Amy Bonham is the Special Needs Ministry Administrator for Victory Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma. As a mother of three, she shares her journey with her middle son, who has autism. For a season, she laid aside her thriving community and successful teaching career to be a stay-at-home mom. A life-long learner with a servant's heart, she diligently learned all she could to help her son. God used her school administration, teaching, and curriculum development expertise to launch Champions Club for her church. Knowing that individuals with autism repeat what they hear, she introduced her son to prayer, the Bible, and worship at an early age. Through her story, you will receive encouragement to abide in Christ and to help your kids fulfill their purpose as you fulfill your own. Contact Amy Bonham: [email protected] A Special Purpose: http://aspecialpurpose.org/ 

Little Light House: https://www.littlelighthouse.org

Keith Boyd, an LLH alumnus with spastic quadriplegia, communicates with a Tobii Dynavox, an eye gaze-enabled speech-generating device. His Dad and his best friend collaborated with him to share the value of AAC to unlock Keith's voice.

Little Light House: https://www.littlelighthouse.org

Lance McLemore is a brilliant young man on the autism spectrum who uses LAMP Words for Life as his primary form of communication as a result of expressive aphasia. In this conversation, he uses LAMP to share his expereinces as an AAC user. Direct inquiries about hiring Lance for speaking engagements to Center for AAC and Autism at [email protected].

Little Light House: https://www.littlelighthouse.org

John Halloran, SLP, and creator of LAMP, joins us to share the origin story of the therapy approach called LAMP (Language Acquisition Through Motor Planning) and the assistive technology tool called LAMP Words for Life. Learn more about how the Little Light House, a LAMP Center of Excellence, integrates communication tools to support the speech and language development of students who are experiencing delays in those areas. Center for AAC and Autism https://www.aacandautism.com/

HKBK Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/helpingkidspodcast

Have you ever wondered, "What is AAC, and why would I want to use it with my child?" Stefanie Olson, an Assistive Technology Practitioner, explains the benefits of AAC. She assures that AAC does not prevent a child from learning how to speak. It can be a temporary or lifetime support. The LLH uses a therapy approach called LAMP (Language Acquisition Through Motor Planning) and an AT tool called LAMP Words for Life to support our students' speech and language development who are experiencing delays in those areas. Her top three recommendations are to get training (Center for AAC and Autism), model language on the device (without expecting the child to respond), and start early. Center for AAC and Autism https://www.aacandautism.com/

HKBK Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/helpingkidspodcast

Contact Amy Bonham: [email protected]

HKBK Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/helpingkidspodcast

Being a parent is a big responsibility. Former Little Light House special education teacher and home-school mom shares the big-picture vision and goals that helped her raise her kids to fulfill their God-given potential. This episode provides insights for creating a purposeful, joyful family culture. This practical message conveys values and practices that help parents bring out the best in their kids. Jody affirms that God will not give us more than we can handle with His grace, love, and wisdom and encourages us to ask God to help you see your child from His perspective.

HKBK Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/helpingkidspodcast

Let’s face it, trying to determine how to guide our kid’s use of technology can produce a lot of anxiety. Especially while we are staying at home for work and school. How do you determine what’s best for your family? Assistive Technology Practitioner and down to earth mother-of-two is here to give perspective and grace on this timely subject. Resources: Media and Young Minds (Policy Statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics): https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/138/5/e20162591; Media and Children Communication Toolkit: https://www.aap.org/en-us/advocacy-and-policy/aap-health-initiatives/Pages/Media-and-Children.aspx; Create your personalized family media use plan here: www.HealthyChildren.org/MediaUsePlan

HKBK Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/helpingkidspodcast

Let's get messy! If your child receives Occupational Therapy, you've most likely heard of messy play or sensory play. Our OTs are here to demystify and simplify messy play. It's just playing that incorporates the senses, and it's fun! We'll help you think like a therapist and give ideas to have fun with your kids while engaging all of their senses.

HKBK Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/helpingkidspodcast

It's been a year now since the stay-at-home orders, and COVID precautions went into effect. To support you in your parenting at home, we are launching the "Parenting through the Pandemic" series. Our first topic, literacy, focuses on one of the powerful practices of intentional parenting: reading aloud with your child. Today we guide you through the stages your child will go through in their pre-literacy journey with activity suggestions, book recommendations, and ideas to use literacy to support therapy and child development. 

Here is a slideshow for today's message: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1tvQ-tZZES9_TDY99n33YBBtH4trkC5zYLbvMbFTR4E4/edit?usp=sharing.

HKBK Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/helpingkidspodcast