May 2026 Leadership in IDD

 

Perspectives Commentary from the field

Enhancing DSP Training to Support Quality of Life   Kelly Thacker, MA Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities   Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) play a crucial role in promoting quality of life for the people with developmental disabilities (DD) they support each day. Despite their critical role, training for DSPs across the country is often insufficient for the complexity of the work. DSPs are routinely expected to support individuals with significant medical, behavioral, and communication needs with minimal instruction. Without training to promote high expectations and quality of life, DSPs tend to prioritize compliance and task completion over person-centered outcomes, an approach that limits opportunities for those they support to exercise autonomy, build meaningful relationships, and fully participate in their communities. Inadequate training also contributes to high turnover among DSPs, which disrupts care continuity and undermines the stability and well-being of those relying on DSP supports.   National investment in standardized, competency-based training can improve service quality, support professionalization of the workforce, and ensure that people with DD receive supports that promote dignity, independence, and meaningful lives.

2026 AAIDD Annual Meeting Member Highlights Join us June 22-24,2026 in Chicago for this historic event and explore these sessions and many more as we celebrate 150 years of progress. Register today!

Vincent M. Chesney, MS, FAAIDD, will be giving the Presidential Address: 150 Years of Progress   Vincent Bemmel, PhD, will be moderating and Karen Harvey, PhD, FAAIDD, will speaking on the plenary, Real-World Insights on Working with AI and Technology to Elevate Human Potential   Frank Symons, PhD, FAAIDD, Amy S. Hewitt, PhD, FAAIDD, Colleen Thoma, PhD, FAAIDD, and LaRon Scott, EdD, FAAIDD, will be speakers for the pre-conference session, Writing for Publications   Susan Copeland, PhD, FAAIDD, will be a speaker for the pre-conference session, The Story Behind the Story - Pivotal Moments in Special Education: Stories From our Foundational Leaders

AAIDD is looking to feature notables and perspective pieces from our members in the field! Send us your commentary to be featured in a future Leadership in IDD Newsletter. Click here to submit your work to be featured.

Produced by AAIDD, this monthly digest features the recent (first made available within last 3 months) and emergent (will be available within the next 4-6 weeks) work of AAIDD members only. Journal articles, while important, are not featured in this publication.  View the archive of the Leadership in IDD newsletter here.

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