AAIDD F.Y.I.
October 2007, Vol.7, No.10
Visit www.aaidd.org/FYI/ to access current and past issues of this monthly newsletter. Subscribe at http://www.responsetrack.net/aamr/sign_up.
Dear AAIDD Friends and Colleagues:
NEW AAIDD TRAIN-THE-TRAINER AND TRAINEE WORKSHOPS BY AUTHOR DENNIS H. REID NOW AVAILABLE ON THE NEW POSITIVE BEHAVIOR SUPPORT TRAINING CURRICULUM FOR SUPERVISORS AND DIRECT SUPPORT STAFF
The Positive Behavior Support Training Curriculum (PBSTC) is a progressive, evidence-based curriculum that teaches direct support staff how to interact with people with intellectual disabilities using positive behavior support principles. The American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD), publisher of PBSTC, is now offering train-the-trainer workshops and training sessions for direct support staff conducted by award-winning author, Dr. Dennis H. Reid. Customized training on specific modules is also available. To enquire about training options, please send an email to books@aaidd.org.
To learn more about the new second edition of PBSTC, including feedback from past users, visit http://bookstore.aaidd.org. You can order PBSTC online or by calling 1-301-604-1340.
MEDICAID HCBS RECIPIENTS ARE INCREASINGLY LIKELY TO LIVE WITH PARENTS OR OTHER RELATIVES
A study by Charlie Lakin et al. published in the October issue of the journal, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, shows that the number of people with intellectual disability receiving Medicaid Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) while living with family members is an estimated 224,264 individuals as of June 30, 2006 , 17 times higher than in June 1999. A notable policy trend that corresponds with this increased reliance of family-based living, is the growth of Medicaid Supports Waiver programs. Although HCBS Supports Waivers limit total expenditures to amounts that are typically considerably less on average than is provided in the regular HCBS program, it also provides greater flexibility to the individuals and families enrolled. Read “ HCBS Recipients Are Increasingly Likely to Live With Parents or Other Relatives” by Charlie Lakin, David Braddock, and Gary Smith at http://www.aaidd.org/Reading_Room/pdf/HCBSOct07IDD.pdf.
In related news, a recent study of Supports Waivers by the Human Services Research Institute found that 17 states with Supports Waivers in 2006 served 27.6% of all their HCBS recipients in Supports Waiver programs with 9.3% of their HCBS expenditures. Read Gauging the Use of HCBS Support Waivers for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities by Gary Smith, John Agosta, and Jon Fortune, visit http://www.aaidd.org/Reading_Room/pdf/HCBSHSRIreport.pdf.
TWO NEW SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERIES IN INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY
Researchers from Emory University examined the key gene mutation behind fragile X syndrome, the most common cause of inherited intellectual disability. People who carry this form of the gene found on the X chromosome fail to make a key protein called FMRP. Read an abstract of an article on the study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy on Sciences at http://www.pnas.org/cgi/content/abstract/104/39/15537.
Scientists from Italy report the discovery of a protein that helps in the normal development of the cerebral cortex as well as prevents defects associated with intellectual disability. To read a press release on the discovery from the European Molecular Biology Laboratory, visit http://www.embl.org/aboutus/news/press/2007/15sept07/. To read an abstract of an article published on the study in Genes and Development, visit http://www.genesdev.org/cgi/content/abstract/21/18/2347.
JOIN A TELECONFERENCE ON THE APPLICABILITY OF THE SUPPORTS INTENSITY SCALE TOOL TO PARENTS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY
On October 29 at 2 pm U.S. Eastern Standard Time, Natalie Ihli, senior trainer for the Supports Intensity Scale (SIS) planning tool, will address a teleconference for advocates who work with parents with intellectual disabilities, on the applicability of the tool with this group. The SIS is an assessment tool that measures daily supports required for a person to lead a successful life in the community and was developed by the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD). Please note that you do not have to be a member of The Arc of the United States to participate in this call, but you have to be a subscriber of The Arc’s Parents with Intellectual Disabilities Listserv. To subscribe, please send an email to Leigh Ann Davis at ldavis@thearc.org and you will automatically be notified about “The Use of Assessment Tools for Parents with Intellectual Disabilities: Learning About SIS” teleconference call details. To access a Parents with Intellectual Disabilities fact sheet from The Arc, go to http://www.thearc.org/NetCommunity/Document.Doc?&id=151. To learn more about SIS, visit www.siswebsite.org. Stay tuned to news and information on the Supports Intensity Scale by signing up for the SIS Vantage newsletter at www.siswebsite.org/Newsletter/.
NEW REPORT FROM THE NATIONAL COUNCIL ON DISABILITY RECOMMENDS BEST PRACTICES FOR EMPLOYERS AND POLICY MAKERS IN CREATING EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IN AMERICA
Only 38% of people with disabilities are employed in America and two-thirds of those unemployed say they prefer to be working. A new report from the National Council on Disability (NCD) summarizes current knowledge on the employment of people with disabilities in a series of 12 issue briefs based on feedback from employers, people with disabilities, and disability specialists. The report also includes findings from two focus groups and public forums.
To read Empowerment for Americans with Disabilities: Breaking Barriers to Careers and Full Employment, visit http://www.ncd.gov/newsroom/publications/2007/NCDEmployment_20071001.htm.
A NEW RESOURCE FOR STUDENTS AND YOUNG PROFESSIONALS IN INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY!
The Student and Junior Member Recruitment and Retention Committee of the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD) has just launched a newsletter to connect students and young professionals in the field with each other, share research and information, and provide opportunities to get involved with AAIDD. To access the newsletter visit http://198.173.81.239/YP/index.shtml. If you would like to have future newsletters emailed directly to you please email Cameron Neece at cneece@ucla.edu.
AAIDD F.Y.I. is compiled by Anna Prabhala, Editor and is published by the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (Formerly AAMR). Please submit comments, suggestions, tips, and news to annap@aaidd.org. For more information on becoming an AAIDD member, visit http://www.aaidd.org/Membership/index.shtml. To purchase AAIDD products, visit http://bookstore.aaidd.org.
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