Awareness to Action: Supporting Children with Neurodevelopmental Disabilities and Mental Health Challenges
Friday, October 23, 2026, 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Ascension Seton Texas Administrative Offices,
1345 Philomenia, Austin, Texas 78723
Children with neurodevelopmental disabilities have a higher risk of co-occurring mental health conditions than the general population. However, mental health treatment is often inaccessible due to system divides in mental health and developmental disability services, mental health concerns being frequently overlooked or attributed to their disability, and a lack of mental health service providers who feel confident working with these children.
The Summit will provide concrete strategies on how we can shift our mindsets, language, and practices to create environments where young people with mental health and neurodevelopmental disorders can thrive.
- 4.5 complimentary CEUs, education credits or a certificate of attendance.
- Light breakfast and box lunch provided
- Free parking
Who should attend? Healthcare providers, mental health providers, educators, social workers, family partners, and other child-serving professionals
Presented by: Kids Living Well, a network of dedicated social workers, peer support specialists, health and behavioral healthcare providers, educators and others working together to promote the mental health of Travis County children and youth.
8:30 a.m. Registration and light breakfast
8:45 a.m. Welcome
9:00 a.m. Mental health needs of youth with neurodevelopmental disabilities, Young Shin Kim, MD, MS, MPH, PhD, Division Chief of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Dell Children’s Medical Center
10:00 a.m. Break
10:15 a.m. Belonging, Wellness and Mental Health: Supporting Youth with Developmental Disabilities Across Systems – a panel discussion
- Moderator: Leah Kelly, parent, Certified Family Partner
- Adrian Heston, youth
- Rachel Alhanti, LCSW, APRN, PMHNP-BC, Pediatric Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, UT Health Austin Pediatric Psychiatry at Dell Children’s Medical Center
- Jessica Arjet, Owner, Hideout Theater
- Jon Lasser, Ph.D., Regents' Professor & University Distinguished Professor, Department of Counseling, Leadership, Adult Education, and School Psychology, Texas State University
11:45 p.m. Lunch
12:45 p.m. Presentation of the Henry McMahon Award to Seanna Crosbie
1:00 p.m. Trauma-informed Care for Individuals with IDD, Holly Fulmer, MS, CDCOR, Trauma-Informed Policy and Training Specialist, Texas Health and Human Services Commission
2:00 p.m. Assume a sensory reason. Behavior may not mean what you think. Jordan Smelley, Certified Mental Health Peer Specialist
3:00 p.m. Adjourn
If you have questions about this event, please contact mary.dodd@integralcare.org