Actions Speak Louder Than Words: Common Behavioral Presentations of Underlying Medical Conditions in People with IDD

Thursday, May 21, 2026, at 11 a.m.

Behavior is a form of communication. For people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), changes in behavior are often a way of expressing pain, discomfort, or emotional distress. In this session, we’ll look at how certain behaviors can be signs of underlying medical issues. Before starting medication or behavior plans, it’s important to first understand what the behavior may be trying to tell us. Using real-life case examples, this presentation will walk through 10 common behavior patterns that may point to treatable medical causes. Identifying and addressing these causes can make a meaningful difference in health, comfort, and overall quality of life.

Presenter: Dr. Craig Escudé is a board-certified Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Developmental Medicine, and the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. He is also the President of IntellectAbility. He has more than 20 years of clinical experience providing medical care for people with IDD and complex medical and mental health conditions serving as medical director of Hudspeth Regional Center in Mississippi for most of that time. While there, he founded DETECT, the Developmental Evaluation, Training, and Educational Consultative Team of Mississippi. He is the author of “Clinical Pearls in IDD Healthcare” and developer of the “Curriculum in IDD Healthcare,” an eLearning course used to train clinicians on the fundamentals of healthcare for people with IDD. He is also the host of the IDD Health Matters Podcast.

What You’ll Learn
• Why behavior should be seen as communication, not just a challenge
• Common behavior patterns that may signal pain or medical concerns
• How identifying underlying causes can improve health and wellness
• Why medical evaluation is a critical first step before treatment plans

Virtual Learning Session: Family Support Services (FSS)
Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at 6 p.m.

Learn the basics of Family Support Services (FSS), an OPWDD funded program that helps families who are caring for a loved one with a developmental disability at home. This session explains what FSS covers, including respite and goods/services reimbursements, who qualifies, and how to apply. We’ll also briefly review the approval process and what to expect after submitting a request. Presented by Lyndsey Paulin, Home Services Director at Racker.

What You’ll Learn:

• Understand what Family Support Services (FSS) are, how the program works, and who is eligible to apply.

• Explore the types of support FSS can help pay for, including respite care, goods, and services that support a loved one with a developmental disability.

• Review how much funding may be available each year, what reimbursement means, and important rules to know before spending money.

• Learn how to apply for FSS funding, how requests are reviewed, and what options families have if a request is denied.

Rockland and Orange County
Tuesday, May 19, 2026
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Nanuet Town Centre – Regal Theater Corridor
5101 Fashion Drive, Nanuet, NY 10954
Panel discussion at 12 p.m. – Thinking Ahead: Aging, Care, and Support
Screening of Unseen at 1 p.m.