Several organizations, such as Best Buddies, offer educational programs to the mentally challenged.
The definition of mentally challenged has changed dramatically over the past few decades, often to reflect not only new medical findings but also the public's perceptions of those affected by an intellectual or developmental disorder. Several organizations offer resources and services to the mentally challenged, their families and the general public to increase awareness, finance research and help the mentally challenged form friendships and earn an education so that they may enter the world without sacrificing their rights or their standards of living.
Best Buddies
Founded in 1989, Best Buddies is a nonprofit organization that helps the mentally challenged find employment as well as form friendships by pairing them with volunteers. The organization operates in all 50 states and in 50 countries around the world, and anyone may volunteer to help. Best Buddies offers programs in high schools, middle schools and colleges, as well as a job placement program and an online program called e-buddies, an e-mail pen pal program that also works to teach social skills, computer skills and literacy.
The Arc of the United States
A nonprofit organization founded in 1950, The Arc is the largest organization serving the mentally challenged in the United States and was originally founded by parents and adults with developmental disabilities. The Arc operates chapters in 39 states, with more than 700 local chapters. For the past 60 years, the organization has worked to change the public's view of mental retardation, offering programs to help the mentally challenged receive proper education and successfully transition into real-world employment. It also offers web-based seminars to keep their chapters connected with one another as well as annual conventions that allow those with developmental disabilities and their parents to network, form friendships and learn about business opportunities.
American Association of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD)
The main focus of the AAIDD is to protect the rights of those with intellectual and developmental disabilities as well as to finance and promote research to prevent or minimize the effects of mental retardation. A nonprofit organization, the AAIDD was founded in 1876 and is the world's oldest organization concerned with the mentally challenged, with members in 55 countries around the world. The AAIDD operates a number of programs aimed at helping the mentally challenged integrate into society and find caregivers, as well as programs to enhance the skills and knowledge of professionals working in the field of mental health. The organization published two highly ranked journals that are considered to be premier journals in the mental health field while also working with the Campaign for Children's Health Care to raise awareness for uninsured children.
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP)
A nonprofit organization established in 1953, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry is a medical organization whose aim is to treat and improve the quality of life for mentally challenged children. The organization is composed of more than 7,000 psychiatrists and physicians working to research, diagnose and treat intellectual and developmental disorders. The organization also employs a government liaison to act on behalf of the mentally challenged in court cases and to educate the government about these disorders when concerning public policy. Their programs work to educate medical professionals, support mentally challenged children and their families, and finance research into the causes and possible cures of intellectual and developmental disorders.
Tags: mentally challenged, Best Buddies, intellectual developmental, nonprofit organization, form friendships, Academy Child, Academy Child Adolescent
