AAMR F.Y.I.
December 2005, Vol.5, No.12

Visit http://www.aamr.org/FYI/ to access current and past issues of this monthly newsletter.

Dear AAMR Friends and Colleagues:

STATE OF GEORGIA ADOPTS THE SUPPORTS INTENSITY SCALE, MARKING SHIFT IN FUNDING AND SERVICE DELIVERY FOR PERSONS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
Starting November 1, 2005, Georgia becomes the first U.S. state to adopt the Supports Intensity Scale (SIS)to gauge needs of citizens with intellectual disabilities and develop a system of funding, making it a forerunner in providing supports and services to people with disabilities based on specific individual needs. Says Steven Hall, Director of the Georgia Office of Developmental Disabilities in an interview with AAMR F.Y.I., "With the Supports Intensity Scale, some day soon, Georgia's families will know that the work being done on behalf of their loved ones is tailored specifically to meet their son's or daughter's exact needs."

To read the full interview with Director Hall, visit http://www.siswebsite.org/page.ww?section=News&name=Press+Release+Detail&pressrelease.id=19

The SIS is an assessment tool that measures support needs of persons with intellectual disabilities in 85 life activities and behavioral and medical support areas. Learn more at www.siswebsite.org. Questions? Email books@aamr.org


INTENSIVE BEHAVIORAL TREATMENT PRODUCES REMARKABLE CHANGES IN CHILDREN WITH AUTISM, NEW STUDY FINDS
After putting 24 children with autism through 2-4 years of non-aversive treatment, including cognitive, language, adaptive, social, and academic measures, a new study finds that 11 of the children showed Full Scale IQs in the average range, with IQ increases from 55 to 104, as well as increases in language and adaptive skills. At age 7, these children were succeeding in regular first or second grade classes and demonstrated generally average academic abilities, spoke fluently, and had peers with whom they played regularly.

The study, titled "Intensive Behavioral Treatment for Children With Autism: Four-Year Outcome and Predictors" by Glen O. Sallows and Tamlynn D. Graupner is published in the November 2005 issue of the American Journal on Mental Retardation (Volume 110, No. 6). To read an abstract (free) and/or download a copy of the article (payment applies), visit http://aamr.allenpress.com/aamronline/?request=get-toc&issn=0895-8017&volume=110&issue=6

FEDERAL AGENCY ISSUES REPORT CARD ON DISABILITY POLICY IN THE U.S. AND CALLS FOR IMMEDIATE REFORMS IN SOCIAL SECURITY INCOME FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
The National Council on Disability (NCD) issued an annual progress report on disability policy in the U.S., calling for the federal government to be more creative in designing programs for people with disabilities. The report provides recommendation on areas such as, disability research and statistics; civil rights; education; long-term care; health care; children and youth; employment; welfare reform; transportation; housing; technology and telecommunication; international initiatives; and homeland security.

To read National Disability Policy: A Progress Report, visit http://www.ncd.gov/newsroom/publications/2005/progress_report.htm

To read a press release on the issuing of the annual report, visit http://www.ncd.gov/newsroom/news/2005/r05-501.htm

The NCD also released a report with recommendations on improving employment opportunities for people with disabilities receiving Social Security benefits. The major reasons cited for the extreme underutilization of these work incentives by beneficiaries were lack of knowledge on work incentives and the complex and hard-to-grasp nature of the incentives for even those who were aware of them.

Read The Social Security Administration’s Efforts to Promote Employment for People with Disabilities: New Solutions for Old Problems at http://www.ncd.gov/newsroom/publications/2005/ssa-promoteemployment.htm

Read a press release on the release of the report at http://www.ncd.gov/newsroom/news/2005/r05-503.htm

CHAIR OF MONTREAL’S INTERNATIONAL SUMMIT ON SOCIAL INCLUSION FOR PERSONS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES TALKS TO AAMR F.Y.I.
The International Summit for the Alliance on Social Inclusion organized by the American Association on Mental Retardation/Quebec will be held in Montreal, Canada, May 3-5, 2006. Dr. Yves Lachapelle, Chair of the Committee responsible for organizing the Summit talks to AAMR F.Y.I. about why professionals and families should attend, why we must share knowledge on inclusive practices more effectively, and why Montreal’s "joie de vivre" is hard to resist!

To read the interview with Dr. Lachapelle in English, visit http://www.aamr.org/Reading_Room/pdf/Lachapelle_interview_English.pdf

To read the interview with Dr. Lachapelle in French, visit http://www.aamr.org/Reading_Room/pdf/Lachapelle_entrevue_French.pdf

To register for the Summit visit http://www.aamrqc.org/documents/AAMR_Form_ENG_US.pdf. Canadian and other non-U.S. attendees, register at http://www.aamrqc.org/documents/AAMR_Form_ENG_CAN.pdf. Early bird hotel registration ends Juanary 20, 2006.

To download a brochure, visit http://www.aamrqc.org/cgi-cs/cs.waframe.content?topic=27789?=2

To learn about exhibitor opportunities, visit http://www.aamrqc.org/cgi-cs/cs.waframe.content?topic=28420?=2

PUBLICATIONS YOU CAN USE AS PARENTS AND EDUCATORS!
Clinicians at the Children’s Hospital in Boston have developed a new fact sheet that explains what mental retardation is to parents who receive a diagnosis for their child. Visit http://www.communityinclusion.org/publications/pub.php?page=res9

The tenth survey of state directors of special education provides a snapshot of new initiatives, trends, accomplishments, and emerging issues during an important period of education reform as states document the academic achievement of students with disabilities during standards-based reform. Read 2005 State Special Education Outcomes: Steps Forward in a Decade of Change at http://education.umn.edu/nceo

A training guide from the Waisman Center at the University of Wisconsin serves as a reference for anyone interested in helping young people with special health care needs and their parents prepare for transition to adult health care. Read Transition to Adult Care: A Training Guide in Two Parts at http://www.waisman.wisc.edu/hrtw/Adult_Teen.pdf

AAMR F.Y.I. is compiled by Anna Prabhala, Editor. Please submit comments, suggestions, tips, and news to annap@aamr.org

Access past issues of AAMR F.Y.I. at www.aamr.org/FYI/. To subscribe, visit http://www.responsetrack.net/aamr/sign_up

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