What Organizations Need to Know to Support Aging Adults with IDD

Board Certified Music Therapist, Neurologic Music Therapist-Fellow, and the founder of Music Speaks, LLC, which provides music therapy across seven states with a team of nearly 40 clinicians. Stephanie specializes in working with older adults, neurologic disorders, and end-of-life care. Certified by the Academy of Neurologic Music Therapy since 2011, she focuses on combining evidence-based neuroscience and sensory techniques to meet diverse care planned needs.

She joined St. Louis Arc in 1984 as a Direct Support Professional and now provides leadership, mentorship, and support to the organization's Residential Services team. She holds a Master's Degree in Public Administration from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and serves as an Area Representative for Missouri ANCOR and Chair of SLANCOR. A nationally recognized speaker on aging and end-of-life care for people with IDD.

She is an occupational therapist with 27+ years of private practice in New York City where she evaluates and treats children, teens, and adults with sensory processing differences, intellectual disabilities, autism, and other challenges. She is co-author of the bestselling Raising a Sensory Smart Child and author of Sensory Processing Challenges,: Effective Clinical Work with Kids and Teens. She has conducted trainings for thousands of teachers, parents, therapists, and others and has appeared in the New York Times, Autism Advocate magazine, and other publications. To learn more, please visit www.sensorysmarts.com.

He is a board-certified neurologist whose clinical and advocacy work has focused for decades on the neurologic care of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including epilepsy, aging, and dementia. He is Co-President of the National Task Group on Intellectual Disabilities and Dementia Practices, Past President of the American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry (AADMD), and Founding Chair of the American Academy of Neurology’s Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Section. His perspective is grounded in decades of caring for and learning from people with IDD, their families, caregivers, and community support professionals.