AbilityPath

07/25/2025

🧠💬 Talking is a big task for toddlers—it involves listening, processing, and coordinating words, sounds, or signs. And it doesn’t happen instantly.
This short guide, written from a toddler’s point of view by our SLP Avi Sharp, explains why it’s so important to pause and give your child time to respond.
Waiting just 10 seconds can make a world of difference for toddlers, especially those with speech or language delays.

07/25/2025

Thanks to the generous donation of a Ferrari-red Grandstand III standing frame from one of our families, Jonathan is standing tall for the first time since he was a toddler. After experiencing a stroke early in life, Jonathan has faced significant mobility challenges, including severe hip and knee flexion. But now, for the first time, he can stand in a fully neutral position for up to an hour—an important milestone on his journey to receiving a custom ankle-foot brace that will improve his mobility and help prevent future pain. Before joining our REACH Stroke and Brain Injury program, Jonathan had never used a standing frame. Today, he’s already making progress that will last a lifetime.

07/24/2025

At AbilityPath, our passion for service drives everything we do. In Early Intervention, we support families during their child's earliest developmental stages. Our Learning Links Preschools create inclusive spaces where every child can explore and grow alongside friends. Family Support Services help families overcome obstacles with care and understanding.

Our extensive Adult Services span five Bay Area counties, offering community-based programs, independent living support, cooperative living homes, social activities, and employment services. Our REACH Program provides vital therapy for stroke and brain injury recovery.

We champion advocacy, engage volunteers, such as the incredible AbilityPath Auxiliary, and we foster community partnerships to drive lasting change. We believe policy barriers, funding challenges, and scarcity mindsets shouldn't limit what we achieve. Our passion motivates us to seek innovative solutions reflecting our core belief: everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive.

This passion sets us apart. When we combine heartfelt care with thoughtful innovation, we create transformative change. That's the future we're building at AbilityPath—this is our North Star.

07/24/2025

Planning a trip with your toddler?

Between packing, routines, and managing meltdowns, traveling with a little one can feel overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be!

Our new guide offers:
-Pre-trip checklist and planning hacks
-Essentials for toddlers on the go
-Calming techniques for airports, cars, and new places

Created by our SLP, Avi Sharp, to support families with simple, clear info you can trust.
👉 Read the full guide here: https://bit.ly/3UlHdkf
Share this post with any family planning their next adventure! 🌍✈️

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What should parents consider when taking a trip with their child?

07/23/2025

Exciting things are taking shape at Mitchell Park Place an affordable housing development in Palo Alto where AbilityPath will have programs on the ground floor! This winter, it will become home to AbilityPath’s new inclusive art center and the launch of a 5-day-a-week Multi-Media Art Program. Thoughtfully designed to foster creativity and community, the center will feature a multimedia art room, an inspiring artist studio, a gallery to showcase participant work, and convenient on-site amenities like a framing room and storage. The program is set to expand to additional sites in 2026 and will offer engaging courses in visual arts, digital media, and creative expression. A licensed art therapist will help develop the curriculum and may also lead sessions. Participants will have opportunities to exhibit and sell their artwork, pursue art-related employment, and even teach foundational skills. With accessibility, visibility, and community engagement at its core, this vibrant space will thrive with the support of volunteers—whether experienced artists or simply passionate about inclusion.

07/22/2025

What sounds should your child be saying—and when?
From first words to trickier sounds like “R” and “TH,” it’s helpful to know what to expect as your child grows.

Our guide includes:
-Sound milestones by age (2–6 years)
-Common signs of speech delay
-At-home tips that make practice fun
Created by our SLP, Avi Sharp, to support families with simple, clear info you can trust.

👉 Read the guide: https://bit.ly/44SvoqI

And how much should someone understand my child?

07/21/2025

We’re thrilled to announce a brand-new employment opportunity created through a meaningful collaboration between our Employment Services and Day Program teams. After a year of thoughtful planning and partnership-building, four participants who expressed interest in working at a library have been selected for paid internships with the Burlingame Public Library Thursday, July 17, they’ll take on responsibilities like shelving materials, maintaining library spaces, and supporting various departments—all while gaining valuable, hands-on experience. This internship is more than just a job; it’s a pathway toward potential permanent employment as Library Aides. We’re proud of this step forward in inclusive employment and excited to see our participants thrive in this new role!

07/21/2025

Breaking Barriers, Building Futures: How AbilityPath Is Redefining What's Possible

At AbilityPath, we've made meaningful progress serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, but our greatest impact lies ahead.

🌠We're exploring new principles to elevate our disability services and advocacy. Our bold vision: fundamentally reshape support and opportunity for individuals with developmental disabilities.

❤️‍🔥Passion as Our North Star: We're channeling our passion to "put a dent in the universe" for individuals with disabilities, going beyond traditional service delivery to become advocates for systemic change. Every person deserves the opportunity to thrive and contribute meaningfully to society.

💡Design Thinking: We're reimagining our approach where "design is how it works." We'll examine every service touchpoint to eliminate unnecessary complexity while ensuring every interaction promotes independence and dignity. We're making the complex simple and the impossible possible.

🙋🏽‍♂️Person-Centered Innovation: Transformation begins with understanding the lived experiences, dreams, and aspirations of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. We're asking: "What experiences can we create that will fundamentally enhance quality of life and expand possibilities?"

🥇 Our Teams: We're creating an environment where our team members can do their most impactful work through seamless, integrated experiences that honor each person's unique potential.

👣Our Path Forward: AbilityPath's future is pioneering a new paradigm where individuals with developmental disabilities are valued contributors in a more inclusive society.

07/18/2025

After months of uncertainty, the finalized 2025–26 California state budget preserves many critical health and human services, thanks to strong statewide advocacy. However, potential federal Medicaid cuts—estimated at up to $100 billion annually—still loom, with proposed changes that could add new work requirements and burdensome eligibility procedures. These barriers risk stripping essential services from individuals with developmental disabilities—not due to need, but due to red tape. AbilityPath remains actively engaged in monitoring these developments and advocating for policies that protect our community. To stay informed and support our advocacy efforts, follow us on social media and look out for future newsletters with ways to take action.

07/17/2025

Thank you AbilityPath Auxiliary for a fun summer picnic!

07/15/2025

🏕️ Halfway Through Summer & Our Hearts Are Full! 🏕️
We've reached the halfway point of our summer sessions at Camp Via West, and what an incredible journey it's been! Our amazing staff continues to create magic every single day, weaving together compassion, caring, and creativity that transform ordinary moments into lifetime memories.

Watching our campers build confidence and learn new skills has been absolutely inspiring. From swimming adventures to creative projects, every activity is designed to help campers feel safe, encouraged, and free to be themselves.

A recent message from a parent perfectly captures what we're all about: "Each day this week, Marquis and Quincy would come home with huge smiles, excited to share their day & the wonderful connections they made... Marquis told us that Camp Via West deserves 100,000,000 stars, and we couldn't agree more."

Thank you to our incredible team who make Camp Via West a place where every camper feels supported and celebrated. The kindness, care, joy, and feeling of belonging you bring to each day are creating memories that will last forever.

Here's to the second half of summer! 🌟

07/09/2025

The Benefits of Neuroinclusion in the Workplace

Neuroinclusion presents a strategic opportunity for organizations, as demonstrated by pioneering programs at SAP, Microsoft, and EY since 2013. Companies embracing neurodiversity gain significant competitive advantages.

Nearly 1 in 5 people worldwide are neurodistinct, living with autism, dyslexia, or attention deficits. Forward-thinking organizations recognize that neurodiverse individuals possess unique skills and talents that drive innovation and enhance problem-solving capabilities.

Companies implementing neuroinclusion initiatives report improvements in hiring processes, workplace culture, and overall innovation. By adapting recruitment methods to be more inclusive, organizations create environments where all employees thrive.

AbilityPath's growing employment program exemplifies this success, partnering with over 125 employers and supporting nearly 300 talented neurodiverse individuals in meaningful roles throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. This growth reflects employers' recognition that neuroinclusion builds organizational capabilities while creating inclusive and innovative workplaces.