Regional Integrated Human Services Inc. Developmental Services

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Quirky.Stimmy.Cool - My Communication Bill Of Rights A local school recently denied an autistic child the ability to use their AAC in a way that the student us...es and personally requested. This child has a diagnosed language disability, and qualifies for an iep based on both autism and a language learning disorder. The school denied providing AAC. The parents are currently trying to get clarification whether the student will have the ability to bring their own AAC device and app (and use it with appropriate modeling). But that’s only half of the requested AAC communication style that the student uses and asked for. The other half is for the teachers to use it and have access to it on their own device. So even if the child brings in their own, the school’s denial of AAC being used with them is still denying the communication style that the child uses and requested. So far no response yet. Which is concerning. The school used this quote to explain why they won’t provide it. We often say in the AAC world that giving someone a ‘communication device doesn't make them an effective communicator any more than having a piano makes you a musician" (Beukelman, 1991).’ Except, and here’s the kicker, if someone uses a quote to deny a human their basic rights, they should probably read the whole passage where it was published to learn context. Here’s the whole statement: A piano alone doesn’t make a pianist, nor does a basketball make an athlete. Likewise, AAC alone doesn’t make one a competent, proficient communicator (Beukelman, 1991). Those who rely on AAC begin as AAC novices and evolve in competence to become AAC experts with appropriate support, instruction, practice, and encouragement. Therefore, AAC options must be provided to them in a timely manner so that they can become competent and proficient communicators. Not only is denying AAC in a school setting unacceptable, it’s illegal under the ADA. (The ADA requires that title II entities (State and local governments) and title III entities (businesses and nonprofit organizations that serve the public) communicate effectively with people who have communication disabilities. The goal is to ensure that communication with people with these disabilities is equally effective as communication with people without disabilities.) -link below The ADA specifically explains (in this link: https://www.ada.gov/effective-comm.htm) how it’s up to the disabled individual to choose how to communicate. The child in this post has specifically stated how they want to communicate, and does so with both AAC and spoken words. Thankfully the parent understands that the ADA over rides IDEA. (https://www2.ed.gov/.../memosdc.../doe-doj-eff-comm-faqs.pdf) Using pro aac research (and a dated quote) to deny aac, is ironic. So Do you work in a school? Do you have any say in what goes into an iep? Good. Please read: Don’t deny a child the access to communicate in a way they need, or want. Give students, especially autistic students, the opportunity to learn how to communicate in different ways so that they can have the ability to communicate in all different levels of emotional and energy experiences. Link to whole article from the quote by Beukelman, Augmentative & Alternative Communication Supporting Children and Adults with Complex Communication Needs: https://brookespublishing.com/.../Beukelman-First-Proofs... The quote is on page 11 and 12. What is AAC? Here’s a link: https://www.assistiveware.com/learn-aac/what-is-aac Image description: Multiple pictures of humans interacting according to these words: I am a person with a communication disability. I communicate using a communication system or device. This is can be called my book, my talker or my AAC. These are my rights: 1. I have the right to my own friends and social life. 2. I have the right to ask for what I want, who I want or where I want to go. 3. I ALWAYS have the right to say, no! 4. I have the right to say what I feel. 5. I have the right to make my own, real, choices. 6. I have the right to say what I think, how I want to say it. 7. I have the right to ask for, get and give information about myself, my life, my schedule or anything that changes. 8. I have the right to know about the people in my life and everything happening to me. 9. I have the right to have EVERYTHING I need to be able to communicate and to be taught how to communicate. 10. I have the right to be heard and answered, even if I can’t have what I want. 11. I have the right to have my communication system (and other tools), to have them working and to be with people who know how to set up, use and fix my communication system. 12. I have the right to be part of my community, in the way that works best for me, and for my communication to be as important as everyone else’s. 13. I have the right to be treated with respect. 14. I have the right to be talked with and not about. 15. I have the right to be talked with in a way I understand. Like and Share our FB page facebook.com/JasonsConnection, visit our site JasonsConnection.org, and follow us twitter.com/JasonConnection and instagram.com/JasonsConnection. Let's Be The Help We Need!

still need to get your #COVID19 vaccine? KinderCare Learning Centers, LearningCare Group and The Y are offering FREE child care to all parents and caregivers who are getting vaccinated or recovering from vaccination now through July 4! : https://bit.ly/3qksZAc

Early Childhood Resource Event Free Items and Resources for Families Birth to 5 If you reside in Westmoreland County, stope by this FREE event and get access to... new items and learn about early childhood programming available in the county. FREE diapers (sized newborn - 2), children's hygiene items, children's clothing (baby - size 6), and more! When: July 9, 2021 Time: 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Location: Westmoreland Intermediate Unit Parking Lot, 102 Equity Dr., Greensburg, PA 15601 Register to attend: https://westmorelandjuly21.eventbrite.com Download the flyer: https://www.co.westmoreland.pa.us//Early-Childhood-Summer- Special thanks to our partners: United Way of Southwestern PA, Early Intervention LICC, Westmoreland Community Action, Westmoreland Intermediate Unit, Achieva Early Intervention, Seton Hill Child Services, Adelphoi, accessAbilities, ELRC, Wesley Family Services, and Westmoreland County Lead Hazard Control & Healthy Homes Program

Many kids go hungry when school lets out for summer. Find free, nutritious meals for children age 18 and younger by texting FOOD to 877-877, or visit http://fns.usda.gov/summerfoodrocks.

The Children's Museum of Pittsburgh is offering their last Museum @ Home grab and go kit of the year! Stop by the museum to pick up a free Museum @ Home grab and go kit on Tuesday, December 22 at 4pm, there are 100 kits available. Further details are included below.

Pick up a Candycane Craft at the Penn Area Library this week! No registration is required. Call 724-744-4414 once you are at the library to pick up your craft kits curbside.

Miss Gabi's Art is Good Studio is offering a FREE Holiday Drawing Class on December 22 at 6:00pm. For more information, see details below.

Free Virtual Paint-a-long happening today!

Santa is coming to Delmont! Tonight is the night! Parade starts 5pm. Station House 7 is also having Ash and Kris food truck and the Salvation Army will be at th...e boro building after the parade. Thanks to the Delmont Boro and Share the Joy for hosting the cheerful holiday event! Bundle up and come into town! See more

If you live in the Norvelt area, Norvelt Pizzeria is handing out 1 large, 12 cut pepperoni pizza to the first 200 people who go to their pizzeria on January 5. They want to give back to their community and help those in need. Further information is listed below.