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WHY JOIN AAIDD?
Why should one join the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities?
One of AAIDD’s goals each year is to recruit and retain new members. The topic is addressed in board meetings and members are asked to try and find good folks to join. During my first two years of being an active member of AAMR, now AAIDD, I often wondered what I could tell someone that would make them consider being a member of this organization that costs a little over one hundred dollars a year. Of course, I could tell someone about the two excellent journals you would receive monthly and the fun conference we have every summer. But, what else?
Well, a few years ago, my youngest son was demonstrating characteristics of Asperger’s Syndrome. My wife Karen and I were obviously wanting to find out as much as we could about this disability. This is when it really paid to be a member of this great organization. Talking with only a few fellow members, we were hooked up with several professionals in the Autism field that helped us every step of the way – consultations, testing, assessments, organizations to join, encouragement, etc. Our son was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome and his quality of life is better than expected as a result of my affiliation with AAIDD. We will never be able to repay the organization for the information that we were able to receive and the money we saved by the generosity of members of the group.
The organization also enhances my professional career by increasing my access to usable information. It assists me in providing quality supports and services to the people who reside at the agency in which I’m employed.
In closing, AAIDD is a quality organization that can help members both professionally and personally, and I would highly recommend membership to anyone.
Sincerely,
Raymond Navarro
AAIDD, Past President
American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Louisiana Chapter
