The most common settings for occupational, physical, and speech therapy are clinics, schools, homes, and in the community. This episode explores the pros and cons of each and introduces the new series where we rethink the what, when, where, why, and how of therapies we choose to use. About the Guest: Sara Hall, OTR/L Sara Hall is a pediatric occupational therapist and the owner of SOAR Pediatric Therapy, a community-based private practice specializing in unique and tailored therapy services...

In this final episode of the literacy series, Kim shares how she is implementing into Miranda's literacy instruction what the guests have taught and what she has learned from the book Comprehensive Literacy for All. Along with specific episode/guest mentions from the series and page references from the book Kim shares: How at the beginning of the series it was confusing to understand the way literacy and communication were and were not the same when using a speech generating device. What...

She was denied access to appropriate educational opportunities and a robust communication system for the first 18 years of life. But now, she has a degree in education policy and is a grad student studying curriculum instruction for the severely disabled. A self advocate shares what it was like to live with trapped thoughts for 18 years and what was helpful and harmful on her journey toward communication and literacy. About the Guest: Jordyn Zimmerman, B.Ed. Jordyn is a graduate student of...

Despite what research tells us about time learners need in emergent literacy environments,  learners with CVI and significant disabilities are often expected to immediately jump into conventional strategies. This episode shares emergent literacy strategies, specifically in writing, for learners who have difficulty seeing and who have significant physical impairments.  About the Guest: Gretchen Hanser, PhD Dr. Hanser has worked in the field of assistive technology and literacy for students...

If it’s not in the IEP then there is a good chance it won’t be an educational priority. Comprehensive literacy involves several areas of instruction. What should assessments and goals look like when using comprehensive literacy approaches toward literacy? About the Guest Stephanie Spadorcia is the chair of the Teaching and Learning department, which consists of Early Childhood, Elementary. Middle School, High School, and Special Education programs. Her research and teaching focuses on...

Bringing all learners, regardless of disability, to a place of literacy is going to require specialized skill sets from the therapy team, leadership from the special education teacher, involvement of para professionals, and follow through at home. This episode offers insight from a public high school education team that have discovered how bring it all together for comprehensive literacy instruction. About the Guests: Ashley Larisey is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist and clinical...

Changes require new ideas and ways of thinking. When considering literacy instruction and the teams responsible, where is the path of least resistance? This episode is a brainstorming session yielding ideas such as whole team vs segmented IEP writing, how to spearhead a comprehensive literacy movement in your school, and how Covid may have introduced models of instruction that bring more consistency to each child’s team. About the Guest: Christopher R. Bugaj, MA CCC-SLP Joining us is...

Many educators are required by their district to use prepackaged curriculum sets. While these sets are very user friendly, they often do not follow a comprehensive literacy approach to learning and assume reading level equates thinking level. As a result, many learners are either left behind or lack access to age appropriate materials and cognitive concepts. About the Guest: Don Johnston, M.S. Don didn’t read his first book until the 9th grade after he was inspired by a very special teacher....

Comprehensive literacy instruction at the emergent stage includes shared reading, predictable chart writing, alphabet and phonological awareness, writing, and self directed reading. Comprehensive literacy instruction at the conventional stage includes reading comprehension, word study, writing, and self directed reading. This episode gives a fly on the wall look at how to put all of these aspects together to support literacy instruction should you have your learner for the entire day, or only...

Is there a part of you doubting literacy is truly possible for ALL learners regardless of degree of disability? Or, perhaps you are on the other side of the ring trying to convince others that lacking the ability to see, or move extremities, or speak does not exclude literacy possibilities. This conversation addresses common belief barriers and removes them with a new vision from an educator who has experienced the truth that literacy is truly possible for ALL. About the Guest: Dr. Caroline...

Given the right accommodations everyone is capable of reading and writing, even those with the most significant physical disabilities. This is the first of 3 episodes tucked into our 15 episode literacy series that will focus specifically on learners with physical disabilities. Here, we learn of several tools that make literacy instruction accessible and how to choose the best accommodations. About the Guest: Gretchen Hanser, PhD Dr. Hanser has worked in the field of assistive technology and...

It is important for learners with disabilities to have ample time in emergent reading and writing skills so as to build a solid platform for conventional literacy strategies. How do you know when that platform is ready to support more complex literacy instruction? This episode answers that question and lays out the areas to focus on when teaching conventional reading strategies, specifically for learners with disabilities. About the Guest: Dr. Sally Clendon Sally Clendon, PhD is a...

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. About the Guest: Jane Farrall Jane Farrall is a speech pathologist and special educator passionate about literacy, AAC and assistive technology. After 30 years in the disability and assistive technology field, she has lots of practical experience working with people with...

Often 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. About the Guest Sofia Benson-Goldberg PhD, CC-SLP works as a research assistant at the Center for Literacy and Disability Studies. Prior to starting her PhD studies, Sofia had her dream clinical job...

Literacy 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 on learners utilizing speech generating devices. About the Guest: Tina Moreno, M.A. CCC-SLP is a speech-language pathologist with the Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities in Cleveland, Ohio. She earned her undergraduate degree from Kent State University and attained her...

The tide is beginning to shift regarding how literacy is approached for students with disabilities, specifically those with complex communication needs. The first step 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...

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.   We recommend purchasing a copy of the book Comprehensive Literacy for All by Karen Erickson and David...

Turning 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. About the Guest Trudy Marsh Grable is a long-time advocate in the field of disability issues, family support, and services....

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

We are deviating from our typical format of deep diving with expert guests into a topic for a 12 episode series. Rather, we are spending 3 episodes to share 3 things (we hope) that will be happening for Miranda this year. In this episode we discuss our hope that she will return to school. The last two years have been a mix of public school, homeschool,  NPS heartbreak, and Covid. In this episode Kim shares the roller coaster they can't seem to exit. The ride has offered deep disappointments...

2021 Is looking like it might be a big year. In this episode Kim shares three big things on the horizon for Miranda.  Find Kim on Instagram as Journey2Lomah

Kim picked 5 episodes that have had the greatest influence on her approach to disability and future plans. Listen to this republished episode from season 2 where a new friendship was formed that has continued to present day. While not the topic of this episode, the conversation opened Kim’s eyes to a gaping hole in her circle of friends.  **Special Note** The next series will begin late January or early February of 2021. To ensure these episodes find their way to you, tap subscribe on your...

This mini series revisits 5 previous published episodes.  The 4th is a republished episode from Season 2 and is without question a unicorn in the line up of over 125 shows. The LOMAH Podcast has earned a reputation of providing dense information and episodes so packed with resources that many listen to episodes more than once, and often take notes. This republished episode from season 2 is different and yet is Kim’s favorite interview that she has ever done. It was randomly tucked into the...

This mini series revisits 5 previous published episodes that have had the greatest influence on Kim's approach to disability and future plans. The LOMAH Podcast has earned a reputation over 4 seasons, 4 years and 125 episodes of being a resource with high caliber guests providing dense information. Kim learns from the expert guests right alongside listeners. About this episode: If you, in any way, have an interest in creating lives of value, choice, and dignity for those with disabilities...

This mini series revisits 5 previous published episodes that were game changers for Kim, Miranda, and the family. The LOMAH Podcast has earned a reputation over 4 seasons, 4 years and 125 episodes of being a resource with high caliber guests providing dense information. Kim learns from the expert guests right alongside listeners. Kim picked 5 episodes that have had the greatest influence on her approach to disability and future plans. What Kim learned from the guest in this previously...