Improving Healthcare for People with IDD: IntellectAbility Launches New Quality Improvement Program Recognized by ABMS
People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) experience some of the highest rates of preventable health complications and premature death in the U.S., often due to gaps in healthcare training, limited provider confidence, and a lack of person-centered approaches in clinical settings.
Intellectual disability typically begins before the age of 18 and is often present at birth, affecting an individual’s physical, intellectual, and emotional development. Developmental disabilities are characterized by chronic conditions that affect multiple body parts and systems of the body, and can include syndromes such as Down syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy, and other disabilities, all of which can affect the well-being and quality of life of individuals and their families. Various organizations are dedicated to supporting people with intellectual or developmental disabilities and advancing their care.
IntellectAbility, a leader in healthcare software and education for people with IDD, is taking a major step toward changing that narrative.
IntellectAbility has announced a new quality improvement (QI) program, Improving Care for Patients with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD), now recognized through the American Board of Medical Specialties Portfolio Program™ (ABMS Portfolio Program).
Elevating Standards in IDD Healthcare Education
The ABMS Portfolio Program is a nationally recognized initiative that rewards physicians and physician assistants (PAs) who engage in meaningful QI activities as part of their continuing certification. Through this collaboration, ABMS members can now fulfill Maintenance of Certification (MOC) requirements while enhancing their ability to deliver high-quality, person-centered care to people with IDD.
The new QI program leverages IntellectAbility’s evidence-based Curriculum in IDD Healthcare, a six-module eLearning course designed to close the knowledge gap in medical training.
Each module provides practical, actionable guidance for diagnosing and managing common yet often misinterpreted conditions in people with IDD — including the Fatal Five, aspiration, bowel obstruction, dehydration, seizures, and infection/sepsis. The curriculum also addresses deficits in intellectual functioning, adaptive behavior, intelligence, and other essential skills, including life skills, problem-solving, and general mental abilities, all of which are crucial for people with IDD to function independently.
Clinicians are encouraged to learn more about these areas to enhance their understanding and improve care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Supported by Elevance Health
This initiative was made possible through the generous support of Elevance Health, whose commitment to health equity aligns closely with IntellectAbility’s mission to improve outcomes and quality of life for people with disabilities.
Elevance Health is committed to supporting the well-being of children and families through its efforts to expand access to support services and resources related to IDD.
The organization offers a range of services, including specialized services for people with IDD, to meet the needs of children and families.
“Most healthcare providers are not adequately trained to meet the unique healthcare needs of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities,” explains Dr. Craig Escudé, President of IntellectAbility. “The Curriculum in IDD Healthcare enhances clinicians’ confidence and clinical skills while helping them meet Maintenance of Certification requirements and earn CME credits. With one course, clinicians can meet professional requirements and improve care for an underserved population.”
Dr. Escudé adds, “Our partnership with Elevance Health represents a groundbreaking collaboration that combines clinical expertise, data-driven insights, and person-centered tools to help address the often-complex healthcare needs of people with IDD.”
Joining a Community of National Leaders
As the newest ABMS Portfolio Program Sponsor, IntellectAbility joins a distinguished network of hospitals, academic medical centers, specialty societies, and government agencies—all dedicated to advancing healthcare quality through education and continuous improvement.
These organizations, including facilities and centers, support a broader category of intellectual and developmental disabilities, ensuring comprehensive care and regulatory compliance across multiple conditions.
Take the Next Step: Strengthen Your Clinical Skills in IDD Care
For clinicians, educators, and healthcare systems seeking to develop lasting competence in this area, IntellectAbility’s Curriculum in IDD Healthcare (CIDDH) provides flexible, evidence-based online learning that bridges the gap between clinical knowledge and real-world practice.
The course equips clinicians to utilize health risk screening tools to detect health risks, such as the Health Risk Screening Tool (HRST®), which assigns scores to behaviorally related rating items to identify health risks and determine healthcare levels.
The HRST assigns total points to each individual, and the total points determine the associated degree of health risk, ranging from the lowest risk (Level 1) to the highest risk (Level 6). This process helps detect health concerns and risks early, enabling intervention before they become destabilizing.
In addition, the course prepares clinicians to describe situations, initiate early intervention, and address the development and overall health of people with IDD and other disabilities across all ages, thereby improving their lives and outcomes.
Developed by Dr. Craig Escudé, a physician specializing in IDD healthcare, this six-module course helps healthcare professionals:
- Improve diagnostic accuracy and reduce preventable complications
- Deliver more person-centered, equitable care
- Earn continuing medical education (CME) credits
- Now, fulfill QI and MOC requirements through the ABMS Portfolio Program
Whether you’re a physician, nurse, or healthcare educator, the CIDDH program is a powerful step toward advancing health equity for people with IDD.
Additional Resources
- For an overview of the Curriculum in IDD Healthcare course, download the CIDDH brochure
- To learn more about the HRST, download the HRST brochure.
- To read the original press release, view the New Quality Improvement Program Provides Enhanced Education in the Care of Patients with Disabilities press post.
Explore the course and register today: Curriculum in IDD Healthcare