Editorial

Abstract

As we begin publishing our 2011 volume, I wanted to make some comments abut the Journal's past and future. These comments focus on both the content of, and the people behind, its pages.I thought it would be useful to share data regarding the outcomes of the editorial process for the Journal as well as information about the readership. Such data are used by many audiences, including academic bodies that evaluate faculty members being considered for promotion, tenure, or awards.In 2009, AJIDD received 102 new submissions for review. As I write this editorial (December 2010), final editorial decisions have been made on all but 19, with the latter either still being revised by the authors or having been revised and resubmitted for further review. Of the 102 new submissions, 26.5% have been accepted to date. Of the 93 manuscripts for which final decisions have been made, 29% were accepted. No new submission in 2009 was accepted without change; all manuscripts that were ultimately accepted required at least one revision. Although most manuscripts that initially received a “revise and resubmit” decision were ultimately accepted (if resubmitted), some were eventually rejected; thus, persistence is typically, but not always, rewarded.Submission and review patterns for 2010 are still unfolding. The number of new submissions, however, is likely to be under 100 for the year.In terms of readership, each issue of AJIDD is distributed to more than 2,600 individuals and 900 libraries. Archived and current issues of the Journal are available online (http://www.aaiddjournals.org).In the 2010 volume, we published a special issue (March, Issue 2) devoted to cognitive neuroscience approaches to the study of intellectual and developmental disabilities. This issue includes six exciting articles on the neural substrates of various conditions associated with intellectual and developmental disabilities (e.g., Williams, Turner, and Down syndromes) and several dimensions of cognitive performance (e.g., auditory and visuospatial processing). I am indebted to Tony Simon, an associate editor for AJIDD, for editing this special issue and for contributing a particularly scholarly introduction to the issue. We are already seeing signs that scientists who use the methods of cognitive neuroscience are viewing AJIDD as a viable outlet for their research.We also published two special sections in 2010. In September (Issue 5), we published a special section on evidence-based treatments for intellectual and developmental disabilities. This section contained two articles and an introduction, the latter prepared by the section editors, Ann Kaiser and Laura Lee McIntyre. We hope this will be the first in a series of special sections devoted to evidenced-based treatments, each with a somewhat different emphasis. The second special section of 2010 (November, Issue 6) was edited by Don Bailey, Jr., and contained four articles. Three articles reported on data from the National Fragile X Survey—a large national survey of parents of individuals with fragile X syndrome; the fourth article provided a thoughtful consideration of the advantages and disadvantages of a parent survey.I believe that these “specials” have enriched the Journal and moved the field ahead. More are planned for the coming years.Volume 115 marks the end of Yvette Taylor's tenure with AJIDD. Yvette was the senior editor for the Journal for 37 years. During that time, she worked tirelessly to ensure that every article was formatted correctly, accurate in its content, and maximally comprehensible. She has shared her expertise with, helped shape the vision of, and patiently tolerated the idiosyncrasies of seven AJIDD editors. She has had a significant impact on the Journal and our field. I personally have learned a great deal from Yvette and enjoyed every minute of our collaboration. I wish her well as she shifts her expertise from AJIDD to Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and helps to “break in” the next editor of that journal.Volume 116 marks the beginning of Stephanie Dean's tenure with AJIDD. Stephanie has served as the managing editor for IDD for the last 3 years and has overseen various aspects of journal operations and marketing for AAIDD as well. Stephanie has a wealth of experience in scientific publishing, and I welcome the opportunity to work with her on AJIDD.