Maryland Center for Developmental Disabilities Newsletter – 2022, Issue 1

Director’s Message

Happy New Year! All the best from the Maryland Center for Developmental Disabilities (MCDD) to all our readers.

COVID-19 Resources

Although COVID-19 is usually less serious in children than in adults, some children can become very sick, and it can cause children to be hospitalized.

IDDRC Corner

Bradley Schlaggar, MD, PhD, president and CEO of Kennedy Krieger Institute, and Erin F. Jones, BA, project manager for the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center (IDDRC) at Kennedy Krieger Institute and The Johns Hopkins University, answer common questions about the IDDRC.

MCDD News

Maryland government is experiencing an exciting time, with many changes on the horizon, including a gubernatorial election, a new comptroller and treasurer, a redrawing of the map of the state’s legislative districts, and more.

Long COVID-19 as a Disability

The implications of being diagnosed with COVID-19, or testing positive for the virus that causes COVID-19, can last long beyond the initial infection. The five most common post-COVID-19 conditions across all ages, from most to least common, are pain, breathing difficulties, hyperlipidemia, malaise and fatigue, and hypertension, according to a white paper published by FAIR Health, Inc., a nonprofit organization.

Community Stakeholder Needs Assessment Data Contributes Results

Last October, the MCDD conducted a community stakeholder needs assessment, in preparation for the submission of its five-year plan to the Administration for Community Living.

Training Update

Three trainees joined the MCDD during the fall semester. Learn more about Nia Adams, Abby Budman and Meaghan Farnham.

MCDD Trainees Conference

The MCDD recognizes the need to increase its trainees’ knowledge of topics critical to the well-being of people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities and their families. As trainees, we are offered opportunities to attend conferences as a part of our internship. We are excited to share the knowledge we gained from attending different state and national conferences.

In the Community

The International Society for Autism Research published an article co-written by Kiely Law, MD, MPH, research director of the Autism Research and Engagement Core of the Maryland Center for Developmental Disabilities (MCDD).