Autistic, Not Sorry

Isabelle Morris (left) is a MN LEND fellow and autism researcher who describes herself as "unapologetically autistic." She's among a growing group of autistic researchers using their lived experience to shape the future of autism research.

NH-ME LEND Spring Kick-Off: Engaging in Advocacy and the Policy Process

In January, NH-ME LEND convened trainees, faculty, and five panelists for a Leadership Intensive: Organizing to Influence Your State's Policy. Panelists represented perspectives on advocacy at the state, local, and personal levels. The Leadership Intensive was the first step in preparing the 2023 LEND cohort for the spring Disability Policy Seminar (DPS) and subsequent meetings with congressional delegations.

WI LEND Names New Director

Gail S. Chodron, PhD, was recently named director of the Wisconsin LEND (Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities) program, located at the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Waisman Center UCEDD. Dr. Chodron was a WI LEND trainee in 2007-2008 and has been part of the WI LEND faculty ever since, most recently serving as training director.

WVU Center for Excellence in Disabilities Launches New Podcast Series

Adjusting the Sails is a podcast aimed to discuss the lives and specific challenges children with special health care needs and other disabilities and their families, caregivers, and service providers face, and how to manage those challenges. The podcast will serve as a platform for all disability-related topics to be discussed and as a mediator between families and caregivers to share their stories and experiences. The podcast will feature guest speakers, panelists, and a variety of program representatives and service providers to offer education and training to the listener. This podcast is sponsored by the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, Office of Maternal, Child, and Family Health/Children with Special Health Care Needs Program and the West Virginia Family 2 Family Health Information Center and produced by the West Virginia University Center for Excellence in Disabilities.

2023 NIRS Formularios en Papel

Formularios en Papel de Entrada de Datos

Call for UCEDD LEND ECHO Organizations

The Wyoming Institute for Disabilities is inviting organizations across the network to join the newly formed UCEDD LEND ECHO Collaborative. These monthly calls are open to any UCEDD or LEND program that is currently replicating or interested in implementing the ECHO model. The collaborative will allow UCEDD, LEND, and partner agencies to share successes, challenges, and strategies in using the ECHO model to build capacity throughout their programs supporting individuals with developmental disabilities.

LEND and NERGN DNA Today Podcast/Spotify 

Betsy Humphreys, Karen Volle, and NH-ME LEND trainee Karina Mancini were interviewed for the "DNA Today" podcast by host Kira Dineen. The interview explores how LEND and NERGN (New England Regional Genetics Network) support training of future interdisciplinary leaders.

AIR-P Update January 2023

AIR-P held its fourth Research Day, at the AUCD 2022 conference, November 13-16th! For the first time, our sessions were threaded throughout the conference and fostered meaningful connections with fellow attendees. Highlights from our sessions include:

Playtime is Serious Business

Everyone knows that the holiday season is one of the most popular times of year to buy toys. IOD blogger Kathy Bates wondered about the role of assistive technology in making toys easier and more fun to play with for children with disabilities. Discover what she learned in her latest blog post "Playtime is Serious Business."

Frankenberg Visiting Professorship for Early Development and Behavior Challenges in Primary Care

Dr. Pamela High, director of Rhode Island LEND and Brown University�s Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics fellowship program, was honored to be invited as the 10th visiting professor for the annual Frankenberg Visiting Professorship & Lectureship at the Children�s Hospital of Colorado.