Optimal Access / Access Academy

10/02/2025

Congratulations to 2025 ACCESS Academy Graduate, NOEL DOOGS, for being highlighted in the October Issue of UUniquely You Magazine

Noel Doogs is a nonspeaking autistic individual with neuromotor apraxia and cerebral palsy. He was underestimated and segregated for many years, but in 2023, at the age of 22, he got his wish to start earning his HS diploma. With the help of his letterboard, his communication regulation partner (CRP), and an innovative education program in Indiana, ACCESS Academy, Noel earned his 21 HS credits and graduated with an accredited diploma in 2025! He’s got his sights on college next!

from Uniquely You! Indy
October 2025 Digital Issue
by Uniquely You

PHOTO BY OPTIMAL ACCESS / ACCESS ACADEMY


https://issuu.com/specialneedslivingindy/docs/_uniquely_you_indy_october_2025_digital_issue_/s/114501440

09/24/2025

The teams at Optimal ACCESS and Integrative Music Therapy are excited to celebrate with our friend, Dr. Elizabeth Torres, TODAY in the launch of her new certificate program. Professor Torres’ innovative work has deeply influenced and informed our work, teaching us how to . We look forward to continued collaborations on research studies that uncover the role of rhythm and proprioception in the support of nonspeaking autistic individuals to overcome their whole-body apraxia for greater freedom, reliable communication, and access to a meaningful life.

Join us today to discover the Autism Renaissance Certificate — a groundbreaking program designed to empower professionals, educators, and advocates with fresh perspectives and practical strategies for supporting autistic individuals. This certificate marks a new era of understanding, inclusion, and innovation — equipping you to make a lasting impact in your community and beyond.
Wednesday, September 24, 2025
Time: 2:00pm - 5:00pm EST

Location: Rutgers New Brunswick - Busch Campus
(In-person and Virtual)

Register to attend or learn more: NEURODIVERSA.COURSES/LAUNCH


Integrative Music Therapy Optimal Access / Access Academy SMIL: Sensory Motor Integration Lab Mona Delahooke, Ph.D. The Arc of the United States The Arc of Indiana

09/22/2025

We are so thankful!!

09/16/2025

Great learning opportunity here!
Please share!

Have you registered yet? If not, please do!
You are invited to a free webinar from Autism National Committee (AutCom) with Dr. Steven Kapp, Ph.D.
Challenging the ‘Profound Autism’ Label: How Severity Scores and IQ Tests Obscure the Strengths of Nonspeaking Autistics
Date: September 20, 2025
Time: 11:00am – 1:00pm ET / 10:00am – 12:00pm CT /
9:00am – 11:00am MT / 8:00am – 10:00am PT
(Note: 4:00pm-6:00pm in the UK)
Registration in advance is free but is required. Register at autcom.org or at the following link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/.../reg.../WN_ZSpvAoBoQiuhpIUfbulWXg
Presenter: Dr. Kapp is an autistic academic at the University of Portsmouth in the UK. His research broadly considers the nature of autism and support for autistic people, as a concept, diagnosis, and identity; through participatory research with autistic people as community partners; and considering the perspectives of the autism community. He has critiqued profound autism, functioning labels, and severity scales and published on autism as a lifelong neurodivergence based in sensory and movement differences, as well as on the strengths of autistic people with speech divergence.
AutCom Board Member Maxfield Sparrow will introduce our presenter, Dr. Steven Kapp. At the end of his presentation, Dr. Kapp will respond to attendee questions in a Q&A session.
Spread the word! Feel free to share the link with autistics, families, professionals, friends, colleagues, and anyone who might be interested. Thank you.

09/13/2025

Huge Thanks to Our Amazing Volunteers! 🌟

We are beyond grateful for everyone who partnered with us on our United Way Day of Caring event! Thanks to your hard work, creativity, and teamwork, we accomplished an incredible list of projects that will bless our community for years to come.

Because of you, we were able to:
📚 Assemble and fill a Free Little Library along the Riverwalk
🎶 Install interior acoustic tiles in our Dukes Community Room for better sound and focus
🪑 Assemble and move cabinets to help organize our drums and Instruments for Neurologic Music Therapy
🚪 Clean, prep, and refresh our front doors
🌿 Beautify the landscape with mums, weeding, and trimming
🚶‍♂️ Improve Riverwalk access with new client-led art, mowing, tree trimming, and revitalization
🪵 Clear out old wood play set, and storm debris from around the property
🏢 Wash and power-clean the exterior of our building, siding, and windows

These pictures say it all—the list was long, but together, we got it done ✅

We couldn’t have done it without each of you. Thank you for giving your time, energy, and heart to make such a difference. 💙

❤️
United Way of Southwestern Indiana
Integrative Music Therapy

09/01/2025

This is such a brave and honorable admission.... "I was wrong!"
Why is this so hard for so many educators and therapists when faced with a paradigm shift that shines light on things you've missed or misunderstood about your students? What is goal of education? Of therapy? Let's all embrace that Maya Angelou wisdom, "Do the best you can until you know better... than DO better."

BetterWaysThanABA

09/01/2025

What a beautiful parent testimonial after learning to to see her nonspeaking adult son through a new lens.

If you would like to explore the possibility that your child is dealing with apraxia, like Joey, reach out to Optimal Access / Access Academy. We are here to support you on a joy-filled journey of discovery!

08/22/2025

⬇️⬇️⬇️
Don’t count them out just because your child hasn’t been able to communicate openly in the past! Contact us today to get your communication journey going!

08/22/2025

Join our Optimal ACCESS Director of Student Engagement, Eric Lund, to learn about the new social group for Fall 2025! Video into here: https://youtube.com/shorts/Les6T4vDveU

Optimal ACCESS is excited to share this ACCESS Connections course, MIND OVER MATTER, Semester 1, for nonspeakers who spell or type to communicate, their communication/regulation partners, and families.

This 6-week course focuses on the "CAN-Do Attitude" as it relates to science, the brain, motivation, discipline, faith, and philosophy.

Cost: $180
*(50% discount for enrolled ACCESS students)

Register today! https://RethinkConsultation.as.me/Mindovermatterf

We hope you will join us!

#ᴍɪɴᴅᴏᴠᴇʀᴍᴀᴛᴛᴇʀ

08/21/2025

🌟 We’re hiring a Behavior Specialist! 🌟

Looking for compassionate, open-minded professionals with a Master’s in Psychology, Counseling, Social Work, or related field. Must be flexible, strength-based, and eager to learn.

💙 Join us in making a difference—apply today!

08/21/2025

CHECK IT OUT and sign up NOW! Spots limited.
YOUNG CHILD (ages 5-11)

The ACCESS Communication Support Training is a four-week program designed specifically for families who want to better understand and support nonspeaking, minimally speaking, and unreliably speaking autistic individuals. Our approach is rooted in the belief that every person has the capacity for communication when given the right support and tools.

Dates:
September 11th, 4:00-5:00 PM
September 18th, 4:00-5:00 PM
September 25th, 4:00-5:00 PM
October 2nd, 4:00-5:00 PM

Register here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/access-communication-support-training-4-week-series-juniors

For more information:
visit: www.optimalaccess.org
email: admin@optimalaccess.org
phone: 812-490-9401

Dates:September 11th, 5:00-6:00 PMSeptember 18th, 5:00-6:00 PMSeptember 25th, 5:00-6:00 PMOctober 2nd, 5:00-6:00 PMThis session is for YOUTH, ages 5-11 years.The ACCESS Communication Support Training is a four-week program designed specifically for families who want to better understand and support....

08/21/2025

CHECK IT OUT and sign up NOW! Spots limited.
This session is for ADOLESCENTS/ADULTS ages 12 and up.

The ACCESS Communication Support Training is a four-week program designed specifically for families who want to better understand and support nonspeaking, minimally speaking, and unreliably speaking autistic individuals. Our approach is rooted in the belief that every person has the capacity for communication when given the right support and tools.

Dates:
September 11th, 5:30-6:30 PM
September 18th, 5:30-6:30 PM
September 25th, 5:30-6:30 PM
October 2nd, 5:30-6:30 PM

Register here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/communication-training-4-week-session

For more information:
visit: www.optimalaccess.org
email: admin@optimalaccess.org
phone: 812-490-9401

Looking to support our innovative work? Donations help us provide communication supplies to families and keep the cost of our classes low! Will you help? To Donate: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/communication-matters-campaign

Dates:September 11th, 6:30-7:30 PMSeptember 18th, 6:30-7:30 PMSeptember 25th, 6:30-7:30 PMOctober 2nd, 6:30-7:30 PMThis session is for ADOLESCENTS/ADULTS ages 12 and up.The ACCESS Communication Support Training is a four-week program designed specifically for families who want to better understand a...