AUCD day 2

During the second day of the AUCD annual meeting, I was fortunate to be able to listen to Pat Morissey, AAD commissioner, address the LEND and UCEDD directors and later, the trainees. As part of both of her talks she reminded us that people "don't read" and in written communication, it can be important to get a point across succinctly. This is a concept we I am well aware of, scanning text-heavy emails myself. Pat recommended bullet points, so I am going to give it a try today.

Highlights of the day:

UCEDD/LEND directors meeting

**New administration in the White House means changes in personnel. If you know anyone suitable for a possible administrative job related to DD at this level, alert board at AUCD

• Talk of an Autism "Czar" to be hired as an expert in this area
  
• Policy areas of focus for AUCD:
  Employment,
  Higher Education,
  Transition services
  Health care
  Early Identification (Obama suggests newborn and 2 year old screenings for many conditions)
  Autism SERVICES- to complement research and training
  
• In this time of change we should all be prepared to offer new ideas, new solutions, and our reactions to change

Ideas for trainees

**Professional Training Resource Library (PTRL) is a collaboration with ISEI (international society on early intervention)

• many trainee resources (info about other disciplines, etc)
  
• training material related to DD and at risk populations 0-5 years can be submitted
  
• http://depts.washington.edu/isei/ptrl/PTRL_Purpose.ph

**Consortiums exist for post-secondary education and self-determination

**AUCD-AAID young professionals collaboration

• presents webinars of interest to early career professionals
  
• more info at http://aucd.org/template/page.cfm?id=608

Other highlights


**Research! America presentation by Mary Wooley

• researchers should aim to advocate for research funding and help the media and congress understand the importance of research. They understand their research best

**"Performance Measures" Song performance, video to come!
**Trainee Reception/meet and greet
**Outing with directors from Oregon: Art exhibit at Smithsonian Portrait Gallery/National Mall

And of course an early morning jog to the capitol building:)