Kansas LEND

02/12/2026

We’re grateful to the Life Span Institute for highlighting the work we do through our Kansas LEND Family Education Sessions! 💙 These sessions are designed to empower and inform parents about the many supports available for their children with autism and other developmental disabilities. It’s an honor to walk alongside families and provide education, resources, and connection that make a meaningful difference.

Safety on the spectrum: From playground elopement to police encounters Based on a parent survey, about half of autistic children and youth were reported to wander, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported. Adobe Tue, 02/03/2026 author Christina Knott Share Share by Email Share on Link...

02/12/2026

Our partners at Kansas Family Support Center are going to spend time sharing what they do and what they offer to families in the state of Kansas. Register to learn more! Can't watch in real time? They too have a YouTube page where they archive their webinars.

https://www.youtube.com/

Have you ever wanted to learn more about what exactly KFSC offers, and how we can help you? On Thursday, February 26th @ 12pm CST you'll be able to do just that! Sara Diaz de Villegas and Kit Hynson will be presenting "KFSC and How We Serve You".

Attendees of this webinar will:
- Learn more about KFSC services
- Discover how to use resources and sign up for trainings
- Explore the intake process for requesting specific help/resources

Sign up for this event here: https://redcap.kumc.edu/surveys/?s=NEF8XH3RMCJLCATN

02/10/2026

Here's a great opportunity on February 28th from RestKC!

Join us for connection and support for the whole family. Children with disabilities and their siblings will enjoy a safe, social, and engaging session. Caregivers are invited to drop off their children for the duration of the event or stay on site just down the hall from their kids. Those who stay can relax with coffee and donuts while taking part in enriching workshops and meaningful conversation. A welcoming space for learning, sharing, and recharging, together! A licensed RN will be onsite for the duration of the event. Pre-registration is required.

Join us for a FREE morning of respite and connection!

02/10/2026

Thursday night, Kansas LEND Family Education Series will be on dental care. Get registered today!

Taking care of your teeth isn’t always simple, especially if you live with disabilities. That’s why we created "Confidence in Every Smile: Practical Oral Hea...

01/31/2026

🎨❤️ National Inspire Your Heart With Art Day ❤️🎨

Today we celebrate the power of art to connect, heal, and inspire. For many individuals with autism, art is a meaningful way to communicate, express emotions, and share their unique perspective with the world. Autistic artists are incredible creators—bringing creativity, focus, honesty, and originality into every piece they make.

Let’s take today to showcase their talents, accept their differences, and celebrate their strengths. When we embrace neurodiversity in the arts, we make space for voices that deserve to be seen, heard, and valued. 💙



Please feel free to share links to local artists in the chat to highlight them.

01/30/2026

Emerging Leaders of Kansas LEND...

My Name is Veronica Fernandez! I’m a currently a family trainee with LEND! I’m the Loud Parent that loves to go to Washington DC and talk to politicians,legislators ect… and loved by School Districts. Last year! I had one of the greatest opportunities to join LEND! And “THE MISSION” and I had to better understand.

How many times in our lives we heard it takes a VILLAGE TO GROW HEALTHY HUMAN MINDS…? I feel very fortunate because I finally meet that Village with LEND. “ One of the greatest experiences in this Mission is that they give me the opportunity to meet the most unique, kind and amazing people and our job is to make sure they feel seeing,included, safe and loved! Because they have “The Right of Acceptance of their own identity “.

I am a part of the Early Intervention Project, and WCECCI which has strengthened my commitment to supporting families during their most critical moments. I continue to advocate for parents and educators to complete the OASIS training module developed by Dr. Linda Powell, as I believe this resource is essential for empowering families and improving the quality of support provided to children with developmental needs.

The knowledge, understanding, and perspective I am gaining through LEND and Early Intervention are helping me become a stronger advocate, not only for my daughter, but also for the broader community.

Thank you for supporting and guiding me through this transformative journey.



Picture description: Latina woman with shoulder length brown hair wearing a green dress standing in front of a Christmas tree.

01/28/2026

As a parent with a child who has been diagnosed with autism or a related disability you don't know what you don't know. The Kansas Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and related Disabilities (Kansas LEND) at the University of Kansas Medical Center provides sessions on topics that are relevant to everyday lives in the families of those with intellectual and developmental disabilities across the lifespan with the Family Education Series.

Our Next Kansas LEND Family Education Series - Confidence In Every Smile: Tools For Better Oral Health with Abby Richwine, with Oral Health Kansas will be Thursday, February 12th from 6-7pm.

Brushing teeth and going to the dentist can be tough for people with disabilities. In this session, you will learn simple ways to help make oral care easier. We’ll showcase short videos with simple tips for people with disabilities and their helpers that can make brushing easier. You will also find out how to look for dentists who accept Medicaid and treat people with disabilities. Plus, we’ll share ideas on how to talk with dentists about the importance of offering care for people with disabilities.

Registration link is in the comments.

While these sessions are designed with parents and caregivers in mind, they are free and open to anyone. Any questions and/or concerns should be directed to Stephanie Coleman at scoleman3@kumc.edu

Taking care of your teeth isn’t always simple, especially if you live with disabilities. That’s why we created "Confidence in Every Smile: Practical Oral Hea...

01/28/2026

What a well deserved recognition for our partners at Juniper Gardens Children's Project!! They have a long 60 year history of improving children’s social well-being and academic achievement for their community and throughout Kansas!

For 60 years, the University of Kansas Life Span Institute program has improved children's lives while making strides in research and training early career scientists.

01/27/2026

Congratulations to KUCD - Kansas University Center on Disabilities Director Dr. Karrie Shogren on receiving the 2026 AAIDD Education Award!👏

KUCD Director and Ross and Marianna Beach Distinguished Professor in Special Education Dr. Karrie Shogren received the 2026 Education Award from The American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD)!

Learn more about the work we do at KUCD: kucd.ku.edu/about

01/26/2026

Kansas LEND Childcare Training program will hold More Than a Sticker Chart: Using Visual Supports webinar on Tuesday, January 27th from 6-7:30pm with Katy Tepper, PhD.

This is a KDHE approved training for 1.5 clock hours but open to anyone. This is focused on childcare providers in the state of Kansas, but is open to others who may be interested in attending. Parents as Teachers, Families, Social Workers, Targeted Case Managers.

To attend register here: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/679773516228594781

This webinar will provide participants with valuable information on how to effectively use and create visual supports to enhance communication, understanding, and independence for all children, including those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Visual supports are powerful tools that can help children navigate daily routines, understand expectations, make choices, and express their needs—especially in early childhood and caregiving settings. Participants will learn about different types of visual supports, such as schedules, choice boards, labels, social stories, and visual cues, along with practical strategies for implementation in school or childcare environments. This session will equip you with the tools to create inclusive, supportive spaces that empower every child through the consistent use of visuals tailored to their individual needs.

01/12/2026

In a world where and matters... thank you to Barbie for working with The Autistic Self Advocacy Network in expanding their Barbie collection to include a young woman with Autism!

01/09/2026

Our colleagues from the Community Health Improvement Program for Intellectual Disabilities are having a talent show!!
Get your free tickets today to have the opportunity to be entertained by some amazing talented individuals!

✨CHIP-ID’s BE BOLD Talent Show is taking the stage! ✨

Celebrate talent, creativity, and inclusion at CHIP-ID’s BE BOLD Talent Show!

Come cheer on amazing performers, celebrate inclusion, and support our community. 💙

Share this post, scan the QR code, or follow the link to register your attendance! https://kuadrc.org/talentshow