EAAIDD DOI: 10.1352/1944-7558-120.1.1

AMERICAN JOURNAL ON INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 2015, Vol. 120, No. 1, 1–2

Editorial Building on the Legacy of AJIDD: New Challenges and Opportunities The American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AJIDD) has been among the premiere outlets for the most advanced science in the field of IDD research for nearly 120 years. This track record of excellence can be primarily attributed to the strong, consistent editorial leadership that AJIDD has enjoyed throughout its history. Most recently, the leadership of Dr. Leonard Abbeduto has left indelible mark of quality and prestige on the scientific reputation of AJIDD. Dr. Abbeduto’s tireless commitment to identifying the highest quality work and providing guidance for his editorial team over the past 7 years has been a model of service and dedication in our profession. The fields of IDD research, in general, and AJIDD, in particular, are indebted to him for his leadership and his countless scientific contributions. While it is daunting to consider occupying the role inhabited by Dr. Abbeduto and his many esteemed predecessors, it is also an exciting time to serve in a leadership role for AJIDD. Our field faces many new and important questions regarding the nature and course of lifespan development for individuals with DD and their families. The increasingly sophisticated nature of molecular, genetic, neurobiological, and behavioral science has made it possible to pose research questions that could not have been asked even 15 years ago. And the concurrently evolving nature of research in education, intervention, and support services for people with IDD has reshaped the way we conduct research in 2015 and has challenged us to continue to refine our understanding of what works, and for whom. With these innovations, the continued growth and expansion of AJIDD is contingent upon its ability to stay attuned to the changing nature of IDD science and practice in the decades ahead. To this end, editorial priorities over the next four years will focus on preserving and enhancing the impact of the scientific work published in AJIDD by encouraging submissions that reflect the most innovative, cutting-edge science in the field of IDD research; emphasizing D. Fidler

the continued importance of methodological rigor of the published work in AJIDD; and increasing the translational relevance of the empirical findings for practice-related innovations.

Focus on Scientific Innovation Our editorial team is focused on identifying cutting-edge scientific innovations, theoretical frameworks, and original conceptualizations in the field of IDD research. Though incremental research and replication are necessary to move any field forward, major scientific advances often take place when paradigms are shifted and new connections are made. Our incoming team encourages the submission of manuscripts that present original conceptualizations, innovative methodological approaches and procedures, and new syntheses of ideas. While remaining dedicated to the high level of quality expected in the empirical work published in AJIDD, we will adopt an encouraging stance toward ideas, findings, and innovations that will move the field of IDD research forward for the next several decades.

Methodological Rigor AJIDD has always held its published work to high methodological standards. Yet even in my time as associated editor, the fields of developmental and behavioral sciences have adopted increasingly more complex quantitative data analytic approaches, including complex longitudinal data analysis, multi-level modeling, and dynamic systems approaches. For some of the leading journals in the field of behavioral sciences, using these analytic approaches has become a standard for manuscript submission. These innovations are, for the most part, not presently reflected in many AJIDD manuscripts or in the field of IDD research in general. This absence may be partially explained by the smaller sample sizes that are available to researchers in our field, but not completely. Our incoming editorial team will actively encourage the 1

AMERICAN JOURNAL ON INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 2015, Vol. 120, No. 1, 1–2

submission of manuscripts that incorporate the appropriate use of methodologically innovative approaches to keep pace with the larger advances in neighboring fields in the social sciences.

Translational Relevance At present, AJIDD enjoys a reputation as a source for rigorous IDD-related science. Yet the primary rationale for much of the work published in AJIDD is to inform and guide translational work that will lead to new or more effective treatment-, education-, and intervention-related best practices for individuals with IDD across the lifespan. As such, a critical priority for the incoming AJIDD editorial team will involve identifying ways to optimize the translation of published findings into practice. Our team will encourage authors to give serious attention to the clinical relevance and the practice-related implications of the work that they seek to publish. We will also welcome manuscripts from beyond the usual borders of our field, and encourage submissions from researchers in neighboring relevant fields who are conducting IDD clinical research, including speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, physical therapy, special education, and marriage and family therapy. With a

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EAAIDD DOI: 10.1352/1944-7558-120.1.1

strong emphasis on the clinical and translational implications of the work published in AJIDD, we hope to reach an even wider audience and enhance the impact of the articles published in AJIDD even further. With these editorial priorities, our incoming editorial team hopes to provide leadership that will honor the legacy of our colleagues and predecessors who have led AJIDD for over a century. On a personal note, I want to thank the AAIDD leadership, the publications team, and Dr. Abbeduto for welcoming me into this role with so much patience and generous assistance. And as I transition into this new professional role, I also want to express gratitude to the colleagues and mentors who have invested their time and energy into guiding my development as a researcher and a scholar. In particular, I am indebted to Dr. Robert Hodapp, whose mentoring has continued long past my time as his graduate student and has been a source of insight, support, and wisdom for nearly 20 years. I also remain grateful for the mentorship of Dr. Thomas Gilovich, who inspired me into a career in the social sciences and the rewards of inquiry and discovery. Deborah J. Fidler Colorado State University

Editorial

Building on the legacy of AJIDD: new challenges and opportunities.

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