Our world can sometimes feel isolating, but it doesn't have to be. Thought partners can be an excellent way to grow as an educator, a family member, or even simply as a person. By finding the person that challenges your thinking while getting y

Episode 48 - Self Advocacy and New Learning

May 21st, 2024 16m 49s

Mitchell and Matt are back for another episode as they share their experience with developing self advocacy skills through planning Self Directed IEPs. Listen in to learn more about how these skills have helped them as they transitioned into po

Episode 47 - Mitchell and Matt - Reflecting On the Journey

May 7th, 2024 8m 34s

In this episode we are joined by twin brothers, Mitchell and Matt from Speaking About Autism as they share the impact that their family, educators, friends, and employers have had on their lives. As they would say, "It's all about the people."

Episode 46: Stick With It - and Welcome Those Along the Way

Apr 16th, 2024 16m 18s

Not everyone is ready to start a project or shift their thinking at the same time you are. It's important to find a delicate balance between supporting those who jump in right away while also encouraging and sharing information to those who are

Episode 45: Celebrating Differences: The Evolution of Autism Acceptance

Apr 3rd, 2024 13m 31s

In celebration of Autism Acceptance Month, Carolyn and Sara discuss the shift from Autism Awareness to Autism Acceptance. They highlight the importance of understanding, accepting, and celebrating the strengths of individuals with autism. They

Episode 44: Are Assumptions Limiting Their Potential?

Mar 19th, 2024 14m 26s

In the wake of the viral World Down Syndrome day ad, "Assume I Can," Carolyn and Sara discuss how assumptions can be limiting and imposed upon individuals with disabilities more often than those without disabilities. What biases or assumptions

Episode 43: The Importance of Team

Mar 5th, 2024 14m 50s

Teams are crucial in building inclusive schools and communities. They're often the catalyst for progress, growth, and change. In this episode, Sara and Carolyn talk about the importance of teams and how we may not always consider the extent of

Episode 42: Choose Your Hard

Feb 20th, 2024 13m 50s

Building inclusive spaces can be filled with challenges and barriers, yet we need to continue to dream, act, and move the work forward. This work is difficult, yet so incredibly important. Listen to Sara and Carolyn share their thoughts and i

Episode 41: ATIA Day 3 Recap

Feb 1st, 2024 17m 52s

Sara and Carolyn share a quick recap of a-ha moments from Day 3 (the final day) of ATIA. The sessions they attended today largely centered around collaboration, parent perspectives, and being intentional about our choices today so that life can

Episode 40: ATIA Day 2

Jan 27th, 2024 19m 44s

Sara and Carolyn share a quick recap of a-ha moments from Day 2 at ATIA. So many great nuggets of information around comprehensive literacy, self-advocacy, partnering with families, and shifting mindsets (and practices) around assistive technol

Episode 39: ATIA Day 1

Jan 26th, 2024 11m 17s

Sara and Carolyn are at ATIA in Orlando, Florida! Listen in for a quick recap of a-ha moments of our sessions including employability skills and assistive technology, the importance of communication in education, and how to support emergent wri

Episode 38: How Families Impact Education

Jan 17th, 2024 16m 58s

Families are often an untapped resource for schools and community members, yet they are a constant team member for their child from birth to graduation and beyond. Teachers change, ancillary staff members change, but family members show up at t

Episode 38: A Conversation with Texthelp

Jan 2nd, 2024 23m 22s

We are excited to be partnering with Texthelp to bring a tote-ally amazing session to the 2024 ATIA Conference in Orlando, Florida. In honor of our upcoming session, we are joined by Ruth Ziolkowski, Senior Vice President Public Policy and Part

Episode 37: What Next?

Dec 19th, 2023 12m 42s

What happens when we meet the student, the family, the colleague we didn't expect? In this episode, Sara and Carolyn share their thoughts and ideas on how powerful reflection, positive intent, and building authentic relationships can be. Than

Episode 36: Learning Forward Day 3

Dec 6th, 2023 9m 46s

Final day of Learning Forward in Washington, D.C.! Listen in for a quick recap of a-ha moments from day three and our experience with Learning Forward. We mention the Learning Forward Standards for Professional Learning in this episode. We inv

Episode 35: Learning Forward Day 2

Dec 5th, 2023 10m 13s

Sara and Carolyn are at Learning Forward in Washington, D.C.! Listen in for a quick recap of a-ha moments from day two of our learning, collaborating, and pondering. Thanks for listening and, if you haven't already, please give us a review on

Episode 34: Learning Forward Day 1

Dec 4th, 2023 9m

Sara and Carolyn are at Learning Forward in Washington, D.C.! Listen in for a quick recap of a-ha moments from Chris Emdin (keynote speaker), Jennifer Abrams (concurrent session presenter), and Delia Racines (round table facilitator). Thanks f

Episode 33: Partnering With Outside Agencies

Nov 21st, 2023 12m 24s

"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." -- Hellen Keller. In this episode, we are joined by Carolyn Parker of Stepping Stones Speech Therapy. Carolyn talks about her experience as both a school Speech-Language Pathologist and

Episode 32: Real Conversations for Real Inclusion

Nov 7th, 2023 22m 39s

It's one thing to stand on the outside and talk about how kids should be including other kids - but why not have a conversation with them directly? In this special episode, Jameson O'Hearn & Kate Pericolosi answer questions about how school is

Episode 31: CtG - Day 3

Oct 13th, 2023 6m 50s

Sara and Carolyn share their takeaways from Day 3 of Closing the Gap in Minneapolis, MN. We chat about our session from today at Closing the Gap, Taming the Advice Monster: Strategies to Support Collaborative Efforts. Thanks for listening and

Episode 30: CtG - Day 2

Oct 12th, 2023 15m 51s

Sara and Carolyn share their takeaways from Day 2 of Closing the Gap in Minneapolis, MN. We chat about sessions from Erin Sheldon, CAST, and AAC Improv! Thanks for listening and, if you haven't already, please give us a review on Apple Podcas

Episode 29: CtG - Day 1

Oct 11th, 2023 14m 54s

Sara and Carolyn share their takeaways from Day 1 of Closing the Gap in Minneapolis, MN. We chat about Amanda Soper's session today. You can find her on Instagram at: @AACreATively.Thanks for listening and, if you haven't already, please give

Episode 28: The (Negative) Power of Labels

Oct 3rd, 2023 21m 53s

Labeling an experience or a moment can help learners understand a situation or feeling, but what happens when we label learners as a whole. Terms like “low functioning” or “unmotivated” describe the learner as a whole and may inadvertently shif

Episode 27: Creating Supportive Learning Environments

Sep 5th, 2023 22m 49s

In this episode, Sara and Carolyn chat about the Ten Conditions for Learning that are present in supportive learning environments. These conditions for learning are based upon the research of Doctors David Koppenhaver and Karen Erickson. Listen

Episode 26: Setting Good Goals

Aug 15th, 2023 20m 16s

Season 2! Join Sarolyn consider components of "good" goals and why we need to stop writing goals for goals-sake. What goals are you writing this year? Help us reach our goals by sharing topics or perspectives you'd like to hear on All Means ALL