Psychology Interest Network
Mission
AAIDD promotes progressive policies, sound research, effective practices, and universal human rights for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
As part of AAIDD, the Psychology Interest Network (PIN) promotes wellbeing and quality of life among people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through advocacy, research, and identifying and promoting effective behavioral health practices. PIN aims to connect psychologists, researchers, practitioners, educators, and self-advocates in the field to further the wellbeing and quality of life for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Research Spotlight
Check out the research projects our two 2022 AAIDD Psychology Interest Network Scholarship Recipients are working on!
Cindy Utama
Name, current position, and current place of work:
Cindy Utama, Disability Counsellor, Algonquin College, Ottawa, Canada.
What is your research area of interest?
Parents and siblings of individuals with IDD
What are you currently working on?
An independent study on Indonesian families of people with IDD
When you are not engaging in research, what are some things you like to do for fun/relaxation?
I enjoy traveling, exploring new places and new foods, or just cooking and chilling at home.
If people are interested in contacting you to learn more about your research, how can they reach out?
André Oliveira, MS
Name, current position, and current place of work:
André Oliveira, Ph.D. Student in Applied Psychology, School of Psychology, University of Minho (Portugal).
What is your research area of interest?
Self-Determination and self-regulation of people with disabilities.
What are you currently working on?
I am currently doing my Ph.D. which is focused on the study of self-determination of the Portuguese adult population with disabilities, and its impact on the inclusion of these people in the community.
When you are not engaging in research, what are some things you like to do for fun/relaxation?
When I am not doing research or working as a psychologist, I like to travel around Portugal, go to the beach, and play sports with my family and friends.
If people are interested in contacting you to learn more about your research, how can they reach out?
E-mail: andreoliveira@outlook.com.au
Address: Escola de Psicologia, Universidade do Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.
Wolf Wolfensberger Valor Award
The Wolf Wolfensberger Valor Award is presented by the Psychology Interest Network (PIN) of the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD). The award recognizes a mental health professional who is committed to empowering clinical practice or research that amplifies the inherent dignity of all people. This award may also be used to recognize mental health and/or psychology professionals that have faced significant adversity in their pursuit of justice for all people. Each year, the award will honor a demonstrated commitment against discriminatory and oppressive practices through research, clinical practice or political activism that advances social inclusion for people with developmental disabilities.
The award is named for Wolf Peregrin Joachim Wolfensberger, PhD (1934-2011), a leader in PIN and AAIDD whose research and practical skills influenced the discipline to focus on the fact that life has value. The award is meant to reflect the bravery of Wolfensberger who as a psychologist challenged the field with his innovative work and as a youth overcame a corrupt fascist system by immigrating to the United States.
Wolf Wolfensberger Valor Awardee 2023
Tim Barksdale, Psy.D., LMSW, NADD-CC
Dr. Tim Barksdale is the Senior Executive Director of Clinical Services for Merakey. There he supervises ten Clinical Directors and over fifty behavior professionals for adults with IDD/MH across the five states of PA, DE, NJ, VA & CA . He is a Doctor of Clinical Psychology, Licensed Master Social Worker, and a Mental Health First Aid Instructor. Dr. Barksdale serves on the NADD Board of Directors, He is the co-chair of the NADD- Clinical Certification Committee, on the Board of Governors for Friends Hospital and Board Vice President of Chosen 300 Homeless Outreach. He is currently the President-Elect of the Pennsylvania Psychological Association whose presidency starts June 24, 2023. Dr. Barksdale has worked with Adults with Intellectual disability since he was 16 years old when most still lived in institutions. He developed Clinical Programs for Adults with IDD for two different agencies, which includes Merakey. He is a devout Christian, and his greatest achievement is being the proud dad of a 19- year- old artist & musician son.
Wolf Wolfensberger Valor Awardees
Hall of Fame
2022 Cameron Neece, Ph.D.
2020 Karyn Harvey, Ph.D.
2019 Carol Salas, Psy.D.