facilitating a study to explore what friendship and belonging mean to transition-aged youth with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities and how friendship is perceived by parents and caregivers. For more information or to volunteer as a participant in this study, contact BU_Transition@baylor.edu.
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We are honored to participate in a groundbreaking longitudinal study of the foundational virtue of patience through a $4.71 million grant from the Templeton Religion Trust. Our own Erik Carter, Sarah Mire, and Terrill Saxon have been named co-investigators for the study alongside a team of interdisciplinary researchers from three other U.S. universities. The study will explore what can be learned about patience from those who face adversity, with a particular focus on parents of adolescents with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
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In addition to ongoing services for children and families in the local area, our clinic site offers autism evaluation and ABA therapy that focuses on a variety of skills including communication, transition, social skills, and counseling. The clinic also hosts support groups and trainings for parents that include topics related to behavior management, special education law, transition to adulthood, and more. The Center’s clinic site is home to a free library of books and resources that are available to individuals with autism, parents, educators, and other service providers. To learn more, call our clinic at (254) 710-7677.
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Together, let’s build a world where everyone, regardless of ability, can flourish.
Give. Pray. Share.
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