Rick Rader, MD, FAAIDD, FAADM, Editor-in-chief, Helen: “There are approximately 100-120  “specific disability awareness days, weeks or month” that are celebrated around the world each year.  But if you had only one candle for the celebration cake, one could consider the International Day of Persons with Disabilities to be the worthy recipient.”

Steven Perlman, DDS, MScD, DHL (hon), President, PAOH: “From October 9 to 12, PAOH, the AADMD, and Jamaican Ministry of Health, led by Dr. Irving McKenzie, the Chief Dental Officer of Jamaica, convened to support the first ever interdisciplinary health meeting for people with disabilities in the Caribbean.”

Angela Brewer: “By teaming up with professional sports organizations, universities, corporate partners, and local dental providers, TeamSmile brings high-quality, completely free dental care to underserved children in an environment filled with music, laughter, mentorship, and the energy of elite athletes.”

Ley Linder, MA, M. Ed, BCBA; Craig Escudé, MD, FAAFP, FAADM; Ben Margolis, MD: “This article is part of a co-authored series on behavioral presentations, in which a physician and a behavior analyst share their expertise on addressing behavioral issues in an interdisciplinary manner through real-life case studies. Dr. Escudé and Ley are recipients of the 2024 AADMD Excellence in IDD Journalism Award for this ongoing series.  As of October 2025, we are excited to include neuropsychiatrist, Dr. Ben Margolis..”

Craig Escudé, MD, FAAFP, FAADM, FAAIDD: “Sandra Fournier’s nursing career began long before she ever held the title of “nurse.” As a young professional designing custom wheelchairs and adaptive medical equipment, she discovered both the ingenuity and inequities within the systems serving people with disabilities.”

Happy Birthday, Judy!: “Judith ‘Judy’ Heumann has been a part of almost every pivotal moment in the disability rights movement. Considered “the mother” of the movement, she was a tireless advocate for the disabled community. Heumann improved accessibility and opportunities for the estimated 56 million people in the United States and one billion people around the world with disabilities.”

“Sir Isaac Newton is credited as one of the great minds of the Scientific Revolution. He provided us  with the phrase, "standing on the shoulders of giants," a metaphor which means ‘using the understanding gained by major thinkers who have gone before in order to make intellectual progress.’ One of the giants of the disability movement was Alice Wong.” (Dr. Rick Rader)

“Why was this study done? Social safety net programs are an important support for vulnerable communities. However, many of these programs are still not being used by those that qualify for and may need them. Social Security Disability is one program in particular that has been underutilized. Over 20 million adults report having disabilities that affect their ability to work.

HELEN Journal has covered many aspects of both Autism and Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders. Following is a comparison of the different primary characteristics—and how the two conditions can be co-occurring disorders.

There are literally thousands of journals published around the world that relate to the disability community.  It is virtually impossible to capture even a fraction of them. HELEN receives "stacks" of journals and selectively earmarks what we feel are "must read" articles of interest for our readers. This Edition: “NIH Brain Study for Teens Ages 11-17 with Autism,” and more.

HELEN Journal believes there is an abundance of Posters that could lead to organizations, institutions and providers adopting promising, evolving and novel programs based on learning about them at conferences. DECEMBER Edition: “Refugees and IDPs Oral Health Matters”; Enhancing Awareness of Oral Cancer Prevention and Early Detection AMONG Primary Healthcare Workers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia”