As we celebrate Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, we are sharing information about specific developmental disabilities. Developmental disabilities are a group of conditions due to an impairment in physical, learning, language, or behavior areas. About one in six children in the U.S. have one or more developmental disabilities or other developmental delays. One condition that causes…
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Celebrating Achievement – Katie Boland
Throughout Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month we celebrate the achievements of people impacted by a developmental disability. Katie Boland Early on in life Katie Boland, honored with the 2020 Darcus Nims Self-Advocate of the Year Award, learned that self-advocacy would help her live her best life. Katie was born with Williams Syndrome; a rare genetic condition…
Social Injustice Statement
It is Time for Action As we have all watched the news across the country over the past several weeks, the social injustice that continues to take place in our country can no longer be denied. It is wrong, it is heart breaking, it is frustrating, and it is terrifying. For anyone in America to…
In honor of Jackie Robinson and Carl Erskine
Jackie and Jimmy – my two best buddies – live out a simple truth that we are all equal and that the dignity of the individual is paramount in a healthy world. – Carl Erskine Very powerful words from a smart, accomplished, kind, and generous man. We know him as Carl Erskine, friend of The…
An Open Thank You Letter to My Mom
“I realized when you look at your mother, you are looking at the purest love you will ever know.” Mitch Albom Dear Mom, With my recent job change in the field of disability, I have found myself pondering more intensely your journey as a mother to a son who happens to have a disability. Your…
Imagine – A Gift of Grace
Sometimes it is the people who no one imagines anything of who do the things that no one can imagine. The movie The Imitation Game shares the story of mathematician Alan Turing, who works to break the German’s enigma code with help from fellow mathematicians. Turning is portrayed as an individual who may be on…
Walking for My Niece, Nephew and All Impacted by Autism
by Katie Batagianis Recently, while my husband and I were watching a basketball game on television, I noticed that one of the coaches was wearing a lapel pin in the shape of a puzzle piece, the nationally recognized symbol for Autism Spectrum Disorder. I looked up the coach, Jason Kidd of the Brooklyn Nets, and…
Leaving The Institution for A Life In The Community
by Jeff Huffman As I walked the empty halls, I peered into the empty rooms, celebrating the new lives of the residents we moved, but silently grieving for those that lived and passed away in these walls over the years. As I started our consulting company little did I think that one of my first…
Standards Set for Registered Behavioral Technicians
The Behavior Analyst Certification Board has announced the standards for a new credential for Registered Behavioral Technicians “The BACB is pleased to announce the standards for the BACB’s newest credential – the Registered Behavior Technician™ (RBT™) … the BACB’s Board of Directors authorized the development of this new credential to establish training standards for behavior…
Did You Know? Learn about Children’s Special Health Care Services
Did you know… Indiana has a program called Children’s Special Health Care Services (CSHCS). CSHCS provides additional medical coverage for children under the age of 21 who have serious, chronic medical conditions such as autism, cerebral palsy, chromosomal disorders, complicated medical conditions, and many others. This is a great program because it can provide coverage…