AAIDD
AAIDD is a 150-year-old professional membership association serving researchers, clinicians, educators, and policymakers in the intellectual and developmental disabilities field, publishing peer-reviewed journals, licensing assessment tools, and hosting an annual conference.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1876
- HeadquartersSilver Spring, Maryland, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What AAIDD does
AAIDD (American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities) is a nonprofit professional membership association founded in 1876 and headquartered in Silver Spring, Maryland. The organization serves researchers, clinicians, educators, direct support professionals, and policymakers working in the intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) field. Its core deliverables include three peer-reviewed journals (AJIDD, IDD, and Inclusion) co-published with Taylor & Francis, a portfolio of standardized assessment tools led by the Supports Intensity Scale (SIS) family and the Diagnostic Adaptive Behavior Scale (DABS), an annual conference that will mark its 150th iteration in June 2026, an archive of continuing-education webinars, and 17 Interest Networks that organize sub-discipline communities within the field.
The business model combines individual and institutional membership dues with revenue from journal subscriptions, conference registrations, webinar access, publication sales, and licensing of SIS/SIS-A/SIS-C/DABS/ICAP assessment instruments to U.S. state agencies and international programs. The organization distributes tools and learning content both directly and through an online platform (SISOnline), and it pursues a credentialing role via the AAIDD Fellow designation.
AAIDD operates as a coordinating node in the U.S. IDD ecosystem, holding long-standing partnerships with Taylor & Francis (publishing), The Arc (advocacy), AUCD (university centers), NADSP (direct support professionals), and the Faith and Disability Collaborative. Its strategic posture during the 2025-2026 cycle has emphasized anniversary-driven brand reinforcement (Sesqui Awards, 150th Annual Meeting), digital channel development (SISOnline), and selective international expansion through translated assessment tools and a globally distributed awards program. The organization employs 11-50 staff, consistent with a mid-sized specialized professional association.
AAIDD firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- AAIDD
- Legal name
- American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
- Website
- https://aaidd.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1876
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- AAIDD is a 150-year-old professional membership association serving researchers, clinicians, educators, and policymakers in the intellectual and developmental disabilities field, publishing peer-reviewed journals, licensing assessment tools, and hosting an annual conference.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
AAIDD industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Intellectual Disability Professional Association
- NAICS
- Professional Organizations (81392), Business Associations (813910)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- AAC (Augmentative & Alternative Communication) & Speech/Language Therapy Tech (EDAFAKAB)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Schools & Life Skills Programs (EDAKAAAD)
Keywords
Where AAIDD is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Silver Spring, Maryland
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
AAIDD business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Membership Dues: Annual membership fees providing access to publications, webinars, interest networks, and member benefits including the webinar archive (beginning February 2021, exclusive member benefit).
- Publications and Bookstore: Sale of books, journals, and educational materials including titles like 'Intellectual Disability: Definition, Diagnosis, Classification, and Systems of Supports, 12th Ed' and 'Good Blood Bad Blood'.
- Webinar Registration: Fees for webinar participation and continuing education credits.
- Annual Conference: Registration fees for the annual conference, with 150th annual meeting held in Chicago, Illinois, June 22-24, 2026.
- SIS Assessment Tools: Sales and training for Supports Intensity Scale assessment tools and related products.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Individual membership with various member types |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
AAIDD product offering
Product offeringCore offering
AAIDD is a nonprofit professional membership association serving researchers, educators, clinicians, practitioners, and policymakers in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). It delivers value through annual membership subscriptions, peer-reviewed journals (AJIDD, IDD, Inclusion), proprietary assessment tools (Supports Intensity Scale and Diagnostic Adaptive Behavior Scale), an annual conference, continuing education webinars with CEUs, an online bookstore of IDD publications, and policy position statements. The organization's 17 Interest Networks connect professionals across sub-specialties within the IDD field.
Product overview
AAIDD offers a portfolio of assessment tools, publications, and professional development resources focused on intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The core offerings include the Supports Intensity Scale (SIS) family of assessment tools (SIS-A for adults, SIS-C for children, and SISOnline platform), the Diagnostic Adaptive Behavior Scale (DABS), and three peer-reviewed journals (AJIDD, IDD, and Inclusion). Additional offerings include a bookstore with specialized IDD publications, webinars and e-learning programs with CEUs, an annual conference, official position statements and policy resources, and Interest Networks that connect professionals across various sub-specialties within the IDD field.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- SIS (Supports Intensity Scale): Assessment tool for measuring the support needs of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities
- DABS (Diagnostic Adaptive Behavior Scale)
- AJIDD (American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities)
- IDD (Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities)
- Inclusion
Products and services
- Supports Intensity Scale (SIS) A comprehensive assessment tool designed to measure the pattern and intensity of support needs of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including the SIS-A (Adult) and SIS-C (Child) versions. Used by clinicians, service coordinators, and program administrators in disability services settings, with adoption across U.S. states for HCBS waiver programs.
- SISOnline An online digital platform for administering and managing Supports Intensity Scale assessments, providing digital access to SIS tools for clinicians and service organizations.
- Diagnostic Adaptive Behavior Scale (DABS) An assessment instrument designed to measure adaptive behavior across various domains for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, used by clinicians and psychologists in diagnostic practice.
- American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AJIDD) AAIDD's flagship peer-reviewed journal publishing research on intellectual and developmental disabilities, distributed via Taylor & Francis for academic and professional readers.
- Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD Journal) A peer-reviewed journal focused on intellectual and developmental disabilities research and practice, distributed via Taylor & Francis.
- Inclusion Journal A peer-reviewed journal publishing research on inclusion practices for people with disabilities, addressing educational, community, and workplace inclusion.
- Webinars and E-Learning Continuing education programs including live webinars on IDD topics, recorded webinar archive (exclusive member benefit since 2021), and CEU (Continuing Education Unit) offerings for professionals in the IDD field.
- Annual Conference AAIDD's annual meeting bringing together researchers, educators, clinicians, practitioners, and policymakers to discuss intellectual and developmental disabilities, including keynote presentations, paper sessions, and networking.
- AAIDD Membership Annual membership subscriptions providing access to AAIDD publications, member-exclusive webinar archive, Interest Networks, member-only forums, continuing education opportunities, and the FAAIDD fellowship pathway for professionals in the IDD field.
Quantifiable outcome
- 84% of people with disabilities say their faith is important to them, but only 45% attend a place of worship monthly - AAIDD works to address barriers through its Faith and Spirituality Interest Network
Companies that use AAIDD
Customer profileSegments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
AAIDD technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
AAIDD partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- The Arc of the UScoreJoint position statements on key issues including advocacy, self-advocacy, aging, community living, housing, early intervention, education, employment, sexuality, quality of life, self-determination, behavioral supports, family support, and more. Began adding plain language summaries to position statements in 2022.
- Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD)coreJoint position statement on Community Living and Participation (2016). Collaboration on public policy advocacy initiatives.
- National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP)coreJoint position statement on Direct Support Professional (DSP) Workforce (2016). Collaboration on DSP workforce issues and professional standards.
- American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR)minorNational partner on public policy issues affecting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
- Autism Society of America (ASA)minorNational partner on public policy issues affecting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
- Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN)minorNational partner on public policy issues affecting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
- CQL: The Council on Quality and LeadershipminorNational partner on public policy issues affecting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
- National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD)minorNational partner on public policy issues affecting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
- TASHminorNational partner on public policy issues affecting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
- United Cerebral PalsyminorNational partner on public policy issues affecting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
- Taylor & FranciscoreJournal publishing partnership for American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AJIDD) and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD). Journals accessible via tandfonline.com.
- Collaborative on Faith and DisabilityminorSource of research data cited by AAIDD showing 84% of people with disabilities say faith is important but only 45% attend worship monthly. Used to inform Faith and Spirituality Interest Network programming.
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
AAIDD competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- TASH: TASH is an advocacy and professional association focused on equity, opportunity, and inclusion for people with significant disabilities. Comparable as a peer advocacy/professional organization in the IDD space, with co-partnered policy activity alongside AAIDD.
- American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR): ANCOR is a national membership association representing private provider organizations serving people with IDD. Directly comparable as a peer membership/advocacy organization with overlapping policy and DSP-workforce priorities, and an existing AAIDD public-policy partner.
- Council for Exceptional Children: CEC is the largest international professional organization dedicated to improving the educational outcomes of individuals with exceptionalities, including special educators and researchers. Directly comparable to AAIDD as a peer-style professional association serving overlapping special-education and disability professional audiences.
- The Arc of the United States: The Arc is a leading national disability advocacy and membership organization serving people with IDD and their families. Comparable to AAIDD as a fellow IDD-focused national organization; AAIDD already partners with The Arc on joint position statements, signaling operational peer overlap.
- National Disability Rights Network (NDRN): NDRN is the US membership network for the Protection & Advocacy and Client Assistance Programs. Comparable as a peer national disability-rights coalition, sharing overlapping policy and advocacy objectives with AAIDD.
- Autism Society of America: ASA is a national disability advocacy and membership organization with overlapping IDD and autism populations. Comparable as a peer advocacy/professional association collaborating with AAIDD on public-policy issues.
- Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD): AUCD is a membership network of university-based Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities. Highly relevant as a peer professional/academic network with overlapping research, policy, and IDD training missions, and an existing AAIDD strategic partner.
Broad incumbents
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA): ASHA is the largest US professional association for speech-language pathologists and audiologists, with overlapping interest in AAC, IDD, and special-needs clinical practice. Comparable as a broader incumbent professional association in an adjacent disability/health discipline.
- American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA): AOTA is a national professional association for occupational therapists, many of whom serve the IDD population. Comparable as a peer professional association with overlapping practitioner membership, publications, conference, and continuing-education infrastructure.
- National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC): NAEYC is a large professional membership association for early childhood educators. Comparable as a peer professional association model (membership, publications, conference, CEUs) operating in adjacent early-childhood and developmental services markets.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
AAIDD social profiles
Digital presenceAAIDD financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
AAIDD leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
AAIDD funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
AAIDD M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about AAIDD
What does AAIDD do?
AAIDD is a nonprofit professional membership association serving researchers, educators, clinicians, practitioners, and policymakers in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). It delivers value through annual membership subscriptions, peer-reviewed journals (AJIDD, IDD, Inclusion), proprietary assessment tools (Supports Intensity Scale and Diagnostic Adaptive Behavior Scale), an annual conference, continuing education webinars with CEUs, an online bookstore of IDD publications, and policy position statements. The organization's 17 Interest Networks connect professionals across sub-specialties within the IDD field.
Is AAIDD a public or private company?
AAIDD is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was AAIDD founded?
AAIDD was founded in 1876. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is AAIDD based?
AAIDD is headquartered in Silver Spring, Maryland, United States, in the North America region.
How does AAIDD make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Membership Dues are the primary driver. The others are publications and Bookstore, webinar Registration, annual Conference and SIS Assessment Tools.
Who are AAIDD's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are TASH, American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR), Council for Exceptional Children, The Arc of the United States, National Disability Rights Network (NDRN), Autism Society of America and Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD). Broad incumbents are American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) and National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
Does AAIDD have an API?
No public API is recorded for AAIDD.
What industry is AAIDD in?
AAIDD's product category is Intellectual Disability Professional Association. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAFAKAB, AAC (Augmentative & Alternative Communication) & Speech/Language Therapy Tech, with a secondary code of EDAKAAAD, Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Schools & Life Skills Programs. Its NAICS code is 81392 and its SIC code is 8600.