Tag: ABA

#118 | Lilac Learning Center | Non Public Agency School for Students with ASD

#118 | Lilac Learning Center | Non Public Agency School for Students with ASD

In this episode Holly connects with the owner of Lilac City Behavioral Services to learn about their new school, Lilac Learning Center, which opened this past October. Lilac Learning Center is a non public agency option that is a good fit for students ages 14 to 21 who require a high level of support that is not able to be met by the student’s home district. Listen in to find out if Lilac Learning Center might be a good fit for your loved one touched by autism.

Resources from this podcast

Lilac Learning Center

Current Nonpublic Agencies

Public schools are required to provide a free appropriate public education (FAPE) to students with disabilities ages 3-21 who are eligible for special education. If a student’s special education needs cannot be met by their resident district, the district may contract with an approved NonPublic Agency (NPA). The NPA provides the student’s special education and related services that are determined through the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process.

 

Washington Administrative Code related to Non Public Agencies

https://apps.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=392-172A-04090

 

#117 | Ascend Academy Private School for Children with Autism

#117 | Ascend Academy Private School for Children with Autism

This week, Jim Matthews that many of you know as the Director of Soar Behavioral Services, shared exciting news! He is opening the first of its kind private K-5 school for children on the autism spectrum in Spokane, Washington. Ascend Academy is accepting applications through December 10th for priority placing. The school will be opening this January and is an excellent fit for students who are struggling with emotional regulation and have behaviors that make school challenging.

Listen to our podcast to learn more about this exciting opportunity.

Resources:

Visit the AscendAcademy.org for more information.

For more specific questions, please reach out to Ascend Academy at Hello@AscendAcademy.org

Episode #108 | The ABA Debate with Self-Advocate John Lemus

Episode #108 | The ABA Debate with Self-Advocate John Lemus

In this episode our host, Holly is joined by Self-Advocate John Lemus. John is an experienced Outreach Coordinator and has worked extensively in the non-profit industry, specifically in disability relations. John is a strong community and social services professional and a 2015 Graduate of Leadership Spokane. We are excited to have him, and his friend/ally/advocate, Katrina Boik on our show today to discuss the highly debated topic of ABA Therapy.
Over the past few years stories of abusive practices in ABA therapies have gained attention on social media, and as a result, a percentage of the Self-Advocate community are now fierce opponents to this and other therapies/interventions used to aid in behavior modification in children with autism and related conditions. Admittedly our panel has fallen on different sides of this argument over years as they have deciphered through stories/articles, learned about the current delivery of therapy methods, and determined if their sources were based on fact or misinformation.
Listen in to hear the evolution of beliefs for John as a self-advocate; Katrina as an advocate and disabilities professional, and Holly as the parent to children on alternate sides of the spectrum as well as a disabilities professional.
References from John:
These two books are responsible for changing me from a bulldog advocate to a  more compassionate and empathic person who can see things from multiple viewpoints not just within my work but in life.
I think your wrong but I’m listening (a guide to Grace-Filled Political Conversations)
by Sarah Steward Holland and Beth Silvers
These amazing ladies also run https://www.pantsuitpoliticsshow.com/
I believe I mentioned 12 steps to a compassionate life
by Karen Armstrong.

One last book that I’ve been pushing is: Divergent mind thriving in a world that wasn’t designed for you

by Jenara Nerenbeg who is a female autistic author

(this book is currently $1.99 on iBooks)
A really great blog post from my amazingly incredible BFF Katrina Boik https://soarbehaviorwa.com/inclusive-language/
Lastly I’ve been sharing this video from Simon Sinek with some autistics that talks about stop championing blunt honesty. It talks about how to adapt  and how to still be honest without being an asshole https://fb.watch/7udTXgeBNU/