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.
11 chapters, end to end
Read straight through, or jump to whatever you need — every page stands alone.
What this guide is and how to use it.
Dignity, autonomy, harm reduction, equity, accessibility.
Developmental disability definitions and levels.
Diagnoses, genetics, case examples, resource hub.
Definitions, substances, clinical challenges, cases.
Trauma-informed care, access, universal design, screening.
Person-centered care, clinical ethics, prevention, and harm reduction.
What raises vulnerability — and what protects.
Videos, worksheets, role plays, case walkthroughs.
Crisis lines, state finders, searchable library.
Treatment approaches, behavior supports, outcomes.