Training Doctors In Neurodivergent Healthcare
Originally Aired July 22nd, 2024
Breaking Barriers in IDD Healthcare: IntellectAbility’s Innovative Approach
IntellectAbility is advancing the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) healthcare with its progressive training programs and resources, as highlighted in a recent episode of the “Exploring Different Brains” podcast.
In the episode, Dr. Hackie Reitman speaks with Dr. Craig Escudé, President of IntellectAbility and host of the “IDD Health Matters” podcast. Their conversation delves into the critical issues facing IDD healthcare and the innovative solutions that IntellectAbility is implementing.
A core principle discussed is the importance of presuming competence in individuals with IDD. Dr. Escudé emphasizes, “One of the first things that anyone who works with people with IDD or provides health care should do is presume competence.” This perspective is crucial in ensuring that individuals with IDD are communicated with directly and their perspectives are genuinely considered in their care.
Another significant topic covered is the problem of diagnostic overshadowing, where symptoms are misattributed to a person’s IDD rather than exploring other potential causes. Dr. Escudé states, “A great example of this is when a person starts having agitated behavior… Cinicians might see this behavior and think, ‘This is just something that people with IDD do,’ without considering underlying issues like a toothache.”
To address these challenges, IntellectAbility offers a comprehensive training program designed to enhance the skills of healthcare providers. The program, known as the Curriculum in IDD Healthcare, covers essential aspects of providing quality care for individuals with IDD. Dr. Escudé describes it as “a web-based curriculum that consists of six different modules, teaching the fundamentals of providing good health care for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.” The training takes about four and a half hours to complete and includes recognition in the form of an eBadge and certifcate to those who complete the course, signaling their
In addition to the training, Dr. Escudé’s podcast, “IDD Health Matters,” plays a pivotal role in raising awareness and sharing valuable insights. Originally starting as short “Medical Mondays” segments, the podcast has evolved to address a broader range of topics. Dr. Escudé reflects, “It became clear that sharing stories from across the field could help people understand the challenges and successes in IDD healthcare.”
The podcast’s impact was recently recognized with the 2024 Media Award from the American Association of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD). Dr. Escudé notes, “I started the podcast to showcase the diversity of experiences in this field and highlight the need for more professionals dedicated to improving health equity for people with IDD.”
Dr. Escudé also stresses the necessity of systemic changes in medical education to include IDD healthcare. He argues that organizations who provide accreditation to medical programs should emphasize the need for IDD healthcare to become part of training programs. “This shift is essential for integrating IDD healthcare training into mainstream medical education and improving patient outcomes.”
For more information on IDD healthcare and to access IntellectAbility’s resources, visit ReplacingRisk.com. The site offers a range of tools, training programs, and valuable information aimed at enhancing health outcomes for individuals with IDD.