Meaningful friendships are essential for a fulfilling life, especially for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. At Virginia Therapeutic Network, we understand the importance of building social connections beyond paid support. In this blog, we explore why expanding social circles outside of paid help is vital for emotional well-being, personal growth, and true community inclusion.

Skill development doesn’t stop in childhood—it’s a lifelong journey, especially for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. At Virginia Therapeutic Network, we focus on supporting continued learning that fosters independence, dignity, and purpose. In this blog, we explore how ongoing skill acquisition empowers individuals to live value-driven lives and achieve their personal goals well into adulthood.

Effective crisis management is essential to ensuring the safety and well-being of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. At Virginia Therapeutic Network, we emphasize person-centered, value-driven approaches and de-escalation training to support individuals in their own communities. In this blog, we explore why expanding quality crisis response is critical, how safety remains the top priority, and the powerful benefits of keeping individuals in nurturing environments that promote growth and dignity during challenging moments.

Supporting adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities requires specialized knowledge and skills—especially as they transition out of child-focused services into a complex adult system. At Virginia Therapeutic Network, we understand that ongoing education for providers is essential to meet these evolving needs. In this blog, we explore why continued learning is critical, the challenges adults with ID/DD face as they age, and how our initiative is building a strong foundation of expertise for clinicians, caregivers, and community professionals alike.

At Virginia Therapeutic Network, we understand that respecting and upholding the human rights of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities is fundamental to living a value-driven life. In this blog, we explore what human rights mean for individuals with ID/DD, why these rights are essential, and how our community-focused, values-based approach empowers each person to connect, contribute, and thrive with dignity and self-determination.

At Virginia Therapeutic Network, we believe that a truly fulfilling life is built on meaningful relationships and opportunities to live out one’s values. Social capital—the web of connections, trust, and shared experiences within our communities—plays a vital role in making this possible. In this post, we’ll explore what social capital means, why it matters so deeply for individuals with developmental disabilities, and how our value-driven approach helps people build the connections they need to lead lives of purpose, inclusion, and belonging.