Research

POLICY STATEMENT

Basic and applied research on the causes, consequences, and treatment of mental retardation and related developmental disabilities must be adequately financed, well designed, focused on important topics, conducted with the highest ethical standards, and presented in formats accessible to multiple audiences.

ISSUE

Government and private financial commitments remain insufficient to support the broad research agenda that includes issues most important to our constituents and their families. Without both basic and applied research, scientists cannot learn about the biological and environmental causes of mental retardation, reduce its preventable causes, improve the quality of life of affected persons and their families and address policy and service-delivery enhancements. They cannot identify the most promising educational, social, and clinical interventions that help people develop and function in society.

Often they conduct research without consulting people with mental retardation and/or family members about its design, methodology, dissemination, and use. They then present the results in ways that are neither understandable nor usable for nonscientists.

POSITION

Applied and basic research related to the causes, consequences, and treatment of mental retardation and other developmental disabilities must be a national priority. The following must occur:

• Government and private entities must make adequate funds available to support this research.
• Advocacy and professional organizations, government agencies, the research community and people with mental retardation and their families must work together in defining, evaluating, and promoting a research agenda that addresses important topics in the lives of people with mental retardation and their families.
• The highest scientific and ethical standards must be enforced to ensure efficient and effective use of limited research funds and to prevent exploitation or harm of people with mental retardation and members of their families.
• Results of research must reach, and through a variety of formats be understandable to, a wide audience.

Adopted: The Arc, Congress of Delegates, November 9, 2002
AAIDD Board of Directors, May 28, 2002