America Learns

08/12/2022

This is IMPORTANT
Read and Share!

Container Syndrome is a term used to describe the lack of skill in infants who are not allowed ample movement opportunities. Container Baby Syndrome is the result of an infant being placed in a container for an excessive amount of time during the day. This extended time leads to structural, movement, and behavioral challenges as a result.

Baby containers include baby equipment and items such as:

👣Restrictive playpens
👣Crib
👣Car seats
👣Strollers
👣Bumbo seats
👣Bouncy seats and swings
👣Rockers
👣Nursing cushions
👣Vibrating chairs
👣Jumpers
👣Exersaucers
👣Positioning pillows
👣Slings
👣Floor seats
👣Infant swings
👣Walkers
👣Jumpers

All of the time spent in these baby containers adds up! When in a positioning device such as the ones listed above, little ones are limited in the motor development that results from stretching, wiggling, turning, reaching, and otherwise moving.

https://www.theottoolbox.com/container-baby-syndrome/

07/28/2022

Working or supporting disabled people? Put aside what you think you know and how you think things should be. Connect with the person in front of you and get curious about their experience. You'll find out most of your assumptions are wrong and learn a whole lot in the process.

Image description: Green image with light green squiggles on background. Text in top box reads quote judgment unquote and shows bitmoji looking horrified. Red x indicates this is what not to do. Text in the bottom box reads quote acceptance and curiosity unquote with bitmoji giving a thumbs up. Green check indicates this is what to do.

⁣ ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ ⁣ ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣

07/15/2022

"Ableism is the discrimination of and social prejudice against people with disabilities based on the belief that typical abilities are superior." (Eisenmenger, 2021)

One of the most powerful ways to support the AAC users in your life is to dig into your own ableism. We all have it. We are often completely unaware of how it impacts our perspectives, problem-solving, and much more.

I highly recommend learning about ableism and getting curious about how it comes up in your thinking.

Eisenmenger, A. (2021, January 8). Ableism 101 - what is ableism? what does it look like? Access Living. Retrieved July 14, 2022, from https://www.accessliving.org/newsroom/blog/ableism-101/

Image description:
Bitmoji at bottom right looking concerned. A communication book and device are at the top. Text reads: Check your ableism. Ableism will limit what you think is possible for the AAC users in your life. It will limit the teaching and supports you offer them.
It will limit the opportunities and success they will get to experience.

⁣ ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ ⁣ ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣

07/12/2022

06/28/2022

America must learn how to value its children. WATCH Hiding in Plain Sight, Ken Burns special about youth mental on

04/28/2022

Language matters.

When we refer to students as "non verbal" we are dismissing all of the receptive language they have and the expressive language they have access to via AAC, as well as all the expressive language we may not even know they have!

Students who do not use spoken language are non speaking but they are not without words, or "non verbal." This is an important language shift we must make professionally because all language is valuable and meaningful language.

Communication is a basic human right and there are loads of ways to communicate. Are we listening to nonspeakers?

Image ID: beige background with the Teaching Is Intellectual logo at the top center. Non verbal crossed out and non speaking below it.

03/22/2022

Listen closely.

11/11/2021

A great reminder from Adverse Childhood Experiences - ACEs

10/31/2021

It's not too late to catch up—our kids are depending on it.