Human Development Center at LSU Health New Orleans

10/02/2026

We had SO much fun at the GUMBO Bowl last Friday! ♿️🏈

PAYCheck Program especially loved getting to try adaptive wheelchair skating. A huge shoutout to the volunteers from the LSU School of Medicine who joined us and helped make the day so much fun!

We’re grateful to be part of an event that celebrates adaptive sports, veterans, people with disabilities, and the power of community. Thanks to everyone who made the Gumbo Bowl such a fun weekend! New Orleans Saints Wheelchair ♿️ Football Team

10/02/2026

We loved joining 4th-year LSU Health School of Dentistry students in the Special Care elective for a guest lecture! 🦷

LEND Director Krista James, PhD and HDC Director Ali Kowitz, MEd discussed the social model of disability, environmental and attitudinal barriers, and how we can make dental care more accessible for people with neurodevelopmental disabilities. Students also worked together through a case study focused on creating a more accessible dental clinic.

A special shoutout to LEND alumna Emily Schasteen, who helped create this course! We’re grateful for the opportunity to learn and share alongside the next generation of dental professionals.

10/02/2026

New Orleans Regional Transit Authority is asking for your input on making the entire system more accessible, safe, and efficient for everyone, especially those with disabilities.
Time is running out to have your voice heard, complete their streetcar modernization survey here: https://hdr.jotform.com/form/rta-streetcar

For more info https://www.norta.com/current-projects/streetcar-modernization-study

🚋Couldn’t make it to our Streetcar Open Houses? We still want to hear from you! 🚋
Take our survey and check out Open House materials, like boards and posters, at the link below or in our bio:
norta.com/current-projects/streetcar-modernization-study/open-house

10/01/2026

That’s a wrap on ! Thank you to FASD United for organizing ❤️

Krista and Amy are proud to represent Louisiana’s FASD initiatives while connecting with people from across the country who are working to improve outcomes for individuals and families affected by FASD.

From learning about new research and best practices to sharing ideas, building relationships, and hearing from people with lived experience, Impact Week was a meaningful opportunity to learn from the broader FASD community—and bring that knowledge back home to Louisiana.

09/30/2026

You can now download the task analyses featured in our Toolkit! These visual guides break everyday activities into smaller, manageable steps to help build independence, confidence, and routines.

For people with and other neurodiversities, tools like task analysis can provide helpful structure and support different executive functioning needs.

Download the guides for:
• Morning routine
• Getting ready for dinner
• Using a debit card

Download the task analyses here: https://www.hdc.lsuhsc.edu/News1/2026-09-01_none-for-nine.aspx #:~:text=FASD%20%26%20Executive%20Functioning

During , we’re exploring executive functioning and building a Neurodiversity Toolkit with practical tools and supports for everyday life.

09/24/2026

Thank you to WVUE FOX 8 for covering with Dr. Krista James! If you think your child has , learn how to get a diagnosis at our NESTT Clinic: https://www.hdc.lsuhsc.edu/nestt/default.aspx

The NESTT Clinic is a clinic, which means an interdisciplinary team screens for many different ways a child can think, learn, communicate, and experience the world. We screen for things like:
- Autism
- ADHD
- Learning differences
- Communication delays
- Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD)
- Intellectual disabilities
- Sensory processing differences
- Other neurodevelopmental conditions

As many as 1 in 20 children have FASD. Talk to your child’s pediatrician about their developmental milestones or schedule an appointment at the NESTT today.

09/23/2026

Task analysis isn’t just for kids. It can be a helpful tool at any age! For young adults, a task analysis can break down everyday activities and skills into manageable steps. Think about learning how to:
Use a debit card 💳
Fill up your car with gas ⛽️
Solve a math equation 🧮
Use a new study strategy 📑

Breaking something down step-by-step can make it easier to know where to start, what to do next, and how to complete the task.

During , we’re exploring executive functioning and building a Neurodiversity Toolkit with practical tools and supports for everyday life.

09/23/2026

Feeling frustrated or lost in the morning? A task analysis can help you break your routine down and get started.

During , we’re exploring executive functioning and building a Neurodiversity Toolkit with practical tools and supports for everyday life.

09/22/2026

Executive functioning helps us plan, organize, start, and complete everyday tasks. But when a task has a lot of steps, knowing where to start can sometimes be the hardest part.

A task analysis can help by breaking an activity into smaller, manageable steps. Instead of thinking about the whole task at once, you can focus on one step at a time. This can make it easier to know what to do next, get started, and work toward completing the task.

For people with and other neurodiversities, tools like task analysis can provide helpful structure and support different executive functioning needs.

During , we’re exploring executive functioning and building a Neurodiversity Toolkit with practical tools and supports for everyday life.

09/22/2026

Sometimes, a task feels overwhelming because there are more steps than we realize.

That’s where a task analysis can help. A task analysis breaks an activity down into smaller, manageable steps—like making a peanut butter sandwich. Before you can even make the sandwich, you have to grab the bread, open the bag, and get the other ingredients.

Breaking a task into smaller steps can make it easier to understand what needs to happen next and help you get started.

As part of our series, we’re exploring executive functioning and building a Neurodiversity Toolkit of practical tools and supports that can help meet different needs.