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Sofia Cervantes, Advocate with the California Council on Developmental Disabilities (SCDD).
Sofía Cervantes is an advocate with the California Council on Developmental Disabilities (SCDD). She has over 20 years of experience in various roles supporting individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. She holds a master’s degree in social work and has clinical experience providing mental health therapy to individuals with developmental disabilities and co-occurring mental health diagnoses.
Committed to equity and access, Sofía works to drive systemic change and promote inclusion. Her passion is to strengthen leadership and advocacy within Spanish-speaking Latino communities. She seeks to raise awareness about disability to transform societal narratives and unlock potential that is often hidden by low expectations. Through training and collaboration, she works to improve the quality of services and expand the opportunities and choices available for individuals with developmental disabilities.
Plenary Session
Nov. 14 – 10:50 AM
Disability Awareness: Understanding the Diversity of Disabilities
This session introduces the wide range of disabilities—both visible and invisible—and how they can affect learning, communication, social skills, behavior, and day-to-day functioning. We’ll explain that there is no single “high” or “low functioning” label. Instead, each person has a unique profile across different areas: someone may have strong communication and lower social skills, or significant motor challenges and strong cognitive abilities. This session would include a brief overview of supportive strategies.
Learning objectives would include:
- Recognize the difference between visible and invisible disabilities.
- Understand key domains affected by disability (cognitive, communication, social, behavior, motor/adaptive).
- Replace “high/low functioning” labels with individualized profiles and support needs.
- Identify strengths-based, inclusive practices that match a person’s specific profile
Breakout Sessions
Nov. 14 – 2:15 PM – 3:30 PM
The Power of Perspective: Understanding Stereotypes, Grief, and Stigma in the IDD Journey
This presentation examines the most common misconceptions and stereotypes about disabilities and how these contribute to stigma. We will explore the historical context to understand how stigmas have developed, persisted over time, and continue to influence both the public’s and parents’ perceptions of individuals with IDD.
The session will also highlight how language has evolved to reflect society’s growth in perspective—while recognizing that this is still a work in progress. We will discuss the grief process that many parents experience when faced with a new diagnosis—helping them identify which stage they may be in, how this influences their approach and style of advocacy when navigating various systems, and how their own expectations of their child play a role. When expectations are lowered, advocacy often diminishes; raising expectations can open doors to greater opportunities and support.
The session will conclude with a thought-provoking video that challenges and reshapes our view of disabilities, followed by a reading of The Edison Letter—a powerful piece that offers a perspective shift for parents. Participants will leave with a renewed understanding that the way we talk about disabilities matters, and that a shift in mindset is essential to effectively support our children and the broader IDD community.
Nov. 14 – 3:45 PM – 5:00 PM
Understanding Sensory Impacts on Behavior, Learning, and Communication
This presentation is designed to help families and caregivers better understand how sensory experiences what we see, hear, feel, smell, and taste can deeply influence the way people with developmental disabilities think, feel, and behave. Everyone experiences the world through their senses, but some people may be more sensitive or less sensitive to certain inputs. These differences can affect their ability to learn, communicate, and stay calm.
The session explores:
- Understanding of the 3 senses that we always forget about (proprioception, introception and vestibular processing
- What sensory processing differences look like (e.g., being overly sensitive to sound or not noticing pain).
- How these differences can lead to behavior challenges, especially during times of stress or crisis.
- The difference between a meltdown and a tantrum, and why understanding this matters.
- How stimming (repetitive movements or sounds) can be a person’s way of calming themselves.
- How the brain processes sensory input and how dysregulation can trigger fight/flight/freeze responses.
- How sensory overload can look like aggression, anxiety, or withdrawal—and why it’s not intentional.
- Practical strategies to support regulation, such as reducing noise, using calming tools, and allowing time for processing.
- How families and caregivers can prepare a “sensory toolkit” to help in difficult situations.
This presentation empowers families to see behaviors not as defiance or misbehavior—but often as a communication tool or response to sensory overload. With the right understanding and support, we can create safer, more supportive environments that help individuals with disabilities thrive, even in moments of stress.
Nov. 15 – 2:00 PM – 3:15 PM
Putting It Into Practice: Action Planning for Disability Services & Supports
Participants will engage in hands-on learning through case scenarios featuring a child, a teen, and an adult. Working in small groups, they will explore each individual’s strengths, challenges, interests, needs, and goals. Groups will identify necessary services and supports, and develop practical action plans to help each person access what they need to thrive. This interactive approach will build participants’ skills in assessing needs and creating effective, person-centered strategies.