SU & IDD/A Practice Guide
People first, always.
A trauma-informed, person-centered field guide for everyone supporting people who live at the meeting point of substance use and IDD / Autism — built for action, not just reference.
Every example in this guide is grounded in a real person. We use identity-first and person-first language interchangeably — the community is not a monolith.
Who are you reading this as?
Your selection shifts emphasis and language across every page.
Start where you need to.
Why this guide exists
Real people, real stakes
I do better when someone shows me what to do instead of just telling me.
I wish the first counselor we met had been trained for both — not just one.
Screening tools designed for IDD/A change who we even see in the door.
Myth or fact?
People with IDD don't use substances.
12 chapters, end to end
Read straight through, or jump to whatever you need — every page stands alone.
What this practice guide covers, who it's for, and how to navigate the chapters and interactive tools.
Dignity, autonomy, harm reduction, equity, and accessibility — the values that anchor every chapter of this guide.
Definitions, levels, and the history shaping how developmental disability is understood and supported today.
Diagnoses, genetics, lived experience, case examples, and a hub of trusted IDD/Autism resources for clinicians and families.
Definitions, common substances, clinical challenges, and case examples grounded in real-world practice.
Trauma-informed care, access, universal design, and screening where substance use and IDD/A meet.
Person-centered care, clinical ethics, prevention, and harm reduction adapted for IDD/A.
What raises vulnerability to substance use at the IDD/A intersection — and what protects against it.
Videos, worksheets, role plays, and case walkthroughs for everyday clinical and support work.
Crisis lines, state-by-state service finders, and a searchable library of IDD/A-informed tools.
Treatment approaches, positive behavior supports, and outcomes across systems serving IDD/A and SUD.
Monthly network meetings, QR hub access, and an RSVP form to join the SUD & IDD/A Community of Practice.