In this episode, we are honored to have Deborah Schwind, DHSc, BCP, SCSS, OTR/L, a school based occupational therapy guru, share her stories. Debbie has extensively contributed to school based OT practice through her many publications and presentations nationally. Authentic inclusion ( a true sense of belonging) is often a two way process. First, a community that is conducive to inclusion and next, individuals who find purpose and value in that community. Debbie shares how she created real job opportunities for students, often educated in self contained classrooms to find a place of value and belonging in their school community. Students’ abilities and successes were the the focus in this approach, thus nurturing an authentically inclusive community.
A video of Community Based Education at Cedar Lane Elementary- https://vimeo.com/161837834
Deborah Schwind’s contributions are so many that I decided to share a link to her work here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dqETTPjkn1DjI21vPba6E375EHhkXzoi2VfNQ8X_XV4/edit?usp=sharing Article by Seruya and Garfinkle- Seruya,
Article mentioned in the podcast:
F. M., & Garfinkel, M. (2020). Caseload and Workload: Current Trends in School-Based Practice Across the United States. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 74(5), 7405205090p1-7405205090p8. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2020.039818. Article about workplace morale/productivity improvement - https://msutoday.msu.edu/news/2020/how-disability-diversity-in-the-workplace-can-improve-productivity?fbclid=IwAR2SK2aLOAcEB6dp95i9a1LNHG5bfyC9Fvva6jcO1BMH6jTQiN1dCGZLtNw
