In this episode, care manager Liz Zaso shares how growing up in a family deeply involved in supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities shaped her passion for the field. Influenced by her parents' careers, her cousin with cerebral palsy, and early experiences with inclusion, Liz discusses the importance of training direct support professionals, advocating for equitable health care, and empowering individuals by focusing on their strengths. She highlights ongoing systemic challenges, including staffing shortages and inadequate provider education, while also celebrating the progress made in inclusion and global awareness. Liz offers examples from her career—such as supporting individuals pursuing meaningful goals—and emphasizes the need for community integration, advocacy, and positivity. The episode also acknowledges her nomination for the Annie Sullivan League Award, recognizing her dedication to improving the lives of people with IDD.

Brian Connery, Vice President of Sales at On Health, explains how their electronic medication administration record (EMAR) system and connected "med box" hardware aim to reduce medication errors and simplify workflows for direct support professionals (DSPs). Connery describes the company's person‑centered, collaborative design approach, shaped by a founding story involving a family tragedy related to medication mismanagement. He also shares his personal journey from DSP to leadership roles across provider agencies and state services, highlighting the meaningful, community‑driven nature of the intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) field. Connery closes by offering three recommendations for improving supports in IDD—innovation through technology access, reducing silos via collaboration and data sharing, and ongoing education paired with shared responsibility—emphasizing that progress requires collective effort across providers, vendors, and advocates.

This IDD Health Matters episode features Adam Chittam, a pharmacist specializing in long-term care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Chittam explains that his organization, Tarrytown XPO Care Pharmacy, uniquely serves only the IDD population, which often faces complex medication regimens and polypharmacy—commonly 13–15 medications compared to four in the general population. He highlights the risks of drug interactions, the challenges of managing side effects, and the importance of avoiding unnecessary medications by addressing underlying causes of behaviors rather than attributing them solely to disability. Cheatham emphasizes education for caregivers, proper medication administration through compliance packaging, and the critical role pharmacists play in clinical teams to ensure safety and improve outcomes. He concludes by advocating for consistency, awareness of side effects, and engagement in this rewarding field.

Kaylee Graham, a nurse specializing in care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), shares her journey from starting as an LVN in Texas to her current role at StationMD, where she supports IDD populations through specialized telehealth services. She emphasizes the importance of innovation, continuing education, and addressing gaps in dental care, noting that preventive measures and tailored training for healthcare providers significantly improve outcomes. Graham highlights the challenges of healthcare access for people with IDD, particularly in dental services, and advocates for leveraging technology and mentorship programs to enhance care quality and equity.

Dr. Laura Brackin shares her professional journey from special education to leadership roles in advocacy, policy, and state services, emphasizing the shift toward community integration over institutional care. Laura recounts a deeply personal experience with her grandson Jude, who was born with Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome, a rare genetic disorder affecting cholesterol production and overall development. This experience reshaped her perspective on disability, highlighting the dangers of assuming limitations and the importance of fostering independence. She underscores three key lessons: assume capability, prioritize communication, and invest in early intervention, illustrating how these principles transformed Jude's progress and quality of life. Laura also stresses the critical role of family belief and support in achieving success for individuals with disabilities, urging professionals and families alike to choose hope and empowerment over doubt.

Dr. Jodi Tate is a psychiatrist from Iowa who specializes in working with adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and mental health challenges. Dr. Tate shares her journey into this field, emphasizing the lack of formal training for healthcare providers in treating individuals with IDD and advocating for better education through initiatives like a specialized psychiatry residency track and Project Echo—a virtual case-based learning program for direct support professionals. She highlights the importance of addressing diagnostic overshadowing, using medications judiciously, and persistent advocacy for quality care. Dr. Tate also recounts a success story involving electroconvulsive therapy for a patient with severe depression, illustrating the need for individualized, evidence-based treatment. The conversation underscores systemic gaps in healthcare for people with IDD and calls for expanding workforce training to ensure equitable, compassionate care.

Steve Gonyea, an advocate and foster parent from New York, shares his journey from seeking help for his son with autism and other disabilities to becoming a statewide leader in disability advocacy. Initially struggling to find proper diagnoses and services, Steve began helping other families and eventually served on agency boards, fostering over 170 children with complex needs. He highlights systemic issues such as long wait times for evaluations, lack of oversight in medication management, and inadequate dental care access, advocating for creative, out-of-the-box solutions like building sensory spaces and collaborating with local providers. Steve emphasizes the importance of parent-driven advocacy, networking through support groups, and pushing for legislative changes, such as ombudsman programs, to improve oversight and services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Nick Alexander shares his journey from industrial engineering in regulated industries to innovating healthcare technology. Nick explains how his company, Never Alone, focuses on improving independence and social connection for seniors and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Initially designed as a telehealth platform, it evolved into a holistic care solution combining medical support and social engagement, available 24/7 through simple devices. The service emphasizes personalized care plans, rural access, and partnerships with local providers to ensure continuity and trust. Nick highlights the importance of solving the right problems, building strong teams, and maintaining user-centered design, concluding with three guiding principles: lead with care, collaborate and innovate patiently, and practice kindness.