If you happen to be (or want to be) in the New England area at the end of November, you should consider registering for this year's Assistive Technology Conference of New England.
Hosted by Tech Access of RI, the Rhode Island ATAP affiliate with focus on educational supports, this year's conference has expanded to include a full day workshop option on Thursday November 19th as well as its comprehensive 24 session workshop day on Friday November 20th. Click HERE for full listings!
I am proud to say that I have been part of the planning committee for the past two years and this year is especially awesome. Between the expansion into a two day conference as well as the Bringing Access to Life Expo which features New England vendors, programs and agencies with special talents and abilities highlighting work and leisure, the ATCNE 2015 is sure to inspire you.
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| Therapeutic Sailing |
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| Purely Patrick |
Kelly Charlebois, Director of Tech Access of Rhode Island, is "most excited about the diversity of the content of the program and the ability to offer full day, in-depth workshops!"
She should be because the list of presenters is awesome! Can't make it to ATIA? Well, there will be at least three national presenters at this year's pre conference. Mike Marrotta, AT specialist at Inclusive Technology Solutions, will be presenting his Google Bootcamp. Diana Petschauer and Alyssa Marinaccio will be addressing Apps across the Curriculum and Kelly Fonner will be discussing Successful Implementation of AAC Apps. Professionals can also obtain continuing education credits certified by the AAC Institute.
I'm excited to go through Boot Camp this year with Mike Marotta, but I have seen both Diana's and Alyssa's presentations last year which helped me greatly develop an extensive repertoire of resources to use in daily practice. I am sure you will be highly satisfied with anything in which you chose to participate.
As with years past, the conference will be hosted at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, located in Warwick, Rhode Island. Accommodations and food have been excellent in the years that I have attended this conference. You can attend either a single day or the two-day conference. But tickets are selling out fast. Make sure to reserve your spot and be a part of something great. If you can't attend but want to support Tech Access and people with disabilities, check out the accessories designed in conjunction with Chubby Chico.
Margaret Rice received her Masters in Physical Therapy 21 years ago from Columbia University after obtaining her Bachelor of Science in Physical Education. Your Therapy Source first started out strictly as a company in 2007, then established itself with a web presence one year later. Your Therapy Source's blog is now in its sixth year of publication in which it "specializes in electronic documents for pediatric occupational and physical therapists. [YTS] publishes a FREE digital magazine monthly for pediatric OTs and PTs. You can subscribe to our email list on our home page at http://www.YourTherapySource.com"
On her blog, Margaret shares a variety of her favorite back to school tips. 10 Back to School Tips for School Based Therapists reiterates organizational keys to facilitate a successful year for everyone involved in the students' care. And if you are looking for tangible therapeutic activities, who can resist items like free printables for the fall or 8 Print and Go Ideas for Indoor Recess?
But the biggest advice Margaret could share comes from her therapeutic 'ah-ha' moment. "As a pediatric therapist, a 5 year old taught me my most important lesson (thankfully
early in my career). Let the child
lead. Internal drive is an amazing
motivator in children. I was there
to support his goals as needed and modify the environment."
Letting the child lead sometimes gets lost along the way of access common core and testing. But as so many of the therapists from the SpOT Light Series: Discover the Therablogger, like Margaret, have shared personal stories and epiphanies that bring the focus back on the purpose of our existance: helping our clients (children, adults, whatever) access their life occupations. So, if you haven't already checked out the 14 innovative authors, take the time to do so. Inspiration just may be a click away.
So I began the September SpOT Light Series in Australia and now after many adventures in the states, I head back to Aussie to aim the SpOT Light on Anna Meadows at Kids Play Space and her innate ability to see playfulness in the world around her.
Kids Play Space began, as most blogs, as diary of sorts during her maternity leave, featuring the childhood development of Anna's son. (check out her son's Happy Feet for a good giggle). But as time passed, it became a Play Space of passion for sharing pediatric play. Just recently celebrating it's 3 year 'blogiversary', Anna continues to spread the importance of play.
"It has truly become a labour of love! It is a place where my passions for OT, health promotion, child development and play collide! OT fights for accessibility, inclusivity and thriving in everyday ‘occupations’, working closely with individuals. In the world of health promotion, it’s all about striving for ‘health for all’. Finally, as play is children’s most important occupation, my motto over at Kids Play Space has become ‘play for all’, celebrating simple learning opportunities everyday, not just for our son, but for all children."
Now in Anna's 18th year of occupational therapy service, she reflects on the uniqueness of OT that allows us as practitioners to support through the life span.
"I’ve been so fortunate to have practiced OT in so many different areas! I’ve worked in hospital, rehabilitation, and community settings, (including community centres, disability, early intervention services and special schools), with people from 0-100+ years old!"
In many of Anna's posts, she looks outside the box to incorporate the available items of her surroundings into daily play. In Balance Beams in the Real World, Anna adapts the concept of Parkour (urban play spaces) to benefit childhood development. "Kids love seeking out and conquering balance obstacles naturally."
In her Small Space Living Series, Anna reiterates that "you do NOT need a mansion, a separate play room, or a million toys, for rich play experiences. Children are very adaptable, and will learn to explore and interact with whatever space is at hand."
But it is Celebrating Boredom in Childhood that sticks out in Anna's head as a top therapeutic tip. "Ensuring that [kids] have time to be bored, explore nature, problem solve with loose parts, interact with their friends is vitally important for school aged children. I guarantee these experiences will enrich their childhood, and make them more confident, capable students."
Kids Play Space provides a variety of strategies for caregivers and therapist to promote playful interactions with everyday items and activities So if you are looking for a way to avoid "plastic fantastic", hop, skip and jump over to Australia's Kids Play Space, where Anna Meadows will make you look at your surroundings with a more playful eye.
