This page is a collection of all TCDS projects regarding family members and caregivers of people with disabilities. As a family member or caregiver, you might benefit by participating in academic course work as part of our ACT LEND program. You might also consider attending one of our educational webinars on topics such as genetics, neurodevelopmental disabilities, and assistive technology, or learn how to work with your child by participating in one of our parent training research grants such as ASPEN or PODER. Finally, you can utilize our assistive technology loan library to increase your knowledge about technologies that support the independence of your loved ones.
ACT LEND
The Autism Consortium of Texas (ACT) LEND is an interdisciplinary program that seeks to train graduate students, family members, and self-advocates in culturally informed diagnosis, support, and advocacy for children with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities throughout the Capital Region and Central Texas.
Autism Consortium of Texas
The purpose of the Autism Consortium is to network and foster autism-related research and program collaborations at the University of Texas at Austin and in the Central Texas area.
ASPEN
The ASPEN Program is a parent-mediated intervention that is designed to provide information and empower parents of young children with developmental delays.
E4Texas
E4Texas is a post-secondary opportunity for people with or without a disability, who are over the age of 18, who have a high school diploma, and are employment-focused.
Genetics Education Webinars
The Genetic Series is a collaborative effort between The University of Texas at Austin - Texas Center for Disability Studies and The Department of Molecular and Human Genetics at Baylor College of Medicine to educate health professionals and families on genetic developmental disorders.
Healthy Relationships Workshop
These workshops use resources curated by Dr. Nick Winges-Yanez, who has been teaching healthy relationship skills to self-advocates for over 8 years.
PODER
The PODER Familiar Program examines health and obesity among Latino children and adolescents with IDD.
Road to Recovery - Trauma Informed Care
This training curriculum helps address the severe lack of knowledge and awareness of the mental health needs of children with intellectual/developmental disabilities (IDD), and in the interest of developing better capacity to address those needs.
Texas ADDM Network
The Texas-Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (TX-ADDM) Network is part of the ADDM Network. TX-ADDM partners with educational and health sites across Bexar County to match and collect essential data to estimate the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) among 4- and 8-year-old children.
Texas Technology Access Program
The Texas Technology Access Program (TTAP) provides assistive technology device loans, demonstration centers, recycle/reuse programs, and financing.
EMPOWER
Working with self-advocates, caregivers, and other stakeholders this project identifies the gaps in knowledge, skills, and the overall healthcare transition readiness of racially and minoritized youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their caregivers.