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The internet has swung the door wide open for alternative and augmentative communication users, yet often the creative use of these tools is never introduced. It’s time to expand how AAC users maximize devices as well as how to navigate online communities that they now have access to via AAC. About the Guest: Tiffany Joseph Known as Nigh Functioning Autism on instagram, Tiffany has 3 neurodivergent children and is autistic. Tiffany’s ultimate goal is for nonspeaking individuals to all have early access to full communication and inclusion in educational settings from early childhood and beyond. She is an intern at Reach Every Voice, training to be an instructor and communication and regulation partner for nonspeaking or minimally speaking individuals of all ages. In today’s conversation Tiffany will use a combination of spoken voice and AAC voice. This episode is the 4th in a series of 10 focusing on expanding the boundaries often placed around AAC use.

Many AAC users are dependent upon others to program language onto their device. Despite what research shows regarding common language in various age groups, it is common practice to censor slang, slurs, and swearing even for adults.   About the Guest: Hali Strickler is an AAC services coordinator for TechOWL at the Institute on Disabilities at Temple University. She received both her Bachelor and Master of Arts in Speech, Language, and Hearing Science from Temple University. Hali is a Pennsylvania and New Jersey licensed and American Speech-Language-Hearing Association certified speech-language pathologist. Links to Mentioned Content: Article - A Child’s Garden of Curses by Kristin L. Jay and Timothy B. Jay Relevant Episodes: #116: Touching of Self and Others from July, 2020 in the Complicated Behaviors Series #77: Your Body, Your Boundaries from June, 2019 in the Health Series This episode is the 3rd in a series of 10 focusing on expanding the boundaries often placed around AAC use.

Brittany Dube is and autistic partial AAC user who shares the stigma she often experiences when choosing AAC over her spoken voice despite how AAC makes her more communicative. Links to Mentioned Content: Etsy has several sellers creating personalized communication boards. Brittany’s came from the seller Coatney Creations. The quote referenced came from an article about partial AAC use in communicators with speech written by Alyssa Hillary Zisk and Elizabeth Dalton. It was published in April, 2018 edition of The Autism in Adulthood Journal. This episode is the 2nd in a series of 10 focusing on expanding the boundaries often placed around AAC use.

Often, AAC is used for nothing more than to make requests. While requesting wants and needs is important, AAC can offer much more to complex communicators and those who wish to know them. About the Guest: Kate McLaughlin, M.S., CCC-SLP Kate McLaughlin is a speech-language pathologist specializing in AAC - alternative and augmentative communication for individuals with complex communication needs. She believes that autonomous communication, inclusion, and self-determination are fundamental human rights. She partners with individuals with complex communication needs and their families to support their AAC journey. Kate is a certified member of the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association and holds licensure as a speech language pathologist in the state of Connecticut. She has worked in home, school, and clinic settings with clients of all ages. Kate trains parents and professionals on proven strategies to support their learner’s authentic and autonomous communication. Links to Mentioned Content: Kate’s website, The AAC Coach Follow Kate on Instagram and Facebook Kate’s course “Authentic AAC” Talking Mats Kim’s IG live from May 20, 2022 authentically communicating with Miranda Relevant LOMAH Podcast Episodes : Literacy Series in Season 5: Episodes 131 - 146 from Spring 2021 Episode 148 from September, 2021: Finding Clarity Among So Many Therapy Options

The new series will focus on "Doing More With AAC". This episode gives a peek at the topics that will be covered with expert guests, many who are AAC users themselves. The second half shares a few life updates relevant to the LOMAH tagline "Planning the future for our daughter with disabilities and inviting you to fumble through it with us". There has been some great news regarding the next 3 years (Miranda's transition years ages 19-22) as well as an update even closer to home.    

Most adult supports are chosen via eligible providers on HCBS waiver lists. However, some states have been toying with a new method that offers more flexibility and choice. In this conversation we explore what families have and have not liked about the newly rolled out Self Determination Program and why our family has decided to move away from provider lists and into this new option of funding supports. About the Guest: Sonni Charness, Founder of Guidelight Group Sonni Bendetson Charness brings over a decade of experience serving teens and adults with developmental disabilities and is an expert in community integration and employment supports. Sonni leads the team at Guidelight Group and also works personally with clients.  Sonni's work on transition-to-adulthood and employment has been published in the Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation and in Research and Practice for Persons with Severe Disabilities. Sonni has been a featured expert on the LOMAH podcast and as a presenter at countless conferences including TASH, the Supported Life Conference, and the Statewide Conference on Self-Determination.  Sonni is a member of the Board of Directors for California APSE, the state chapter of the nation’s leading advocacy organization promoting employment for people with disabilities. Sonni is a Certified Employment Support Professional (CESP), and is trained in Person-Centered Thinking and Independent Facilitation.  Sonni obtained her master's degree in special education at Vanderbilt University, where she specialized in transition-to-adulthood and employment outcomes for students with moderate/severe disabilities. Sonni earned her bachelor's degree in child development from Tufts University. Links to Mentioned Content Sonni on the LOMAH Podcast for the Transition Series - Episode #95 - School to Adult Services: Filling the Gaps Disaability Voices United Self Determination Program Connect Zoom Meetings Presentations on the San Gabriel / Pamona Regional Center YouTube channel presented by Guidelight Group.

Conservatorship has long been the route to providing supports to disabled individuals with they turn 18. However, a new option called supported decision is an alternative that supports the person in making their own decisions rather than giving up rights through the conservatorship option. About the Guest: Lauren Butterworth, Esquire PLLC received her Bachelor of Science from Penn State in education and was a teacher prior to returning to school for her law degree. She now owns her own law firm specializing in guardianship, powers of attorney, estate planning, trusts, and educational advocacy. Mentioned Links: Financial Planning Series - LOMAH Podcast episodes 101 - 112 National Resource Center for Supported Decision Making Special Needs Alliance Laurens FaceBook page

Geege Taylor, who you may know from the reality TV show Leave it to Geege, joins Kim for a reflective chat. They both have been parenting autistic children for over 18 years and have a list of things they feel they did really well as well as a few things they would have done differently.    About the Guest: About the Guest: Geege Taylor Geege Taylor is an autism advocate and writer who produces and stars in Leave it to Geege, a reality series on The Lifetime Network. The show celebrates autism and follows the zany adventures of her family, including her 19 year old non speaking son, “Pootie,” along with a lively cast which features three other young adults with autism. She makes her home in Athenns, GA with her children and describes herself as a “happy hermit” who loves to get under blankets, eat junk food, and watch TV. You can connect with Geege on IG @geegetayor or FB @angiegeegedudley Leave it to Geege can be streamed on your cable network, the lifetime app, or at  mylifetime.com To hear Geege discuss dignity and hygiene, scroll LOMAH Podcast episodes from Season 3 and find Episode 78: Dignity and Hygiene from June, 2019.  

Our family barely survived and is just now emerging from a hard two years that where spiraling into aggression, self injury, and rapid regression for Miranda. It took intention to make it through to the other side as a caregiver. This episode shares some of the struggles and impact they had on Kim's mental and emotional health. Joining and contributing to the conversation is Mary Susan McConnell. Kim and Mary Susan swap caregiving stories and strategies that point to the truth that hard seasons are to be expected in the journey so it is important to have strategies that protect our physical, mental, and emotional health.  Mary Susan's heart beats big for caregivers and she is continually creating and sharing content to help us be our best selves for our kids. She has created a free downloadable book, a podcast, an online corse for entrepreneurs, an online corse to help caregivers reimagine their world, daily words of encouragement delivered to earbuds each morning, downloadables such as a free coloring book, a master folder for the most important caregiving information, and a  list of small things we can do (think twinkle lights!) to bring more joy in the day to day, 1:1 coaching opportunities, and more! Find all of these things at marysusanmcconnell.com

We have set a deadline for Miranda to be independent of us, her parents by the age of 22. While she will always require significant care and continual supervision, we have a 5 year plan to phase those supports to others while at the same time honoring her life as a young adult. We are now 4 years out. Listen to the 5 years out episode published January of 2021 before this one where we are 4 years out. The 5 years out episode from last year goes into the details of the overall plan and the why's behind those decisions. This episode shares how things are coming along and what will need to be accomplished this year in order to stay on track.

In this first episode of year/season 6, the first 10 minutes lay out what is to come in the new mini series. The last 15 minutes are spent sharing personal situations that have impacted the family.

The therapy series included 10 interviews challenging us to consider the why and how behind therapy choices. This episode offers snippets from each conversation. Thus concludes our 5th year and 5th season. The LOMAH Podcast will return in January with a life update about the many big changes taking place as we march closer and closer to Miranda's adult years. There is a lot happening! Late January or early February will bring the start of a new series. Be sure you have tapped subscribe and/or follow on your podcast app so those episodes find their way to you. Wishing you the happiest of holidays!