Ten years. The Center has had an extraordinary impact throughout the past decade! When local families were seeking support for their children with disabilities, Dr. Tonya Davis and Dr. Julie Ivey each launched community clinics to meet these unmet needs. Over the years, our clinics have served hundreds of children and families throughout Central Texas. Moreover, they have provided a context for scores of Baylor students to develop their professional skills and sharpen their values. This newsletter highlights some of our current clinical work within the Center. The clinics remain at the heart of our work, but our reach has grown even wider. We are a growing hub for cutting-edge research, thoughtful training, practical resources, and creative partnerships. We do indeed envision a flourishing future for people with disabilities and their families. And we are working hard—and together—to make this vision a reality. Read more about our impact here and consider joining us in this faithful work.
- Erik Carter & Kristen Padilla
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With support from the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, we co-led a week-long leadership training on becoming an accessible and welcoming church. Ministry leaders from 13 states and four countries learned about innovative and faithful ways churches can embrace people with developmental disabilities and their families. One highlight was a city-wide community conversation on disability and the church that drew more than 100 community members.
- We partnered with Cinemark Theatres to co-host a second sensory movie event in Waco. The featured film was "Inside Out 2," which was screened in a sensory-friendly environment, providing an inclusive and comfortable experience for all attendees. The event was a great success, and we are grateful to everyone who joined us for this wonderful morning.
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Fifteen doctoral students and multiple faculty involved in Project DIVERSE gathered this month at Baylor University for a unique Scholar Institute (see photo below). The student scholars participated in presentations, heard from a faculty panel, engaged in a networking session, and enjoyed exploring Waco.
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We are excited to host the second annual Community Field Day! This event will be held on Saturday, October 5, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at McLane Stadium. Youth and adults with developmental disabilities ages 12 and older and their families are invited to enjoy field games and learn about how to take care of their health. This event is co-sponsored by the National Down Syndrome Society, with Congressman Pete Sessions as the Honorary Chair.
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The OsoAble Transition to Adulthood will be held this fall on October 10 at the Hurd Welcome Center. This full-day event is tailored for adolescents and young adults aged 14-30 with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), their parents, educators, and service providers. It aims to provide valuable information about postsecondary opportunities for transition-aged youth and young adults with IDD. Don't overlook this chance to learn new tips and connect with others who share your interests.
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A Special Starry Night will take place on Saturday, December 7, at the Hurd Welcome Center! We are co-hosting this event with The Arc of McLennan County and the Heart of Texas Autism Network (HOTAN). The evening will include dinner, dancing, sensory Santa, and a sensory room for those who prefer a quieter atmosphere.
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Renming Liu was recently awarded funding from the Organization for Autism Research (OAR) Graduate Research Competition. She is a doctoral student in the Educational Psychology program specializing in applied behavior analysis (ABA). Her research project, titled Caregivers AID (Assisting Development of Independent Daily Living Skills), will evaluate a program to train caregivers in developing customized work arrangements for children in their homes. These arrangements will support daily living skills such as toothbrushing and setting the table.
The OAR Graduate Research Competition is extremely competitive, accepting international applications and funding only 10 to 15 projects worldwide each year. Renming's achievement is truly remarkable!
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Dr. Tonya Davis has taught and mentored undergraduate and graduate students in special education and applied behavior analysis (ABA) for nearly thirty years. As a high school student, she developed a passion for working with individuals with disabilities, particularly those who exhibited challenging behavior. Throughout her educational journey, she has dedicated her research to better understanding and addressing the needs of individuals with developmental disabilities, including autism. Her work primarily revolves around developing interventions to reduce challenging behavior for individuals with disabilities so that they may lead more fulfilling lives.
READ MORE...
We encourage Baylor faculty and postdocs whose teaching, research, or interests focus on disability to consider affiliating with our Center. Learn more about what it means to become a faculty affiliate.
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Emily Exline, a researcher in the field of applied behavior analysis (ABA) and a Student Fellow for the Baylor Center for Developmental Disabilities (BCDD), is making a positive impact on the lives of individuals with disabilities and their families. As a Ph.D. candidate in Educational Psychology specializing in ABA, she is committed to advancing early intervention research, enhancing evidence-based practices, and dispelling the negative stigma associated with ABA.
READ MORE...
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Caregivers AID (Assisting Development of Independent Daily Living Skills)
Renming Liu is seeking participants for a study on using a caregiver-implemented structured work system to promote independence in daily living skills for children with intellectual or developmental disabilities. The study will be conducted in person (e.g., at Baylor University, Baylor CARE, or the participants' homes). Participants must be 5 years or older and have an intellectual or developmental disability diagnosis. If you are interested in participating or would like more information, please get in touch with Renming Liu.
| Exciting New Opportunity for Central Texas Churches
Baylor University’s George W. Truett Seminary, Baylor Center for Developmental Disabilities, and Center for Church & Community Impact are partnering together to offer a new project – Bridges to Belonging: Accessible Ministry with Youth and Young Adults. This project is focused on equipping churches to welcome and support young people (aged 13-25) with disabilities, mental health challenges, and chronic illnesses. Churches within a 3-hour radius from Baylor University are invited to apply to join in this exciting work by participating in a Congregational Learning Community.
Bridges to Belonging is accepting applications through July 16th. The first Congregational Learning Community will run from Fall 2024 to Spring 2026. If your church is interested in applying, please visit our website to access the application and more information at bcdd.soe.baylor.edu/bridgestobelonging.
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Sibling SUCCESS
Supporting Unique Collaborative Care to Encourage Shared SUCCESS is a service model in which siblings of children with autism are included within the behavioral interventions delivered to their brother or sister with autism. For more information, email siblingsuccess@baylor.edu or call 254-710-4444.
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We are dedicated to fostering the well-being of individuals with disabilities, their families, and their communities. Our goal is to create a future where people with disabilities and their families have the opportunities, support, services, and connections necessary to thrive in every aspect of life and within their communities. Join us in advancing this mission and vision by donating. Donate Today!
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Sensory-friendly showing allows people with disabilities to go to see a movie |
KXXV covered our Sensory-Friendly Movie event at Cinemark Theatres; check it out. View Here
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Baylor Center for Developmental Disabilities Celebrates 10th Anniversary |
By Jayne Hattaway
Biochemist Bryan Shaw and his research team are working to improve accessibility in laboratory spaces for individuals with diverse abilities.
READ MORE...
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