AAIDD F.Y.I.
November 2007, Vol.7, No.11
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Nominate someone you know for an AAIDD award! The American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD) is now accepting nominations for outstanding contribution or special achievement in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities. Click here to learn more about the award guidelines. Click here to submit a nomination.
Dear AAIDD Friends and Colleagues:
SPECIAL SECTION IN THE AMERICAN JOURNAL ON MENTAL RETARDATION IS DEDICATED TO AUTISM AND INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY
Many people with autism have significant limitations in both intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior, and therefore meet the diagnostic criteria for intellectual disability. The November 2007 issue of the American Journal on Mental Retardation (AJMR) contains four articles on current behavioral research in the field of autism and intellectual disability. Topics explored include quality of the relationship between a mother and child with autism; results from an early intensive behavioral intervention for children with autism conducted in the United Kingdom; the relation between the level of intellectual functioning and risk for co-occurring psychological disorders among children with Autism Spectrum Disorders; and a study on parental stress and autism. The AJMR is a highly-ranked journal in special education and rehabilitation and is published by the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.
Click here to read an introduction to the special issue from editor, Dr. William E. MacLean, Jr. Click here to read a Table of Contents from the November 2007 issue of AJMR. To purchase print copies of this issue, send an email to AJMR@allenpress.com. Print copies will be available starting November 12, 2007.
In related news, the American Academy of Pediatrics released two new clinical reports that are intended to help pediatricians recognize Autism Spectrum Disorders earlier and guide families to effective interventions. To download Identification and Evaluation of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders and Management of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders visit http://www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/oct07autism.htm.
Also, The Autism Consortium announced that it has completed the first genome scan for Autism Spectrum Disorders through its Autism Gene Discovery Project and has released the reference data set to a database that autism researchers around the world can use. Read more at http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2007-10/tac-acr102207.php.
THE NATIONAL CHILDREN’S STUDY GETS A BOOST THROUGH THE ADDITION OF 22 NEW STUDY CENTERS; A UNIVERSITY CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE IN DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES IN UTAH IS CHOSEN AS A SITE FOR STUDY
Twenty-two new centers will participate in the National Children's Study, the largest long-term study of environmental and genetic effects on children’s health ever conducted in the United States. The study will be conducted at 105 locations across the country, and will follow 100,000 children from before birth to age 21 to better understand how children’s genes and their environment—including air, water, dust, diet, health care, and safety—affect their health and development. Apart form physical and chemical environments, the study will also examine a child’s social and behavioral environments. By 2009, two additional waves of centers will join these 22 centers and the 7 Vanguard centers set up initially in 2005. The study is expected to cost $32 billion over a period of 25 years.
To register to attend the next meeting of the National Children’s Study on November 7-8, 2007 in Rockville, MD, visit http://www.circlesolutions.com/ncs/ncsac/index.cfm. Meetings are open to the public.
To read a FAQ on the National Children’s Study, visit http://www.nationalchildrensstudy.gov/get_involved/learn_more/qa.cfm.
To subscribe to receive e-updates on the study, visit http://www.nationalchildrensstudy.gov/get_involved/stay_informed/join/.
For minutes from a media briefing held on October 4, 2007 , visit http://www.nichd.nih.gov/news/releases/ncs_media_briefing_100507.cfm.
For a press release from the Association of University Centers on Excellence on the selection of Utah State University as a secondary site, visit http://www.aucd.org/template/news.cfm?news_id=1798&id=16. The Waisman Center at the University of Wisconsin and the University of North Carolina UCEDs were previously selected as Vanguard Centers for the National Children’s Study.
BEST PRACTICES IN QUALITY OF LIFE AND SUPPORTED LIVING PROMPT THE ADOPTION OF THE SUPPORTS INTENSITY SCALE ASSESSMENT TOOL FOR PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY IN ITALY
An Italian language version of the Supports Intensity Scale (SIS) assessment tool is now being used with 1,800 people with intellectual disabilities across all regions in Italy through a government-funded project. Assessment data collected from this project will be used to develop national norms specific to people with intellectual disabilities in Italy. “SIS is what we have been waiting for”, says Dr. Mauro Leoni, co-translator of SIS in Italian. Dr. Leoni explains that in Italy, the Supports Intensity Scale is part of a national movement to create best practice standards in quality of life for people living with an intellectual disability. Read more at http://www.siswebsite.org/cs/Newsletter/ItalianSIStranslation.
The Supports Intensity Scale was developed by the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD) over a period of five years. Currently, SIS is being used by at least 10 U.S. states. The Scale has also been translated into Catalan, complex Chinese, Dutch, and French, and is in use in Canada, the Netherlands, Spain, and Taiwan. To learn more about SIS, visit www.siswebsite.org. For general queries on SIS, including translations, send an email to books@aaidd.org.
NEW REPORT FROM UNITED CEREBRAL PALSY PORTRAYS A TROUBLING SNAPSHOT OF THE STATUS OF DISABILITY IN AMERICA
United Cerebral Palsy has released State of Disability in America, an evaluation of the disability experience in America. The 65-page document examines existing research on the overall state of affairs for individuals with disabilities in America in the areas of disability rights, healthcare, education, employment, housing, and organizing for change. While tremendous strides have been made, especially with the Americans with Disabilities Act, things are still not right, the report says. By and large, people with disabilities are more likely to live in poverty and be dependent on government services. They are less likely to have positive educational opportunities and outcomes, be employed, or own a home. Read State of Disability in America at http://www.ucp.org/uploads/StateofDisability.pdf.
A PARTNERSHIP TO ADVANCE THE RIGHTS OF CHILDREN WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES IS FORMED BETWEEN UNICEF AND SPECIAL OLYMPICS INTERNATIONAL
A partnership to advance the rights of children with intellectual disabilities was announced by UNICEF and Special Olympics International, on the occasion of the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games held in Shanghai , China. Working together, the two organizations will advocate for health care, education, recreational sports, and employment policies that will benefit children with intellectual disabilities. "This collaborative effort is in keeping with the goals of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to counter stigma and promote inclusion for children with intellectual disabilities in developing countries around the globe,’” says Dr. Timothy P. Shriver, Chairman, Special Olympics International. Read a press release at http://www.unicef.org/media/media_41054.html.
In related news, go to the Special Olympics website to learn how to view the Opening Ceremony of the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games held October 2-11 in Shanghai, China.
Also, a group of 60 youth from 16 countries took part in a UNICEF-sponsored consultation during another event, the Special Olympics Global Youth Summit. The consultation aims to create a child-friendly text of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Read more at http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/china_41109.html.
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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