Psychology Interest Network

Mission

AAIDD promotes progressive policies, sound research, effective practices, and universal human rights for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

As part of AAIDD, the Psychology Interest Network (PIN) promotes wellbeing and quality of life among people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through advocacy, research, and identifying and promoting effective behavioral health practices. PIN aims to connect psychologists, researchers, practitioners, educators, and self-advocates in the field to further the wellbeing and quality of life for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Research Spotlight

Check out the research projects our 2026 AAIDD Psychology Interest Network Scholarship Recipients are working on!

Yfat Ben Refeal, PhD(c), OT M.Sc., ORCID

An Ecological Task for Assessing Executive Functions Skills at work in Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Name, current position, and current place of work:

Yfat Ben Refael, M.Sc., Teaching fellow & PhD student, Dept. of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ariel University, Israel

What is your research area of interest?

My research focuses on the role of social-emotional functioning in everyday life and the use of technology in occupational therapy to enhance, simplify, and expand access to assessment and intervention.

What are you currently working on?

I am currently working on advancing vocational preparation for adults with cognitive disabilities through technology-based interventions, with a focus on supporting inclusion among minority populations in Israeli society. I also provide training and consultation to healthcare teams and lead the V-Job initiative, which develops free, accessible video modeling tools for individuals with disabilities.

When you are not engaging in research, what are some things you like to do for fun/relaxation?

I enjoy building community through organizing activities and hosting shared meals, creating connection, mutual support, and a sense of well-being for my family and neighbors.

If people are interested in contacting you to learn more about your research, how can they reach out?

yfatb@ariel.ac.il

Alexandria Barkhimer, MA

Caregiver experiences using telehealth for developmental assessments in youth with Down syndrome

Name, current position, and current place of work:

Alexandria Barkhimer, Doctoral Student in the Department of Speech and Hearing Science, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

What is your research area of interest?

My research aims to better understand and support adolescents and young adults with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities as they transition from school to adulthood. Currently, my work focuses on promoting autonomy and self-determination in young adults with Down syndrome to support postsecondary goal achievement and outcomes.

What are you currently working on?

My first project in my PhD program is a qualitative research study that centers the direct perspectives of young adults with Down syndrome by exploring their role in setting their own postsecondary goals and the factors that support or hinder their involvement. At AAIDD, I will be presenting on a recent study of caregivers' experiences with using telehealth as a tool for developmental assessment of their children with Down syndrome.

When you are not engaging in research, what are some things you like to do for fun/relaxation?

In my free time, I enjoy hiking with my dog, Levi, snowboarding, reading books, baking, and practicing yoga.

If people are interested in contacting you to learn more about your research, how can they reach out?

Those who are interested in learning more can reach out to me via email at barkhim2@illinois.edu or visit my website https://www.alexandriabarkhimer.com/

Wolf Wolfensberger Valor Award

The Wolf Wolfensberger Valor Award is presented by the Psychology Interest Network (PIN) of the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD). The award recognizes a mental health professional who is committed to empowering clinical practice or research that amplifies the inherent dignity of all people. This award may also be used to recognize mental health and/or psychology professionals that have faced significant adversity in their pursuit of justice for all people. Each year, the award will honor a demonstrated commitment against discriminatory and oppressive practices through research, clinical practice or political activism that advances social inclusion for people with developmental disabilities.

The award is named for Wolf Peregrin Joachim Wolfensberger, PhD (1934-2011), a leader in PIN and AAIDD whose research and practical skills influenced the discipline to focus on the fact that life has value. The award is meant to reflect the bravery of Wolfensberger who as a psychologist challenged the field with his innovative work and as a youth overcame a corrupt fascist system by immigrating to the United States.

Wolf Wolfensberger Valor Awardee 2025

Dr. Joan B. Beasley, PhD

Joan B Beasley, PhD is a Research Professor and Director of the National Research Consortium for MH in IDD, Institute on Disability, College of Health and Human Services at the University of New Hampshire. Dr. Beasley is a licensed mental health counselor and holds a Ph.D. in social policy from the Heller School at Brandeis University. In 1988 she was the primary author and first director of Systemic Therapeutic, Assessment, Respite and Treatment (START). START is a cross systems crisis prevention and intervention evidence informed program aimed to improve capacity for effective mental health services, now operated around the country. In 2010, at the invitation of the Institute on Disability, Dr. Beasley founded the Center for START services at the University of New Hampshire which she directed until 2023. Dr. Beasley also collaborated with national partners to found the National Research Consortium (NRC) for Mental Health in Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities to assist in the development and dissemination of solutions focused participatory research. Dr. Beasley is currently the Principal Investigator/lead on several national studies in the US that emphasize inclusive research, measures of effective services and the promotion of mental health/well being for people with IDD and mental health service experiences. Dr. Beasley is the author and co-author of many peer reviewed publications and has been invited to present at forums both nationally and internationally. In addition to her work at UNH, she is an adjunct research faculty at Georgetown University and serves as a visiting scholar at Brandeis University.

Wolf Wolfensberger Valor Awardees

Hall of Fame

2024 Guy Caruso, PhD, FAAIDD

2023 Tim Barksdale, Psy.D., LMSW, NADD-CC

2022 Cameron Neece, Ph.D.

2020 Karyn Harvey, Ph.D.

2019 Carol Salas, Psy.D.

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