Baylor Center for Disability and Flourishing

Baylor Center for Disability and Flourishing Inclusive Edu. | Clinical Training | Transition to Adulthood | Family Supports | Faith & Disability

The Baylor University Center for Disability and Flourishing (BCDF) was established in November, 2013 as a collaborative effort between Baylor University and Baylor Scott & White McLane Children's to provide services for children with developmental disabilities, such as Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).

Last weekend, our team joined families, educators, and self-advocates at the Partners Resource Network BEACON Conference...
09/02/2026

Last weekend, our team joined families, educators, and self-advocates at the Partners Resource Network BEACON Conference in Richardson, Texas, where they led sessions in both English and Spanish.

We are grateful to Partners Resource Network and Region 10 Education Service Center for bringing families and professionals together to learn, connect, and discover resources that support young people with disabilities as they transition to adulthood after high school.

📚 Join us for our September Behavior Support PLC!This month, we’re exploring effective use of breaks in the classroom an...
08/31/2026

📚 Join us for our September Behavior Support PLC!

This month, we’re exploring effective use of breaks in the classroom and beyond, with practical strategies for using breaks as a proactive behavior support.

Participants will learn approaches for teaching students to appropriately request and use breaks, determining when and where breaks should occur, and avoiding common pitfalls that can unintentionally reinforce challenging behavior.

📅 Thursday, Sept. 10
⏰ 3–4 p.m. CT
💻 Free and open to educators and other professionals supporting students

Come ready to learn, collaborate and grow alongside fellow professionals!

🔗 Register: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=NfvSImolm0W89Nwj1C3ApFzpBSQ-ctBOnYGkwa3t5cpUMDFFRzlPUEFTV1U3NjNGRE44RDZQS0NKWS4u&route=shorturl

We are grateful to everyone who joined us for the Pathways to Possibilities Conference! Families, self-advocates, commun...
08/31/2026

We are grateful to everyone who joined us for the Pathways to Possibilities Conference!

Families, self-advocates, community organizations, and experts came together at Baylor University to connect, share resources and explore new opportunities for people with disabilities and their families.

Thanks to everyone who spent their Saturday learning, connecting and building new pathways to possibility with us!

Introducing the second Congregational Learning Community for The Bridges to Belonging project!This new cohort, made up o...
08/28/2026

Introducing the second Congregational Learning Community for The Bridges to Belonging project!

This new cohort, made up of 10 churches from Central Texas, kicked off its first gathering at Truett Theological Seminary.

Their first gathering focused on stories of belonging, and churches worshiped together, heard from a panel of storytellers, and were equipped to begin this journey by seeking out stories in their own congregations.

The Bridges to Belonging team is excited to come alongside each church as they explore what it looks like to create spaces where disabled youth can truly belong.

We were excited to welcome faculty, staff, and students to our annual orientation last week!We are grateful for the many...
08/27/2026

We were excited to welcome faculty, staff, and students to our annual orientation last week!

We are grateful for the many people who bring their talents, perspectives, and passions to this work, and we look forward to all we can accomplish together this year as we advance research, equip communities, and build belonging.

Here’s to a great year ahead! 🐻💚💛

We are excited to invite families to the next Sibling SUCCESS event, which is designed for children who have a sibling w...
08/26/2026

We are excited to invite families to the next Sibling SUCCESS event, which is designed for children who have a sibling with autism!

The event offers siblings ages 6–17 with an opportunity to:
• Learn about autism and strategies for interacting with their sibling
• Meet and connect with other children who have a sibling with autism
• Build friendships and share experiences in a supportive environment

📅 Saturday, September 12, 2026
⏰ 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
📍 UMHB Marek-Smith Center for Teacher Preparation, 1013 N. Pearl St., Belton, TX 76513

Register here: https://baylor.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0SXEmBDD0xiCqVw?Q_CHL=qr

We hope your family will join us for a meaningful day of learning, connection, and fun!

Last week, members of our Collaborative on Faith and Disability joined ministry leaders in Dallas for the annual Worship...
08/25/2026

Last week, members of our Collaborative on Faith and Disability joined ministry leaders in Dallas for the annual Worship As One Summit, hosted by With Ministries.

Our team shared research and insights on belonging and the barriers that can keep people with disabilities from fully participating in congregational life. The gathering also included a worship service led by people with disabilities.

We are grateful for opportunities like this to connect research with practice and equip churches to become communities where people of all abilities can belong, contribute, and flourish.

Inclusive employment benefits individuals, businesses, and whole communities. Join us Oct. 2 for the Inclusive Employmen...
08/24/2026

Inclusive employment benefits individuals, businesses, and whole communities. Join us Oct. 2 for the Inclusive Employment Conference & Job and Career Expo at Baylor University!

This free, full-day conference will bring together employers, educators, rehabilitation professionals and community partners to explore strategies for expanding meaningful employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.

🎤 Guest speaker: Darlene Unger, professor at Kent State University
💼 Topics: School-employer collaboration, business and rehabilitation partnerships, and supported employment
🤝 Job & Career Expo: Businesses and organizations are invited to showcase employment and career opportunities
📅 Oct. 2
📍 Foster Campus for Business and Innovation | Waco

Register for free here: forms.cloud.microsoft/r/m8JFDktCtn

Questions? Contact [email protected]

Congratulations to our Center’s director, Dr. Kristen Padilla on receiving the 2026 Helen G. FitzSimmons Leadership Awar...
08/20/2026

Congratulations to our Center’s director, Dr. Kristen Padilla on receiving the 2026 Helen G. FitzSimmons Leadership Award from the Texas Chapter of AAIDD.

This honor recognizes outstanding leadership in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities, a fitting recognition for Kristen’s years of leadership, service, and commitment to creating communities where people with disabilities and their families can flourish.

We are proud to celebrate this well-deserved honor with Kristen!

Read more about her invaluable contributions here:
https://disability.research.baylor.edu/news/story/2026/baylor-center-disability-and-flourishing-director-recognized-contributions-field

Address

2201 MacArthur Drive, Suite 101
Waco, TX
76708

Telephone

+12547107677

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Baylor Center for Disability and Flourishing posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The School

Send a message to Baylor Center for Disability and Flourishing:

Shortcuts

Share

Category