Dr. Jodi Tate is a psychiatrist from Iowa who specializes in working with adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and mental health challenges. Dr. Tate shares her journey into this field, emphasizing the lack of formal training for healthcare providers in treating individuals with IDD and advocating for better education through initiatives like a specialized psychiatry residency track and Project Echo—a virtual case-based learning program for direct support professionals. She highlights the importance of addressing diagnostic overshadowing, using medications judiciously, and persistent advocacy for quality care. Dr. Tate also recounts a success story involving electroconvulsive therapy for a patient with severe depression, illustrating the need for individualized, evidence-based treatment. The conversation underscores systemic gaps in healthcare for people with IDD and calls for expanding workforce training to ensure equitable, compassionate care.

Steve Gonyea, an advocate and foster parent from New York, shares his journey from seeking help for his son with autism and other disabilities to becoming a statewide leader in disability advocacy. Initially struggling to find proper diagnoses and services, Steve began helping other families and eventually served on agency boards, fostering over 170 children with complex needs. He highlights systemic issues such as long wait times for evaluations, lack of oversight in medication management, and inadequate dental care access, advocating for creative, out-of-the-box solutions like building sensory spaces and collaborating with local providers. Steve emphasizes the importance of parent-driven advocacy, networking through support groups, and pushing for legislative changes, such as ombudsman programs, to improve oversight and services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Nick Alexander shares his journey from industrial engineering in regulated industries to innovating healthcare technology. Nick explains how his company, Never Alone, focuses on improving independence and social connection for seniors and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Initially designed as a telehealth platform, it evolved into a holistic care solution combining medical support and social engagement, available 24/7 through simple devices. The service emphasizes personalized care plans, rural access, and partnerships with local providers to ensure continuity and trust. Nick highlights the importance of solving the right problems, building strong teams, and maintaining user-centered design, concluding with three guiding principles: lead with care, collaborate and innovate patiently, and practice kindness.