DEC at the Intersection: Polishing Young Exceptional Children: Honoring Readers as Jewels

Young Exceptional Children (YEC) is the premier practitioner journal specifically designed for early childhood leaders and providers in early intervention and early childhood special education. The journal provides access to evidence-based practices, real-world experiences, and policy updates that impact professionals’ work for and with young children and families. In an era characterized by changing legislation and funding debates, YEC empowers professionals by integrating research and practice, amplifying diverse voices, and fostering a community of reflective, informed, and resilient individuals.

YEC remains committed to timely publication, featuring articles that support leaders and providers and promote positive outcomes for families and young children in early intervention and early childhood special education. The journal will continue to highlight manuscripts that promote equitable systems and practices ensuring that each and every child has meaningful access and support within their communities.

With support from the Division for Early Childhood Leadership and Board, YEC has formed a leadership team consisting of members representing a wide demographic range within early intervention and early childhood special education: Kendall Lee, Jennifer Ottley, Jaclyn Joseph, Jani Kozlowksi, Ron Roybal, Deepa Srinivasavaradan, Ebony Holliday, and Catasha Williams. Their goals are to (a) update YEC’s strategic plan, which includes the development of a revised mission for YEC; (b) improve upon processes for recruiting, orienting, and training associate editors, editorial board members, and ad hoc reviewers, which ensure publications are aligned with the Racial Equity Point of View (POV); and (c) provide guidance to ensure the Racial Equity POV is represented across all publications.

Thus far, the leadership team has focused on revising the journal’s aim statement to promote neurodivergent-affirming and anti-ableist practices, placing families and children at the forefront. A core goal of this revision is to translate theory, lived experience, and evidence-informed research into accessible and equitable resources that are useful for practitioners, families, and a broad audience.

Furthermore, the leadership team is exploring strategies to enhance the journal’s readership and accessibility for leaders and providers. Discussions have focused on ways to develop content with families and to share experiences of families from a strengths-based perspective. The leadership team is encouraging the use of modalities that honor lived experiences and are inclusive and human-centered. The leadership team is exploring ways to leverage partnerships to highlight innovation, new learning, and experiences and to amplify unheard voices.

“We are excited about the journal’s current health and future possibilities! We are committed to continuing the evolutionary process as we learn and grow together.”

The leadership team has emphasized ways YEC can engage with its audience using innovative methods. Social media was a key theme within a broader strategy of innovative marketing ideas. Some specific ideas included engaging authors via podcast or via YouTube interviews with links to their articles. They also discussed engaging with authors via social media posts.

The leadership team identified resources that could specifically support the Editorial Board, such as a “Looks Like/Doesn’t Look Like” resource that reviewers could use during their reviews. Sharing examples of quality feedback was an additional resource the leadership team identified to support current and new reviewers. The leadership team discussed growing a cohort of reviewers who could go through the review process together. Ensuring that families and providers understand they can contribute to publications without needing to write formal articles—and still gain authorship credit within the publication (e.g., sharing personal stories, quotes, or examples; giving feedback on draft language for clarity or tone; helping co-create visuals or infographics; participating in video or audio storytelling; reviewing content; shaping topics to ensure alignment with lived priorities). Emphasizing that these are not “extras”—they are essential contributions that bring research to life and ensure it connects.

In summary, there is much great work to do. We are excited about the journal’s current health and future possibilities! We are committed to continuing the evolutionary process as we learn and grow together.

The leadership team, although it is early in its development, has already demonstrated the power of a community, which we have within DEC and YEC. We have a community dedicated to supporting all child and family outcomes. The leadership team has demonstrated how creative thinking and innovative ideas come together for a common purpose to ensure all children and their families have access to quality service provision. Therefore, we invite you to engage in new ways, with new people, and on new committees. As Margaret Mead, known for her work in anthropology focused on family and personality, stated, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”