Why We Should All Care About the Lack of Behavioral Support for People with Developmental Disabilities

Imagine watching someone you love struggle every day, not because of who they are, but because they can’t get the help they need. For thousands of families across the country, this is their daily reality. People with developmental disabilities, including autism and intellectual disabilities, often need specialized behavioral support to navigate challenges like communication difficulties, anxiety or self-regulation. These services are increasingly difficult, if not impossible, to find. People with intellectual developmental disabilities and their families are struggling.

The result? Families are left exhausted and overwhelmed, forced to become full-time caregivers without all the tools or resources they need to fully support their loved ones. People with disabilities fail to thrive without the critical support needed to help them succeed and scale the barriers that limit them. Parents have to leave their jobs to manage care. Siblings grow up too fast, stepping in to help. Entire support networks are stretched thin to fill the gaps where professional services could be.

And it’s not just families who are struggling. Healthcare workers, home care aides, educators and residential staff face an impossible task—providing quality care without proper training, staffing or funding. Emergency rooms become the fallback option when someone experiences a behavioral crisis, yet they’re not equipped to provide long-term solutions. Systems and facilities are overwhelmed, leading to burnout among workers and, tragically, people being turned away from the very services meant to support them.

At its core, this is about dignity. Every person deserves the chance to live a fulfilling life with the right supports. Without real investment in behavioral support programs, we’re failing not only individuals with developmental disabilities but also the families and professionals who care for them.

This isn’t just their problem–it’s our problem. A society that truly values all its members must ensure that everyone, regardless of ability, has access to the care and respect they deserve. WE CAN do better.

There are steps each of us can take to do something about this unmet need:

• WE CAN be empathetic and supportive when we see someone who’s having difficulty. Ask politely if you can help and respect the answer.
• We CAN share our opposition to cuts to Medicaid with legislators.
  Contact our legislators: laurabaker.org/advocate.
• WE CAN like and share this blog and other social media posts.
• WE CAN raise awareness of the Laura Baker Services Association and the new Behavioral Support Program. I invite you to take the first step today! Go to: laurabaker.org/bss to learn more.

 

Heather Durenberger
Consultant, Laura Baker Services Association

As a member of the Behavioral Support Services Design Team, I’m excited that the new Behavioral Support Services program is launching soon. This program provides behavioral consultations and training to families and organizations that support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) who are experiencing behavioral issues. Stay tuned for more details!