Psychology in Intellectual and Developmental

PSYCHOLOGY IN INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF DIVISION 33 AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION Volume 40, Number 2 Winter, 2014 From the President’s Desk Laura Lee McIntyre University of Oregon

got involved in the division years ago cross-division collaborative sessions and why I continue to stay engaged. represent the future of APA programming. I am certain we’ll see more cross Convention Highlights -divisional collaborative efforts at next I want to thank those of you who year’s convention in Toronto. attended the annual APA convention in Washington DC this past August. We We honored Dr. Wayne Silverman with had a strong program and a range of the Edgar A. Doll Award given his life informative and stimulating sessions. achievements in the area of intellectual Dr. Geraldine Dawson, Director of the and developmental disabilities. We Duke Center for Autism Diagnosis and presented Dr. James McPartland with Treatment, gave an invited keynote the Sara S. Sparrow Early Career Re- address on early intervention and brain search Award given his contributions to Message from the President: Laura plasticity in autism spectrum disorders. translational neuroscience and autism. Lee McIntyre, PhD, BCBA-D Dr. Rebecca Landa, Director of Center Two students, Karim Ibrahim of Univer- for Autism and Related Disorders at sity of Hartford and Mt. Sinai School of It is an honor and a pleasure to serve the Kennedy Krieger Institute, gave our Medicine, and Meredith Robinson of as President of Division 33. I have keynote address on advances in social Loma Linda University, received our served on the Executive Council of Divi- and communication interventions for student research awards. We are sion 33 since 2005 and have watched toddlers with autism. NIH Program grateful to Pearson, Wiley-Blackwell, the Division grow and change over the Officials, Lisa Gillotty (NIMH) and Alice and Springer Publishers for sponsoring years. Importantly, we have a strong Kau (NICHD) gave a roundtable on the these awards. As we wind down from and active student and early career ins and outs of IDD and ASD funding the activities of the summer conven- voice in the division leadership, spear- targeting early career psychologists tion, we are gearing up for next year’s headed by our early career representa- and students. conference in Toronto. Our Program tive, Dr. Abbey Eisenhower, and student representatives, Hillary Hurst Division 33 was proud to partner with In This Issue other divisions in the development of Bush (PhD student in clinical psycholo- Message from the President four symposia. Most notably we part- gy at UMass Boston) and Geovanna Laura Lee McIntyre…………………………………………………1 Rodriguez (PhD student in school psy- nered with Division 7 (Developmental APA Division 33 Student Award Winners chology at UC Riverside). We are ex- Psychology) on a session examining Meredith Robinson & Karim Ibrahim………………………..3 panding our membership opportunities early development and predictors of ID & the Death Penalty News Greg Olley……………………………………………………………….5 by engaging in active recruitment of outcomes in infant siblings of children with autism. We partnered with Divi- Student News/Advice/Interviews…………………………….6-9 colleagues and students who work in Division 33 membership Update……………………………….10 areas related to intellectual and devel- sion 3 (Experimental Psychology) on a session on laughter and sociality, with Papers in the Student Newsletter……………………………..10 opmental disabilities (IDD) and autism APA Council Report spectrum disorder (ASD) research, Division 20 (Aging) on a session on aging and intellectual disabilities, and Jim Mulick……………………………………………………………..11 practice, and policy. These things, and Pictures from APA………………………………………………..14-16 with Division 41 (Law) on a session others, make Division 33 an exciting Division 33 Award Winners……………………………………….17 focusing on autism spectrum disorder place to be, and are all reasons of why I Division 33 Executive Council…………………………………….18 and the criminal justice system. These

From the President’s Desk Laura Lee McIntyre PhD Division 33—Continued

Chair for the 2015 Division 33 con- Much discussion centered on vention is Dr. Anna Esbensen. We whether ASD is included within the thank Anna for her leadership and DD portion of IDD. While many in look forward to another great confer- the IDD field consider ASD to fall ence in 2015! under the developmental disability umbrella, it was suggested that What’s In a Name? many in the ASD community do not Members of Division 33 recently vot- necessarily identify with the IDD ed to amend the name of our division label. We discussed that the pro- from IDD to IDD/ASD. The name posed name change would be more change was originally brought to the inclusive and better capture how Executive Council in March 2014 by individuals identify their focus. then President Jan Blacher, President- Elect Designate Anna Esbensen, and I Full members of APA Division 33 had where it received support from the an opportunity to vote on the name Executive Council (14:4). We argued change amendment this fall via an that we may be able to expand our electronic ballot. The amendment division membership and increase the received strong support and was division’s revenue if we explicitly passed with 70 votes in favor and 20 highlight our work in ASD. We sug- opposed. The next step of the name gested that a name change would change amendment process is to help bring attention to our work in receive approval from APA. APA by- ASD and potentially attract new laws require approval from all other members who have historically affili- divisions before a change is official. I ated with autism-specific organiza- anticipate that our division name of tions and conferences. Over the IDD/ASD will be official in January years, Division 33 has received more 2015. and more convention proposals in the area of autism. For example, more I look forward to continuing the than two-thirds of Division 33 sympo- good work of our division and re- sia and half of posters at the 2014 spect and appreciate the contribu- convention focused on autism re- tions of individuals who do work in search and practice. This is important intellectual and developmental disa- to note because these posters and bilities (including ASD)! symposia were not invited sessions. This emphasis on autism is not Warmly, unique to the 2014 convention. In- deed we have similar trends over the Laura Lee McIntyre recent years. Our ASD sessions have been extremely well received and have attracted large crowds at the convention.

The name change amendment was discussed with Division 33 members during the Business Meeting at the 2014 convention in Washington, DC.

Division 33 Student Award Winners Meredith Robinson—Loma Linda University Mindfulness and Parental Stress Among Parents of Children with Developmental Delays: The Role of the Family Environment. Karim Ibrahim—University of Hartford “Neural effects of a CBT social skills treatment on eye gaze processing in children with Autism”

Please congratulate our two outstanding students who were recognized at the APA Annual Conven- tion in Washington, DC by the members of Division 33. Below are synopsis of their outstanding work! Great work, Meredith & Karim!

sity of Hartford. His dissertation behavior problems. Results showed research was conducted at the that MBSR was associated with in- Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment at Mount Sinai un- creased family cohesion for families der the mentorship of Dr. Ting of children with DD. Additionally, Wang. His paper titled, “Neural improvements in family cohesion effects of a CBT social skills treat- were associated with reductions in ment on eye gaze processing in both parental stress and child be- children with autism,” was recently havior problems in the group that presented at the 2014 APA con- had received the treatment. These vention in Washington D.C. findings indicate that parent inter-

ventions can improve the family Research has shown that the social deficits of autism spectrum disor- environment, and these improve- ders (ASDs) may be related to un- Meredith Robinson ments in family cohesiveness can deractivity in key brain regions improve treatment outcomes for involved in social cognition. How- Mindfulness and Parental Stress children and their families. ever, there is also evidence that Among Parents of Children with De- activity in normative neural net- velopmental Delays: The Role of works can be increased by provid- the Family Environment. ing children with ASD with explicit ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ instructions to attend to important Our poster examined changes in fam- social cues. This study examined ily cohesion as a result of a Mindful- changes in ‘social brain’ activity ness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) following a 12-week social skills group treatment for children with intervention with parents of children autism. with DD, as well as whether changes in family cohesion are associated with As part of a larger randomized, changes in parenting stress and child comparative trial led by Dr. Latha behavior outcomes from pre to post Soorya, the Co-PI, verbally fluent treatment. The current study utilized children with an ASD, 8-11 years of data from the Mindful Awareness for age, were randomized to a 12- week CBT or facilitated play group. Parenting Stress (MAPS) project at Karim Ibrahim Behavioral assessments and fMRI Loma Linda University, which includ- “Neural effects of a CBT social skills were completed at baseline, end- ed 46 parents of children, ages 2.5 – treatment on eye gaze processing in point and at a 3-month follow-up. 5, with DD. Parents participated in a children with Autism” The CBT treatment addressed 3 randomized controlled trial examin- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ skill areas: Nonverbal communication, Emotion recognition, and ing the efficacy of MBSR in reducing Karim Ibrahim is a doctoral student Theory of mind Training (Seaver- parental stress and subsequent child in clinical psychology at the Univer-

Student Award Winners—Continued Meredith Robinson & Karim Ibrahim

NETT). While undergoing fMRI, there was a significant corre- approach that capitalizes on children viewed images of emo- lation between age and top-down explicit processing in tional faces with either a direct or changes in social brain net- increasing activity in social averted gaze. works for the CBT group. Spe- brain networks. cifically, older children in the

Following treatment, children in CBT group demonstrated the Currently, Karim is a clinical the CBT group showed greater greatest increases in MPFC trainee at the Yale Child Study activity in the medial prefrontal and VLPFC activity. This find- Center and hopes this research cortex (MPFC) and ventrolateral ing is consistent with results will contribute to improving the prefrontal cortex (VLPFC), regions from the larger sample of lives of children with autism of the brain implicated in theory behavioral outcomes, where- and their families. of mind and labeling emotions, by a moderator analysis respectively. In contrast, children showed that older age at in the comparison group did not baseline was marginally cor- show any regions of increased related to improvements in activity after treatment. When social behavior. directly comparing the two groups on changes in brain activity, we By applying an fMRI ap- found that children in the CBT proach, this study offers novel group showed greater increases in insight on the impact of CBT the MPFC, relevant for theory of social skills groups for chil- mind, relative to the comparison dren with autism on areas of group (see Figure). the brain important for social

processing. Findings from this When examining the relationship study suggest that there may between participant characteris- be an advantage to using a tics and changes in brain activity, group cognitive-behavioral

Figure. Increased activity in the MPFC for CBT vs Comparison groups following social skills treatment. Children in the CBT group showed greater increases in the MPFC than children in the comparison group when processing emotional faces with direct (A) and averted gaze (B) after 12 weeks of treatment. There were no areas in which the comparison group showed more changes in activity relative to the CBT group.

News from the Ad Hoc Committee on ID and the Death Penalty Greg Olley, PhD

the lawyers retained by APA to write intellectual disability. Division 33’s Role in the Hall v. Flori- the amicus brief. The brief focused da Supreme Court Decision on the scientific basis for consider- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ing the error inherent in measure- Summary Statement from APA Last winter Nathalie Gilfoyle, General ment of intelligence when inter- From apa.org: Counsel for APA, contacted Division preting IQ tests. In other words, the 33 to inquire about assistance in brief described the standard error of On May 27, 2014, the U.S. Supreme Court writing an amicus curiae (friend of measurement and its application in issued a 5-4 majority ruling against the Flor- ida statute setting an IQ score requirement the court) brief to the U. S. Supreme the interpretation of IQ scores. The Court in a case related to intellectual for defendants arguing their intellectual attorneys for APA used this brief in disability should protect them from the disability. Then-President, Jan their arguments before the high death penalty. Twelve years after leaving it Blacher, enthusiastically passed on court in February 2014, and in May to the states to determine when individuals the request to Greg Olley who chairs the Court issued a 5-4 decision in were too intellectually incapacitated to be the Division’s ad hoc Committee on favor of Mr. Hall. The Court’s major- executed, the Court withdrew some of that Intellectual Disability and the Death ity opinion cited the APA brief often discretion. Penalty. Greg spoke to Ms. Gilfoyle in making its decision. The result is and suggested a small work group that the laws in states with so-called While states were told that they cannot make an IQ test score anywhere above 70 that included Karen Salekin and Kevin bright line cutoffs for diagnosis of ID McGrew. This small group of Division as permission for an individual's execution, must be changed to allow psycholo- it did say that it was not ruling on whether a 33 members worked with Ms. Gil- gists to consider the standard error state could set the fixed score at 75 or foyle and the attorneys who would of measurement of the IQ test when above, and use that alone as the measure. draft the brief to provide information interpreting scores. Future deci- Justice Kennedy's opinion for the majority that would be most informative for sions in Atkins cases will be watched stated that the Court was not moving the the Court. closely to determine whether the rule of law on executing those who claim lower courts will interpret the Hall intellectual disability very far from where it The case was Freddie Lee Hall v. Flori- decision to mean that other factors had left that question twelve years ago in Atkins. However, the opinion described da, and the issue concerned Florida’s with strong empirical support must law to implement the Supreme the experience of states across the country, also be considered in the interpreta- and concluded that it was rare to make Court’s 2002 decision in Atkins v. Vir- tion of IQ scores or whether diagno- anyone eligible for the death penalty based ginia. In Atkins, the Court left to the ses will generally rely less heavily on simply on an IQ score above 70. Kennedy states the responsibility of setting IQ scores and more heavily on the was joined by Justices Breyer, Ginsburg, procedures to determine whether a individual’s history of adaptive func- Kagan and Sotomayor. The ruling did not defendant in a capital case has intel- tioning as the most recent diagnos- rule out states' use of IQ test scores as part lectual disability (then referred to as tic manuals of the American Psychi- of the analysis of whether an individual had mental retardation). The Atkins deci- atric Association and the American sufficient intellectual functioning to qualify for the death sentence. However, it sion prohibits the execution of people Association on Intellectual and De- with intellectual disability, and the stressed that use of such scores must take velopmental Disabilities recom- into account the "inherent" imprecision of Hall case is the first case to come mend. such scores. APA's amicus brief was cited back to the Court seeking clarification multiple times. of the diagnostic procedures used to This recent example of Division 33 implement Atkins. The Florida law is working closely with APA to achieve one of several state laws that set a an important public policy change rigid cutoff of IQ 70 for a diagnosis of demonstrates the opportunities that ID, and Mr. Hall had an IQ of 71. Division 33 members have to apply their research and clinical expertise The Division 33 group worked with to influence the lives of people with

More Division 33 Student News! Advice and Interviews

Interviews & Advice by Geovanna Rodriguez and Hillary Hurst Bush Division 33 Student Representatives

frequent comment is that they need ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ First, Advice………. to narrow the focus so that they can finish in the available time.” “Marian Sigman, my advisor on in- Hillary Hurst Bush & Geovanna Rodri- ternship, once told me that there guez Jeffrey Baker, Ph.D. are two qualities that are needed for Excelsior College success in academia: perseverance Recently, we asked our Division 33 Monroe Community College and ego-resilience. She was right.” members at different points in their careers, from graduate students ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Geraldine Dawson, Ph.D. through fellows, the following ques- Professor tion: “Hands down, it was to WRITE, Departments of Psychiatry and Be- WRITE, WRITE – “The more you havioral Science, Psychology, and What is the best piece of advice write, the easier it will become.” I Neuroscience that you received during your think I wrote, and published, more Director, Duke Center for Autism and graduate training? in the two years since one of my Brain Development Duke University School of Medicine mentors told me that than any time Duke Institute for Brain Sciences Alternatively, what advice would since. I learned that just getting words-on-paper is half the battle; you offer to incoming or current editing and re-writing is much easi- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ graduate students? er. “I am writing this response during a This is what they had to say! So often students worry about the period in which my own graduate blank page, or how to begin an arti- students are incredibly busy, sur- “In a seminar on dissertation writing, cle or chapter. Just begin! rounded by practicum responsibili- our Provost gave this advice: This is ties, dissertation and qualifying ex- your dissertation. It is not your life's Other keen advice: To keep on run- am writing, heavy courseloads, and work. If you have in mind that great ning! My research advisor and I internship and practicum applica- and complicated research project were both long-distance runners….” tions. Perhaps influenced by this, that you always wanted to do, save it my advice here is focused on work- for after your earn your degree. The Jan Blacher, Ph.D. life balance. dissertation needs to be something Distinguished Professor you can complete in a reasonable UC Presidential Chair As a first-year grad student at UCLA, time. This caused me to change my Director, SEARCH I remember hearing Professor Andy topic, saving me from much stress. I Family Autism Resource Center Christensen give my class advice pass similar advice on to my students Graduate School of Education about maintaining good balance who are writing course papers. When University of California during graduate school. He suggest- I review their proposals, my most ed taking a break from work for a

Student Advice and Interview Continued set time every week, by taking every “Aside from ‘find a good mentor’ Katy Mezher, Ph.D. Friday night through Saturday night and ‘learn a range of research meth- Visiting Assistant Professor, Educational off; no work could be done during odologies’ which I imagine many Psychology this time, as a chance to spend time folks would say, the best advice I Miami University with friends or family, or even only to received was to engage in some do laundry or relax. coursework out of my immediate ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ field. The rationale for that advice Following this advice was worthwhile. was that such work would stimulate “First year in graduate school is the Graduate school can be such a great new ideas and an understanding of most difficult. It's a transition phase period of your life. I have made some theories, perspectives, constructs designed to bridge the gap between of my closest friendships during grad- and questions other than those the knowledge base you should have uate school, and I continue to treas- forming the core of my field which is acquired and the level of subject fluen- ure the connections, with both developmental psychology. My cy and competency you are being friends and mentors, that I made dur- mentors reasoned (correctly, I think) trained to use in your career beyond ing this time. All this means that I that future work in the field would graduate school. was not working ALL of the time. involve many disciplines working That being said, it is sometimes chal- together.” It's critical to become aware of all the lenging to find mentors who exempli- available resources afforded to gradu- fy this good work-life balance, be- Penny Hauser-Cram, Ph.D. ate students to ease the many stressors cause so many of us in the field strug- Professor and Department Chair that can arise throughout the process. gle to make enough time for every- Counseling, Developmental, and Specifically, the financial resources of thing. Nonetheless, as psychologists Educational Psychology Department grants (i.e., intramural and extramural we ought to know the importance of Lynch School of Education funding). Obtaining independent grant relaxation and relationships for one’s Boston College funding is highly competitive and a mental health. As graduate students, daunting task with research. Starting you are the future of the field, so you ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ this process early permits more oppor- can make sure that this awareness tunities to be funded. In addition, ob- stays in the forefront our field’s prac- “Advice to incoming graduate stu- taining independent grant funding is tices.” dents: Ask for and seek out applied highly regarded achievement that in- volunteer experiences early in your creases one's ability to find employ- Abbey Eisenhower, Ph.D. graduate school career. Look for a ment following either graduate school Assistant Professor of Psychology small, regularly occurring time com- and/or post doctoral training. University of Massachusetts Boston mitment. It can be difficult to do because you will be busy. Do this to Moreover, if your program requires ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ build skills and amplify the meaning teaching for financial compensation of what you learn in your course- having independent research funding “Your ‘real life’ has already started. work. Although they should be and can remove the added stressor(s) and The habits, professional and play, likely will be well structured and labor(s) of teaching in excess during that you cultivate now will set the meaningful experiences, do not rely graduate school, which compete with tone for your life after grad school. only on your graduate student prac- time commitments for conducting re- Practice wisely.” tica experiences. You may need to search and completing your disserta- look in the community yourself for tion work in a timely manner. Lastly, Grace Gengoux, PhD opportunities, or you may ask to aim to publish at least a paper per year Stanford University School of Medi- create a relationship with a practic- in graduate school as a bench mark.” cine ing psychologist with whom your Graduated 2008, University of Califor- institution currently has a relation- Dr. Lorenz S. Neuwirth, Ph.D. (2014) nia, Santa Barbara ship. Focus on developing your The CUNY Graduate Center: Neurosci- niche and learning one area in great ence ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ depth.”

Student Advice and Interview continued Leigh Ann Tipton, Ph.D. “Best advice to incoming students: Post Doctoral Researcher “recruited” me when he had more Find a mentor who can teach you the SEARCH Family Autism Resource referrals than he could handle, and most, even if he/she has a reputation Center he was approaching retirement. So of being difficult person to work with. University of California, Riverside it was George Baroff’s encourage- Then stick with that program for a ment that sent me down this road. while (full year at least). If things fall Thanks to all for contributing and a into place, great. If not, you can al- special thanks to Geovanna and Q: Could you describe your experi- ways move to another lab, but the Hillary for collecting such GREAT ence as Chair of the Ad Hoc Com- knowledge you get is worth whatever advice! mittee on Intellectual Disability and down side there may be. On the oth- the Death Penalty? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ er hand, there are professors who are just impossible people to work with Second, an Interview…... A: At the APA convention in 2005, and it's best to avoid them if you can. several people met informally to When you first visit your program, try Greg Olley, PhD, UNC Chapel Hill discuss the ways in which Division to talk to advanced graduate students 33 members were responding to the to get their take on specific profes- Introduction: 2002 Atkins decision that prohibited sors. the death penalty for people with Greg Olley, Ph.D., is a Clinical Profes- what we then called mental retarda- Best advice I received during my grad- sor in the Department of Allied tion. Then-President of Division 33, uate training: Be open to a broad Health Sciences and a psychologist Sara Sparrow, formed an ad range of opportunities. Doctoral in the Carolina Institute for Develop- hoc committee with the mission of training provides a foundation that mental Disabilities at the University coordinating the Division’s efforts to you build on throughout your career, of North Carolina School of Medi- respond to Atkins by disseminating and you never know what direction cine. He is also Chair of the APA Ad the most accepted and valid practic- that career might take. Other than Hoc Committee on Intellectual Disa- es that might assist the courts. She there will be a constant need for new bility and the Death Penalty. appointed Steve Greenspan and learning.” Harvey Switzky as members and me Q: You are well-known in Division 33 as Chairperson. Wayne Silverman, Ph.D. and the greater psychological com- Director, Intellectual Disabilities Re- munity for your work on intellectual Each year the Executive Council has search, Department of Behavioral disability (ID) and the death penalty. re-authorized the committee and Psychology; Co-Director, Intellectual How did you become interested in agreed to add members to include and Developmental Disabilities Re- this topic? those psychologists who have been search Center most active in this work. The com- Kennedy Krieger Institute A: George Baroff is a psychologist mittee now has 10 members who who is now retired from the Univer- bring many and varied skills and ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ sity of North Carolina and is a Fellow experiences to this topic. in Division 33. George is quite a “The best piece of advice I ever re- figure in the history of ID. He wrote Q: Do you think the field of ID issues ceived was that the best dissertation three editions of a textbook in in the law has changed over time? was a done dissertation. My advice is “mental retardation” as well as What changes do you think should to handle everything one step at a some other books, and he is the happen next? time because there are so many hur- person who coined the phrase “self- dles to get through grad school and it injurious behavior.” George had A: In general, I think that law en- is not worth worrying about each and been working with attorneys who forcement and the courts are be- every one, so just tackle what you can defended clients with ID and wrote coming better informed about disa- and get it done well. “ on the subject. He has a chapter in bility issues, although all psycholo- the 1996 handbook written by sev- gists have a responsibility to provide eral Div 33 members. George the best available infor-

Student Advice and Interview continued room. mation. There is a need to collabo- death row for nearly 31 years be- rate with attorneys and to inform law cause he gave a false confes- Q: How might graduate students and enforcement and the courts. Attor- sion. The court understood his vul- early career professionals obtain this neys are typically very open to work- nerabilities and understood that training? ing with psychologists who can bring there was no evidence to support specific expertise. I would like to see his conviction. As another example, A: Continuing education in forensic this information more readily availa- lawyers for APA sought out our com- psychology is readily available online ble in the training of lawyers and law mittee for experts to assist them in and at conferences, such as APA. There enforcement officers, and I would like writing an amicus brief to the United are many reference texts that offer psychologists not to shy away from States Supreme Court in the case basic information that is helpful to tes- working with the courts. It is unfamil- of Hall v. Florida. Karen Salekin, timony. Stanley Brodsky’s brief and iar territory for most psychologists in Kevin McGrew, and I provided infor- readable books published by APA are a DD, but we should make ourselves mation on the importance of taking good start. This fall AAIDD will publish available to assist in our areas of ex- into consideration the standard er- an edited book on Atkins cases and pertise. ror of measurement in interpreting related matters specific to develop- intelligence tests. The Supreme mental disabilities and the legal sys- Q: In your personal experience, what Court agreed and cited the APA brief tem. has been the most difficult aspect of several times in their opinion. This consulting on these types of cases and was a very satisfying outcome that Q: What advice would you offer to working with clients with ID? What recognizes the importance of sci- graduate students and early career has been the most rewarding? ence in making valid decisions professionals who are interested in psy- in Atkins cases. chological research with direct policy A: Perhaps the most difficult chal- implications? lenge is the fact that there are preva- Q: What kind of training do psy- lent stereotypes of intellectual disa- chologists need in order to be com- A: In the ideal, it would be good to bility in the public, and these stereo- petent in the courtroom? study under someone who does re- types are hard to overcome in in- search in the broad area of policy. If forming the courts. Although it is A: The specialty of forensic psychol- one can establish the aspect of policy generally a good thing that people ogy is perhaps the fastest growing that is of interest, journals such with ID are more readily seen in our specialty area, so there is definitely as Intellectual and Developmental Disa- communities and even on television a lot to learn in order to work effec- bilities and Journal of Policy and Prac- and the movies, the down side is that tively in court. On the other hand, tice in Intellectual Disabilities provide these are the people with visible disa- psychologists with training in DD good examples for research. The Arc of bilities. The result is that the public have a great deal to offer the courts the United States and the American often has the false impression that when the victim or the defendant Association on Intellectual and Devel- they can identify people with ID by may have ID or any other form of opmental Disabilities have policy and looking at them. Defendants developmental disability. Lawyers position statement on many relevant in Atkins cases look perfectly fine and can provide guidance to psycholo- topics on their Web sites. Braddock’s can speak adequately. It is hard to gists who have not appeared in book, The State of the States in Devel- make it known that this handsome court before. The psychologist may opmental Disabilities identifies policy man is significantly limited in intelli- only testify in areas of expertise, so issues of many kinds. Virtually any as- gence and adaptive functioning. On providing this expertise is a contri- pect of developmental disabilities has a the other hand, it is very rewarding bution to the court. Our legal sys- policy component. Continued involve- when judges and prosecuting attor- tem is, of course, an adversarial one, ment in Division 33 is a great step in neys are open to information about but psychologists are familiar with networking with others who share in- the nature of ID and the ways that interpersonal conflict and can gener- terests and contributing to the policy the defendant is limited. Recently ally provide testimony in the most decisions of the division. the efforts of lawyers in North Caroli- professional way, regardless of the na resulted in the exoneration of confrontational tone of the court- Henry McCollum who had been on

Division 33 Membership Update Something New: Eric Butter, PhD, Chair Student papers in the Katy Mezher, PhD, Associate Chair Newsletter

We are proud to report that Division 33 membership has climbed since our last membership report at the 2014 Convention. Efforts will intensify in the coming months at broadening our reach and increasing our membership Attention Members! further. Other membership activities are under way as well.

We are working to establish a Membership Committee by our Mid-Year The newsletter editors have Meeting that will help us meet goals of for formally tracking our student received interest in highlighting members and updating our web site. student papers in future news- letters. We think this is a GREAT Finally, look for future communication from us if you are one of Division 33’s idea! "Life Status Members". We are always looking for ways our many lifetime members can support Division 33 and we will be reaching out to you with Here is our plan: ways you can help. See below for our current membership numbers.  Nominate a student paper Please send any requests related to membership to: that is appropriate for the Newsletter Eric Butter, PhD  Send a copy via email to Director, Child Development Center either of the editors (C. Nationwide Children's Hospital Neece or D. Michalec) The Ohio State University  A small “review committee” 187 West Schrock Road made up of the editors and Westerville OH 43081 members-at-large will re- [email protected] view submissions  We will highlight one paper in each future newsletter!

Type Number Be thinking of your students and Professional Affiliates 8 the great work they do. Don’t be shy! Nominate a paper!

Students 62 If you have more questions, please contact David Michalec Associate 31 [email protected]

Member 99

Fellow 373

2014 Total 573

APA Council Report Jim Mulick PhD The Ohio State University/Nationwide Children’s Hospital Division 33 Representative

new governance structure as fol- 2. Processes for vetting issues, 2014 APA COUNCIL REPORT lows: positions, and candidates

The year 2015 will be my last full year Overview of Prototypes 3. Triage process to prioritize and as your counsel representative in APA 1. Incremental Change, which direct issues based on clearly governance. In that no individual can retains the Council of Repre- agreed upon principles and serve more than two consecutive sentatives while adding change factors terms as Council representative from options 4. Directly involving the member- the same division, and that I have 2. Moderate Change, which cre- ship in dialogue, decision--- served four terms in the last 15 years, ates an “issues focused” As- making and real time virtual and given my age, it is not clear that I sembly observation will ever have an opportunity to serve 3. Clean Slate, which has a single 5. Evaluation of governance effec- on the Council again. But the coming board of governors and utilizes tiveness based on mission and year will be a year that will be filled ad hoc structures to maximize strategic direction with changes in APA. The entire gov- nimbleness, inclusivity and 6. Including public or outside ex- ernance structure is being revised in engagement pertise in governance groups to accordance with the recommenda- bring voices with different per- tions of a special panel appointed by Right, not crystal clear. But they did spectives or expertise the leadership some years ago, a pro- get more specific. Given those three 7. Taking care to avoid conflicts cess known as the "good governance" options, I was in favor of incremen- of interest, for example, by process. Outside consultants were tal change. Needless to say I was in a prohibiting those entrusted hired, and the Council was subjected minority. Early career members of with nominating duties from to the process of management that GGP seem to advocate for the clean running for office soon after seemed to me to move inexorably slate idea, having been seduced by that service toward a more top-down governance the notion of nimbleness. By the structure. This report will include end of the August Council meeting, Item number seven above is a modi- some of the changes already enacted the incremental change idea was fication of a principle I suggested. by Council. dropped. The idea of checks and My suggestion was that no one on balances in the governance struc- GGP should be allowed to run for The good governance project team ture, however, emerged as the guid- office in the new governance struc- (GGP) developed prototype concepts ing ideal. This notion was character- ture. Oh well. for the new governance structure last ized as follows: November and presented them to Keep in mind that in February Coun- council members. They did so in a GGP sought to incorporate multiple sel approved a three-year trial dele- way that more or less suppressed methods for achieving checks and gation of duties to the Board of Di- criticism by dividing counsel into balances in the governance system. rectors. That is, counsel retains fidu- small groups at circular tables in the Here are just a few examples of ciary responsibility for all aspects of large ballroom area where the Coun- what has been built into the sys- APA, but allows the board of direc- cil meets, with each table having a tem across the prototypes. tors to assume operational imple- representative of the GGP team. The 1. Greater number of governance mentation of duties delegated to full Council discussed them as well, positions directly elected by the them as of February. Four areas of but the discussion tended to be criti- membership responsibility were transferred to cal but indecisive. Counsel was pre- the Board of Directors, financial and sented with three prototypes of a

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that initiatives that are accompanied chologist. The only qualification to budgetary decision-making, the over- by pro and con statements are al- this was that a group solely com- sight of APA's Chief Executive Officer, most always defeated by the mem- prised of early career members the alignment of the budget with our bership. I guess this makes your un- would be prohibited. strategic plan, and policy relating to derstanding of this report all that APA internal operations. These much more important. APA's web- APA also discussed a resolution changes were thought to provide site may also have additional infor- aimed at stemming false confessions counsel with an opportunity to focus mation on the good governance and wrongful convictions, including on strategic and emerging issues project and changes to be imple- a recommendation that all interro- affecting psychology and to engage in mented as this work in progress gations of domestic criminal felony high level discussions concerning poli- unfolds. suspects should be videotaped from cy and new directions. They would do a neutral angle. This resolution was this in, we must assume, in a manner There was also vigorous discussion based on research indicating that both nimble and profound. of just how large the new council law enforcement officials often close should be. Many suggested that a investigations after a criminal sus- Council also approved a change in the large counsel could hardly be nim- pect confesses even if the confes- composition of the Board of Direc- ble. Many advocated for the inclusion is inconsistent or contradicted tors. The Board of Directors would sion of designated Council seats for by evidence or coerced. now have six member at-large seats certain constituencies. This is not open to election from and by the gen- settled. It is also unclear whether Other actions by counsel included a eral membership. The board would Council seats will be allocated on resolution to support the UN con- also have a public member, a student apportionment basis, as currently, vention on the rights and dignity of member, and an early career psy- based on the size of the division or persons with disabilities, adoption of chologist. Two seats would also be state, provincial, or territorial Asso- a policy pertaining to guidelines for reserved for members of a newly ciation, or based on one seat per clinical supervision in health service created "Council leadership team" in such constituencies. Either way, psychology, and the creation of a order to ensure a bridge between the division 33 would retain its one seat. new journal for the division of psy- board and the Council. The imple- Mind you, some proposals were chologists and independent practice mentation group of the new govern- floated that suggested that small entitled "Practice Innovation." A ance structure is being populated. divisions should band together committee was created to address The Council leadership team will also based on common interests and associate and baccalaureate educa- be populated in the near future. The have only one council seat among tion. Counsel also passed a resolu- leadership team will have 12 mem- them. Few were enthusiastic about tion on gender and sexual orienta- bers, two of whom will also be on the that idea. tion diversity in children. Finally, board of directors. Council adopted a policy that sup- The Council also approved a change ports inclusion of members who Bear in mind, for these changes to in the oversight functions of the have not previously served on become permanent after the three- committee for the advancement of boards and committees, and such year trial, the membership will have professional practice. This com- individuals would be indicated with to approve corresponding bylaws mittee will now be wholly a com- an asterisk on the election ballot. changes. The bylaws amendment mittee of the APA practice organiza- Last but not least, 111 new APA fel- ballot is expected to be sent to mem- tion instead of the entire Associa- lows were elected. bers in 2015. This will be members' tion. last chance to deep six the whole APA governance has taken an unu- thing. Counsel wrapped itself up in a APA approved a change to Associa- sual action since the August Council lengthy debate as to whether or not tion rules to require that all boards meeting. James Rison, the New York pro and con statements should be and committees have at least one Times investigative reporter pub- circulated with the ballot to mem- member be an early career psy- lished a book entitled Pay Any Price: bers. Many council members noted

APA Council Report continued

Greed Power and Endless War, in which he describes series of not previously disclosed emails involving senior officials from APA and the CIA. He asserts that this might represent secret collusion to craft APA policy that would provide support and cover for the "enhanced interrogation" or torture program implemented during the Bush administration. The APA Board of Directors issued a response disputing his allegations. Many council members on the Council listserv expressed dismay about this never- ending controversy concerning psychologists and torture. Many also expressed a desire for the whole thing to go away. Nevertheless, as I write, APA has hired a distinguished Chicago attorney, David Hoffman, who once served as Justice Rehnquist's clerk and as Inspector General of the City of Chicago (and is experienced as an external audit team supervisor for allegations involving corporate ethics, corruption, and fraud) to head up an inquiry con- Remember to join Division cerning this entire matter and how it was handled in APA. Anyone having information that they believe the 33 at the 2015 APA independent reviewer should be aware of is invited to contact Mr. convention Hoffman at [email protected]. Information can also be shared with Mr. Hoffman via a special phone line — 312 456-8468. Toronto, Canada. The fun never ends, just like the war. Oh yes, and I might add that APA's first response to the allegation of August 6th—9th, 2015 psychologists involved in torture was Don’t forget your passport!! adopted in a very nimble manner in response to a real-world situation affecting the profession. Sometimes being quick on the draw makes you wish you never got out of bed.

Pictures from Division 33 programming at APA, Washington, DC, August, 2014

Thanks to all for coming! See everyone at

 Gatlinburg, New Orleans, LA, April 1-3, 2015  APA, Toronto, Canada, August 6-9, 2015

Edgar A. Doll Award Sara Sparrow Early Ca- Jacobson Award (est. 1980) reer Research Award (est. 2007) (est. 2008) 1981 Sam Kirk 1982 Gershon Berkson 1983 Marie S. Crissey 1984 Sidney Bijou 1985 no award 1986 Norman Ellis 1987 Ed Zigler 1988 H. Carl Haywood 1989 Donald MacMillan 1990 Henry Leland 1991 Alfred Baumeister 1992 Earl Butterfield 1993 Brian Iwata 1994 Ivar Lovaas 1995 Stephen Schroeder 1996 Donald Baer 1997 Richard Eyman 1998 Nancy Robinson 1999 Murray Sidman 2000 Todd Risley 2001 Don Routh 2002 Travis Thompson 2003 John Borkowski 2004 Gene P. “Jim” Sackett 2005 Robert Sprague 2006 Ann Streissguth 2007 Douglas K. Detterman Richard Foxx 2008 Michael Guralnick Luc Lecavalier 2009 Sara Sparrow James Mulick 2010 Bruce Baker Laura Lee McIntyre 2011 Michael Aman Stephen Greenspan 2012 Ann Kaiser Anna Esbensen 2013 Steve Warren Sally Rogers 2014 Wayne Silverman James McPartland

APA DIVISION 33 Winter 2014 VOLUME 40, NUMBER 2

PSYCHOLOGY IN INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

Editorial Policy

Psychology in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities is an official publication of Division 33 of the American Psychological Association. It is devoted to keeping members informed about the activities of Division 33 and to pre- sent news and comment concerning all aspects of service, research, dissemination, and teaching in psychology and IDD. Brief articles about policy issues in psychology and IDD, as well as descriptions of service programs and preliminary research summaries are invited. We are especially interested in articles inviting the reaction and comment of colleagues in future issues. Comments and letters will be published as space allows. Manuscripts must conform to APA style and should be submitted via an email attach- ment. Articles, comments, and announcements should be sent to the current Division 33 President until a new Newsletter Editor is selected. Books, films, videotapes, and other material also may be submitted to the Editor for possible review. Unless stated otherwise, opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily represent official positions of Division 33.

Members-at-Large AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL Sigan Hartley ASSOCIATION - DIVISION 33 [email protected] Jason Baker Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities [email protected]

Newsletter Editors President David Michalec Laura Lee McIntyre [email protected] Department of Special Education & Clinical Sciences Cameron Neece 5208 University of Oregon [email protected] Eugene, OR 97403-5208 [email protected] Division 33 Committees

President-Elect (Program Chair) Anna Esbensen Awards Committee Assistant Professor John Lutzker, Chair Division of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics [email protected] Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center MLC 4002, 3430 Burnet Ave. Constitution and Bylaws Cincinnati, OH 45229 Stanley E. Lunde, Chair [email protected] [email protected]

President-Elect Designate Fellows Sharon J. Krinsky-McHale Bruce Baker, Chair Research Scientist [email protected] Head, Laboratory of Cognition and Development Department of Psychology Membership New York State Institute for Basic Research in Eric Butter, Chair Developmental Disabilities [email protected] 1050 Forest Hill Road Katy Mezher, Associate Chair Staten Island, NY 10314 [email protected] [email protected] Early Career Representative Past-President Abbey Eisenhower Jan Blacher [email protected] Founding Director, SEARCH Family Autism Resource Center Nominations and Elections Graduate School of Education Jan Blacher, Chair University of California [email protected] Riverside, CA 92521 [email protected] Division 33 Student Representatives Hillary Hurst Bush—U Mass Boston Secretary-Treasurer [email protected] Sharon J. Krinsky-McHale Geovanna Rodriguez—UC Riverside [email protected] [email protected]

APA Council Representative James Mulick [email protected]

AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION Division 33 Psychology in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Applications for Membership

APA members & Non-Students Student Memberships

Name: ______Name: ______

Address: ______Address: ______

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Phone (___) ______Phone (___) ______

Email: ______Email: ______

Interest Area (s): ______Affiliation: ______Student Member of APA: ( ) Yes ( ) No ______Faculty Endorsement: This student is enrolled as a student in a course of study which is pri- APA Membership Statius: marily psychological in nature. ( ) Affiliate ( ) Associate Signature: ______( ) Member ( ) Fellow Affiliation: ______

Current Fees: Current Fees: $32.00 = APA Associates, Members, & Fellows $15.00 = APA Student Affiliate $30.00 = Non-APA psychologists $15.00 = Non-APA Student Affiliate $30.00 = Other interested individuals

Please return your form to: Dr. Eric Butter, Division 33 Membership Chair Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Child Development Center Checks are payable to : 187 W. Schrock Rd. “APA Division 33” Westerville, OH 43081 [email protected]

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