SMART Connections

In this episode, our Warm Line facilitators, Julia McManus and Anna Sanderlin, discuss developmental disabilities: what they are, how to recognize them, reasons for early intervention, and way to celebrate and be supportive during Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. 

In this episode, warm line facilitators, Anna Sanderlin and Julia McManus, go into detail about what the SMART Center is and how it functions. The two interview Dr. Susan Elswick, the director of the SMART Center, about how and why she created the SMART Center. They go over some of the future plans for the SMART Center and some of the biggest improvements that have been seen in the SMART Center since its beginning. 

In this episode the SMART Center staff will discuss positive psychology. Positive Psychology is the scientific study of the strengths that enable individuals and communities to thrive. The positive psychology philosophy is founded on the belief that people want to lead meaningful and fulfilling lives, to cultivate what is best within themselves, and to enhance their experiences of love, work, and play. This podcast is a great introduction to positive psychology. 

The University of Memphis SMART Center staff supported the Center for Advancement of Youth Development (CAYD) director, Dr. Gregory Washington, with an interview with Dr. Theresa Okwumabua. The SMART Center and SMART Connections podcast  is excited to highlight her legacy as a clinician, teacher, scholar, mentor and elder in the Memphis community.  This is a 3 part interview.

The University of Memphis SMART Center staff supported the Center for Advancement of Youth Development (CAYD) director, Dr. Gregory Washington, with an interview with Dr. Theresa Okwumabua. The SMART Center and SMART Connections podcast  is excited to highlight her legacy as a clinician, teacher, scholar, mentor and elder in the Memphis community.  This is a 3 part interview.

The University of Memphis SMART Center staff supported the Center for Advancement of Youth Development (CAYD) director, Dr. Gregory Washington, with an interview with Dr. Theresa Okwumabua. The SMART Center and SMART Connections podcast  is excited to highlight her legacy as a clinician, teacher, scholar, mentor and elder in the Memphis community.  This is a 3 part interview. 

In SMART Connections Episode 4, the University of Memphis Warm Line clinicians discuss Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and the impact on life long health. Listeners will learn information about how adverse experiences in early childhood can impact lifelong health, and some tips and techniques to decrease that impact overtime. 

In this episode, the SMART Center Warm Line clinicians will talk about Calming Corners as a possible social-emotional supportive intervention for school and home environments. A calming corner is a small, designated space located within a classroom or home. The purpose of a calming corner is to help support student or child self-regulation while keeping them in or near the adult if they need a break from instruction time or a group/ family activity.

In this episode, listeners will learn more about the use of visual schedules for supporting the needs of their children. Visual scheduling is a systematic technique that enhances learning and communication for individuals who are neurodiverse, such as children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and even Anxiety. 

A visual schedule is a graphic representation of scheduled tasks and activities. They are very useful for breaking down tasks that have multiple steps and ensuring that children follow rules and deadlines. Visual schedules reduce anxiety by providing consistency while also reducing resistance that comes with certain activities.

Caregivers will learn more about the use of visual schedules, the positive impact it can have on behavioral outcomes, and how to develop and implement a visual schedule in their own homes.

In this episode, listeners will learn about the University of Memphis SMART Center and will gain information about Early Intervention Services (EIS). EIS are important in ensuring that children and families get supportive services necessary to assist with healthy childhood development. EIS is the term used to describe the services and supports that are available to babies and young children with developmental delays and disabilities and their families. These services may include speech therapy, physical therapy, and other types of services based on the needs of the child and family. EIS can have a significant impact on a child’s ability to learn new skills and overcome challenges and can increase success in school and life.

Many caregivers may not know, there are EIS programs available in every state and territory.