July 2026 Leadership in IDD

 

Perspectives Commentary from the field  Bridging Gaps in Access to IDD Diagnosis and Services Shannon McFadden, MS Jerome McFadden Educational Center   Misinformation about intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) remains widespread, particularly in culturally diverse, low-resource urban and rural communities. As they communicate with people from marginalized communities, professionals aneed to extend the concept of humility to the intersection of financial and cultural diversity.   Information may be difficult for families to access. Information gaps can contribute to a misdiagnosis or the absence of diagnosis in childhood that, upon reaching adulthood, presents an individual with a substantial barrier to accessing crucial supports.   To prevent further marginalizing those with IDD in communities facing systemic barriers, greater resources should be dedicated toward culturally appropriate outreach to deliver information on IDD and expanding access to appropriate diagnostic assessments through schools and other facilities after age 21. Notables  Recent awards, accolades, appointments, and other honors Jason Rechtman, MBA, Receives the AADMD Dr. Tom Cheetham Memorial Award The AADMD Dr. Tom Cheetham Memorial Award recognizes Jason's excellence in educational enrichment and interdisciplinary efforts to develop and expand programs that improve emergency and disaster preparedness and response for people with IDD. Ariel Schwartz, PhD, and Katherine McDonald, PhD, FAAIDD, Launch the Equipped to Engage Toolkit Created by a team of researchers with and without intellectual disabilities, the Equipped to Engage Toolkit includes free research engagement tools that help teams collaborate and make decisions throughout the planning, conduct, and dissemination of research. 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.