Article Guidelines

How to write and submit an article for the DDNA quarterly newsletter

If you are considering writing an article for the DDNA newsletter, we suggest that you first contact the Executive Office by email. Include a description of the topic of the article and a brief summary of your qualifications to write the article. We will advise you as to whether your article would be appropriate for the newsletter.

Some of the topics in which DDNA is most interested include:

  1. case studies
  2. new clinical information and how it can be applied to I/DD nursing
  3. innovative and effective programs and services
  4. how you have applied evidence-based practice or nursing research to I/DD
  5. information about new medications and/or medication use in persons with I/DD
  6. how you promote client safety in your practice setting
  7. controversial topics in I/DD nursing (make sure to offer both sides)
  8. trends in I/DD nursing or in the care of persons with I/DD
  9. legal-ethical issues and abuse/neglect issues
  10. information about different syndromes and conditions
  11. opinion articles about issues and controversies in the news related to I/DD
  12. leadership in I/DD nursing
  13. advice for nurses just entering the specialty of I/DD

Here are some writing suggestions:

  1. Write clearly, using short sentences and active verbs.
  2. Do the research necessary to make sure that what you are writing is up to date, accurate, and reflects the Standards of Practice for Developmental Disabilities nursing (available on the resource page of the website).
  3. If you want to include illustrations or tables, let us know where you want them placed in the article. Make sure that you have written permission to republish any art work, tables, etc., that you have taken from another sources.

Here are some rules:

  1. Observe HIPAA privacy laws. In articles about clients and families, do not use real names without written permission. Because sometimes clients and families like to be written about in articles, if you do use real names, please provide DDNA with a copy of a letter that grants you permission to include real names in your article.
  2. If you wish to include a photograph, please obtain a photo release from every person in the photo that gives permission to print the photograph in the newsletter. DDNA has an example of a photo release that we can provide you upon request.
  3. Submit only your own original work! Do not copy other articles, or even sections of other articles, published elsewhere in what you submit to DDNA. By submitting an article to DDNA, you are representing to DDNA that the writing that you have submitted is totally of your original development. You may, however, choose to paraphrase or cite information from other articles in your references.
  4. Do not submit articles that you have written that have already been published elsewhere.

How to cite references:

  1. To cite a textbook or other book:
    Author(s), Title, Edition (if more than one), Place of publication, Publisher, Publication date
  2. To cite a journal or newspaper article:
    Author(s), Title of article, Name of journal or newspaper, Year of publication; Volume number, Page numbers referenced
  3. To cite information from a website:
    URL of the website, Date you accessed the website

Please limit citations to no more than 10 per article.

How to submit an article:

  1. Submit your article via email as Word document, either .doc or .docx. Please include a title for your article. DDNA assumes that if you have submitted an article for publication in the newsletter that you consent to give DDNA the rights to your article for publication in the newsletter.
  2. Provide your name and contact information.
  3. DDNA will contact you by email to inform you it has received your article and also to inform you as to whether or not it has been accepted for publication. Please allow at least 4 weeks before you contact DDNA to inquire as to whether or not your article has been accepted.
  4. If your article is accepted, DDNA reserves the right to decide in which issue of the newsletter it will be printed.
  5. DDNA will edit your article as needed. You will receive a copy of the edited article for your approval before it is published.

If you have any questions about writing or submitting an article for the newsletter, please contact the DDNA office at admin@ddna.org

Thank you for your interest in contributing to the DDNA newsletter! We hope to be publishing your work soon!