BHDDOIDD

We are officially ONE WEEK away from AutismConnect! Join us next Tuesday, April 7th at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center for a day of connection, learning, and support. We can’t wait to see you there! 📍 Where: Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center 🗓️ When: Tuesday, April 7th What to watch for: Social Media: Stay tuned right here—we’ll be posting a link the full event brochure very soon! Inbox: Keep an eye on your emails for final updates and important attendee details. See you in a week! 💙 #AutismConnect #ColumbiaSC #AutismAwareness #CommunitySupport

What an incredible day in Columbia for the @BrainInjurySC’s Walk, Run & Roll! 🧠💙 We had a fantastic time joining survivors, families, and advocates this past weekend at Canalside. The energy was high, the weather was perfect, and it was truly inspiring to see the community come together to support such a vital cause. Events like this are so important for raising awareness and providing resources for those affected by brain injuries across South Carolina. A huge thank you to the Brain Injury Association of South Carolina (BIASC) and all the sponsors for putting together such a meaningful and uplifting event. We’re already looking forward to next year! #BIAofSC #WalkRunRoll #BrainInjuryAwareness #ColumbiaSC #CommunityStrong #BHDDOIDD

A heart-felt thank you to our Platinum Sponsors for their incredible support of AutismConnect 2026. Your commitment to the autism community in South Carolina makes this sold-out event at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center possible! We are proud to partner with these organizations leading the way in inclusion, education, and therapy: @SCStateMuseum Kyo @abs_kids Beloved Behaviors LLC ABLE Kids Multidisciplinary Therapy Because of your generosity, we are able to bring over 1,800 individuals, families, and providers together to share resources and build a stronger, more supportive community.

The BHDD-OIDD team had a fantastic time at Spark in the Park hosted by @SPARKforAutism this past Saturday! ☀️✨ It was such a rewarding day spent connecting with our community. We truly enjoyed the opportunity to answer your questions, share resources, and interact with so many of our fellow providers and partners. A huge thank you to everyone who stopped by our table to say hello. These conversations are what help us continue to build a more inclusive and supportive South Carolina! #SparkInThePark #BHDDOIDD #CommunityConnection #AutismSupport #SouthCarolina #InclusionMatters

Brain Injury Awareness Month is about more than just facts—it’s about the people and the journeys behind them. We are honored to share a powerful new conversation with Ernie Massaro. In this candid interview, Ernie opens up about his personal road to recovery and the profound challenge of finding yourself again after everything changes in an instant.

For Brain Injury Awareness Month 2026, we are mapping out the road to recovery. Take a look at the image below for this week’s edition: Volume Three: The Rest Stops. We’re slowing down to explore the "stops" that often come with healing—the honest, difficult moments of: 🔹 Identity loss 🔹 Navigating grief 🔹 Finding strength in the stillness Survivor Spotlight Preview: 🎤 Get ready for a powerful conversation. Our full interview with Ernie Massaro drops this Friday! He’ll be sharing his personal perspective on finding yourself again after everything changes. 📅 Mark your calendars: The video goes live Friday on all OIDD social media platforms. #BrainInjuryAwarenessMonth #BIAM2026 #TheRestStops #SurvivorStories #BrainInjuryRecovery #OIDD #ComingFriday

✨ BIG NEWS for Autism Connect Attendees! ✨ Get ready for some serious BINGO fun! 🎟️ We are so excited to announce that you’ll have the chance to win one of EIGHT incredible Barbie dolls, including the first-ever Barbie with autism! 🌈 Thanks to a generous donation from Mattel, we’re giving away a variety of diverse and disability-related dolls that celebrate representation and inclusion. Want to take one home? Just join us for a round of BINGO! 🎈 📍 Where: Autism Connect 🎁 What: 8 Barbie dolls to be won! 🤝 Special thanks to Mattel for making this possible. Tickets are running out! Sign up to attend AutismConnect 2026 for FREE here!: eventbrite.com/e/autismconnec… See you there! 👋✨ #AutismConnect #InclusionMatters #Barbie #Representation #Neurodiversity

The countdown is officially ON! We are down to the final 200 tickets for Autism Connect 2026. The response has been incredible, and we don’t want you to miss out on this day of connection, learning, and community support. These last few spots will go fast! Secure your spot now on Eventbrite: eventbrite.com/e/autismconnec… #AutismConnect2026 #AutismAwareness #CommunitySupport #FinalCall #autismawareness #autism

The BHDD-OIDD team had an incredible time at the @SCStateMuseum's Disability Celebration Day this past Saturday! It was a day filled with joy, creativity, and true community. From the massive ZotArtz floor mural created with adaptive tools to the sensory-friendly 4D shows and silent disco, the museum was a model of what an inclusive space should look like. We loved meeting so many families and sharing how our office supports South Carolinians with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Thank you to the SC State Museum for hosting such a meaningful event and helping everyone "make their mark!" 🎨🎧 Together, we’re building a more accessible South Carolina. 🤝 #InclusionMatters #BHDD #SCStateMuseum #Accessibility #DisabilityPride #CommunityStrong

In honor of Brain Injury Awareness Month, we are honored to announce the second installment of our interview series featuring a truly remarkable guest, Dolores Sullivan. Dolores is a survivor of domestic violence who sustained a brain injury as a result of the abuse. In this vulnerable and powerful conversation, she joins us to share her personal journey and how she has navigated the often "hidden" hurdles of recovery. Brain injuries from domestic violence are a silent epidemic, often going undiagnosed and misunderstood. Dolores’s story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the vital need for awareness and support for all survivors. #braininjuryawareness #braininjury

Get ready for an eye-opening look at The Invisible Toll. While some injuries are easy to see, the hidden struggles of brain injury—like social isolation and relationship stress—can be the hardest to navigate. She joins us to share her personal journey and how she’s navigated the "hidden" hurdles of recovery. 🎥 Survivor Spotlight Premiere: Tomorrow, we’re releasing an exclusive interview withDolores Sullivan What to look for tomorrow: Dolores’s Story: A powerful conversation on resilience. The Traffic Light System 🚦: We’ll show you how to use this simple green-yellow-red tool to better communicate your limits with loved ones. 🔔 Set your notifications! The video will be available right here and across all OIDD social media platforms. #BrainInjuryAwarenessMonth #BIAM2026 #TheInvisibleToll #SurvivorSpotlight #OIDD #InvisibleIllness

Yesterday’s Accessibility Advocacy Day at the State House was an important day for our community. 🏛️ The BHDD Office of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities joined self-advocates and families to discuss the essential services that help South Carolinians live independently. In times of transition and change, it is more important than ever to stay connected with our leaders to ensure the needs of the disability community remain a priority. Thank you to the South Carolina Partnership of Disability Organizations (SCPDO) for hosting such a vital event. Together, we continue the work of building an inclusive state for everyone. 🤝✨ #AdvocacyInAction #BHDD #SCStateHouse #Inclusion #DisabilityRights

March is Brain Injury Awareness Month 2026, and we are launching our first newsletter series: THE ROAD TO REDISCOVERY. Every journey starts with a single step, but for survivors, that step often begins with an unexpected turn. This week, we explore Week One: The Detour—the moment life abruptly changes. #braininjuryawareness #braininjuryrecovery #braininjuryrecovery

March is Brain Injury Awareness Month, and we’re starting it with a powerful reminder of resilience. 🧠 To kick off the month, we are incredibly proud to share a special video montage featuring brain injury survivors. They aren't just sharing their stories; they’re sharing the lessons, the growth, and the wisdom they’ve gained through their journeys. Every injury is unique, but the strength within this community is universal. Watch, listen, and join us as we raise our voices to change the narrative around brain injury. What to expect this month: Educational Thursdays: Every Thursday, we’ll release a educational newsletter to help you learn more about the complexities of brain injury. Survivor Fridays: Every Friday, tune in for an in-depth video interview with a survivor sharing their personal journey. youtu.be/vk6ESzvbKDQ #BrainInjuryAwarenessMonth #MoreThanMyBrainInjury #BIAM2026 #SurvivorStories #BrainInjuryRecovery #EducationAndAwareness

🚨 Only 3 EXHIBITOR TABLES LEFT! 🚨 Opportunity is calling! We are down to our final few spots for AutismConnect 2026. This is your chance to showcase your services, connect with families, and join a community dedicated to making a difference. Don't miss out—once they're gone, they're gone! ✨ Why exhibit? -Direct access to the autism community. -Network with industry professionals. -Build brand awareness and support a great cause. 🔗 Secure your spot NOW: forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/DesignPa… Attend AutismConnect for FREE: eventbrite.com/e/autismconnec…

The response to AutismConnect 2026 has been incredible! We are officially OVER HALF-WAY through our free ticket allocation. Autism Connect 2026 is set to be our most impactful event yet, bringing together experts, families, and advocates for a day of connection and breakthrough insights. We don’t want anyone in our community to miss out because they waited too long! Why attend? - Gain exclusive access to neurodiversity resources. -Hear from amazing keynote speakers. - Connect with a supportive, like-minded community. Claim your FREE ticket now before they’re gone: eventbrite.com/e/autismconnec… #AutismConnect2026 #Neurodiversity #AutismAwareness #FreeEvent #CommunitySupport

We’re just 2 MONTHS away from Autism Connect 2026! Ready to see what’s in store for SC's largest FREE autism conference? Watch our highlight reel to catch a glimpse of the expert workshops, innovative therapies, and vibrant community waiting for you on April 7th at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center! 🎟️ Tickets are FREE but space is limited! Join individuals, families, and professionals for a day of learning and connection. 👇 Register for your free spot here: eventbrite.com/e/autismconnec… youtube.com/watch?v=aglBth…

These insights form the foundation of a new Trauma-Informed Support eLearn Course from IntellectAbility Academy, designed for anyone supporting people with IDD (DSPs, clinicians, leaders, etc.). Explore the course overview: replacingrisk.com/wp-content/upl…

Listen to the full podcast conversation: youtube.com/watch?si=WUTdt…

Trauma doesn't always stem from a single event. For individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), it often accumulates over a lifetime due to disrupted relationships, loss, and experiences that go unseen or misunderstood. This crucial perspective drives the work of Dr. Karyn Harvey, PhD, a recognized leader in trauma-informed support for people with IDD. For decades, she has advocated for shifting the field beyond behavior-focused interpretations toward approaches grounded in safety, connection, and healing. In a recent IDD Health Matters podcast, Dr. Harvey discussed how trauma influences behavior and identity, and why supporters must look beyond "what's wrong" to understand a person's history. Watch a short message from Dr. Harvey: youtube.com/watch?v=KcA5wp…