News

The Baylor Center for Developmental Disabilities has been awarded a transformative grant to launch “Raising Texas Voices,” a two-year project aimed at enhancing advocacy training for people with developmental disabilities and their families across the state. This project, funded by the Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities (TCDD), will leverage data-driven insights and community-based approaches to ensure advocacy efforts are inclusive, culturally appropriate, and generationally relevant.

Researchers have long studied the virtues of gratitude and grit, but the study of the foundational virtue of patience has received less attention. Through a $4.71 million grant from Templeton Religion Trust, a team of interdisciplinary researchers at Baylor University and three other U.S. universities are set to begin a longitudinal study on patience. The study will focus on what can be learned about patience from those who experience adversity, particularly for parents of adolescents.

The Baylor Center for Developmental Disabilities, in partnership with the Waco Committee for People with Disabilities, hosted its first community conversation on employment for individuals with disabilities at University High School in Waco ISD. The primary purpose of the event was to consider ways individuals with disabilities can experience improved access to job opportunities. More than 60 members from the greater Waco community, including businesses, organizations, advocacy groups and individuals with disabilities attended the discussion. 

The Baylor Center for Developmental Disabilities (BCDD) is proud to celebrate the recent feature of Melody Escobar, a research associate with our Collaborative on Faith and Disability, on the Currents in Religion podcast. In this insightful episode, Escobar discusses her newly released book, Revelations of Divine Care (Baylor University Press, 2024), offering listeners an engaging conversation about caregiving, community, and unconditional love.

The Baylor Center for Developmental Disabilities (BCDD) team took part in the Baylor homecoming tradition to celebrate its 10-year anniversary. BCDD faculty, staff, students, and adults with disabilities from the Waco community worked together to design and decorate a float for the historic BU homecoming parade. 

In October, we celebrated National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). The transition to adulthood is a critical time for youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), where emphasis is placed on learning skills that can promote independence, employment, and community inclusion after high school. 

The Bridges to Belonging project is equipping congregations across Central Texas to more fully welcome youth and young adults (ages 13–25) facing disabilities, mental health challenges, and chronic illnesses. In its first year, the project has begun sparking dialogue and fostering new relationships among local churches, all aimed at making congregations more accessible, inclusive, and truly representative of the body of Christ.

The Christian Reformed Church wrote about our Community Conversation that took place in Grand Rapids, MI with over 100 attendees.

The Baptist Standard covered our event, Disability & Church: Building a culture of belonging that took place on September 17th.

Janie Contreras-Muñoz is filled with anticipation about the many opportunities that lie ahead. As she enters her final year as a doctoral candidate in the School Psychology program at Baylor University, she is deeply involved in research and training that impacts the lives of diverse families. Her work focuses on enhancing the social well-being of families dealing with various health conditions and developmental disabilities. She also serves as a Student Fellow with the Baylor Center for Developmental Disabilities (BCDD).

Dr. Tracey Jones is passionate about bilingual education and promoting linguistic diversity. With a career spanning more than 25 years, she cares deeply about creating inclusive educational environments for all students, including those with disabilities. Dr. Jones serves as a Clinical Assistant Professor at Baylor University, where she specializes in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) and Bilingual Education. Her contributions to the Baylor Center for Developmental Disabilities (BCDD) continue to be substantial. As a Faculty Affiliate, she helps lead the Center’s Spanish-language caregiver training series. 

KXXV Ch. 25 covered our Sensory-Friendly Movie event at Cinemark Theaters on Saturday, June 29. 

Emily Exline, a researcher in the field of applied behavior analysis (ABA) and a Student Fellow for the Baylor Center for Developmental Disabilities (BCDD), is making a positive impact on the lives of individuals with disabilities and their families. As a Ph.D. candidate in Educational Psychology specializing in ABA, she is committed to advancing early intervention research, enhancing evidence-based practices, and dispelling the negative stigma associated with ABA.

Dr. Tonya Davis has taught and mentored undergraduate and graduate students in special education and applied behavior analysis (ABA) for nearly twenty years. As a high school student, she developed a passion for working with individuals with disabilities, particularly those who exhibited challenging behavior. Throughout her educational journey, she has dedicated her research to better understanding and addressing the needs of individuals with developmental disabilities, including autism. Her work primarily revolves around developing interventions to reduce challenging behavior for individuals with disabilities so that they may lead more fulfilling lives.

As a passionate and dedicated Associate Professor of School Psychology at Baylor University, Dr. Sarah Mire has been a trainer for graduate and Ph.D. students aspiring to become scientist-practitioner school psychologists for more than ten years. Her journey in the field of psychology has been shaped by a deep-rooted fascination with human behavior and a commitment to understanding and supporting individuals with diverse needs. With a background in mental and behavioral health care spanning over two decades, she brings a unique blend of practical experience and academic expertise to her role. Her research interests, particularly in neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism, have led Dr. Mire to collaborate with dedicated teams to explore innovative ways to support autistic individuals, their families, educators, and healthcare providers. 

As a passionate advocate for educational psychology and the transformative power of applied behavior analysis (ABA), Julie Hrabal strives to positively impact lives with developmental disabilities and aid in advancing their goals. Her wealth of experience, scholarly achievements, and commitment to teaching and research are positively impacting the lives of individuals and communities with disabilities.

The Baylor Center for Developmental Disabilities (BCDD) recently held an appreciation dinner to honor and recognize special educators' exceptional efforts and contributions in Central Texas. The event highlighted these educators' remarkable work to positively impact the lives of students with disabilities in our community. Principals in the region were asked to nominate one teacher or staff who has made a significant contribution to the support and service of students with disabilities. The celebration was held on Thursday, May 16, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Mark & Paula Hurd Welcome Center.

Pastor Jimmy Dorrell discovered that even a church that prioritizes ministry to the marginalized can improve its ability to make people with disabilities feel more accepted and included. Dorrell recently participated in a workshop offered by the Baylor Center for Developmental Disabilities, in which church leaders were asked to evaluate how their congregations help people with mental and physical disabilities feel they “belong.”

In closing the month of April and Autism Acceptance Month, the Baylor Center for Developmental Disabilities (BCDD) would like to highlight some of the great work around autism within the Center. Baylor faculty and staff collaborate on projects related to autism that involve clinical training of students, extensive research, professional development, intervention support for families and autistic individuals, and community outreach.

Dr. Margaret Wooddy, Center faculty affiliate and Professor in Health Human Performance and Recreation (HHPR) has dedicated 45 years to adapting physical education programming to increase access for those with varying motor abilities. Her passion and decades of work have significantly impacted the lives of so many in schools and the community. Dr. Wooddy said, “I have worked for so long in this field because I believe God has called me to work in this area.” Dr. Wooddy began her career in 1976, working part-time in the Baylor University Athletic Department as the Head Coach for the Baylor Women’s Volleyball and Track teams. She later taught part-time in the Physical Education program in HHPR, which ultimately paved the way for a successful career as a Professor in HHPR. 

“People with disabilities are often overlooked despite their unique abilities and desire for love,” said Catherine Leftwich, a Senior in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD). Leftwich is working towards a career as an audiologist and is currently involved in two projects alongside Center faculty affiliate and Assistant Professor in CSD, Dr. Alison Prahl. Leftwich, graduating this May, has dedicated her studies at Baylor to working with individuals with disabilities. She pursued a degree in CSD because of her keen interest in working with individuals with disabilities. Initially, she had set her sights on pursuing a degree in special education and began working part-time as a Registered Behavior Technician. After taking an audiology course at Baylor, she discovered her true calling to become an audiologist.

On Wednesday, April 17, the BCDD, in collaboration with the Baylor Collaborative on Faith and Disability, hosted Disability & Church: A Conversation. Baptist Standard covered the event.

Brenna Colihan, a Senior at Baylor University living with multiple disabilities, has worked to ensure Baylor is accessible to all students across campus.

Levi Garza is a second-year graduate student in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Baylor University. He invests his time and effort into making chemistry accessible to the visually impaired and those with mobility issues to increase inclusivity in science. Levi wants all people to have the opportunity to study chemistry if they desire. He is putting in efforts to ensure that all individuals have access to a diverse range of commonly used and highly practical options.

Dr. Megan Flores is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy and a Center Affiliate. Dr. Flores received her master’s degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School and her Ph.D. in Physical Therapy from Texas Woman’s University. Dr. Flores is an American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS) Board-Certified Pediatric Clinical Specialist. She currently serves on the Nominating Committee for the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy and as Secretary for the Texas Physical Therapy Association. She also serves on the Robbins College Interprofessional Education (IPE) Committee. 

As we celebrate Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month in March, Baylor Baseball featured the BCDD community members with disabilities and their families at the game on March 17. KWTX TV talked to BCDD's Dr. Kristen Padilla and shared community members throwing out the first pitch. Watch their report here.

In celebration of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month and World Down Syndrome Day on March 21, the Baylor Center for Developmental Disabilities (BCDD) is highlighting individuals with disabilities. Aaron Jones, a Wacoan, kindly took the time to give us a glimpse into his life as an adult with Down Syndrome. 

Nori Ryland is a fifth-year doctoral candidate in the School Psychology program within the Department of Educational Psychology. Her research interests include supporting the sustained implementation of evidence-based practices and behavioral evidence-based interventions when working with low-income and economically marginalized populations. Her passion for helping kids and families has been of interest to Nori throughout her schooling, and now she is able to live out her passion through her work in schools.

Dr. Kristen Muller is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders and a Center affiliate. Dr. Muller’s schooling and experiences influenced her primary research focus on identifying appropriate assessment and intervention methods for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) who are non-speaking or who have minimal verbal skills.  This area of research has become a passion she enjoys and continues to share with families and students.

Our first Faculty & Staff Reception was a success! Thank you to all who came out to launch our 10th year as a Center. We are grateful to Dr. Reid and Dr. Saxon for speaking such encouraging words about our work.  Read more about the Reception and how you, as Staff or Faculty, could be a part of our work. 

Nicholas F. Benson, Ph.D., is a Texas licensed psychologist, licensed specialist in school psychology, and nationally certified school psychologist. He teaches courses in intellectual assessment, academic assessment, evaluation, and academic intervention.

Staff spotlight is on Dr. MacKenzie Wicker this month! Learn about her role in spearheading an innovative initiative centered around the transition to adulthood for individuals with disabilities at the Baylor Center for Developmental Disabilities (BCDD). She also shares her inspiration behind pursuing a Ph.D. and why all the work is worth it.

The Heart of Texas Autism Network, The Arc of McLennan County, and The Baylor Center for Developmental Disabilities hosted A Special Starry Night for members of the disability community on Saturday, December 9, 2023, at 6 p.m. at the Mark & Paula Hurd Welcome Center on Baylor Campus.

A $1.25-million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. will establish an interdisciplinary project focuses on helping congregations embrace young people with disabilities, mental health challenges, and chronic illnesses, led by Baylor faculty in Truett Seminary, School of Education, and Diana Garland School of Social Work.

WACO, Texas (Dec. 11, 2023) – Baylor University has been awarded a  $1.25 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to establish an interdisciplinary project that focuses on helping congregations embrace young people with disabilities, mental health challenges and chronic illnesses.

Baylor Center for Developmental Disabilities within the University School of Education is joining With Ministries on a new program called Worship as One: Learning with Children with Disabilities about Worship and Prayer. Lilly Endowment Inc. is supporting the program with a $300,000 grant to With Ministries.

BCDD is launching new research focused on faith communities and inclusion of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), led by executive director Dr. Erik Carter, who arrived at Baylor in January 2023. Read about Dr. Carter's personal journey to an impactful career in research — beginning with a life-altering encounter with young adults with IDD — and what this new research means for the BCDD.

Dr. Erik W. Carter, the Luther Sweet Endowed Chair in Disabilities in the Baylor School of Education and executive director of the Baylor Center for Developmental Disabilities (BCDD), is helping launch a new initiative to support churches in creating more welcoming and accessible experiences for people with autism. Read eight action steps that every church can take immediately.

Dr. Jessica Akers, assistant professor of educational psychology in the Baylor School of Education, has received a $893,409 grant from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to develop an innovative treatment model for children with autism; the program intentionally focuses on improving the interactions between siblings by inviting the siblings of children with autism to participate as a vital member of the intervention team.

Dr. Tonya Davis, professor in the Department of Educational Psychology, received the Baylor Outstanding Faculty Award for Scholarship for Tenured Faculty. Davis specializes in special education and Applied Behavior Analysis and is coordinator of the Special Education Program and the PhD in Educational Psychology. She also serves as graduate program director for the Department of Educational Psychology.

Dr. Jessica Akers, assistant professor in the Department of Educational Psychology, specializing in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), received the 2022 Baylor Outstanding Faculty Award for Teaching for tenure-track faculty. While carrying a full teaching load, Akers also mentors each of her graduate students and conducts significant research on children with autism and related developmental disabilities.

Oso Able was a half-day event for young adults with disabilities and their parents to explore opportunities for postsecondary educational and vocational experiences. Professionals and service providers shared information about transition services and supports for individuals with developmental disabilities. The event closed with a college/program resource fair.

Kindergarten students walk quietly down the school hallway in single file, hands crossed over their chests in “proud pose.” This is one teacher’s way of helping students move through the halls in a manner that is safe, responsible and respectful.

Abby Hodges, a Baylor School of Education graduate student, was awarded the James Kopp Scholarship Award and also won the poster competition at the conference of the Texas Association for Behavior Analysis. Hodges is a second-year doctoral student in the Department of Educational Psychology, studying Applied Behavior Analysis.

Autism might not be what you think it is. “Some behaviors associated with autism are much more manageable than people think, especially in academic settings,” said Dr. Tracey Sulak, Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Educational Psychology. “You can integrate some children with autism into a regular academic setting, but you have to know how to do it.”

School of Education student Stephanie Wright of Plano was named “Student Teacher of the Year” for the State of Texas by the Texas Directors of Field Experience (TDFE), the organization of faculty members within university teacher-education programs who supervise field experiences.

“That child is a natural leader.”
That’s something you might have heard, or maybe you’ve even said it. But is it true?

Christmas break finds most Baylor faculty enjoying a sabbatical of caroling, eating and resting from school obligations. But peek inside the home of Baylor School of Education (SOE) Senior Lecturer Tamara Hodges during the holiday season, and you will find her buried under books about improving teaching methods.

Baylor University’s School of Education is hosting 250 teachers for a three-day Summer Literacy Institute at the Foster Campus for Business and Innovation on July 17-19.