HELEN: The Journal of Human Exceptionality (or HELEN Journal) understands and recognizes the contribution of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in research, article preparation, and knowledge-sharing. Our policy is in alignment with the best practices from leading journals: authors must disclose the use of generative Al and Al-assisted technologies in the writing process. 

Troy Krombholz: “On a hot summer morning last August, I remember how the air was still, like the odd quiet right before a tornado hits, when my wife walked in and handed me the phone. I knew this was about to be a really bad phone call. . . . Sure, enough my Dad was dead.”

Michelle E. Ziegler, DDS, FSCDA: “This October marked the 26th Annual Carlos F. Salinas Dental Continuing Education Program for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Individuals with Special Health Care Needs (SHCN). Established in 1999 by its namesake, Dr. Carlos F. Salinas, the program was created to educate and support dental professionals throughout South Carolina....”

Sara Sorenson, LMHC, Clinic Director: “While not well known, fawning is a trauma response characterized by excessive people-pleasing, appeasing, or submissive behavior. It is often a response to keep safe and avoid conflict or harm. Read on to learn more about this defense.”

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) “can lead to lasting changes in the brain and nervous system. Without treatment, it may prevent you from living a full life. It affects approximately 3.5 percent of U.S. adults every year or about 9 million individuals. “

HELEN GLOBAL HEALTH - Luiz Arthur de Oliveira Nantes, M.S.: “The Amazon Basin, a region of immense biodiversity and geopolitical significance, is currently the epicenter of a silent yet devastating public health crisis. . .This article argues that these geopolitical challenges are directly linked to a surge in neurodevelopmental dysfunctions among the region's most vulnerable populations, particularly children.”

David S. Geslak, BS, ACSM-EP, CSCS, Robyn T. Boudreaux and Benjamin D. Boudreaux, PhD3: “While the benefits of exercise for individuals with autism spectrum disorder are shown to be beneficial, federal endorsed guidelines and exercise prescriptions such as the FITT principle (Frequency, Intensity, Time, Type) fail to account for the complexity and diversity of the autistic population. “

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: “The Bernard Lown Award for Social Responsibility” 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.

MID-NOVEMBER Edition: “University Partnerships Trials and Triumphs”; “Use of Sensory Intake Form in Child Dental Visits”; “Assessment of the Oral Health Care Needs of Internally Displaced Persons at IDP Camps in Mangu Local Government Area, Plateau State, Nigeria”; “Knowledge and Belief of Community Health Workers on Children’s Oral Health in  Kerala, India - A Cross-Sectional Study”; “Smile Rwanda Initiative”

HELEN Journal’s Cover Story: “The question that drove us was simple: How do we show people what the NICU truly represents? How do we reveal the extraordinary dedication of environmental services staff who understand that cleanliness means lower infection rates for fragile babies? How do we honor the clinical pharmacists who triple-check minuscule medication doses…”

Steven Perlman, DDS, MScD, DHL (hon), President, People Advocating for Optimal Health (PAOH) & Vanessa Rastović, JD: “In every generation, there comes a moment to ask whether our health systems truly serve all people fairly. We are once again at that crossroads. For decades, federal programs have used geography as the primary lens for deciding who is ‘underserved.’”

Rick Rader, MD, FAAIDD, FAADM, Editor-in-chief, Helen Journal: “We were reminded of the importance of timing in milestone events. Following marriage, the next significant ‘get me there on time,’ event was the birth of the baby. The “timing” of staying in the oven until it was safe to come out and explore has not always been observed…Preterm birth is when a baby is born too early, before 37 weeks of pregnancy have been completed. In 2022, preterm birth affected about 1 of every 10 infants born in the United States.”

By Rick Rader, MD, FAAIDD, FAADM, Editor-in-chief, Helen Journal” “In considering stress, for most of the time, and for most of us, you can’t ignore, dismiss, or wish it away. While stress comes in waves, like paper cuts that are persevering, they can bring you to tears, or to your knees. Stress and the events, scenarios and possibilities that promote them are inevitable; they are part of the human experience.”

Nancy S. Jokinen, MSW, Ph.D.: “Dementia changes everything—not just for the person diagnosed, but for those who care for them. For caregivers of adults with intellectual disability (ID), the road to diagnosis and beyond is often unfamiliar and full of challenges. Many find themselves asking: ‘What is happening to my loved one?’ ‘How can I best support them?’ and ‘Where do I turn next?’”

BOOK REVIEW: Jennifer Ghent-Fuller has emerged as a leader and innovator in dementia care. Her expertise and insight have enabled her to counsel and educate individuals with dementia, as well as their families, friends, and caregivers. The motivation to inform people about the nature of dementia and its emotional and psychological impacts led her to write Thoughtful Dementia Care: Understanding the Dementia Experience (2012).

(Source: PreTRM)) Premature babies—also called preemies—are babies who are born before the end of 37 weeks of pregnancy. If your baby is born early, you and your baby will be likely to have a different medical experience than you might have with a pregnancy that goes to 37 or more weeks. Here are the top 10 interesting facts about premature babies, the care they receive, and the ways doctors and researchers are working to predict preterm birth outcomes and prevent preterm birth.

Editor’s Note: THE DISABILITY RIGHTS MOVEMENT has always faced KEY ISSUES.  Some have been resolved, some  still remain, and some are a work in progress.  HELEN’s latest feature showcases "older" articles that are still relevant and have focused on these key issues. This Edition: “Coney Island’s Incubator Babies”

Wondering if changes you’re seeing could be dementia? Join this practical, webinar to learn how to use the NTG-Early Detection Screen for Dementia (NTG-EDSD). You’ll gain simple, effective ways to track changes, talk with doctors, and advocate for the best care for your family member or clients.

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: “ANCOR Issues Findings from 2025 State of America's Direct Support Workforce Crisis Survey” …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.

MID-OCTOBER Edition: “Student-Led Peer-Development for Curriculum Growth”; “Successful Dental Visits My Dental Care Passport”; “Tardive Dyskinesia in Individuals with IDD”; “The Developmental Medicine Area of Distinction (2)”; “Transitions of Care for Patients with IDD”