Shows
The Reality And Brutally Honest Truth About Special Needs PlanningEpisode #22: Building a Mindful Culture in LABBB with Lisa and RayneIn episode #22 we talk about our journey in building a mindful culture in LABBB. It is one of our core values that is posted throughout our collaborative. There is a significant difference between just talking about these practices and actually doing them. We made a commitment to offering mindful practices for all students in all our classrooms every single day. We also believe for us to be successful we need to offer and teach this to our staff as well. We are a community practicing together and this is the only way to get the true benefits. We have...
2021-05-1858 min
The Reality And Brutally Honest Truth About Special Needs PlanningEpisode #21 Brendan Aylward from Unified Health and PerformanceIn Episode #21 we have our first guest of the 2020-2021 school year and joining us is Brendan Aylward. Brendan has a degree in special education from Lesley University and is the owner of Unified Health and Performance in Lancaster MA. Many LABBB students work out at his gym and he has created a unique culture in his gym integrating students with special needs with all gym members. Brendan's mission aligns with our mission in LABBB and he has a vision to continue to expand his business and offering more services and inclusive opportunities for students with special needs. He...
2020-09-2354 min
The Reality And Brutally Honest Truth About Special Needs PlanningEpisode #20: Massachusetts Sibling Support Network with Emily RubinIn episode #20 we talk about sibling support with Emily Rubin. Emily is Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at UMASS Medical School and Director of Sibling Support at the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center. She is also Co-founder and Executive Director of the Massachusetts Sibling Support Network (MSSN). Emily is a Licensed Social Worker.This was a special podcast and it was a reflective experience for me as a sibling of a sister with special needs. Emily shares her research on sibling support groups and her perspective and knowledge on this subject is profound. This is a must-listen...
2020-01-1159 min
The Reality And Brutally Honest Truth About Special Needs PlanningEpisode #19: Adult Family Care (AFC) with Camille GrimesIn this episode, we talk to Camille Grimes, AFC Manager, from Opportunities for Inclusion to learn about an under-utilized resource for parents. Adult family Care (AFC) is a MassHealth funded program for individuals, 16 years old and over, eligible for MassHealth Standard or MassHealth CommonHealth, who have a medical or mental condition and require daily cueing and supervision or physical assistance with at least one activity of daily living skill (ADL) such as bathing, dressing, eating, ambulating or toileting from an AFC caregiver. In addition to providing personal care, an AFC caregiver must live with the individual and...
2019-12-0629 min
The Reality And Brutally Honest Truth About Special Needs PlanningEpisode #18: More Music With Lisa Symonds from AmplifiIn this episode we are joined by Lisa Symonds, Adapted Music Instructor, from Amplifi. In 2016, we recorded a podcast with Tom Byrne, Owner, and Heather Luhn, Director of Education, of the Real School of Music. The Real School of Music started a program called Amplifi which brings adaptive music instruction to students with special needs. This was a perfect opportunity for LABBB to be part of this project as we were looking to expand our music program and the collaboration was born. Lisa Symonds was our first instructor and she won over the hearts of LABBB Teachers...
2019-10-2955 min
The Reality And Brutally Honest Truth About Special Needs PlanningEpisode #17: My Family's Experiences in Planning for an Adult with Special Needs, Part 2In Part 2 of this series I talk about three topics related to planning for the future. 1. "The Master Spreadsheet," I created for my sister which has all of her important information. 2. Group home discussion: "The next 10 Years."3. Get feedback and learn from the real experts. These are the parents and guardians of an adult with special needs who graduated 5, 10, 15 20...years ago. What would they have done differently that they can share with you now? Will their experiences change the course you are taking in the present?
2019-09-1024 minThe Reality And Brutally Honest Truth About Special Needs PlanningEpisode #16: My Family's Experiences in Planning for an Adult with Special Needs, Part IIn this episode, I share my personal story about our family's experience in how we are organizing and planning in caring for our sister with special needs. Many times there are unexpected life events and we are not prepared. When my parents passed away three years ago, within six months of each other, this was a significant unexpected life event. My parents did many things "Right" but I wish we were more prepared to care for my sister. My thinking started to change dramatically about what we are doing in special education to prepare parents and sharing my story...
2019-08-2627 min
The Reality And Brutally Honest Truth About Special Needs PlanningEpisode #15: Dyslexia and Working Your Strengths with Kathy MurphyIn this episode, I interviewed Kathy Murphy. She talks candidly about her life growing up with dyslexia and her mindset of overcoming an obstacle through determination and grit. She didn't know she had dyslexia until she was 21 years old. You will find her story inspiring and also give you a different way to look at obstacles that are thrown at us in life. We also talk about identifying our strengths and focusing our attention on what we are good at rather than trying to spend most of our time trying to fix our weaknesses.Kathy...
2019-03-251h 28
The Reality And Brutally Honest Truth About Special Needs PlanningEpisode #14: Modeling For Successful Communication using AACIn this episode, we were joined by Amanda Scheriff, LABBB Speech Pathologist. Amanda recently completed a workshop series with LABBB parents from our Fox Hill, Francis Wyman, Wellington, and Memorial elementary programs; teaching them skills about modeling for successful communication using AAC. Educators, parents, and anyone in the special education field will find this podcast extremely valuable. Ultimately, our goal is to help our students become independent communicators and using a consistent modeling system in school and at home will give our students the best opportunity in meeting this goal. Amanda talks about the Model as a MASTER P...
2019-02-011h 12
The Reality And Brutally Honest Truth About Special Needs PlanningEpisode #13: Susan B. Woods: The Difference in Services and Accommodations for Students from K-12 to College and Post-Secondary EducationSusan B Woods, M.Ed, retired Associate Dean, Student Support Services at Middlesex Community College, BS in Special Education from Boston University M.Ed from Northeastern University in Rehabilitation Administration.Susan has spent the last 27 years at Middlesex Community College managing the Transition Program and Disability Support Services, as well as overseeing the college's Federally funded TRIO student support programs, Counseling and Consultation services and coordinating the Student Assessment Intervention Team with the office of the Dean of Students.Prior to coming to Middlesex, Susan worked at the Department of Mental Retardation...
2018-11-0253 min
The Reality And Brutally Honest Truth About Special Needs PlanningEpisode #12: The ICEI Program (Inclusive Concurrent Enrollment Initiative)We are very excited to have Dawn Gross as our guest on this episode to talk about the ICEI program at Middlesex Community College. Dawn is the ICEI Coordinator for this partnership with LABBB Collaborative and Bedford Public Schools. The Inclusive Concurrent Enrollment Initiative (ICEI) Program at Middlesex Community College is a dual enrollment opportunity for high school students with intellectual disabilities, ages 18 to 21. The MCC/LABBB ICEI program is beginning its 5th year. Dawn talks with LABBB Collaborative Executive Director Patric Barbieri about how this initiative started, what we have learned and how it has evolved. Dawn also...
2018-09-2054 min
The Reality And Brutally Honest Truth About Special Needs PlanningEpisode #11: Interview with Mary Beth McMahon, President and CEO of Special Olympics MASpecial Olympics is celebrating its 50th year (1968-2018) and we had the opportunity to interview Mary Beth McMahon, President and CEO of the Special Olympics Massachusetts. We discuss the past, present and future of the Special Olympics and how this organization is continuing to grow and evolve. LABBB has been involved with the Special Olympics since the late 1970's and we have a long history of bringing the games to our student athletes in collaboration with the Best Buddies organization. Paula Rizzo, LABBB Recreation and Integration Coordinator, joins us for this episode and she talks about her involvement with...
2018-04-0455 min
The Reality And Brutally Honest Truth About Special Needs PlanningEpisode #10: Mobility Transfer Systems Inc.In this episode we talk with Mobility Transfer Systems Inc. owner Thomas Leoutsakos, his wife Dina Leoutsakos, and Stephani DiDonato-Azar. Listen to this amazing story and the opportunity this company gives to our students in LABBB. We feel fortunate to be partnering with such a compassionate and forward thinking organization. Mobility Transfer Systems Inc. is the predominant leader in bringing you unique medical products to improve the quality of life for people who are physically challenged and elderly. We are the manufacturers of The Transfer Handle ™ which is the Safest and Easiest way to get in and ou...
2018-01-2646 min
The Reality And Brutally Honest Truth About Special Needs PlanningEpisode #9: Omar's World of Comics & HobbiesIn this episode we are joined by 'Omar's World of Comics & Hobbies' Manager Sally Hoops. Omar Masood has been a student in LABBB since middle school and he is graduating this April from the LABBB Lexington High Program. Omar's parents had a vision of creating a business for him when he graduates to keep him connected to the LABBB community. Omar has always had an interest in comics since he was a young boy and this sparked an idea! This vision is now a reality. Omar's World of Comics & Hobbies will be opening in Lexington Center on 30...
2017-12-0652 min
The Reality And Brutally Honest Truth About Special Needs PlanningEpisode #8: A Special Needs Planning Discussion with Michael WienerMichael Weiner is a financial advisor. He is intimately familiar with available benefits and supports, and provides families guidance regarding how to integrate those supports into their unique circumstances, and create a sound financial solution to help provide the resources their children and families need throughout their lives.He is currently the Treasurer, and board member, at the Federation for Children with Special Needs, and sits on his local Department of Developmental Services advisory council.Michael resides in Medfield, MA with Susan, his wife of more than thirty years. Their eldest son, Ben, lives in...
2017-11-041h 13
The Reality And Brutally Honest Truth About Special Needs PlanningEpisode #7: Assistive Technology with Rachel KuberryIn this episode we are joined by Assistive Technology Specialist Rachel Kuberry. We have known and worked with Rachel for many years in LABBB. Tune in to listen to Rachel talk about her approach to assistive technology for students with special needs. Rachel adds a fresh perspective on AT and gives us some insight into how she collaborates with students, parents and teachers. Rachel has a unique style of communication to talk about the brutally honest truth about AT. She brings a blend of personal experience, humor, research and data which makes conversation with Rachel fun and engaging. We...
2017-08-051h 14
The Reality And Brutally Honest Truth About Special Needs PlanningEpisode 6: SiblingsIn this episode, Patric and Trish interview two LABBB staff persons: Caroline Brown, Teacher, and Marina Simons, Speech Pathologist. Both Caroline and Marina have a brother with special needs. We discuss growing with a sibling with special needs; how we first became aware that we had a sibling who has special needs; what impact did it have on our families; what are our biggest fears; how does a sibling advocate for themselves and many other topics. This was an informative discussion as we shared many stories and we reflected on our experiences. Each family experience is unique and you...
2017-06-101h 11
Great Northeast BJJ PodcastS2Ep01 - Pat BarbieriHosts: Jorge Law, Jay Mansfield, Duncan Watt[DOJO STORM] The guys head down to Mass BJJ (Acton, MA) to interview original Roberto Maia black belt, very experienced instructor and Northeast martial arts legend Patric Barbieri.WARNING: EXPLICIT CONTENT. LISTENER DISCRETION IS ADVISED.
2017-04-113h 42
The Reality And Brutally Honest Truth About Special Needs PlanningEpisode 5: Bonus: Jenna's ADHD StrategiesAfter we concluded our podcast with Jenna Kotler, Trish and I continued our discussion with her about ADHD. Jenna was sharing some strategies that her family was using with her and we couldn't pass up the opportunity to have her share these strategies on our podcast. We turned the recorder back on and asked Jenna to talk about what she shared with us after the show. Please listen to these strategies that were an important part of helping Jenna cope with ADHD as a child and an adult.
2017-03-2909 minThe Reality And Brutally Honest Truth About Special Needs PlanningEpisode 4: Jenna, Me and ADHDJennifer Kotler, Harvard University PH.D candidate, joined us on this podcast to tell her story about growing up with ADHD, and life as an adult with ADHD. Jenna talks very candidly about her struggles, how this impacted her family, and what you need to know about a child with ADHD. Jenna also shares the positive aspects of having ADHD and how this has helped her get to where she is. We were excited to do this podcast with Jenna and you will enjoy how she brings humor to her life and the future of how she will be...
2017-03-281h 08
The Reality And Brutally Honest Truth About Special Needs PlanningEpisode 3: Adapted Music with Amplifi and the Real School of MusicIn August of 2016, LABBB collaborated with Amplifi, an adapted music program that is part of the Real School of Music. LABBB is committed to bringing more music to our students and Amplifi was a perfect fit for our new core value. LABBB has a set of core values that have been developed over the past few years and we added, music, art and theater. We believe that music, art, and theater are healthy forms of expression and an important part of our students' education.Thomas Byrne, CEO, of Burlington Real School of Music; Kelly Surette, Founding Director...
2017-03-2258 min
The Reality And Brutally Honest Truth About Special Needs PlanningEpisode 2: Harvard University Music StudyIn this episode, Patric Barbieri, Executive Director of LABBB Collaborative, interviews Harvard University Researchers, Jenna Kotler and Alena Egner. Harvard is currently conducting a music study with LABBB and you will learn about the purpose of this study and how it is administered. Please visit the Evolutionary Psychology Laboratory: Dr. Krasnow's Webpage: http://projects.iq.harvard.edu/epl/home If anyone is interested in having their son or daughter with down syndrome involved in this study or if you have any questions about this study, please contact: Jenna Kotler or Alena Egner at: e-mail musicstudy...
2017-01-1145 min
The Reality And Brutally Honest Truth About Special Needs PlanningEpisode 1: Dafna Krouk-GordonPatric Barbieri, LABBB Executive Director and Trish Costa, LABBB Counselor, interview Dafna Krouk-Gordon the Executive Director of TILL (Towards Independent Living and Learning). Dafna started TILL over 36 years ago. Dafna discusses group home living, recreational opportunities and Day Hab programs for students with special needs. Life after 22 can be exciting and fulfilling for students with special needs and families can connect and access the resources that will provide this for their son or daughter. TILL has a complete menu of options for independent living, social opportunities and work.
2016-11-1851 min