Preventable deaths among people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) were treated as unfortunate but inevitable for too long. Alex Green, in his new book, ‘A Perfect Turmoil: Walter E. Fernald and the Struggle to Care for America’s Disabled,’ argued that the mass institutionalization of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities is not a tale of ancient times. Societal isolation and custodial care led to loss of identity and independence for people with disabilities. The birth of IntellectAbility was to challenge that norm. Founded by Karen Green McGowan, IntellectAbility exemplifies excellence and revolution in health and wellness for people with at-risk of dying from preventable causes. Having been awarded the title of one of the most “Innovative Companies to Watch 2026” by The CEO Views, Craig Escudé, president of IntellectAbility, narrated the story behind the company’s foundation and the journey it undertook to emerge as a revolutionary force driving change for people with disabilities.
The Genesis
Karen founded IntellectAbility after confronting a reality that many were reluctant to face: people with intellectual and developmental disabilities were dying prematurely from largely preventable causes. These weren’t isolated tragedies. They were patterns. Patterns of aspiration, unmanaged seizures, untreated chronic conditions, preventable bowel obstructions, and subtle warning signs that were missed until it was too late.
While addressing the situation, Karen dared to ask the difficult question: What if we stopped reacting to these events and started predicting them? That question became the foundation of IntellectAbility. Dr. Craig Escudé, carried the same conviction forward after stepping into leadership as the company’s president. In his words, “As a physician who has worked closely with people with IDD for decades, I had seen the same patterns Karen recognized.” Too often, the system operated in crisis mode. Despite thoroughly documenting the incidents, it did not prevent the next ones. What makes IntellectAbility unique is that it focuses on identifying risk before it becomes tragedy.
The Proactive Approach
Being grounded on the philosophy that vulnerability is not synonymous with inevitability, IntellectAbility developed and expanded the Health Risk Screening Tool (HRST). The HRST is a structured and validated way to identify and stratify health risks in people with IDD. The HRST doesn’t replace clinical judgment; it enhances it. It translates complex medical vulnerability into clear, actionable information that direct support professionals, nurses, clinicians, families, and administrators can understand and leverage.
Over time, the company witnessed the formidable power of this shift. Organizations that once operated reactively begin thinking differently. Instead of asking, “What went wrong?” after a hospitalization, they begin asking, “What risks are emerging now?” Instead of assuming instability is inevitable, they start identifying early warning signs and intervening sooner.
Reshaping Person-Centered Support
True person-centered support is not just about honoring preferences; it’s about protecting health in ways that preserve dignity and independence. If someone has an elevated aspiration risk, that information doesn’t limit their life; it informs safer supports. By embedding risk awareness into individualized planning, IntellectAbility ensures that wellness becomes part of the person-centered conversation. Reducing preventable illnesses allows a person to focus on living their life to the fullest.
Offerings that Speak for Themselves
Today, IntellectAbility provides health risk identification, health and safety training, and person-centered services to state developmental disability agencies, provider organizations, and managed care entities across the country. “Our platform delivers both individual-level insight and population-level intelligence,” mentioned Craig. The company believes that tools alone do not change outcomes. Education does. Hence, one of their greatest commitments is workforce empowerment. Direct support professionals are often the first to notice subtle changes in health status. When they understand why certain risks matter, they observe differently. Moreover, education improves outcomes and reduces healthcare costs.
Innovation of Predictive Insight
Innovation for the company is not about technology for technology’s sake. It is about predictive insight. The company continues enhancing analytics within its platform to help organizations detect patterns of decline earlier than ever before. By expanding integration capabilities with other systems, IntellectAbility ensures risk information is embedded in daily decision-making rather than siloed in reports.
Breaking New Grounds
In its journey, IntellectAbility has achieved milestones that affirm the impact of its approach. The HRST has gained national recognition as a leading health risk identification instrument for people with IDD. Organizations implementing structured risk mitigation strategies have documented reductions in preventable morbidity and mortality. Partnerships with states and managed care organizations continue to expand its reach. However, one of the meaningful milestones is cultural change. Conversations about preventable death are no longer avoided. Risk reduction is increasingly recognized as an essential component of quality services. That shift represents progress not just in policy, but in mindset.
Replacing Risk With Health & Wellness
IntellectAbility’s motto, “Replacing Risk with Health & Wellness,” is both aspirational and practical. According to it, first, identify risk; second, prioritize it; and third, mitigate it. Afterwards, professionals must monitor continuously. When that cycle becomes part of everyday operations, outcomes improve. Stability improves. Confidence improves. Lives improve.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, the company’s work continues. It is advancing predictive modeling capabilities, strengthening system partnerships, and exploring how its framework can support additional at-risk populations beyond those with IDD. The principles of proactive risk identification apply wherever preventable decline exists. Craig believes that with the right tools, education, accountability, and commitment, IntellectAbility can change the trajectory of accepting preventable deaths as unavoidable. This approach drives the company every day.
“When we replace risk with health and wellness, we don’t just prevent tragedy, we create the opportunity for longer, fuller, and healthier lives.”
Craig Escudé, President
