Navigating Adulthood and IDD

"Jessica Leza is a board certified music therapist originally from Houston, Texas, USA. She graduated with a Bachelor of Music in Music Composition from the University of North Texas and a Master of Arts in Music Therapy from Texas Woman’s University. Jessica completed a music therapy internship at Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center in Phoenix, AZ and has received additional training in Neurological Music Therapy (NMT). Jessica provides music therapy for developmentally disabled students in north Texas public schools, addressing the skills described on their IEPs through singing, instrument playing, movement to music, and familiar songs played on guitar. In addition to her work in music therapy, Jessica enjoys canoeing, spending time with her spouse, and pursuing special interests such as ducks, permaculture, or the visual arts."

Links and Resources from this episode 🤯:

Transcription available here: https://rhythmicrootsmusicservices.org/navigatingadulthoodandidd/episode-7-jessica-leza-neuroqueering-music-therapy-and-individualized-client-centered-work

"Hannah Gallagher is a board certified music therapist residing in Daly City, California. She is currently employed as the music therapist and person centered planning coordinator at AbilityPath, a nonprofit organization that provides services for children through adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  She received her master's degree in music therapy from the University of Iowa in 2017, moved out to the Bay Area for her music therapy internship, and has remained there since. Hannah's music therapy experience has been primarily focused around serving adults with IDD and she has a passion for educating others on the importance of person-centered planning and person-centered goals for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities."

Contact Hannah at [email protected]

I also discuss a new Fall online session plan outline for adults with IDD.

AMTA-Pro Podcast

Full transcription at: https://rhythmicrootsmusicservices.org/navigatingadulthoodandidd/episode-6-hannah-gallagher-music-therapy-virtual-and-phone-call-sessions-and-goal-setting

In this episode, I am joined by my fiancé, Josh, leading to a more casual episode. I quiz Josh on questions about IDD, which leads to more discussion and relevant questions.

Links from this episode:

Workshop Information- Music Therapy Session Planning for Adults with IDD (Sept. 3rd, 2020)

Diagnoses

DSM-5

Employment Statistics

Information on IDD (used in quiz)

Check out this conversation with Brent and Jenny Anderson of Celebrate EDU. Brent is also the creator of the Unintentional Humor series, a business he has owned for 10 years. In our conversation, we discuss employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities, including how entrepreneurship is an option for individuals with disabilities and can allow them to follow their passions. We also discuss how the community can work to continue to provide more, inclusive opportunities. I end the episode going over the July music therapy session plan.

Links from this episode: 

Celebrate EDU: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

Unintentional Humor

In this episode I speak with Olivia McGuire of Starting from Scratch about her cooking services, community, strengths of individuals with idd, and inclusion: "Olivia is the Executive Director/Founder of Starting from Scratch, currently located in the surrounding Denver/Metro area. Starting from Scratch empowers adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to discover their untapped talent and passion by developing independent living and workplace readiness skills modeled through cooking. Olivia is a strong advocate for inclusion.

With several years' experience as a Significant Support Needs Program Teacher, Career Advocate and Job Coach, she began Starting from Scratch in 2019 to support inclusion on a wider scale. Her passion and expertise showcase individualization and encompasses the outcome of Independence at Your Best. Olivia believes in fostering a community where individuals talents and capabilities are valued and celebrated.

She received her undergraduate degree in Special Education from the University of Northern Colorado- Greeley and her Master's in Special Education with a concentration in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education from Colorado University- Denver. Olivia has served in numerous volunteer roles throughout the Colorado communities, including the Foundation Fighting Blindness and Best Buddies. In 2015, she volunteered her time to teach Information and Communication Technology to over 600 learners and 40 staff in Namibia, Africa.

In her spare time, and as a Colorado native, Olivia loves to hike, snowboard, camp and travel with her husband, family and friends.

Olivia's favorite quote: "Diversity is a reality, Inclusion is a choice" - Stephen Frost"

This episode includes an interview with Christine Devereaux: "Christine Devereaux is a mom of a tiny, sassy toddler and founder of Spectrum Yoga. She has worked with kids and adults with various needs since 2007 as a Recreation Therapist in both community and clinical settings, specializing in individualized wellness and independence. She is also an Advanced Teacher of Therapeutic Yoga and receiving training in yoga therapy through the Kripalu School of Integrative Yoga Therapy. With more than 13 years experience in implementing adaptive, goal-based services including life skills, cooking, fitness/sports, and yoga/mindfulness she considers herself a “forever student,” more than a “teacher” and loves connecting with and building community with fellow yoga teachers, therapists, and parents in order to empower everyone we work with through the practices of yoga therapy and related fields."

Hear us discuss Christine's work, differences between working with adults and children, the difficulties the pandemic presents for our adult clients and how to support them, and the lack of resources for working with adults with disabilities across fields, a discussion we feel needs to happen more in our fields, as well as discussion on possible solutions. The episode ends going over a music therapy session plan for adults with idd.

Resources from Christine:

Her Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spectrumyoga.co/

Her E-Cookbook: https://www.spectrumyoga.co/shop/a-fresh-start-e-cookbook

Her YouTube channel filled with yoga videos for children and adults: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGdhvH23Ovdl8BDZ4CRrJZA

CTC National Survey can be found on the blog here.

Also mentioned: The Developmental Disabilities Resource Center

Hello new listeners! I promise my audio gets better after the first couple of episodes. This first one is near and dear to my heart as I interview my older sister, Sarah, an adult with autism! Sarah shares her perspective of being an adult with autism, including advice for working with people with autism, by expressing what she would want people to know if they are working with her. We also discuss her art, supports for adults with disabilities, the topic of age appropriate music, how autism is a spectrum, and, of course, Frozen II. Can you catch the Frozen II joke in the episode? 

Sarah had so many nuggets of knowledge and resources to share. You can find her and some of her art on Instagram at: @sarieliza7

Diplo plushie by Chenoa Ellinghaus: https://www.paleopalstoys.com

Sequin Heart Pillows from the Autism Community Store: https://www.autismcommunitystore.com/flip-sequin-heart

Puzzles similar to the one Sarah has: https://www.amazon.com/slp/ball-puzzles/ravxjn8qtqmp7mj 

Sarah also recommends books by Brent Anderson: https://unintentionalhumor.com

*Patreon is no longer available as of 11/1/23

Meet your host Bonnie Houpt, MT-BC as she explains her idea for this podcast and what to expect in the future.

Transcription available here: https://rhythmicrootsmusicservices.org/navigatingadulthoodandidd/i-am-starting-a-podcast