Neurotoxicology Conference 2005

1
The AAMR Environmental Health Initiative

• Neurotoxicology Conference 2005
• Michele N. Gagnon, Director
• Environmental Health Initiative
• American Association on Mental Retardation

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AAMRs Environmental Health Initiative

• Promoting Good Health
• Collaborating for Action
• Reducing Toxic Exposure

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Overarching Theme

• Disability is a natural phenomenon of the human
  condition
• Disability due to toxic chemical exposure is not
  natural, unnecessary, and most importantly -
  preventable

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AAMRs Environmental Health Initiative

• Raise awareness about the complex connections
  between exposure to neurotoxic chemicals and
  developmental disabilities
• Raise awareness that those living with
  developmental disabilities may be more likely to
  suffer secondary health effects than individuals
  without disabilities

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Special Concerns of the DD Community

• What is the DD Community Concerned About?
• Unique Behaviors
• Co-morbidity
• Environmental Justice Community?

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The Initiative Workgroups

• Education, Outreach and Training
• Policy and Legislative Issues
• Research and Science

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Education Outreach and Training

• Journal Articles
• Environmental Health Manual
• Fact Sheets
• Exceptional Parent Magazine
• Environmental Health Series
• Developmental Disability Training Workshop

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Policy and Legislative Workgroup

• National Childrens Study
• DNT Testing For New Chemicals
• Model State and Local Legislation
• Healthy/High Performance School legislation
• Congressional Briefing Chemical Exposure,
  Childrens Health and Disability

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Research and Science

• Study the Effects of Chemicals on People with
  Developmental Disabilities
• Include People with Developmental Disabilities in
  Research Studies
• Research Multiple Chemical Exposures
• Science and Research Lecture Series
• Develop a research agenda with NICHD, NIEHS and
  CDC to address special concerns of the DD pop.

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AAMR Environmental Health Initiative

• Promoting Good Health
• Collaborating for Action
• Reducing Toxic Exposures
• For more information visit the AAMR website at
  www.aamr.org
• Thank You!