On Monday, October 26, 2026, Autism Sanctuary led a new session on intellectual and developmental disabilities for students in the UVA School of Medicine's Social Issues in Medicine (SIM) course. Instead of a slide deck, students saw real clinical encounters: three of the adults we support took part in brief one-on-one exams with Dr. Summer Scavone of the UVA Family Medicine Residency Program.
Families first
Before the exams began, families shared their perspectives while their loved ones were not yet present: what routine healthcare looks like for them, how communication works, and what helps their loved one feel safe in a clinical setting.
The theme of the day: listening
Every parent came back to the same point. They may not have the formal medical training these future doctors will have, but they know what their kids need.
Dr. Scavone echoed that. She sees each patient for only a brief window of time, and she relies on parents to know what is going on. Rather than rushing through vitals, she focused on building rapport, asking families for guidance, and reading each person's cues as the exam unfolded.
Dr. Drew Harris, director of the SIM course, closed with a personal story. His mother was a speech therapist, and he grew up with her clients coming to their home. He still keeps a papier-mâché ear that belonged to her, a reminder to listen.
What students took away
- Adapting communication and exams for patients who are nonspeaking or have limited verbal communication and complex support needs.
- Treating parents and caregivers as essential partners in every visit.
- Noticing sensory and environmental triggers, and adjusting the pace of an exam to protect comfort, dignity, and safety.
Thank you
Thank you to the UVA School of Medicine SIM team, to Dr. Scavone and Dr. Harris, and above all to the families who shared their experience with the next generation of physicians. We'd also love to host first-year students completing their SIM service-learning hours on the farm.
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