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2007 Poster Session

October 19, 2007

The 2007 Poster Session will have a 'futuristic / space' theme to echo the conference theme of Tomorrow is Here Today. The event will include a poster "competition". Attendees at the poster session will be given ballots and invited to choose their favorite poster based on the innovation and creativity of the poster and how the poster and/or presenter was able to engage the attendees. Posters receiving the top votes will receive a prize during Wednesday morning's Awards Ceremony and Breakfast Meeting.

Poster 1
Family Therapy as a Buffer against Caregiver Burden for Parents of Children with Disabilities

  • Julie Ramisch, Student, Purdue University Calumet, Hammond, IN
  • Thomas Pavkov, PhD, Purdue University Calumet & Riley Child Development Center, Indianapolis, IN
  • Joseph Wetchler, PhD, Purdue University Calumet, Hammond, IN

Mental health professionals should be knowledgeable about the emotional struggles that families with children with disabilities face. Results from a study that looked at the adequacy of resources, coping styles, caregiver burden, and personal experiences with family therapy for parents of children with disabilities will be shared.

Poster 2
AUCD Virtual Poster Session

In an effort to share a portion of the 2007 AUCD Annual Meeting with individuals who cannot attend, AUCD is pleased to host the first ever Virtual Poster Session. A small number of posters you see here in this room are being presented electronically to your colleagues at five UCEDDs and LENDs across the country. Coordinated by National Office staff and the AUCD Communications Committee, each presenter is speaking about their poster live from a booth down the hall, and answering questions from the participating sites.

Poster 3
Child Development and Early Intervention Services of Children Adopted from China

  • Mary Beth Bruder, PhD, A.J. Pappanikou Center, Farmington, CT
  • Cristina Mogro-Wilson, PhD, A.J. Pappanikou Center, Farmington, CT

Findings from a mail survey of 307 parents who have adopted a child from China and their experiences with early intervention will be presented. Practical applications on how practitioners in the field can gain information about young children adopted from China will be explored.

Poster 4
Assessing the Presence of Medical Homes for Adults with Disabilities in Connecticut

  • Mary Beth Bruder, PhD, A.J. Pappanikou Center, Farmington, CT
  • Cristina Mogro-Wilson, PhD, A.J. Pappanikou Center, Farmington, CT

Findings from a statewide telephone survey of adults with disabilities in Connecticut will be presented. The implications of the medical home concept as applied to adults with disabilities will be discussed.

Poster 5
Faculty and Student Awareness of Disabilities on a University Campus

  • Mary Beth Bruder, PhD, A.J. Pappanikou Center, Farmington, CT
  • Cristina Mogro-Wilson, PhD, A.J. Pappanikou Center, Farmington, CT

Undergraduate, graduate students, and faculty were interviewed a New England University to asses their attitudes, beliefs, and knowledge on disability-related issues. Findings indicate that more needs to be done to promote the awareness of students with disabilities on campus.

Poster 6
Friendship Development in Elementary School Aged Children with Disabilities

  • Cristina Mogro-Wilson, PhD, A.J. Pappanikou Center, Farmington, CT
  • Kathleen Whitbread, PhD, A.J. Pappanikou Center Farmington, CT

Parents of elementary school aged children with disabilities were asked about the quantity, quality, and development of their child's social skills. This session will provide an overview of the study findings on the development of friendships conducted by the University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities in Connecticut.

Poster 7
Disability Studies in Southeast Europe

  • Vladimir Cuk, MA, University of Illinois UCEDD, Chicago, IL

In December 2006, I started a project entitled DisabilityStudies in Southeast Europe: A Feasibility Study on the Need for a UCEDD in Serbia and Montenegro. The goal of the project was to investigate the disability related curriculums at universities and research projects in the region.

Poster 8
Stacking the Deck: The Impact of Paradigms of Disability and Paradigm Stacking on theDevelopment of a National Disability Policy Framework

  • John Vellacott, MEd, University of British Columbia, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

The poster outlines a research project examining the degree and influence of paradigms of disability and paradigm stacking in the development and implementation of a national employment policy framework for people with disabilities in Canada.

Poster 9
+ Habilitation:The Comprehensive Intervention Strategy for Cerebral Palsy based on Activity Dependent Neuroplasticity and Neural Repair - A Danish Model

  • Peder Esben Bilde, MA, Helene Elsas Center, Charlottenlund, Denmark

In +Habilitation, the + refers to something being added. It makes little sense talking about rehabilitation in a congenital brain damage because there is, so to speak, no "re"habilitation. +Habilitation is a qualitative documentation of the individual functional profile outlining the range of the individual strengths, needs and preferences.

Poster 10
Midwest LEND Consortium

  • Cindy Ellis, MD, Munroe-Meyer Institute for Genetics and Rehabilitation, Omaha, NE
  • Kellie Ellerbusch, Munroe-Meyer Institute for Genetics and Rehabilitation, Omaha, NE
  • Dennis Stevens, MD, Center for Disabilities, Sioux Falls, SD
  • Roland Ellis, MSW, Center for Disabilities, Sioux Falls, SD
  • Lenore Holte, PhD, Center for Disabilities and Development, Iowa City, IA
  • Suzanne Pearson, MA, Center for Disabilities and Development, Iowa City, IA
  • Matt Reese, PhD, Center for Child Health and Development, Kansas City, KS
  • Kay Conklin, MSW, TIPS for Kids, Columbia, MO

The Nebraska, South Dakota, Iowa, Kansas, and Missouri LEND programs have convened for the Midwest LEND Consortium Annual Meeting since 2005, providing trainees and faculty opportunities for networking, MCH-related professional development and leadership training, and regional collaboration. Representatives from AUCD and MCHB have participated in the program.

Poster 11
Interdisciplinary Training for Medical and Allied Health Students in the Delivery of Health Care to Older Adults in Rural South Dakota

  • Roland Ellis, MSW, Center for Disabilities, Sioux Falls, SD

Interdisciplinary health care is essential for older adults in rural areas. Faculty from the health care disciplines at the University of South Dakota have been building an annual training event with the goal of educating students enrolled in health related courses about various health professions through shared learning, interaction and collaboration.

Poster 12
Teaching Child Development Through a Unique Child Care Collaboration

  • Georgina Peacock, MD, MPH, University of Kansas Center on Developmental Disabilities, Lawrence, KS
  • Jessica Foster, MD, MPH, University of Kansas Center on Developmental Disabilities, Lawrence, KS
  • Matt Reese, PhD, University of Kansas Center on Developmental Disabilities, Lawrence, KS

Childcare can provide a rich learning environment for physicians to learn about child development and ways of stimulating development. Through collaboration with child care, state agencies, and a LEND program, pediatric residents have hands-on training. This session discusses building of partnerships, program development, and ongoing successes and challenges.

Poster 13
"Learn the Signs. Act Early.": A National Campaign to Increase Awareness About Developmental Delay and Referral to Early Intervention

  • Georgina Peacock, MD, MPH, CDC/NCBDDD, Atlanta, GA
  • Chris Prue, PhD, CDC/NCBDDD, Atlanta, GA

CDC's"Learn the Signs. Act Early." seeks to increase awareness in identifying developmental delays. Children with delays benefit from early intervention. This provides an overview of the child development and autism awareness campaign. It also speaks to a new focus in building partnerships between systems involved in early intervention.

Poster 14
Policy Development, Research and Systems Change for Persons with Significant Disabilities

  • Gerri Hanna, JD, MEd, TASH, Washington, DC

This poster session will focus on research that provides a foundation for high quality inclusive practices for persons with significant disabilities. Information provided will demonstrate how strategies for public policy systems change emerge through research and best practice. Information and materials specific to People of Color with Disabilities will be provided.

Poster 15
Adult Siblings of Individuals with Disabilities: Results from a Web-based, National Survey

  • Robert Hodapp, PhD, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Nashville, TN
  • Richard C. Urbano, PhD, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Nashville, TN

Along with several disability organizations, we surveyed 1,300 U.S. siblings of adults with disabilities. As a group, adult siblings are doing well and female siblings of persons with Down syndrome and those in close sibling relationships benefit more. Females may delay marriage and child bearing, but also have more stable marriages.

Poster 16
Creating Inclusive Environments for School-age Youth

  • Debby Boyer, MA, Center for Disabilities Studies, Newark, DE
  • Deborah J. Amsden, MS, Center for Disabilities Studies, Newark, DE

To identify the needs and preferences of families and educators, parents were surveyed regarding preferences for after school programs for their children with disabilities and career and technical education teachers were asked about the resources needed to create inclusive career and technical education classes. The findings of these queries will be presented.

Poster 17
Practices and Predictors of the Use of Accommodations by University Faculty to Support College Students with Disabilities

  • Leena Landmark, MD, Center on Disability and Development, College Station, TX
  • Dan Dalun Zhang, PhD, Center on Disability and Development, College Station, TX
  • Download PPT [ppt, 1.3mb]
  • Download handout [doc, 46kb]

The Disability Training Network works with faculty, staff, and administrators across the nine campuses of the Texas A&M University system. This session will present findings and training implications of factors associated with the use of accommodations by university faculty based on a survey of faculty at this university system.

Poster 18
Long-Term Developmental Outcomes of Children with Inborn Errors of Metabolism: An Update Study - Project of AUCD Fellow

  • Kimberly Powell, PhD, RD, AUCD-CDC-NCBDDD Fellow, Atlanta, GA
  • Rani H. Singh, PhD, RD, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
  • Richard Olney, MD, MPH, CDC, Atlanta, GA
  • Stuart K. Shapira, MD, PhD, CDC, Atlanta, GA
  • Marshalyn Yeargin-Allsop, MD, CDC, Atlanta, GA

This presentation describes the current project of an AUCD Fellow with the Developmental Disabilities Branch at the CDC National Center for Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities which will examine the long-term developmental outcomes in children with inborn errors of metabolism.

Poster 19
Research Based Prevention of Secondary Conditions among Individuals with Disabilities: Can State Surveillance Systems Provide a Tool for Research?

  • Ann Alriksson-Schmidt, MA, MSPH, AUCD Fellow-NCBDDD/CDC, Atlanta, GA
  • Judy Thibadeau, RN, MN, CDC/NCBDDD/DHT, Atlanta, GA
  • Mark Swanson, MD, MPH, CDC/NCBDDD/DHT, Atlanta, GA

Prevention of secondary conditions among individuals living with disabilities is of great importance. Prevention efforts should be based on evidence from prospective population based research, which is currently lacking. State surveillance systems already in place can provide an opportunity for implementing such research.

Poster 20
15 Years of COCA: History with a View Toward the Future

  • Laurel Ryan, MFA, Boling Center for Developmental Disabilities, Memphis, TN
  • Gordon Richins, BS, Center for Persons with Disabilities, Logan, UT
  • Susan Yuan, PhD, Center on Disability and Community Inclusion, Burlington, VT
  • Clare Collins, MEd, Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies, Orono, ME
  • G. Denise Lance, PhD, Kansas UCEDD, Lawrence, KS
  • Cathy Haarstad, MS, North Dakota Center for Persons with Disabilities, Minot, ND
  • Jan Moss, Center for Learning and Leadership, Oklahoma City, OK

Aposter highlighting important developments in the evolution of AUCD's Councilon Community Advocacy (COCA), as the Council looks toward its future role as a resource to AUCD and the larger disability community.

Poster 21
The Future is Here Today: Meeting the Needs of CACs with Distance Technology

  • Elizabeth Bishop, MSSW, Boling Center, Memphis, TN
  • Laurel Ryan, MFA, Boling Center, Memphis, TN

The Boling Center has used video-conferencing, phone conferencing, and more recently web-conferencing to facilitate virtual and face-to-face meetings of its Community Advisory Council (CAC). Positioned across the state in up to 4 venues and supplemented with live captioning, the CAC has developed strong bonds and eliminated long journeys necessary.

Poster 22
Exploring Strategies to Improve the Health of Custodial Grandparents

  • J. Carolyn Graff, PhD, Boling Center, Memphis, TN
  • Stella Nwokeji, MSN, RN, Trainee, Boling Center, Memphis, TN
  • Ruth J. Roberts, EdD, Boling Center, Memphis, TN
  • Belinda Tate Hardy, MSW, Boling Center, Memphis, TN
  • Juanita A. Williams, MSW, Boling Center, Memphis, TN
  • Kelli H. Davis, MSW, Boling Center, Memphis, TN
  • Frederick B. Palmer, MD, Boling Center, Memphis, TN

Custodial grandparents participated in focus group interviews to identify ways their health and quality of life could be improved. Findings will be used, along with feedback from grand parents to develop interventions to improve the health and quality of life of grandparents who are primary caregivers for their grandchildren.

Poster 23
Parent Views on their Communication with Siblings of Children with Genetic Disorders

  • J. Carolyn Graff, PhD, College of Nursing and Graduate Health Sciences, Memphis, TN
  • Susan Neely-Barnes, PhD, University of Tennessee, College of Social Work, Memphis, TN
  • Ruth Roberts, EdD, Boling Center, Memphis, TN
  • Heather Hall, MSN Doctoral Student, University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Graduate Health Sciences, Memphis, TN
  • Belinda Hardy, MSSW, LCSW, Boling Center, Memphis, TN
  • Jane Hankins, MD, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN

Focus groups with parents of children with autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and sickle cell disease examined parent perceptions of sibling responses to the genetic disorder and the child with the disorder. Using emergent categories and themes, intervention strategies involving family members and professionals working with families will be proposed.

Poster 24
Language & Behavior: Impact of Degree of Hearing Loss and "Very Early" Early Intervention in a Child's First Two Years

  • Betty Vohr, MD, Women and Infants Hospital, Providence RI
  • Julie Jodoin-Krauzyk, MD, MA, Women & Infants' Hospital, Providence, RI

Language and behavior outcomes of a prospective longitudinal study of children with varying degrees of hearing loss participating in early intervention and their matched controls at 12-16 and 18-24 months of age will be presented. The impact of "very early" entrance into early intervention will be emphasized.

Poster 25
Top Spots: It's Organized Chaos

  • Curt Phillips, MA, Center for Persons with Disabilities, Logan, UT
  • Sue Olsen, MEd, Center for Persons with Disabilities, Logan, UT

The initial project created an awareness and responsive commitment to the expansion and modification of recreation/leisure activities to meet the needs and expectations of children and youth with disabilities. The project is supported through support by the CPD, Logan and Smithfield City Recreation, and parents of children with disabilities.

Poster 26
Barriers to Effective Late Life Transitions for Aging Caregivers of Persons with Developmental Disabilities

  • Lynne Tomasa, PhD, MSSW, Sonoran UCEDD, Tucson, AZ
  • Yumi Shirai, MA, MS, Trainee, Sonoran UCEDD, Tucson, AZ

The purpose of this study is to promote positive transitions for people with developmental disabilities (DD) as they and their caregivers age. This will be accomplished by exploring care needs, health status, and the barriers older caregivers face when making future care plans for a person with DD.

Poster 27
Leadership Development Project: Working and Growing with Youth in Puerto Rico

  • Annie Alonso, PsyD, MSW, Institute on Developmental Disabilities, San Juan, PR
  • Ilia M. Torres-Avillán, MS, Institute on Developmental Disabilities, San Juan, PR
  • Maria N. Reyes, MSW, Institute on Developmental Disabilities, San Juan, PR
  • Mario H. Rodriguez, PhD, MPH, Institute on Developmental Disabilities, San Juan, PR
  • Misael Pérez, MA, Institute on Developmental Disabilities, San Juan, PR
  • Marisol Acosta, MA, Institute on Developmental Disabilities, San Juan, PR
  • Jennifer Carides, MSW, Institute on Developmental Disabilities, San Juan, PR
  • Nayda Cruz, BA, Institute on Developmental Disabilities, San Juan, PR
  • Ricardo Figueroa, BBA, Institute on Developmental Disabilities, San Juan, PR

This presentation will share the methods and findings from youth participating in a leadership project. The results will describe youth achievements and growth in their communities and include success stories of many participants.

Poster 28
Universal Design in Higher Education: Systemic Change for the Academy

  • Lucille Zeph, EdD, Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies, Orono, ME
  • Tina Passman, PhD, Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies, Orono, ME
  • Sandra Horne, MA, Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies, Orono, ME
  • Valerie Smith, PhD, Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies, Orono, ME

This poster provides an overview of the process used by one UCEDD to improve access to their University by utilizing the principles of universal design. This multi-year systems change initiative addresses several aspects of university policy and practice related to the creation of accessible academic environments and experiences for all members of the University community.

Poster 29
Advancing Parent-Professional Leadership in Education: Preliminary Findings from a Five Year Intervention Project

  • Heike Boeltzig, MA, Institute for Community Inclusion, Boston, MA
  • Rich Robison, PhD, Federation for Children with Special Needs, Boston, MA

The poster presents preliminary findings from the Advancing Parent-Professional Leadership in Education Project, a five year intervention, implemented by the Federation for Children with Special Needs and targeted at parents of children with disabilities who are members of Parent Advisory Councils.

Poster 30
What Does It Take: From Research to Policies to Services for Integrating Long-Term Supports with Affordable Housing

  • Alma Ellis, BS, Institute for Disability Studies, Jackson, MS

Research and policy analysis play a significant role in systems change. Mississippi's Institutefor Disability Studies researched the state's housing programs and home- and community-based waivers to initiate systems change in the development of longterm services for consumers wanting to live in the housing arrangement of their choice.

Poster 31
An Elementary Approach to Improving Health Literacy in Mississippi: An Integrated Suggested Teaching Strategy for the Mississippi Health Curriculum Framework

  • Roy Hart, MPH, Institute for Disability Studies, Jackson, MS
  • Alma Ellis, BS, Institute for Disability Studies, Jackson, MS
  • Jo Prather, Madison County Schools, Flora, MS

The project augments the Mississippi Department of Education's Comprehensive Health Education Framework. Stakeholders developed an integrated approach to address the framework's competencies for grades kindergarten through fifth. Teaching strategies consist of activities initiated by children in classroom environments that improve the level of health literacy in Mississippi.

Poster 32
Good-To-Go Hurricane Evacuation Kit

  • Denise De La Garza, PhD, Center for Disability Studies, Austin, TX
  • Precious Williams, MEd, Center for Disability Studies, Austin, TX

This evacuation kit was created for residents of the Gulf coast who are seniors or individuals with disabilities and who may have special needs during a hurricane evacuation. The kit is designed to go on a refrigerator and contains an evacuation guide and sample information sheets.

Poster 33
Community-Based Health and Wellness Programs for Individuals with Disabilities

  • Connie Johnson, PT, Former Trainee, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC

People with disabilities engage in health promoting behaviors less often than individuals without disabilities. Utilizing a participatory action research model, the researcher worked collaboratively with several agencies to identify the need for educational resources that promote health and wellness for individuals with disabilities, their families, and service professionals.

Poster 34
Psychosocial Aspects of Pediatric Palliative and Hospice Care: A Washington, D.C. Care Collaborative

  • J. Whitney Little, Trainee, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC

This program will focus on pediatric hospice and palliative care needs within the United States, and more specifically the District of Columbia. The presentation will focus on barriers to hospice and palliative care, as well as approaches to improving care access and quality for children facing life threatening illness.

Poster 35
Organization for Autism Research Programs and Services

  • Peter Gerhardt, EdD, Organization for Autism Research, Arlington, VA

The Organization for Autism Research (OAR) was created in 2001 to use applied science to answer questions that parents, families, individuals with autism, teachers and caregivers confront daily. No other autism organization has this singular focus. OAR's efforts focus on the funding and dissemination of research in support of learners with autism.

Poster 36
Faith, Biotechnology, and Disability

  • William Gaventa, MDiv, Elizabeth M. Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities, New Brunswick, NJ
  • Download PPT [ppt, 90kb]

The National Council of Churches passed a Policy Statement in 2006 on faith and biotechnology. It included issues related to disability, genetics, and biotechnology. This presentation outlines those parts of the statement and asks for feedback from the AUCD network.

Poster 37
Moving Toward a Coherent Career Path for Direct Support Professionals and Front line Supervisors in New Jersey: UCEDD Roles

  • William Gaventa, MDiv, Elizabeth M. Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities, New Brunswick, NJ
  • Daniel Baker PhD, Elizabeth M. Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities, New Brunswick, NJ
  • Download PPT [ppt, 747kb]

In 2002, the Boggs Center helped initiate a New Jersey DSP Workforce Development Coalition, a collaboration involving state agencies, provider networks, and community colleges. This session will describe the collaboration, its focus on a statewide career path, and basic training for front line managers.

Poster 38
My Health, My Choice, My Responsibility

  • Marilyn Vitale, MA, Westchester Institute for Human Development, Valhalla, NY
  • Mitchell Levitz, Westchester Institute for Human Development, Valhalla, NY
  • Download PPT [ppt, 9.6mb]

My Health, My Choice, My Responsibilityis an eight-session curriculum that promotes speaking up for good health indaily life designed for adults with intellectual disabilities. The program includes a manual, trainer's guide, activities and health tools. A unique aspect of the program pairs a trainer and a self-advocate as group leaders.This poster describes the development, field testing, and initial results of the program.

Poster 39
Evaluating the Impact of Family Mentorship for LEND Trainees at the Westchester Institutefor Human Development

  • Barbara Levitz, MS, Westchester Institute for Human Development, Valhalla, NY
  • Laurence Miller, PhD, Westchester Institute for Human Development, Valhalla, NY
  • Karen Edwards, MD, MPH, Westchester Institute for Human Development, Valhalla, NY
  • Download PPT [ppt, 391KB]

Self report data provides prima facie evidence of the Family Mentorship module's pedagogical effectiveness as a method to help MCH professionals understand the impact on families of having a child with a disability, their experiences working with professionals from various disciplines, and the responsiveness of service systems to family needs.

Poster 40
The Center for Persons with Disabilities: 35 Years of Integrating Research, Education and Service

  • Kelleen Smith, BS; Center for Persons with Disabilities, Logan, UT
  • Martin Blair, MS, Center for Persons with Disabilities, Logan, UT
  • Thomas Higbee, PhD, Center for Persons with Disabilities, Logan, UT
  • Judith Holt, PhD, Center for Persons with Disabilities, Logan, UT
  • Mark Innocenti, PhD, Center for Persons with Disabilities, Logan, UT
  • Richard Roberts, PhD, Center for Persons with Disabilities, Logan, UT
  • Cyndi Rowland, PhD, Center for Persons with Disabilities, Logan, UT
  • Sarah Rule, PhD, Center for Persons with Disabilities, Logan, UT

Over a span of more than 35 years, the Center for Persons with Disabilities at Utah State University has operated hundreds of high-quality education, research, and service projects aimed at improving life for people with disabilities and their family members. Highlighted projects impact policy and service delivery on local, state, national and international levels.

Poster 41
Self-Determination and Dual Diagnosis: Is There a Relationship?

  • Karen Hobden, PhD, Developmental Disabilities Institute, Detroit, MI
  • Barbara W. LeRoy, PhD, Developmental Disabilities Institute, Detroit, MI
  • Download PPT [ppt, 227kb]

The relationship between self-determination and dual diagnoses will be examined. Mental health concerns in individuals with intellectual disabilities were assessed using recently developed diagnostic tools. Information on individuals' level of self-determination was also collected. Degree of self-determination for individuals with and without a dual diagnosis will be compared.

Poster 42
Reaching Rural and Frontier Communities Through the Development of Video-Teleconferencing Networks in CA

  • Cary Kreutzer, MPH, USC UCEDD Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
  • Fran Goldfarb, MA, CHES, USC UCEDD Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
  • Debbie Sarmento, Family Resource Center Network of CA, Sacramento, CA
  • Susan Ferrier, Northern Sierra Rural Health Network, Nevada City, CA

Over the past seven years, the USC UCEDD, through grant funding, has established professional and parent leader video-teleconference networks primarily in rural and frontier communities to establish mechanisms for outreach training. This poster will present evaluation data, models implemented, and lessons learned.

Poster 43
Genetic Testing: Informational Needs and Preferences of Parents and Siblings of Adults with Developmental Disabilities

  • Patricia Patrick, MPH, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY
  • Karen Edwards, MD, MPH, Westchester Institute for Human Development and New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY

This poster presents the results of a research project that elicited the informational needs of parents and siblings of adults with developmental disabilities regarding new genetic testing that may be available to them. Feedback from parents and siblings allowed investigators to make recommendations regarding appropriate communication with the targeted population.

Poster 44
Low Tech for Aging In-Place

  • Regina Mayolo, Center for Excellence in Disabilities, Morgantown, WV

Interdisciplinary aging-in-place assessments found rural homeowners with disabilities resistant to high tech assistive devices for independent living and home modifications. Cultural preferences, cost, and usability were critical factors for recommending or purchasing AT. Findings help decision-makers best use limited resources, and encourages Universal Design in developing programs and built environments.

Poster 45
Using Participatory Action Research to Develop and Validate the Core Competency Measure

  • Stephen Leff, PhD, Children's Seashore House, Philadelphia, PA
  • Nathan Blum, MD, Children's Seashore House, Philadelphia, PA
  • Abbas Jawad, PhD, Children's Seashore House, Philadelphia, PA
  • Judith Silver, PhD, Children's Seashore House, Philadelphia, PA
  • Symme Trachtenberg, MSW, Children's Seashore House, Philadelphia, PA
  • Karen Hudson, MSW, Children's Seashore House, Philadelphia, PA
  • Karen Tate, Children's Seashore House, Philadelphia, PA
  • Download PPT [ppt, 135kb]

Our LEND Program Evaluation Committee used participatory research to design the Core Competency Measure, which assesses fellows' perception of their knowledge/skills related to the core competency domains of LEND. Analyses from five cohorts of fellows (n=62) will be presented to illustrate the validity and usefulness of this new measure.

Poster 46
Better Understanding Family Meetings at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia through a Participatory Action Research Process

  • Stephen Leff, PhD, Children's Seashore House, Philadelphia, PA
  • Andrea Mattie, MSW, Children's Seashore House, Philadelphia, PA
  • Karen Tate, Children's Seashore House, Philadelphia, PA
  • Beth Lohne, Trainee, Children's Seashore House, Philadelphia, PA
  • Lois Robbins, Trainee, Children's Seashore House, Philadelphia, PA

A research collaboration between social workers, LEND faculty, and LEND fellows led to the formation of a parent and staff survey to better understand how "family meetings" can facilitate patient care planning. Results from 78 parents and 33 staff will be used to discuss implications for improving family meetings.

Poster 47
Early Markers of Autism: Sensory Motor Differences Between High-risk and Low-risk Infants at 12 Months of Age

  • Kaitlin Fiore, MS, Trainee, New Hampshire LEND, Lebanon, NH
  • Jennifer Holland MS, Trainee, New Hampshire LEND, Lebanon, NH

Our pilot study aims to identify early sensory motor markers for autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in infants through a prospective study comparing infants at high-risk for developing autism and infants at low-risk.

Poster 48
Promoting Inclusion, Employment, and Community Participation Using Natural Supports for Youth with Disabilities: Promising Strategies

  • Erik Carter, PhD, Waisman Center, Madison, WI
  • Colleen Kurkowski, Waisman Center, Madison, WI

This presentation will address how natural support strategies can be used to promote inclusion and belonging for high school students in school, work, and community settings. We will present initial lessons from our Natural Supports Project, which currently is working with nine high schools through out Wisconsin.

Poster 49
Autism Team Training: An Interdisciplinary Multi-Session Training Experience

  • Brittany Schmidt, MA, Center for Disabilities, Sioux Falls, SD
  • Download PPT [ppt, 756kb]

Autism Team Training is a multi-session training designed to provide an interdisciplinary team with a variety of educational, vocational, leisure, communication, and daily living intervention methods for that team's focus onan individual with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. An overview of the training and the efficacy for the individual will be presented.

Poster 50
Self-Employment in Florida

  • David Guido, Florida Center for Inclusive Communities, Tampa, FL
  • Pam Hinterlong, MS, FLDOE/Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Tallahassee, FL

The presentation will provide an overview of the state and nationally funded self-employment initiatives in Florida.These initiatives impact individual employment outcomes for persons with disabilities, and state and local service systems.

Poster 51
Innovative Approach to Training Individuals and Agencies in Rural Areas

  • Sachin Pavithran, Center for Persons with Disabilities, Logan, UT
  • Heather Young, BS, Center for Persons with Disabilities, Logan, UT

State Assistive Technology (AT) programs are mandated to participate in AT training and demonstration activities. This presentation will focus on how the Utah AT Program is working with community partners to expand device demonstration and AT training in rural areas of Utah.

Poster 52
Tennessee Disability Pathfinder - an internet based resource of state services and national information resources

  • Carole Moore-Slater, MS, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Nashville, TN
  • Download PPT [ppt, 4.8mb]

Tennessee Disability Pathfinder is a web-based information and referral service. It offers a statewide bilingual helpline, disability village internet site with a statewide database, Hispanic database, national resources by topic, statewide calendar of disability events, and an accessibility project. Effective collaboration with community agencies is the project's focus.

Poster 53
UCEDD Assistive Technology Service Delivery Models, Training Activities, and Applied Research Initiatives

  • Glenn Hedman, MS, University of Illinois UCEDD, Chicago, IL

Most UCEDDs are active in the area of Assistive Technology, but the service delivery approaches, training activities, and research efforts vary greatly. The poster session will provide an opportunity to learn about the different activities in a single session.

Poster 54
Meeting the Healthcare Needs of Children in Foster Care through the Use of an Innovative Comprehensive Electronic Health Record (EHR)

  • Aaron Velez, MSW, Westchester Institute for Human Development, Valhalla, NY
  • Ingrid Allard, MD, Westchester Institute for Human Development, Valhalla, NY

Children in foster care are embedded in complex biopsychosocial issues that jeopardize their physical, developmental, and mental health functioning. As the systems responsible for their care are often fragmented, insufficient, and inadequately coordinated, the use of a comprehensive EHR can better meet their needs. WIHD's innovative EHR will be demonstrated.

Poster 55
Partnerships, Collaborations, & Service: Corporation for National & Community Service's Commitment to Inclusion of Individuals with Disabilities in Service

  • Paula Sotnik, BA, Institute for Community Inclusion, Boston, MA
  • Mat McCollough, MPA, AUCD, Silver Spring, MD
  • Jason Wheeler, Institute for Community Inclusion, Boston, MA

The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) provides opportunities for Americans of all ages and backgrounds to serve their communities and country. Attendees will learn about CNCS' partnership with UCEDDs in efforts to recruit and support members and volunteers with disabilities.

Poster 56
AUCD Diversity Survey

  • Tokesha Warner, BA, Mid-Tennessee Interdisciplinary Instruction in Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Nashville, TN
  • Paula Sotnik, Institute for Community Inclusion, Boston, MA

In April 2007, the AUCD Diversity Survey was launched to gather data on the diversity of the Network. This presentation will allow us to show the 2007 data compared to the 2003 data.

Poster 57
Impact of School Bullying on Children with Spina Bifida: Time for Systems Change in Education Policy for Children with Disabilities

  • Regina Gargus, MD, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR
  • Andrea Hart, PhD, Partners for Inclusive Communities, Little Rock, AR
  • Betsy Johnson, MSW, Partners for Inclusive Communities, Little Rock, AR

This program's objective is to explore factors that may increase the risk of becoming a victim of bullying in school for children with spina bifida, describe the impact of childhood bullying for young adults with spina bifida, and develop positive recommendations to impact systems change and educational policy.

Poster 58
Field Based Experience for Dual Education Majors: A Unique Partnership between a Local School District and a University

  • Ginny Beck, BS, MA, Nevada UCEDD, Reno, NV

A dual university program for pre-service teachers graduating with degrees in special education and elementary education includes a supervised field based component in which the students spend approximately eighty hours a semester inclassrooms. They work with students individually and in whole groups.

Poster 59
Personal Success Model (PSM): Its Use in Single Integrated Community Case Plans to GuidePeople with Disabilities in Attaining their Goals

  • Dave Schaad, MHR, Institute for Disabilities, Laramie, WY
  • Download PPT [ppt, 4.2mb]

The Personal Success Model (PSM) is designed to facilitate a single, integrated community case management approach to transcend organizational and territorial boundaries of service and support agencies. The PSM is based on community success as defined by the individual for whom services and supports are being created.

Poster 60
Noise Events in Multiple-Occupancy vs. Single-Room NICU Design

  • Jenny Miller, BS, Trainee, Center for Disabilities, Sioux Falls, SD

This poster describes the incidence of specific noise events (alarms, care activities, etc.) in a Level III multiple-occupancy compared to anewly-constructed single-room NICU facility. This research determined the contributions of noise events to overall noise levels as NICU facilities transition from the multiple-occupancy to the single-room design.

Poster 61
Beyond The Basics: Promoting Equality of Opportunity in Sports and Culture

  • Stephen Gilson, PhD, Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies, Orono, ME
  • Elizabeth DePoy, PhD, Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies, Orono, ME

We examine the myriad barriers that contribute to the ongoing exclusion of persons with disabilities from sports and culture. We then discuss limitations of segregated and medicalized therapeutic responses and propose important theory and principles based on universal access and social justice for advancing inclusivity in sports and culture.

Poster 62
Focus Fitness for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities: A New Clinical Intervention

  • Mary Segal, PhD, Institute on Disabilities, Philadelphia, PA
  • Brad Kleinfelter, BS, Focus Fitness, Inc, Middletown, PA
  • Jeffrey Cooper, MBA, MS, United Cerebral Palsy of Central PA, Camp Hill, PA
  • Spring Chenoa Cooper, PhD, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA

We describe and present outcomes data for an innovative health and fitness program for persons with developmental disabilities. Participants have successfully reduced body weight and increased flexibility during a 3-month pilot. Participation of at-home care providers is a key aspect of the intervention.

Poster 63
Satisfaction Reported by Pennsylvania's Medical Assistance Program Enrollees With and Without Disabilities

  • Mary Segal, PhD, Institute on Disabilities, Philadelphia, PA
  • Guy Caruso, PhD, Institute on Disabilities, Philadelphia, PA
  • Diane Nelson Bryen, PhD, Institute on Disabilities, Philadelphia, PA

We compared data from Medical Assistance plan members with disabilities and members who had not been selected for disability, i.e. general population of enrollees who may or may not have had disability. The former group expressed significantly less satisfaction with health plan communication and approval for needed tests and treatments.

Poster 64
Improving Accessibility of Cell Phones, PDAs, and the Web: What Manufacturers Might Wantto Know

  • Diane Nelson Bryen, PhD, Institute on Disabilities, Philadelphia, PA

The presentation will present the results of five years of research conducted by the Collaborative on Assistive Technology and Cognitive Disabilities. The focus will be on improving access to generic technologies, including cell phones, personal digital assistants, and the web.

Poster 65
The Inclusion of Students with Visual Impairments

  • Shunit Reiter, PhD, MISHAL University Center on Disabilities for Education, Empowerment, and Research, Haifa, Israel
  • Itay Hess, PhD, MISHAL University Center on Disabilities for Education, Empowerment, and Research, Haifa, Israel
  • Tamar Horowitz, PhD, MISHAL University Center on Disabilities for Education, Empowerment, and Research, Haifa, Israel

The inclusion of students who are visually impaired (blind or have low vision)within mainstream schools: An evaluation of their quality of life as reportedby themselves and by their teachers, the degree of compatibility between the two evaluations and the correlation between the students' quality of life, the school climate and the teachers' attitudes towards inclusion.

Poster 66
Risk Factors for Youth with Intellectual Disabilities in Out-of-Home Care

  • Steve Koch, PhD, Riley Child Development Center, Indianapolis IN
  • Crystal Cederna, Trainee, Riley Child Development Center, Indianapolis, IN
  • Jacqueline Wall, PhD, Riley Child Development Center, Indianapolis, IN

In recent years, studies from the IARCCA Outcome Measures Project have examined risk factors for youth in out-of-home care. To date, however, these studies have not examined the impact of intelligence on outcomes. This poster presentation will compare youth with average or near-average intelligence to youth with intellectual disabilities.

Poster 67
Racial Disproportionality and Disparity for Youth in Out-of-Home Care

  • Steve Koch, PhD, Riley Child Development Center, Indianapolis, IN
  • Jacqueline Wall, PhD, Riley Child Development Center
  • Crystal Cederna, Trainee, Riley Child Development Center, Indianapolis, IN

This poster presents findings related to disproportionality and disparity among Indiana's youth served by social service agencies. The poster also discusses differences in risk factors for the Black or White youth in care.

Poster 68
Racial/Ethnic and Gender Inclusivity of the University of Hawaii College of Education Faculty, Staff, and Students

  • Steven Brown, PhD, Center on Disability Studies, Honolulu, HI
  • Jean Johnson, DPH, Center on Disability Studies, Honolulu, HI
  • Jeff Moniz, PhD, Institute for Teacher Education, Honolulu, HI

During the 2005-2007 academic years, the University of Hawai'i College of Education(COE) Diversity Committee investigated racial/gender inclusivity. The Committee submitted a 100+ page Report on "Racial/ Ethnic and Gender Inclusivity of COE Faculty, Staff, and Students" unanimously accepted by the COE Congress in May 2007.

Poster 69
Due Process Hearing Reviews: A Venue for Advocacy and Systems Change

  • Jean Johnson, DPh, Center on Disability Studies, Honolulu, HI
  • Susan Rocco, MPH
  • Jasmine Williams
  • Sue Brown
  • Martha Guinan, Center on Disability Studies, Honolulu, HI
  • Ivalee Sinclair
  • Josh Fouts, LEND

This presentation will describe how faculty from University Centers for Excellence can contribute to systems-change and provide advocacy for families and their children with disabilities through participation in the review of due process hearings.

Poster 70
Person-Centered Advocacy and the New Professional

  • Laura Eisenman, PhD, Center for Disabilities Studies, Newark, DE
  • Jamie Wolfe, Center for Disabilities Studies, Newark, DE
  • Nancy Weiss, Center for Disabilities Studies, Newark, DE
  • Download PPT [ppt, 577kb]
  • Download abstract [doc, 27kb]
  • Download flyer [pdf, 366kb]

Learn about the transformation of an undergraduate capstone course in an interdisciplinary disabilities studies minor program. Using student's multimedia projects and course materials, we will demonstrate how personal stories and policy issues were woven together to help students strengthen their understanding of facilitating change with people who have disabilities.

Poster 71
Project IMPACT: Empowering Parents with Cognitive Disabilities

  • Trupti Rao, PhD, Westchester Institute for Human Development, Valhalla, NY

This presentation describes Project IMPACT, an intensive parent training program for parents with intellectual disabilities who have been reported for maltreatment. It will describe models of programs for parents with cognitive limitations; provide an overview of program techniques; and present preliminary data about the program's efficacy.

Poster 72
Healthy Delawareans with Disabilities (HDWD) 2010 Project: Contributing to Knowledge about Health and Risk Factors of Children with Disabilities

  • Ilka K. Riddle, PhD, Center for Disabilities Studies, Newark, DE
  • Thomas Kelly, MD, MPH, BSN, Division of Developmental Disabilities Services, Delaware Health and Social Services, Dover, DE
  • Alisha Raiford-Hall, MS, Division of Developmental Disabilities Services, Delaware Health and Social Services, Dover, DE

A survey was conducted to collect information about health, health ris kbehaviors, and recreational activities from families of children with disabilities and special health care needs in Delaware. This poster illustrates the main survey findings and recommendations for improving the health of Delaware children andyouth.

Poster 73
Delaware Transition Initiative: Medical Transition of Youth from the Pediatric to the Adult HealthCare System

  • Ilka Riddle, PhD, Center for Disabilities Studies, Newark, DE
  • Terri Hancharick, Center for Disabilities Studies, Newark, DE

This research project explored the experience of young adults with disabilities/chronic health conditions with medical transition from the pediatric into the adult health care system. Findings show that more supports are needed in the transition process. Recommendations include the development of a transition team that assists with the transition process.

Poster 74
Health Care Access for Women with Disabilities: What are the Experiences of Women with Intellectual Disabilities?

  • Tracy Mann, MA, Center for Disabilities Studies, Newark, DE
  • Ilka Riddle, PhD, Center for Disabilities Studies, Newark, DE

The poster illustrates survey results of women's access to preventative gynecological health care and findings of qualitative interviews with women with intellectual disabilities about their experiences with routine gynecological exams. Recommendations for improved preventative health care experiences for women with intellectual disabilities will be provided.

Poster 75
The SNAPP Project: The Interrelationship of School Nurses and Educators in Promoting Academic Success for Students with Low-Incidence Disabilities

  • Bernice Allen, PhD, RN, Partnership for People with Disabilities, Richmond, VA
  • Harriet Marie Chapin, MS, RN, CPNP, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
  • Vickie H. Southall, MSN, RN, University of Virginia School of Nursing, Charlottesville, VA

School Nurses as Professional Partners: Supporting Educational Outcomes for Students withLow-Incidence Disabilities prepares school nurses to meet the needs of students with low-incidence disabilities. The program's success stems from collaboration among university schools of nursing, Virginia's Department of Education, and Virginia's University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities.

Poster 76
Building Nurse Practitioner (NP) Student Confidence and Competence in Recognizing Behavioral, Developmental, and Mental Health Disorders in Children

  • Harriet Marie Chapin, MS, RN, CPNP, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Nursing, Richmond, VA
  • Martha Edwards Hart, MS, RNC, PNP, NNP
  • Debra E. Lyon, PhD, RN, FNP
  • Ginger Pettengill Richardson, RN, Student NP

The incidence and prevalence of behavioral, developmental, and mental health conditions in children and adolescents requires focus on this content in the training of practitioners. This session will explore a model where knowledge acquisition, application, and advocacy are built through exposure and interaction with children with varied mental health needs.

Poster 77
Advancing Maternal and Paternal Age in Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder

  • Maria Valicenti-McDermott, MD, MS, Rose F. Kennedy Center, Bronx, NY
  • Jessica Tibbetts, Trainee, Rose F. Kennedy Center, Bronx, NY
  • Rosa Seijo, MD, Rose F. Kennedy Center, Bronx, NY
  • Lisa Shulman, MD, Rose F. Kennedy Center, Bronx, NY

We compared maternal age at the birth of offspring of children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) followed at our Center to the average national maternal age at birth of offspring in the US. We also compared parental ages between those children with ASD with or without a history of language regression.

Poster 78
Effects of a Self-regulation Program in Children with Learning Disabilities with Inattention and Hyperactivity

  • Katharine Lawson, PhD, Rose F. Kennedy Center, Bronx, NY
  • Maria Valicenti-McDermott, MD, MS, Rose F. Kennedy Center, Bronx, NY
  • Elizabeth Ridgway, OTR, Rose F. Kennedy Center, Bronx, NY
  • Judith Lapidus, OTR, Rose F. Kennedy Center, Bronx, NY
  • Rani Kathirithamby, MD, Rose F. Kennedy Center, Bronx, NY

We examined the effects of a self-regulation program, ALERT Program, on attention and hyperactivity in children with learning difficulties. Self-regulation programs have become increasingly popular because they claim to increase self-regulation, resulting in better control of attention and hyperactivity. However, little data is available about the effectiveness of such programs.

Poster 79
Support Needed for Old Adults as Caretakers of Persons with Developmental Disabilities

  • Ethel Teichbeg-Sabath, LCSW, Rose F. Kennedy Center, Bronx, NY
  • Maria Valicenti-McDermott, MD MS, Rose F. Kennedy Center, Bronx, NY
  • Howard Demb, MD, Rose F. Kennedy Center, Bronx, NY

We identified 82 preschool children in foster care who presented to a UCEDD or LEND for evaluation of developmental disabilities from 1988 through June 2003. We examined how many of these children were cared for by a caretaker who isolder than 65 and observed that 23 (34%) were older than age 65.

Poster 80
Supporting Each Other Through Parenting (SPA) Program

  • Julieta Hernandez, MSW, Mailman Center for Child Development, Miami, FL

The SPA program teaches parenting skills and developmental milestones for infants and toddlers to young parents infected with HIV/AIDS in the context of the parent-child dyad while attending to critical parental developmental tasks. Parents achieve a sense of mastery over their role and strengthen their capacity for responsive/synchronized parenting.

Poster 81
Integra