FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AADMD Highlights National Call to Strengthen Neurology Training in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

[Warwick, NY] — [October 2026] — The American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry (AADMD) is pleased to announce that HELEN, The Journal of Human Exceptionality, is now the official journal of the American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry (AADMD).

The American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry (AADMD) is highlighting a major national effort to improve the preparation of neurologists to care for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and related pediatric-onset neurologic conditions across the lifespan.

A Statement of Need has been developed for consideration by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) as part of the major revision of its Program Requirements for Neurology and Child Neurology.

The Statement calls for required clinical experience in the adult care of people with IDD within both Neurology and Child Neurology residency training. It addresses a longstanding gap in medical education at a time when increasing numbers of people with childhood-onset neurologic and developmental conditions are living well into adulthood and requiring ongoing neurological care.

The Statement was developed collaboratively by authors and signatory individuals and organizations representing expertise across adult neurology, child neurology, neurodevelopmental disabilities, medical education, disability health, advocacy, and related fields.

The initiative has brought together an unusually broad group of professional organizations, disability organizations, advocacy groups, academic and clinical programs, condition-specific foundations, clinicians, educators, people with disabilities, and families.

The American Academy of Neurology (AAN) has also endorsed the Statement of Need, recognizing the importance of better preparing neurologists to care for adults with IDD and pediatric-onset neurologic conditions across the lifespan. In its review, the AAN also emphasized the importance of practical implementation supports, including standardized curricula, educational resources, faculty development, implementation guidance, and sufficient time for residency programs to develop the necessary capacity.

Why This Matters

Several million adults in the United States live with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including people with Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, autism, Fragile X syndrome, and other genetic, metabolic, and neurodevelopmental conditions.

The Statement identifies significant gaps in current medical education. Fewer than one in four resident physicians receive formal education in IDD, and the current ACGME Program Requirements for Neurology and Child Neurology do not require clinical experience with this population.

People with IDD may experience epilepsy, movement disorders, cognitive and behavioral changes, neurogenetic conditions, cerebral palsy, dementia, and many other neurological disorders requiring care throughout adulthood. Yet the transition from pediatric to adult neurological care remains difficult for many individuals and families.

The Statement emphasizes that this population is already part of everyday neurological practice, making preparation of the neurological workforce an immediate rather than a future concern.

A Lifespan Approach to Neurology

A central feature of the Statement is its focus on both Neurology and Child Neurology training.

Improving care requires greater continuity between pediatric and adult systems and better preparation of adult neurologists to receive patients whose neurological and developmental conditions began in childhood.

Meaningful training should extend beyond general disability awareness. Educational approaches should prepare neurologists to adapt communication and examination techniques, recognize diagnostic overshadowing, identify neurological changes against an individual's baseline, support decision-making, manage complex neurological conditions, and work effectively with patients, families, caregivers, self-advocates, and community organizations.

Moving From Need to Implementation

The broad support for the Statement of Need represents an important first step.

The next phase will require collaboration among neurologists, residency educators, professional organizations, disability-health organizations, people with IDD and their families, community organizations, and the ACGME to determine how these competencies can be incorporated effectively into graduate medical education.

Potential next steps include development of standardized educational resources, faculty development, adaptable clinical-training models, partnerships between residency programs and community organizations, and pilot programs that can demonstrate practical approaches to implementation.

AADMD welcomes the opportunity to continue participating in this national effort and to help advance neurological care that is knowledgeable, accessible, person-centered, and responsive to the needs of people with IDD throughout adulthood and aging.

About AADMD

The American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry (AADMD) is a national organization dedicated to improving health care for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Through education, advocacy, professional collaboration, and engagement with people with disabilities and their families, AADMD works to strengthen the ability of health professionals to provide equitable, accessible, person-centered care across the lifespan.