AAIDD

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.

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

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

• Intellectual disability research
• Developmental disability services
• Professional membership association
• Clinical assessment tools
• Continuing education programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Silver Spring, Maryland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. 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).
2. 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'.
3. Webinar Registration: Fees for webinar participation and continuing education credits.
4. Annual Conference: Registration fees for the annual conference, with 150th annual meeting held in Chicago, Illinois, June 22-24, 2026.
5. SIS Assessment Tools: Sales and training for Supports Intensity Scale assessment tools and related products.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core 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

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• The Arc of the UScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint 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)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint position statement on Community Living and Participation (2016). Collaboration on public policy advocacy initiatives.
• National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint 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)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerNational partner on public policy issues affecting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Autism Society of America (ASA)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerNational partner on public policy issues affecting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerNational partner on public policy issues affecting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• CQL: The Council on Quality and LeadershipminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNational partner on public policy issues affecting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerNational partner on public policy issues affecting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• TASHminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNational partner on public policy issues affecting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• United Cerebral PalsyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNational partner on public policy issues affecting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Taylor & FranciscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorJournal 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 DisabilityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSource 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

Direct 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

• Xtwitter.com/_aaidd
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/aaiddvideos
• Facebookfacebook.com/TheAAIDD
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aaidd

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about AAIDD