More Than Special

With suicide being the number one cause of death among young people in Colorado and is the most preventable form of death, we discuss the causes of and ways to prevent this sad and unallowable statistic. 70% of teens with depression or other mental health issues do not receive mental health interventions. Often isolation and loneliness are sited as the number one correlation with suicidal ideation and depression. This is pre-COVID conditions and with COVID bringing additional isolation, there is a large reason for concern with an increase in depression and potential for increased suicide rates.

We discuss the how to identify the various levels of concern with children eating problems with two Speech and Language Pathologists from Solace Pediatric Healthcare, Mona Horn and Jenni DiGiacinto. When should you reach out to your pediatrician for a referral to a feeding therapist for an evaluation? What types of problems can be helped with by engaging the services of a feeding therapist? What is the difference between being picky and concerning? Solace has also started providing in-home services remotely which has greatly increased access to families in rural communities.

We review the concepts of Equine assisted therapy, Hippo therapy, adaptive riding and therapeutic riding to assist with individuals working on improving their regulation, connection with the world around them (proprioception), gaining confidence, and other therapeutic and rehabilitative needs. With a well trained and balanced animal, humans seem to increase their speed of recovery or decrease their hesitations with finding success with therapies. Along with a trained Speech Therapist, Occupational Therapist or Mental Health Therapist, an animal (anything from bunnies to dogs to horses and more) can help improve outcomes toward goals for individuals from children through adulthood.

We review a common deficit in children with autism where they have difficulties understanding that others have different thoughts, beliefs, intents, desires, emotions and knowledge. We review how this is different than empathy, although commonly they are used to describe behavior of understanding where someone else is coming from. There is a need for more research to continue to grow our knowledge of these skills some people have and others do not or have less of. Theory of Mind deficits occur in higher frequency with people on the Autism Spectrum, with Schizophrenia but does not correlate with mental deficits related to aging and does not correlate with IQ. These deficits reduce a persons ability to learn through observing others which is a main way most children learn in school and we learn in the workplace. Through uses of educational interventions, ABA and other techniques, improvements are observed and can lead to lifelong improvements.

We meet with Lauren Burgess and discuss how employment is a high concern for individuals on the Autism Spectrum and with other physical or developmental disabilities. We will discuss the statistics related to unemployment and underemployment with these populations as well as what employers may need to consider to bring these valuable individuals to their work places. Between self-employment options and supported employment, many options are available to individuals in our communities. We will discuss how you can help yourself or an individual who identifies as having a disability to find satisfying and enjoyable work that pays a wage that is the same as their non-disabled peers.

We talk with Attorney, Jack Robinson, about questions many families face with regard to special education. Topics that are reviewed include how parents can go from having initial concerns about their child's development and learning to be able to access services that are included with Special Education through the laws set out by IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. We will look at how things are intended to go for these families and answer questions about when the family hits a road block or the child changes their progress and needs new services, possibly in a different location or even at a home setting. What is an IEP, anyway? What is FAPE and LRE? Are you getting the best services possible for your situation? We review resources for families to look into including having an advocate, a parent who has gone through the process for support, an attorney and/or an outside provider to receive services.

Ash Gorman and Germaine Seufert discuss the importance of mentoring and social involvement for children from all backgrounds and histories to increase their confidence and likelihood of them making positive impacts in their communities. All children benefit from having positive role models in their lives. All children benefit from participating in group activities with peers. Children in the special needs community are no different. They may benefit even more from these types of activities. We discuss where to go to find resources and when a provider should make a referral and who that might be to.

Addressing Severe Behavior Safely is key to working with individuals who may have trauma histories and or language delays and are using dangerous and aggressive behaviors to meet their needs. These behaviors may have been building over time or may be unique and just show up. By using a Practical Functional Assessment and Trauma Informed Behavioral Analysis, parents, providers and community members can reduce children's involvement with Child Protection, Jail or Prison, use of Chemical Sedation, and Suspensions or Expulsions from school settings. Having less injury to self and others creates happier and more stable homes for families to live and grow in. These skills are Preventative and Proactive and can be used by any level of person.

In the introductory episode of More Than Special, Germaine Seufert reviews how she began in the field of working with children with developmental disabilities, mental health concerns and behavioral diagnoses. She reviews the key topics that will be reviewed including: the aging population of Autistic individuals with less supports in adulthood, the School to Prison Pipeline, non-parental guardians, Special Education considerations and law, Health Insurance considerations and law, extended family as a support system, Employment difficulties and successes, co-occurring disorders, rural vs. urban considerations for diagnosis and treatment, a technology review, and sensitive topics like sex and sexuality.