The American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry

03/19/2026

It's Neurodiversity Celebration Week! Founded by Siena Castellon in 2018, Neurodiversity Celebration Week is a worldwide initiative that challenges stereotypes and misconceptions about neurological differences. It aims to transform how neurodivergent individuals are perceived and supported around the world.

We are sharing the business benefits of language services for neurodivergent employees and people with aphasia: https://ow.ly/JIPV50Yvv3P

03/18/2026

Don't miss this opportunity from Child Neurology Foundation! CNF Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (NDD) Summer Research Scholarship: The Child Neurology Foundation announces the availability of (1) one summer clinical research scholarship for a first, second or third-year US or Canadian medical student who has an interest in training in neurodevelopmental disabilities or child neurology.

The award will be made for clinical research focused in the field of neurodevelopmental disabilities in children or young adults to be conducted under the direction of a child neurology/NDD subspecialist during summer break. Selected applicant will receive a $3,500 scholarship to support the research project.

More info: https://www.childneurologyfoundation.org/ndd-scholarship/

03/17/2026

The American Academy of Developmental Medicine & Dentistry is pleased to announce Vincent Siasoco, MD as our new President-Elect.

Dr. Siasoco brings a deep commitment to advancing interdisciplinary care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

03/17/2026

Don't miss the next NYU Unit Zero webinar!
Virtually via Zoom
March 18, 2026
6:30 PM-7:30 PM

"Sensory Adaptive Care in Clinical Practice: A Case-Based Approach"

The NYU Dentistry Oral Health Center for People with Disabilities invites you to a special CE webinar.

In this lecture, Dr. Serena Simone brings together the sensory adaptive techniques introduced in Parts 1 and 2 and demonstrates how they are applied during real patient encounters. Using case examples, learners will explore how to assess sensory needs, adapt the dental environment, and select sensory supports to promote regulation, comfort, and successful visits.

Introductions and Q & A session moderated by: Barbie Vartanian, Director, Oral Health Advocacy & Policy Initiatives at NYU Dentistry

Hosted by NYU Dentistry Oral Health Center for People with Disabilities and Development and Alumni Relations.

1 CE credit. Open to all dental professionals.

Register: https://web.cvent.com/event/b8c6c2b7-141e-4d73-9623-5b62beed6554/summary

03/16/2026

Tomorrow | 8 PM Eastern

People with disabilities often encounter major barriers when seeking oral health care — and healthcare professionals frequently report feeling underprepared to meet their needs.

Join Dr. Ramaa Balkaran for this AADMD Virtual Grand Rounds:
Reducing Barriers to Oral Health for People with Disabilities: Education, Access, and Action

This session will explore lived experiences, system challenges, and practical strategies to improve access and outcomes across disciplines.

👉 Register here: https://aadmd-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ZgbGLxKTQdGN_Q4q2mHGgw #/registration

03/13/2026

Upcoming webinar opportunity: IDD Perspectives: Dental Health and Preventive Skillsets for Supporters and Medical Providers

THURSDAY, APRIL 2ND, 2026, 1:00 - 1:45 PM ET

Presented by Dr. Craig Escude and his guest, Dr. Allen Wong

Dental problems can cause people to not eat, suffer needlessly from painful oral conditions, and engage in aggressive behavior. Join Dr. Craig Escude with his guest, Dr. Allen Wong, for a discussion about top dental concerns for people with IDD and what supporters can do to promote optimal dental health.

Register: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1910418397677770844?source=IA+Website

03/11/2026

🧠 Free Webinar Series: Advancing Dementia-Capable Primary Care: Supporting Adults with Intellectual Disabilities

This series provides practical, IDD-informed guidance on recognizing dementia, navigating diagnosis and medical management, and supporting safety and function following a diagnosis.

Offered in collaboration with The American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry and Developmental Disabilities Nurses Association, this program is supported by the Special Olympics Systems Change for Inclusive Health Subgrant, funded by the CDC.

📄 Event flyer and details available in the comments.

03/11/2026

Last month our student chapter hosted a Green Run where they screened participants for medical and dental checkups as well as Body Composition Analysis and Nutritional advice. Great job!

03/10/2026

📣 Calling all dental schools and educators!

The NICHE-Dental Institutional Hero Grant supports schools that want to expand education on caring for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). By integrating NICHE-Dental curriculum resources, institutions can better prepare future providers to deliver compassionate care.

Students currently receive little training on treating patients with IDD, and this initiative is working to change that. Apply for the Hero Grant and help build a healthcare workforce ready to serve everyone.

Learn more and apply:
https://www.nichecurriculum.org/hero-grant

03/09/2026

🎉 Congratulations are in order! 🎉

We’re proud to celebrate AADMD Member-at-Large Justin Steinberg, MA, on an incredible performance at the Special Olympics Northern California Summer Games this weekend!

Justin earned:
🏅 1st Place — 400 Meter Walk (State Title!)
🥉 3rd Place — Running Long Jump
🥉 3rd Place — Javelin
🏅 4th Place — Shot Put (out of a highly competitive field)

Competing in one of the most competitive divisions, Justin achieved top-four finishes in every event — an accomplishment he is rightfully proud of, and so are we. Congratulations, Justin!

03/06/2026

We are SO proud of Ava and LOVED having her as a speaker at our One Voice Conference last year!

Congratulations to Disability Belongs™ Entertainment Lab and Leadership Program alumna Ava X. Rigelhaupt, who won a Children’s and Family Emmy Award on Monday night!
Ava won the Award for Outstanding Writing for a Preschool Animated Series for her work writing an episode of PBS Kids’ Carl the Collector called “The Fall.” We wrote about this show and this episode back in 2024: https://www.disabilitybelongs.org/2024/11/carl-the-collector-pbs-kids/

Image description: Ava Rigelhaupt, wearing a formal black dress, a bracelet, red lipstick, and a smile, and holding an Emmy statuette, standing in front of a blue step-and-repeat backdrop with logos for the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and The Emmys.

03/05/2026

Nurses: You Open the Door to Care. 💙

Nurses are often the first healthcare professionals to recognize the unique needs of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), from communication styles to subtle health changes that others may miss. Yet many nurses receive little formal training in IDD care.

That’s where AADMD comes in.

The American Academy of Developmental Medicine & Dentistry (AADMD) provides nurses with:
✔️ Practical, evidence-based education in IDD care
✔️ Interdisciplinary learning from healthcare experts
✔️ Resources to reduce diagnostic overshadowing and improve outcomes
✔️ A professional community focused on this population

Whether you’re a nursing student, new graduate, or experienced nurse seeking deeper impact — you belong here.

🔗 Learn more & become a member: network.aadmd.org