Effectively utilizing assistive technology for individuals with special needs requires more than access to the latest gadgets, apps, and tools. More important is the process leading to the correct gadget, app, and tool. Mike Marotta is an assistive technology support specialist with an extensive resume spanning 30 years with the special needs population. In this episode, Mike shares the process he uses and gives us the confidence to do so as well. He points us to places our questions can be answ...
Nov 13, 2018•38 min•Season 2Ep. 57
Accessible Educational Materials make it an exciting and promising time for those with print disabilities. Luis Perez points us to the many available resources. Luis Perez is the technical assistance specialist at the National Center on Accessible Materials at CAST . He has multiple degrees and publications . He is an Apple distinguished educator, a Google certified educator, president elect of the inclusive learning network, and selected as the 2016 outstanding inclusive educator by the Interna...
Nov 05, 2018•35 min•Season 2Ep. 56
Dr. Stephanie Talalai is a special education teacher at the A. Harry Moore School which is known for its creative utilization of technology for students with special needs and disabilities. Dr. Talalai is largely responsible for this reputation. Several years ago she saw the need to implement more technology so she both created and filled a position within the school to do so. She is a Google Certified Educator and in this episode gives us ways to share, learn, and implement technology into spec...
Oct 30, 2018•32 min•Season 2Ep. 55
Social cognition and self advocacy do not always come naturally so may need to be taught. A program at the Center for Brain Health in Dallas Texas called, Charisma, is teaching clients these and other social skills via a game based learning environment. Avatars are created for the client and therapists while real time and customized social situations play out in the virtual world. Therapists are able to offer immediate feedback to the client that research shows carry over into real life social s...
Oct 22, 2018•38 min•Season 2Ep. 54
How is the adult special needs community going to receive adequate supports, maximum independence, and safety with the limited budgets available in most states? Could technology be the answer? Jason Ray from Simply Home joins us for a discussion on how homes customized with technological adaptations are providing dignity and independence for those with disabilities while saving service providers and families thousands of dollars. Links to items mentioned in this episode are at https://www.lomah....
Oct 16, 2018•32 min•Season 2Ep. 53
Ipads and smartphones have been game changers for individuals with special needs. Device apps are providing an avenue for communication, learning and independence. BUT, there are over 2 million apps to choose from with over 1000 being added to the store every day. How can we possibly keep up with what is available and know if they are applicable? This conversation with Cristen Reat, cofounder of Bridging Apps , is going to save you time and money by pointing to an up to date, curated, reviewed, ...
Oct 09, 2018•34 min•Season 2Ep. 52
Jason Hague, author of Aching Joy joins us to discuss the tension we often experience when feelings of joy are paired with feelings of pain. Should we strive to feel one more than the other? Is that even possible? What about hope? Should we allow it into our lives or is keeping the expectations low our only shot at happiness? Show notes available at https://www.lomah.org/podcast2/51 which include links to Jason's work and also the 2 videos we mention in the episode....
Sep 23, 2018•38 min•Season 2Ep. 51
Part 2 of our conversation with Erin Sheldon, CEO of Integration Action for Inclusion, focuses on how to stay person centered with augmentative & alternative communication device users. Related Episodes: #49: Person Centered Planning #48: Augmentative and Alternative Communication #34 - Non FAPE? 5 Things to Do Before the IEP Meeting #33 - Homeschooling With a Twist #29 - College of Adaptive Arts #28 - College & High School: A Student’s Perspective...
Sep 23, 2018•35 min•Season 2Ep. 50
Person centered planning is not a system or policy but rather a way of thinking. It asks that we momentarily put aside what is currently offered and focus on what is important to an individual with special needs before thinking about what is important for them to fit in the existing system. Our guest is Erin Sheldon who is the CEO of Integration Action for Inclusion, an organization supporting and empowering inclusion advocates. Related Episodes: #33 - Homeschooling With a Twist #34- Non-FAPE? 5...
Sep 18, 2018•37 min•Season 2Ep. 49
Rachael Langley is a speech language pathologist specializing in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Rachael talks with us about ***finding an AAC specialist***aided facilitated stimulation***communication autonomy***avoiding prompt dependency***overcoming obstacles parents, teachers, and support staff face in becoming fluent AAC users BONUS MATERIAL IN SHOWNOTES***developing literacy skills in nonverbal learners***portable carrying cases***compatible AAC software***links to everyt...
Sep 11, 2018•37 min•Season 2Ep. 48
In this episode, you will get to hear snippets from each guest in the 12 part safety series and the three big takeaways from the host. Know bad things can and do happen. Know how to tell if something bad is happening. Know what to do. This episode is a quick listen and one to use if you are just finding the safety series and want to hear from each guest prior to choosing what to listen to next. The safety series includes episodes #36 - #47...
Jul 28, 2018•24 min•Season 2Ep. 47
Would your loved one with disabilities have the support necessary to stay safe in the event of an on campus crisis? Are you a special educator? Would you have all you need to keep your students safe? needs. Combining her background as a special educator and mother to a son with disabilities, Dr. Laura Clarke and her colleague created one of the first and only crisis preparedness models for students with disabilities. This is an episode you are going to want to share with administrators or anyone...
Jul 16, 2018•31 min•Season 2Ep. 46
Dr. Lauren Moskowitz is known for her work with self-injurious behavior in individuals with special needs. In this episode, she helps us understand why SIB is happening and discusses ABA as a method of treatment. Links to items discussed at www.lomah.org/podcast2/45 Related Episodes: #36 Trauma Indicators, #37 Emergency Responder Preparation, #39 Restraint & Seclusion
Jul 16, 2018•38 min•Season 2Ep. 45
As parents, we need to be aware there is a heightened risk of sexual abuse for our loved ones with disabilities. Nora Baladerian is the director of the Disability and Abuse Project and the recipient of many distinguished awards. She conducts seminars and training across the country and is often consulted by attorneys litigating cases of assault on a victim with disabilities. Dr. Baladerian educates us on who the perpetrators are and why they target those with special needs. She teaches us 10 thi...
Jul 10, 2018•34 min•Season 2Ep. 44
The kids were in danger and didn’t even care. This is a raw and real look at how stress impacts our physical and mental capabilities to parent. (Please don’t judge.) Related Episodes: #36 - Trauma Indicators #12 - Finding and Hiring Caregivers #08 - Vacation or Relocation? #07 - Vacation Hacks #04 - The Caregiving, Celebrating Balancing Act
Jul 03, 2018•20 min•Season 2Ep. 43
What is the connection between autism and epilepsy? Does one cause the other or are other factors at play? When is the first seizure most likely to happen? Are they harmful? Can they be missed? When do we need to call 911? Our expert guest, Dr. Roberto Tuchman, is chief of the neurology department at Nicklaus Children's Hospital in Miami, Florida. He has explored the autism/epilepsy connection for decades and is a highly sought after resource on the topic. In Episode 42, Dr. Tuchman shares what ...
Jun 26, 2018•29 min•Season 2Ep. 42
Have you considered adding an assistance dog to your team of support? Assistance dogs can bring independence, safety, comfort, dignity, companionship, (and cuteness) to the special needs team. The process is quite lengthy and choosing the right organization is important. Paws with a Cause has been training assistance dogs for those with disabilities since 1979 and is considered one of the best programs in the country. Deb Davis has been working with Paws with a Cause for 25 years and in this epi...
Jun 19, 2018•32 min•Season 2Ep. 41
We have seen too many stories on the news of cameras and other recording devices documenting poor treatment or abuse of special needs individuals. Would placement of recording devices in the spaces individuals with disabilities are receiving services help protect this vulnerable population? If, yes, then why isn't it being done and how can that change? Dr. Dusty Columbia Embury of Eastern Kentucky University leads the discussion on the topic from her perspective as a classroom educator, research...
Jun 12, 2018•35 min•Season 2Ep. 40
This episode is a must listen from beginning to end for parents, educators, and providers of individuals with disabilities. Restraining someone against their will or placing them in an area of seclusion where they can not get out are still widely used methods in the special needs community. Why? Today’s episode addresses this question. Click here for links to content mentioned in this episode.
Jun 05, 2018•38 min•Season 2Ep. 39
Wandering and elopement are stressful and scary scenarios that, unfortunately, can end tragically. Emily Diamond, a professor, and researcher at the Wright Institute in Berkeley joins us to provide ways parents can take a proactive approach of putting plans in place so that our loved one with disabilities can be found quickly should he or she go missing. Click here for links to information mentioned in this episode.
May 29, 2018•32 min•Season 2Ep. 38
When 911 is called and an individual with special needs is on the scene, it can be at best confusing and at worse fatal. It is important for caregivers and providers to prepare in advance. Dennis Debbbaudt has spent over 25 years providing training for first responders who may come into contact with individuals who have autism and disabilities. He has since produced over 40 related books, reports and training videos. He has and is creating a training curriculum for departments around the US and ...
May 22, 2018•32 min•Season 2Ep. 37
Identifying and recovering from trauma can be complicated for our loved one with special needs. There are only a handful of professionals in the country providing therapy for individuals with disabilities who have experienced trauma. Dr. Daniel Hoover of the Kennedy Krieger Institute (a partner of John Hopkins School of Medicine) is one of them. In this episode, he shares 3 red flags indicating trauma may be happening or may have happened and 3 things parents can do in partnering with the doctor...
May 15, 2018•34 min•Season 2Ep. 36
Season #1 of the LOMAH podcast has come to an end. Before moving along to season #2, we share lessons from the last year and follow up on past guests. Shownotes at https://www.lomah.org/podcast/35
Apr 03, 2018•24 min•Season 1Ep. 35
Students with special needs are entitled to a fair and appropriate education, commonly called FAPE. Sometimes parents idea of FAPE differ from the school district and can be met with resistance. In today's episode, we share 5 steps to take before presenting your idea to the IEP team. We also veer off topic to discuss: The importance of being age appropriate with our special needs teens & adults Peers and cultivating friendships (for more on this topic listen to episode #06) Use the show note...
Mar 27, 2018•39 min•Season 1Ep. 34
Annette Musso began an alternative form of education for her son with autism during the elementary school years that is a twist on homeschooling. We cover this “homeschooling twist” in two episodes. Episode #33 reveals what it is and how it came to be, and in episode #34 we go into practical tips in partnering with the school district to craft a unique plan for your learner with disabilities. Links to items mentioned, including Matteo's poetry and books can be found by clicking here or visiting ...
Mar 20, 2018•36 min•Season 1Ep. 33
Applied Behavioral Services is a school in the Midwest who, for 20 years, has been working with students that have autism or related disorders. They currently serve over 250 special needs students and 35 school districts per day. In this episode, we will be inspired to blaze trails that do not already exist for our children with special needs. We also talk about the importance of narrowing the focus on goals long before students with disabilities approach "the cliff" of decreased services in adu...
Mar 13, 2018•36 min•Season 1Ep. 32
"Falling off the cliff" refers to what happens to young adults with special needs upon exiting the school system and losing services that were once readily available. One of the most important things that can be done to prepare for the shift in services is focus on the Individualized Transition Plan which is a federally mandated document guiding IEP goals beginning at the age of 14 or 16. Dana Lattin, project coordinator of the Transition Coalition , will talk with us about : What we need to be ...
Mar 06, 2018•33 min•Season 1Ep. 31
At 18, parents no longer have legal access to educational information. IEP consent, requests for assessments, and information from educators are just a few rights that transfer from the parent to the student. Today’s guest, a special needs attorney, offers insight on how to prepare and how to protect the rights of our adult child while at the same time offering supports s/he may still need. Our focus will be on education. The first half of the episode focuses on students with special needs who p...
Feb 19, 2018•38 min•Season 1Ep. 30
The College of Adaptive Arts is a new model of education with a commitment to lifelong learning paired with empowering students to creatively transform the way the world views individuals with disabilities. Students have 9 tracks of study in which to choose and over a dozen departments of specialty. While diplomas are earned, there is no exit date which allows lifelong access to education. In this episode, the founding directors share the core beliefs driving the mission of CAA and their vision ...
Feb 13, 2018•27 min•Ep. 29
Jessica is a student at the University of Cincinnati’s TAP program. TAP is a college program for students with special needs and/or disabilities discussed in episodes #25 & #27. She shares with us how she became a college student, the challenges she and her family faced the first year, areas she has grown, how the program is preparing her for a dream job, and her social life on campus. www.lomah.org
Feb 06, 2018•29 min
