Welcome to the April issue of Flourishing Together, the newsletter of the Baylor Center for Developmental Disabilities. We are excited to celebrate Autism Acceptance Month with you. As you may know, “Autism Awareness Month" became "Autism Acceptance Month” in 2021. This shift in language reframed the focus toward embracing differences recognizing diverse experiences and perspectives and fostering support, inclusion, and belonging for autistic individuals. This month, we aim to honor and celebrate the lives of autistic individuals in our local, state, and national communities. We will feature several stories that highlight the experiences of autistic individuals, as well as impactful research and programming in the area of autism at Baylor and beyond. We hope you will join us at our upcoming events and stay connected through our social media and website. At the Center, we are continuously growing our interdisciplinary work and invite you to collaborate on research, training, programming, and community outreach.
- Erik Carter (Executive Director) & Kristen Padilla (Director)
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Our March Equipping Educators training focused on academic and behavioral goal writing. We are grateful for the numerous educators who joined us for this time of shared learning!
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Our Center partnered with the Baylor baseball team to help celebrate Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month and World Down Syndrome Day (March 21). Aaron Jones and Zack Mackin, both of whom have Down syndrome, threw out the first pitch.
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The BCDD partnered with the Delta Alpha Pi Honor Society to host Dr. Pepper Hour in celebration of accessibility week on campus and Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. Other student organizations involved with disability were also there to celebrate. It was a great opportunity to share about our work with students, faculty, and staff. Everyone received our new "Flourishing Together" stickers.
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We offered two caregiver trainings in March. One focused on navigating educational and medical systems of support regarding assessment, diagnosis, and service provision. The other addressed having conversations about relationships and dating. We are excited to come alongside families each month to support the various needs of parents of children with disabilities.
- We held our second BCDD Consortium meeting for faculty and postdocs at Baylor. Affiliate faculty presented on their current interdisciplinary projects. Join us for next month's meeting on Tuesday, April 30, from 3:30 – 4:3o p.m.
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Join the Baylor Center for Developmental Disabilities for the Oso Able Transition to Adulthood Event! It will be a full-day event for young adults (ages 14-30) with disabilities, caregivers, educators, and transition-related service providers on October 10 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The Hurd Welcome Center. Interested in attending? Complete the form linked here.
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The Baylor Center for Developmental Disabilities is recruiting participants for two current research projects. Learn more below.
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Church Stories: Learning from Parents of Children and Youth with Disabilities.
This study focuses on the church experiences and insights of families impacted by disability. We want to hear from parents of children and youth with disabilities (ages 5-21). Interviews last about an hour and participants receive a $50 gift card. Based on what we learn, we will create new resources that churches and parents can use to help young people with developmental disabilities grow in their faith.
Friendship Project
This study examines what friendship and belonging mean to transition-aged youth with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities. Additionally, we will explore how friendship is perceived by parents and caregivers. To learn more, contact MacKenzie Wicker.
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Equipping Educators Training Series
Teaching Techniques to Promote Skill Acquisition for Individuals with Disabilities
April 11, 5:30 - 7 p.m.
Marrs McLean Science Building, Room 301
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That Good Old Baylor FamilyLine
Baylor faculty and staff who have a child or family member with a developmental disability are invited to attend a gathering hosted by the BCDD. We are excited to connect with our Baylor families, share about our center’s work, and invite your input.
April 11, 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Bill Daniel Student Center room #202
RSVP by April 9
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Disability & Church: A Conversation
Join us for a gathering to explore ways of fostering belonging in the congregation for people with and without disabilities. This time of shared learning is for pastors, ministry leaders, families, advocates, and others interested in helping churches welcome and embrace every member better.
April 17, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Hurd Welcome Center
RSVP required
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Caregiver Training Series
Supported Decision Making
Professor Lucy Wood from the UT Law School will present on Supported Decision Making, a less restrictive alternative to guardianship for young adults with disabilities. This will be an informal conversation about how the process works. Youth over 15 and their potential supporters—family members, parents, and guardians—are encouraged to attend.
April 25, 5:30 - 7 p.m.
Location: Will be provided upon registration
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BCDD Monthly Consortium Meeting
This gathering of Baylor faculty and postdocs is a time to discuss current issues and projects, meet colleagues interested in disability issues, and explore new collaborations. This meeting will focus on Baylor’s various clinic programs that support children and adults with disabilities.
April 30, 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Marrs McLean Science Garden Level Rm. 14
Please RSVP by April 27
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Dr. Megan Flores is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy and a Center Affiliate. Her scholarship focuses on clinical outcome measures and interventions for children and adults with neurological conditions. Her research focuses on physical therapy assessment and interventions for children with neuromotor disabilities. She works specifically with individuals diagnosed with Down Syndrome, cerebral palsy, and spina bifida. She has dedicated her years of clinical experience to the neurorehabilitation of pediatric and adult patients.
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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The Autism Consortium of Texas Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities Program |
The Autism Consortium of Texas (ACT) Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) program is an interdisciplinary training grant in partnership with the University of Texas at Austin, Texas State University and Baylor University. The overarching goal of the program is to develop future leaders to work with individuals with autism as well as their families, caregivers, and service providers. The grant is in its third year and has had over 30 fellows across the three universities that includes self-advocates, family members of individuals with autism or related disability, professionals in the community, and graduate students. As part of the program, ACT LEND fellows attend lectures from faculty specializing in autism across several disciplines, including medicine, social work, psychology, law, physical therapy, special education and more. During the academic year, ACT LEND fellows also attend clinical trainings, leadership seminars, participate in research, and complete a community or clinical practicum. Over the past few years, the ACT LEND program has included Baylor graduate students from educational psychology, physical therapy, communication sciences and disorders, and school psychology have participated in the program over the past few years.
From Baylor University, Dr. Kristen Padilla, School Psychology and Dr. Megan Flores, Physical Therapy serve as Discipline Coordinators for ACT LEND. In this role, faculty provide discipline-specific lectures and clinical training focused assessment and intervention for individuals with autism. They also provide mentorship to ACT LEND fellows from their respective disciplines. The ACT LEND program will soon have representation from Baylor University’s Occupational Therapy program.
To learn more about ACT LEND at Baylor University, please contact Dr. Kristen Padilla who serves as the Baylor University Site Director and Leadership Training Director for ACT LEND.
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Levi Garza is a second-year graduate student in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Baylor University. He invests his time and effort into making chemistry accessible to the visually impaired and those with mobility issues to increase inclusivity in science. Levi wants all people to have the opportunity to study chemistry if they desire. He is putting in efforts to ensure that all individuals have access to a diverse range of commonly used and highly practical options.
READ MORE...
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Seeking Graduate Assistant in ABA |
The Educational Psychology department is seeking a doctoral Graduate Assistant in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). The position offers great benefits. If interested, email Dr. Tonya Davis at Tonya_Davis@baylor.edu.
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One of our core focus areas is Education. Our collective work focuses on establishing research-based practices, programs, and policies that ensure that children and youth with disabilities flourish academically and socially in their local schools. We are equipping and supporting teachers, related service providers, and school leaders to adopt strong values and wise practices that promote learning and growth for students with disabilities. Support this impact work with a donation. Donate Today!
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Heart O' Texas Autism Network Walk
The Heart of Texas Autism Network is excited to host the 15th Annual 5K Run/Fun Walk for Autism.
April 13, 8 a.m.
Brazos Park East (3516 N M.L.K. Jr Blvd.)
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KWTX covered our Developmental Disabilities Month awareness event at the Baylor Baseball game; check it out. View Here
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KWKT Fox44 shared our Developmental Disabilities Month awareness event as well. View Here
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