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August 2005, Vol.5, No.8

AAMR F.Y.I.
August 2005, Vol.5, No.8

Visit http://www.aamr.org/FYI/ to access current and past issues of this monthly newsletter.

Dear AAMR Friends and Colleagues:

DURHAM COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA ADOPTS THE SUPPORTS INTENSITY SCALE
Durham County, North Carolina is the first County in the United States to adopt the Supports Intensity Scale (SIS) in determining support needs of persons with developmental disabilities. "Finally, we have an assessment tool that provides a foundation for real, person-centered planning," says Robin Baker, of The Durham Center in North Carolina.

SIS evaluates practical support requirements of persons with intellectual disabilities in 85 areas.

Read more about the County adoption at http://www.siswebsite.org/page.ww?section=News&name=Press+Release+Detail&pressrelease.id=10.

Learn more about SIS at www.siswebsite.org.

HOW EXPOSED IS AMERICA TO TOXIC CHEMICALS? CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL RELEASES STATUS REPORT
The Third National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicalsreleased by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) contains good news and bad news. Levels of lead and secondhand tobacco in blood and urine are down, but levels of a metal called cadmium are worrisome. Environmental toxins have been known to cause permanent developmental disabilities (Read more at http://www.aamr.org/ToxinsandMentalRetardation/).

Read a press release issued by the CDC athttp://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/pressrel/r050721.htm

Read the Third National Report at http://www.cdc.gov/exposurereport/

Toxic exposure and childhood development is the focus of an upcoming conference co-organized by the American Association on Mental Retardation in Michigan. Read more athttp://www.aamr.org/ToxinsandMentalRetardation/conf.shtml

NEW GUIDE PUBLISHED ON USING RESEARCH-BASED STRATEGIES TO TEACH STUDENTS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES
Increasingly in special education, there is a call for evidence-based practices to improve outcomes of students with mental retardation. A new book published the American Association on Mental Retardation and Merrill Education takes research in the five general areas of assessment; instruction; classroom management; social and communication skills; and self-determination and provides classroom strategies for teachers in special education.

To read an introduction and a table of contents from Mental Retardation and Intellectual Disabilities: Teaching Students Using Innovative and Research-Based Strategies by Michael L. Wehmeyer and Martin Agran, visithttp://www.aamr.org/Reading_Room/pdf/AAMRMerrillintroduction.pdf

To reserve your copy of Teaching ($32), call 301-604-1340 or emailaamr@pmds.com

NOT ENOUGH TRACKING ON BIRTH DEFECTS AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES IS SLOWING PROGRESS, SAYS NEW REPORT
A new report by the Trust for America's Health finds gaps in the collection of information about birth defects and developmental disabilities, as well as missed opportunities in connecting education and social service data to health research studies. The report says that only five states track developmental disabilities beyond autism.

Read more about Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities: The Search for Causes and Cures at http://healthyamericans.org/reports/birthdefects05/

LEARN INNOVATIVE STRATEGIES IN COMMUNITY EMPLOYMENT FOR PERSONS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES FROM FIVE U.S. STATES
A study by the Institute on Community Inclusion reveals that Colorado, Florida, New Hampshire, Maine, Maryland, and Washington are doing an excellent job at creating community employment opportunities for persons with developmental disabilities.

Read what each state is doing athttp://www.communityinclusion.org/publications/pub.php?page=stateinnov

NOMINATE AN OUTSTANDING PARAPROFESSIONAL FOR THE SERENA MERCK MEMORIAL AWARD
The Serena Merck Memorial award established by the John Merck Fund calls attention to the invaluable role individuals play in the developmental disability field. Deadline for submissions is September 1, 2005.
Learn more at http://www.aamr.org/Events/serena_merck.html

AAMR F.Y.I. is compiled by Anna Prabhala, Editor. Please submit comments, suggestions, tips, and news to annap@aamr.org

Access past issues of AAMR F.Y.I. at www.aamr.org/FYI/. To subscribe, visithttp://www.responsetrack.net/aamr/sign_up

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