#132 - Changing How We Think About Literacy and Disabilities

The tide is beginning to shift regarding how literacy is approached for students with disabilities, specifically those with complex communication needs. The first step in turning the tide is exploring what we believe to be true about students with disabilities. What are the dangers in assuming literacy is not possible? On the flip side, is assuming competence too simplistic? We will discuss these ideas as well as why access to the entire alphabet is needed, the gateway social media offers, and allowing the necessary time for emergent literacy skills to solidify.

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#131 - Literacy Instruction for Students With Disabilities: Series Introduction

The next 12 episodes will focus on what is being discovered regarding literacy instruction for ALL students with disabilities. This first part of this introductory episode explains how to get the most out of the upcoming episodes in this literacy series. The second half of the episode retells the history of Miranda’s literacy instruction and why it has become a priority despite her age.

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#129 - Our Empty Nest Plan: 5 Years Out

We have set a deadline for Miranda to be independent of us, her parents, at the age of 22. While she will always require significant care and continual supervision, we have a plan to phase those supports to others while at the same time honoring her life as a young adult. In this episode we share what we will be doing 5 years out, 4 years out, 3 years out, etc to eventually arrive at this big milestone.

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