Letter
from the President
Ann Turnbull
Dear AAMR Members,
I look forward to sharing a monthly letter with you reflecting
on AAMR’s current priorities and seeking input from
you of your ideas of how the AAMR leadership can be most
responsive to members.
In this first letter, I want to highlight the seminal publication
that AAMR has published—Mental Retardation: Definition,
Classification, and Systems of Support (2002). Since 1876,
AAMR has led the field of developmental disabilities by providing
an official definition of the condition of mental retardation
to the world. Developed by an international committee of
disability experts, the AAMR definition of mental retardation
is based on current research and practice. The 2002 edition
reflects the growing consensus in the field to view mental
retardation as a condition that can be enhanced with the
provision of appropriate supports rather than as an absolute
life-long trait. A critical implication of this supports-based
approach to diagnosing mental retardation is the focus on
the individual and his or her unique strengths and needs,
as opposed to using pre-existing diagnostic categories and
models of service.
As the parent of a middle-aged son, JT, who has developmental
disabilities, I have observed time and time again over the
years the critical role that supports play in his life. When
supports are comprehensive, choreographed to his strengths
and needs, and consistent with his preferences, I continue
to be amazed at how competently he can function as a genuine
member of his community—living in his own home, working
as a clerical aide at the University of Kansas, experiencing
friendships throughout all sectors of our community. But
in the past when the supports were not in place, this very
same young man with the same IQ and same adaptive behavior
scores was expelled from a group home and sheltered workshop
because of problem behavior. What has made the difference
for JT between being successful as a community citizen and
being excluded from the traditional disability service systems?
Supports—the essence of the 2002 definition. Some people
say they have to “see it to believe it”. I can
say with confidence that I have “seen” the power
of supports in achieving inclusion, independence, and productivity—the
policy promises that our country has made to individuals
with developmental disabilities and their families.
I encourage you to purchase a copy of Mental
Retardation: Definition, Classification, and System of
Supports if you have not already done so. also want
to let you know that currently AAMR has an Ad Hoc Committee
on Implementation of the 2002 Mental Retardation: Definition,
Classification, and System of Supports. The co-chairpersons
of this committee are Ruth Luckasson and Bob Schalock.
The purpose of this Committee is to oversee AAMR’s
implementation efforts as the field moves to adopt a more
supports-based framework for defining and classifying mental
retardation. The Committee has worked hard to provide workshops,
conference presentations, and other dissemination opportunities
to enable AAMR members and others in the field to not only
know about the new definition but to also know how to apply
it for the benefit of people with developmental disabilities.
I invite you to be in touch with me directly (turnbull@ku.edu)
with any of your ideas related to implementing the definition
or to any other issues that are relevant to AAMR and its
membership.
In closing, I want to affirm that I have great expectations
that the supports paradigm embedded in AAMR’s definition
will result in people with developmental disabilities truly “getting
the life” that they want to live.
Respectfully,
Ann
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