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UC Davis MIND Institute

Interdisciplinary and Leadership Training | UC Davis MIND Institute

University Center (CEDD)

Excellence in Developmental Disabilities

Interdisciplinary and Leadership Training

The Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities offers the following interdisciplinary training programs to increase the number of people who work with people with developmental disabilities and their families. These programs are for students in medicine, nursing, special education, psychology, and other related fields. People with disabilities and their families are involved in the programs as instructors and speakers. This is important because it helps to ensure that the programs have a personal perspective on disability. CEDD is always working to improve its training programs, especially in terms of diversity, by making sure that our faculty and trainees are from all backgrounds.

  • Fellowship Program in Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics

    CEDD offers a three-year fellowship program of intensive specialty training in Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics. Developmental-behavioral pediatric fellows benefit from resources at the MIND Institute, an internationally renowned research and clinical center dedicated to promoting interdisciplinary collaboration to better understand and support individuals with developmental disabilities.

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  • Interdisciplinary, Pre-Service Training in Developmental Disabilities

    CEDD offers a one-year intensive specialty training program in serving individuals with developmental disabilities to graduate students in medicine, nursing, special education, psychology, and related fields. Trainees receive instruction and practical experience in training/teaching, community service, research, and the translation of research into practical applications. Trainees increase their knowledge of developmental disabilities and exposure to medical, legal, social and policy issues related to disabilities.

  • Special Studies Module on Developmental Disabilities

    CEDD offers a Special Studies Module on Developmental Disabilities for third- and fourth-year medical students. The module is provided through a one-month course elective. The course provides students an in-depth experience with intellectual and developmental disability across the lifespan. It provides students with experiences and tools that will prepare them to feel confident when working with this under-served and marginalized population. This course is designed with the foundational belief that people with disabilities and their families are the best resource from which students can learn about living a life with a disability.

    The two-week course is designed to focus on different stages of the lifespan from early childhood through adulthood. This course includes partnering with a community member with a disability, small group seminars, experiences at the MIND Institute and community clinics, and a review of resources and tools. The Instructors of Record are Roger Scott Akins, M.D. and Amber Fitzgerald, M.A., BCBA. Community partners, CEDD staff, and individuals with disabilities will be additional instructors allowing for multiple points of view and expertise.

  • California Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities

    CEDD collaborates with the Northern California Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) program. LEND is a graduate and post-graduate level, interdisciplinary leadership and service training program, federally funded through HRSA's Maternal Child Health Bureau. The purpose of the LEND program is to provide interdisciplinary and leadership training to clinicians, families, self-advocates, and community leaders involved with developmental disabilities.

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