ISM Final Presentation Night

          In my Independent Study and Mentorship class, my classmates, teacher, and I have discussed and prepared for the "Final Presentation Night" all year long. During this night, all ISM students at my school (about 35) set up elaborate tables with display boards, table cloths, professional products they have created, and information regarding their topics on their tables. Then, everyone gathers in the auditorium and introduces the program, themselves, and their mentors. Finally, each student gives a 30-35 minute presentation on their topic of study to teachers, friends, and family in individual classrooms. I have a big night ahead of me and am very excited!

          I mention this night because Special Perceptions was created because of my research, work, and support in the ISM program. This is a night of which I am very proud to be a part. I will be handing Special Perceptions business cards to anyone and everyone that I meet tomorrow. I am very excited about the networking opportunity I have before me and am intrigued to see how many new people Special Perceptions can reach. 

The business cards I will be using tomorrow.

          As always, thank you for visiting Special Perceptions. Please take a look at my other posts if you have not already! 

Everywhere

          As well all network and meet new people and families throughout our lives, I am sure most of us would be able to name at least one person or family with a member who has an intellectual developmental disability. These disorders and disabilities can happen to anyone, and I believe that aspect is overlooked often. No one is immune, and once you really take a step back and look around, you realize how often the disorders and disabilities actually occur. As I was talking with my brother today, we came upon the subject of celebrities in relation to special needs. There are many celebrities who have siblings or children with special needs, which makes it clear that developmental disabilities occur more often than we are sometimes aware of. I have included some pictures I found of a few celebrities with with their sibling or child. What sweet relationships. If only everyone could experience the compassion!

Jamie Foxx with his sister,
who has Down syndrome.

Colin Farrell with his son, who
 has Angelman syndrome.

Sarah Palin with her son,
who has Down syndrome.

Eva Longoria with her sister,
who has Down syndrome.

Product Presentation

          As part of the Independent Study and Mentorship curriculum, I worked together with my mentor, Mandy, to create a product relating to speech-language pathology. We decided that I was going to make a brochure discussing the eligibility guidelines and the referral process for speech/language services at her school. After the brochure was made, I was to give each staff member a brochure while I presented and discussed the information at the staff meeting on May 1. With her help, I worked for two months creating the brochure and preparing for the presentation. The information included consisted of a speech-language pathology description, definitions and examples of articulation, voice, language, and fluency, and a thorough step-by-step procedure of the referral process. It was an incredible opportunity and experience. It is a memory I will treasure forever! I have included pictures from the presentation below!