Foundations of Speech Therapy with Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

This course is designed for speech-language pathologists who want to move beyond compliance-based goals and toward real, meaningful communication for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Rooted in a neuroaffirming, person-centered approach, this training centers autonomy, dignity, and lived experience—while staying grounded in practical, functional therapy that actually transfers to daily life. You’ll learn how to support communication in ways that honor each client’s identity, preferences, and support needs, without forcing neurotypical norms or prioritizing “performance” over participation. Rather than focusing on artificial tasks or age-inappropriate goals, this course emphasizes real-world skills: self-advocacy, functional language, AAC access, social participation, emotional expression, and communication across environments like healthcare settings, work, relationships, and community spaces. This training reflects what’s often missing from traditional graduate programs: how to work with adults with I/DD ethically, respectfully, and realistically—especially in systems that were never built with them in mind. You’ll walk away with concrete strategies, adaptable frameworks, and a deeper understanding of how to collaborate with adults of all communication profiles, including nonspeaking and minimally speaking individuals. Whether you work in private practice, community programs, day habilitation, or are looking to expand into adult services, this course supports you in becoming a clinician who prioritizes function over form, connection over compliance, and access over assumptions.