Author: aabr

By Michael Rock: While much has been written on the benefits of early diagnosis and intervention of people with autism, few realize just how important it can be. Despite the good an early diagnosis can offer someone with autism, they can be difficult to obtain. In addition to needing to rely on behavioral markers rather […]

By Michael Rock: Too often, disability services are under-prioritized by the public agencies that fund them. In Illinois, people with disabilities wait an average of seven years before they and their families know whether they qualify for supports such as housing and job coaching, even as court rulings demand the wait time be reduced. That […]

By Michael Rock: One of the key inequalities that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities face in relation to their peers without disabilities is a considerably shorter lifespan. Fortunately, new insights into the roots of this problem better allow us to understand and solve it. A recent study from researchers at Australia’s University of New […]

They call it “the most wonderful time of the year,” but the holiday season can be a stressful time for people with disabilities and their families. Thanksgiving dinner can be difficult for those with developmental disabilities because of behavioral and sensory issues. Judgements from some family members as well as other diners in restaurant settings […]

By Michael Rock: It is no secret that people with disabilities have a high unemployment rate compared to the general population. Despite improvements in the current strong economy, there is still much work to be done. In the meantime, there have been several innovative approaches used to help address their unemployment issues. San Diego County […]

By Michael Rock: Despite the current scientific breakthroughs in our efforts to better understand intellectual and developmental disabilities, there is more room for improvement in how we statistically represent them. For instance, people who have autism and comorbid intellectual disabilities are often excluded from studies about the condition, even though they represent about half of […]

Scientists have recently learned to diagnose a genetic disorder that causes intellectual disability that is particularly prevalent in societies where marriage between relatives is commonplace. Drs. Hugo Bellen of Baylor University and Stylianos Antonarakis studied five unrelated individuals from Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, and found they each had similar symptoms. In addition to intellectual disability, […]

By Michael Rock: Few celebrations are as important to American children as Halloween. However, there are often barriers that make it harder for children with disabilities to fully celebrate. Fortunately, they are easy to work around. This year, Target began selling adaptive costumes as well as themed wheelchair covers for those trick-or-treaters who have difficulty […]

Nationwide, there are countless opportunities to see and purchase artwork by artists with disabilities. San Francisco’s Mission District is home to Creativity Explored, a nonprofit art studio and gallery where artists with disabilities can create, share, and sell their art in a judgement-free environment. Washington, D.C. offers a studio with a similar concept called Art […]

By Michael Rock It is no secret that there are numerous benefits to getting a diagnosis for a developmental or intellectual disability when necessary. However, there is increasing evidence that the way many such conditions are diagnosed can easily be corrupted by the individual biases of those who make such determinations. A recent study found […]