Education To Enrich the Lives of Those With Disabilities

Historically, those that work with the physically challenged have been well meaning staff persons that are invested in the system and/or their client but are generally sorely undereducated. Both professionals and non professionals in this field tend to be recognized as simply "do gooders". IUPUI Indianapolis has created new and innovative programming that hopes to change this perception. They have recently announced a changing curriculum that will include courses and certificates in special needs individuals and their families.

Programs that focus on individuals with disabilities and their families have been scarce. At best, schools of psychology and social work have offered recognition of this service line but not continued programming, certainly contributing to the lack of current professionals working in this field. The IUPUI School of Social Work has developed a program that not only centers on the disabled population but their families as well. The program was designed to encompass students with a variety of abilities. Attracting students with disabilities can only serve to heighten awareness of their classmates without disabilities. Another unique aspect of this program is that it was designed to not only welcome students of social work but also psychology, nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy and kinesiology. Enhancing skills in connecting individuals to additional resources in order to enhance personal independence is another element of this program.

Many communities strongly discourage independent living arrangements for individuals with disabilities. One component of the innovative IUPUI program is that students have the opportunity to advocate for policy changes that will educate communities about this population. Hopefully, this will be a start in dispelling stereotypes and discrimination. Dean Patchner of the IUPUI School of Social Work has commented that, "There is a lot of education and advocacy to do. There are many skills involved, from leading small groups to working with families to advocacy. This program is designed to train students with all those skills."

This type of programming is what is needed to bring about a systems change in this field and it is a nice fit with the core values of Bridges of Indiana such as advocacy, respect and dignity and quality staff. Bridges of Indiana is also committed to hiring educated individuals equipped with the skills needed to succeed in this challenging service line. Please contact your local Bridges of Indiana office for more information.

Respectfully submitted,

Elizabeth Nelson, MSW

Behavior Clinician

Kids with Disabilities Connecting with College

There is a misconception out there that kids with disabilities are not able or welcome or capable in attending secondary education. The reality is that one in six kids in public schools has some sort of disability. Many of these children graduate high school with some sort of diploma but what then? One particular Midwest program has begun to cater to individuals with disabilities in their quest to gain secondary education and fulfill their vocation goals. Elmhurst College in Chicago has expanded their Learning and Success Academy with a student population that has diagnoses that include Down’s syndrome, Autism, and ADD. ELSA provides kids with the total college experience including both dorm rooms and off campus housing. They provide a generalized academic curriculum as well as classes that improve time management, career goals and independent living skills. The ELSA program has graduated 19 students and 24 students are currently enrolled. The key to Elsa’s success is that disabled students participate with the general student body even if they are living at home. Educational coaches assist students in setting academic and career goals and each student is required to complete some sort of voluntary community service.

DePaul University and University of Iowa both have programs geared toward students with intellectual disabilities. The University of Wisconsin has 80 student slots set aside for students graduating from high school with a modified curriculum. The goals of each of these programs are not to graduate students with advanced doctoral degrees but to graduate students with certain marketable skills that will promote independent living in the future.

If you are a parent looking for secondary educational options for your child; there are resources out there but you must be diligent and tenacious. One website in particular is geared toward kids with disabilities exploring college options. weconnectnow.wordpress.com is a comprehensive site geared toward resources and access programming access and advocacy. They steer kids toward job and college fairs as well as exploring a myriad of diagnoses. So get out there and explore your options, connect with the appropriate websites and don’t give up! A post high school education is right around the corner. (Reference: The Chicago Tribune 11/9/2011)

Respectfully Submitted,

Elizabeth Nelson,  MSW
Behavior Clinician

Music Therapy Credited with Gifford Recovery

Congresswoman Gabby Gifford and her husband, astronaut Mark Kelly, have allowed several interviews lately crediting Gabby’s recovery, in part, to music therapy. Giffords was injured last year after a horrific shooting at an Arizona shopping center. She was shot in the brain and has to relearn to walk and talk.

The brain is a bevy of connections with those connections that are utilized the most becoming stronger over time. The weaker ones become weaker but do not disappear. Neurologists can map the various brain functions and are able to understand which tasks are learned in which parts of the brain. Language is stored in the left side of the brain but music can activate visual, motor and coordination on both sides of the brain. Music also can invoke memory and emotion. Gifford’s music therapist has indicated that "nothing activates the brain as extensively as music".

Music is often used to recover speech not just from those injured but also from those with developmental disabilities. All developmental domains can be advanced with the use of music therapy. Cognitively, music therapy can assist with focusing and awareness. It can calm anxiety. Music therapy can stimulate and organize muscle response by utilizing rhythm. Song and dance can improve social skills and encourage cooperation with others. Often times, it can also raise the level of self esteem and communication, as proven by the work with Gabby Giffords. Emotional outbursts are often diminished by the use of this therapy.

Bridges of Indiana is currently serving the music therapy needs in the Muncie, Indianapolis, Terre Haute, Vincennes and Evansville areas. Our therapists will demonstrate that music therapy is a powerful tool in stimulating response both physically and mentally. Don’t hesitate to contact your local Bridges of Indiana office or therapies@bridgesofindiana.com for more information.

Submitted by,

Elizabeth Nelson, MSW

Behavior Clinician