Learners move through 14 stages of writing as they progress. This episode focuses on the earlier stages of writing and how we can best support learners with disabilities in moving through each while avoiding common mistakes.
Read MoreOften learners with disabilities are not provided ample opportunities for emergent literacy skills to solidify. This episode presents 4 questions to identify if our learner needs more time with emergent literacy strategies and several practical applications to build emergent reading skills.
Read MoreLiteracy instruction has historically used mostly verbal strategies so when learners are non speaking how is literacy supposed to be taught? This episode addresses a common literacy instruction mistake used for learners utilizing speech generating devices.
Read MoreThe 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.
Read MoreThe 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.
Read MoreTurning 18 is big milestone for all teens. When the teenager requires significant support needs due to disabilities there are additional considerations and things that must be done ahead of time to ensure the person with disabilities is protected and with wanted support services. In this episode we get a to do list and a pep talk to accompany the streamers and balloons.
Read MoreWe 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.
Read MoreThe last two years have been a mix of public school, homeschool, and NPS heartbreak. We are hopeful 2021 is the year Miranda will finally return to the classroom. In this episode Kim shares the roller coaster ride they have been on from deep disappointments to surprising opportunities.
Read More2021 Is looking like it might be a big year. In this episode Kim shares three big things on the horizon for Miranda.
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