April 2012

Developments is AUCD's newsletter for MCHB-funded LEND and DBP programs. In recognition of April as Autism Awareness month, this newsletter highlights activities, news, and resources at LEND and DBP programs in their work with the autism community. This issue also features other news and activities from the LEND and DBP programs.

We hope you enjoy the newsletter!

 AUCD Annual Conference: December 2012

Join AUCD to learn and share today's promising practices and innovations that shape the lives of people with disabilities and their families through research, policy, education, and service.   Submit a proposal for a concurrent, poster, or media session by June 11, 2012.

December 2-5, 2012
Washington Hilton in Washington, DC

The Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities LEND program provides opportunities to expose all LEND trainees to the world of autism spectrum disorders (ASD), as well as permit those who are interested in specializing in the broad area of ASD via their Autism Training Track.  

DBPNet Studies Variation in Assessment and Management Strategies for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorder.  DBPNet is currently conducting its largest study to date which will describe diagnostic assessment strategies used by developmental pediatricians for children with either ASD or ADHD for at least 400 diagnostic encounters and management strategies utilized for at a similar number of follow-encounters.

The state of Nevada held its first Learn the Signs. Act Early summit on February 24, 2012 at the University of Nevada, Reno. The gathering was organized by Nevada LEND faculty members and their inaugural class of trainees.  Read more to see who attended the summit and what the short- and long-term goals are.  

Elaine Gabovitch (MA LEND), is the state team leader of the 60-plus member Massachusetts Act Early state team.  She was appointed to be one of the first "Learn the Signs. Act Early" Ambassadors in the country as part of the first pilot program jointly funded by the CDC, AUCD and MCHB/HRSA. Read more to see what agencies are involved, who she has met and/or spoken before, and what are the team's goals.

There is a new AUCD web page with resources on the Life Course Perspective.  The life course perspective or life course theory (LCT) is a multidisciplinary approach to understanding mental, physical and social health of individuals, which incorporates both life span and life stage concepts that determine the health trajectory.  Take a moment to take the Health Equity Quiz, read case studies, and see what the Slide and Webinar library have to offer.  

AUCD to Begin Recruiting for the 2012-2013 Virtual Trainee

This individual works remotely from his/her home Center/Program for one academic year to build and enhance a network among trainees at AUCD's UCEDDs and LENDs.  Candidates should be a trainee in the coming year, have previously acquired knowledge of their Center or Program, and be interested in learning about the entire network of centers, as well as national issues related to persons with disabilities and special health care needs

The Autism Speaks Autism Treatment Network/Autism Intervention Research Network on Physical Health Research Works in Progress Webinar series is a monthly webinar series open to the AUCD Network.  Register now and reserve your seat!  Webinar dates have been identified and topics will be announced closer to the webinar date.  

For a listing of events of interest to LEND and DBP programs, visit the ITAC Events webage.

Resources 

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