MAAPS’ Post

Navigating higher education as Black autistic students means championing our needs and understanding our rights. It’s about articulating what support we require to thrive, knowing our rights deeply, and connecting with allies among faculty and staff who stand with us. Self-advocacy isn’t just about speaking up; it’s about empowering ourselves and our community in spaces that weren’t always designed with us in mind. Do you have tips or stories on advocating for yourself or others? Your insights could empower someone in our community.#SelfAdvocacy #AutismInCollege #EmpowermentThroughEducation #KnowYourRights

Excellent series about all things Transition!

There is an article about the Empowering Autistic Scholars program in Cal Poly SLO's Mustang News! It's on page 16 if you care to read it. 😊https://lnkd.in/gFzfaAfz

As a former Special Educator in #baltimorecityschools, I understand that there are major disparities and disadvantages for Black and Brown children being served in this space. Let’s disrupt the Special Education system together and get your child exactly what they need. #advocatebaltimore #specialeducationadvocate

When former Nashville musician Danny Combs, M.A., BCCS, CAS stepped into the world of autism advocacy, he uncovered a symphony of potential within the neurodiverse community. His own son Dylan's autism diagnosis became the opening note to a life-changing movement, a tale of embracing unique abilities and transforming challenges into opportunities. In our conversation, Danny articulates the importance of shifting our perspective, acknowledging the individual strengths that every autistic person brings to the table. We also extend a heartfelt thanks to Harri James-O’Kelley for orchestrating this connection between us and the conversation around the significant progress in the autistic community. Venturing into the educational realm, we uncover the significance of tailored education strategies for neurodivergent individuals. From the dramatic impact of dietary interventions to the power of trusting parental instincts over conventional wisdom, we examine how adapting learning environments and class sizes can profoundly affect a child's development. Delving further, we share strategies for enhancing workplace inclusivity through universal design and proper preparation, ensuring neurodiverse individuals aren't just placed in jobs, but are truly set up for success. As we look to the future, it's the innovative career development programs for youth that ignite a spark of excitement. We discuss how hands-on education, starting from a young age, can shape passions into viable career paths, highlighting the importance of competency-based learning and adaptable support systems. Wrapping up, we touch on the transformative effect of scholarships within our transition program, advocating for the potential within every child to be nurtured, regardless of financial barriers. Join us in this episode to witness the milestones being achieved and be part of the ongoing support for these essential initiatives.

REGISTRATION ENDS TOMORROW, 9/26!! Racial justice is in everyone’s best interest! Parenting adults and educators, join me on 9/27 for an interactive, online workshop, “We’re All in This Together! Raising Racially Conscious White Children (Without Shaming or Blaming) Early Childhood and Beyond”: * Hear what research says about when and how children learn racism. * Explore how racism is harmful to everyone, albeit in different ways. * Learn how to plant seeds of understanding that lead to action. * Get tools to navigate situations in the moment and retroactively. * Cultivate empathy, as well as compassion for yourself and others. bit.ly/inthisTOGETHER

🚨The Surgeon General's latest advisory is sounding the alarm — parents’ stress is unmanageable with 48% feeling completely overwhelmed most days. As a Black father who recently dropped off his son at college and continues to raise a seventh-grade daughter, these findings hit close to home for Coaction Collective Co-Founder, Michael Andrews, Ed.D. At Coaction Collective, we understand that the well-being of parents is critical to the health of our children and communities. This advisory underscores the importance of our work in building strong family-school partnerships and supporting parents—especially those from marginalized communities—through meaningful connections and resources. 🤝Let's take this call to action seriously. Together, we can create the changes needed to support parents and caregivers in every community. #FamilyEngagement #MentalHealth #BlackFatherhood U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) 👉 Read the full blog post to learn more about the importance of family engagement and how we can support parents in every community:

If you haven't started following Russell Webster yet, I highly recommend that you do. 🌟His blog posts are a staple on my weekly reading list. Check out his latest insightful piece on keeping children out of the justice system: Read here.   https://lnkd.in/e_CY4MRT     #criminaljustice #probation #youthjustice

Today at #IYIAdvancingEquity, our attendees spoke about: 💟 How racism affects children's cognitive, emotional, and social growth 💟 Systemic barriers and interpersonal dynamics shaping children's experiences. 💟 Practical strategies for fostering resilience and healthy development in racially marginalized children Together, we have the power to protect, inspire, and transform.

"Trouble in Censorville: The Far Right's Assault on Public Education and the Teachers Who Are Fighting Back" is a book by Rebekah Modrak, a professor at the University of Michigan's Stamp School of Art and Design, published by Disobedience Press. The book explores the challenges faced by educators amidst increasing far-right activism targeting public education. The book was inspired by Modrak's observations of school board meetings during the pandemic, where she noticed a significant shift in rhetoric against teachers. Parents, influenced by political and ideological agendas, began to view teachers as public servants whose actions should be dictated by taxpayer funding. This sentiment was particularly strong regarding demands for in-person teaching during COVID-19, even before vaccinations were available. Modrak's research and analysis reveal a troubling trend: the conflation of public and private education ideals, with public education being treated more like a consumer-driven service. The book includes 14 personal stories from teachers and librarians who have faced harassment, threats, and a lack of administrative support due to their commitment to inclusive and critical education. Key stories include: Gavin Downing: A high school librarian near Seattle who faced severe backlash for including LGBTQ+ literature in the school's library collection. His principal tried to remove the book "Jack of Hearts (and Other Parts)" by L. C. Rosen without following proper procedures, leading to a hostile work environment and personal threats. Melissa Grandi Statz: A fourth-grade teacher in Burlington, Wisconsin, who taught a lesson on racism and the Black Lives Matter movement following the shooting of Jacob Blake. The lesson, which was intended to address students' questions and foster understanding, led to a community uproar, threats, and a lack of administrative support, causing significant personal and professional stress. These stories highlight common themes such as administrative failure to support educators, parental mistrust of teachers' professional judgment, and the personal toll on educators facing ideological opposition. The book aims to shed light on the broader implications of these local battles for the future of public education and the importance of supporting educators who strive to provide a comprehensive and inclusive education.