IDD & Autism Support: A Hands-On Workshop

IDD & Autism Support: A Hands-On Workshop

IDD & Autism Support: A Hands-On Workshop is designed for professionals who work with individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) and Autism, as well as their family members and caregivers. This interactive workshop aims to broaden participants’ understanding of IDD and Autism while strengthening their practical skills to provide effective, compassionate support.

Through hands-on activities and real-world scenarios, attendees will gain:

• A deeper understanding of the experiences and needs of individuals with IDD and Autism
• Strategies to assist families and caregivers in navigating day-to-day challenges
• Tools to create supportive environments and respond confidently in moments of crisis or distress
• Resources to enhance communication, collaboration, and overall care

This workshop is ideal for counselors, educators, healthcare providers, social workers, and other professionals seeking to expand their knowledge and make a meaningful impact in the lives of neurodiverse individuals and their support systems.

To attend online, please click the link to visit the online event page. [Online Event Link]

Info: Mendy Blank is the Director of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) at Gulf Bend Center. She has over 20 years’ experience in the field of developmental disabilities and demonstrates commitment to working in an environment devoted to collaboration, diversity and professional development. Mendy has an accomplished history of leading her team to improved quality and performance measures. She holds a certificate in Disability Leadership from the Arc of Texas Partners!

Mendy earned her MS degree in Development and Family Studies with an emphasis on Early Childhood Intervention. She holds a BS in Therapeutic Recreation Administration.

Info: Jennifer Wieland, M.Ed., SPED-ABA, is a Crisis Intervention Specialist at Gulf Bend Center, supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) across the community and surrounding counties. She earned her M.Ed. in Special Education with a focus on Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) from the University of Houston-Victoria (UHV) in 2024 and is working towards her Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) certification. Jennifer specializes in behavioral interventions, using her expertise to reduce negative behaviors and encourage positive behaviors in individuals facing challenges with action regulation, communication, emotions, and daily living skills. Her professional experience is complemented by her personal journey as the parent of a ten-year-old son with severe autism and multiple related disorders.

Info: Megan Shultz graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology in 2020. After graduation, she worked three years as a behavioral health case manager before working with Gulf Bend as a PASRR Habilitation Coordinator with the IDD population. She is working on obtaining her master’s degree in Clinical and Mental Health Counseling from Lamar University. Her plans after graduation include obtaining her LPC and beginning her journey as a counselor.

Also check out other Workshops in Victoria, Health & Wellness events in Victoria, Virtual events in Victoria.