August 2026 Leadership in IDD

Perspectives Commentary from the field  The Importance of Role Play in Job Skills for Youth with Developmental Disabilities Lyliana Rivera Tirado, EdD Lean Education, Inc.   Role play is an effective strategy for youth with developmental disabilities to practice real-life job skills in a safe, supportive environment. Through role play, students rehearse workplace behaviors to build confidence and reduce anxiety before entering real work situations.   For students, role ploy provides an active learning experience that supports the development of executive functioning skills, including decision-making, self-regulation, and flexibility. Repeated practice reinforces routines and task completion, which enhance independence and job performance.   For educators and therapists, role play offers opportunities to observe strengths, identify challenges, and provide immediate feedback. Using role play can improve the employability, social competence, and workplace readiness of youth with developmental disabilities to successfully transition into meaningful employment. Notables  Recent awards, accolades, appointments, and other honors Rick Rader, MD, FAAIDD, Appointed to the National Advisory Board of the American Academy of Pediatrics National Council of Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs The CYSHCN National Advisory Board (CYSHCN NAB) was convened by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) to help address system siloes and other barriers to a system that meets the needs of CYSHCN and their families.  Bill Gaventa, MDiv, FAAIDD, Authors New Book, Preaching Disability: A Resource for Pastors Use code GAVENTA40 for 40% off your copy through the end of August. Interest Network News New Interest Network Formed: History of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities lead by Holly Hohmeister, MS, FAAIDD, Sharon Gomez, FAAIDD, & Matt Velissaris, MA.    Interest Network Adopts New Name:  Communication Disorders is now Communication Access and Supports  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. Not yet a member? Join AAIDD online!