Nikki is presenting at the Association on Aging with Developmental Disabilities Annual Conference

In collaboration with an ever-growing network of diverse stakeholders, AADD has assiduously planned and hosted an annual professional conference for over 30 years. Garnering interest both nationally and internationally, AADD has also forged partnerships with several academic institutions, including St. Louis University Gateway Geriatric Education Center, the University of Missouri-Kansas City Institute for Human Development (a University Center on Excellence on Developmental Disability), and the Washington University School of Medicine Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center.

The Annual Aging with Developmental Disabilities Conference has a goal of bringing the aging and developmental disability professionals together to learn about best support models and practices and the most current information on aging with a developmental disability. Through information, education, and networking, participants from across the United States will have a better understanding of both medical care, medical changes and best practices that will help them support people with developmental disabilities with living their best life as well as end-of-life care.

There are specific tracks targeted at different audiences that will attend (i.e. medical, direct support, self-advocacy). All tracks have the common thread of improving quality of life and helping maintain the independence of aging individuals with developmental disabilities, with the broad goal of supporting people in their desire to age in place.

The 34th Annual Aging with Developmental Disabilities Conference, offered as an in-person as well as a virtual event, drew more than 600 attendees. Attendees included doctors, nurses, social workers, case managers, direct support professionals, nursing home administrators, self-advocates, and many others from 30 different states as well as Washington D.C.