Texas Tech University's Virginia Murray Sowell Center for Research and Education in Sensory Disabilities is implementing Project TEDD: Training Educators in Dual Diagnosis, an initiative to address a state need for K-12 educators who specialize in teaching students who have a dual diagnosis of an intellectual and developmental disability and a mental health condition. Developmental disabilities are severe, chronic disabilities that occur before the age of 22, such as autism, cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities, traumatic brain injury, and epilepsy.
The project enhances the competencies of educators in K-12 settings who work with students with dual diagnosis. The educators receive knowledge in the areas of identification, referral, assessment, behavior, and academic best practices. These educators will receive advanced training in collaboration and communication, crisis intervention, and working with families. This new knowledge will enable educators to make meaningful decisions in how to best support students who have challenging support needs.