Oak and Unity

01/01/2023

Let’s bring more understanding, kindness, support, and togetherness into the new year. Happy 2023!

12/30/2022

ATTENTION ALL SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHERS AND AIDES. Here are 3 reasons why you should be using The Oak and Unity Program:� �1. It identifies key factors that can impact student success during activities:�You’ll quickly identify the exact moment an activity becomes too challenging for a student and the most appropriate type of prompt to use. Now, this might sound simple, but it’s the most common error I see. So make sure you’re getting these two very important pieces of information right the first time.� �2. It enhances team communication:�The Oak and Unity Program uses a straightforward 5-point scoring system and simple prompting scale. This allows IEP teams to clearly and effectively communicate what supports each student needs for each activity. So information will not only be more accurate but it will be shared more efficiently.� �3. It’s great for monitoring and sharing progress:�The Oak and Unity Program’s user-friendly scoring sheets allows data for effortless data-recording. And when it’s time to share that data, everything is neatly organized so parents, guardians, and other team members can follow along with ease.
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� �“Empowering people with disabilities and those that care for them with simple solutions and support”

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12/23/2022

12/22/2022

It’s been quite a journey from idea to reality so I wanted to thank everyone that has followed and supported Oak and Unity. From my family to yours, I wish you all a very happy holidays! And look for new updates and offers from Oak and Unity in 2023!!!!

12/19/2022

For many students, self-advocacy is a lot more complicated than just raising their hand, approaching a teacher, or asking for help after class. It takes courage, vulnerability, and trust for a child to ask for help. And if previous experiences resulted in embarassment, ridicule, or shame, they can have a long-lasting negative effects. Here’s some of my top recommendations that you can do to support a child’s self-advocacy skills.� �DOs:�1. Be empathetic, compassionate, and understanding.�2. Provide time to listen to the entire issue.�3. Acknowledge their feelings and deal with any emotional dysregulation first.�4. Ask what solutions have already been attempted.�5. Honor their trust and thank their efforts to get their needs met.�6. Understand that they trust you to help them or they may have not come to you in the first place.�7. When appropriate, use the opportunity to guide their problem-solving skills.�5. Do follow-up to make sure the issue was resolved.� �DON’Ts:�1. Don’t be sarastic, condescending, or judgemental.�2. Don’t become agitated or frustrated if they previously asked for help about the same issue.�3. Don’t dismiss their feelings.�4. Don’t attempt to identify if it’s a “big or small problem”. In that moment, it’s a big enough problem to come to you for help.�5. Don’t be a problem-solver first. Be a listener first.

I’d love to find out more about how others are supporting self-advocacy skills. Please share your strategies in the comments.

oakandunity.com�"Empowering people with disabilities and those that care for them with simple solutions and support"�.�.�.� � � � � � � � � � � � � � �

12/12/2022

When you meet in OT school 25 years ago and still hang out. I’m truly grateful to share some laughs with these amazing friends.

12/03/2022

Today is International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Here are some facts about the current state of affairs regarding disabilities from the World Health Organization and the United Nations and what these organizations are doing to create a brighter future for people with disabilities. And remember that any amount of kindness from anyone can make a difference.

12/03/2022

Today is International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Here is some information from the The United Nations and The World Health Organization about the current state affairs about persons with disabilities and what is being done to make a brighter future. And just know that any amount of kindness from anyone can make a significant impact.

11/24/2022

So grateful for our friends, family, and everyone that has supported Oak and Unity. Thank you

09/18/2022

This isn't a post to put down teachers. They have an incredibly difficult job and I respect what they do day in and day out. This post is to demonstrate how seating arrangements impact our ability to engage with others and our environment.  

When we’re with family or friends, in work meetings, etc., we typically sit facing each other or the presenter not only so everyone recieves the attention and respect they deserve, but also so we can see facial expressions and other forms of body language.

In classrooms, students are assigned a seat. And, with an increased emphasis on small group collaboration, students often sit facing each other and away from the area of learning. This may not be an issue for some, but for those with learning differences, this can be problematic.

Let's take copying notes from the board as an example. Simply looking up from their desk to the board and back to their desk to copy information is challenging for some students. But, imagine if they have to turn their head 90 degrees or more. If there are difficulties with visual processing, attention, spelling, or any other learning difference, this seating arrangement may lead to slower production or inaccuracies. At the very, least, incredible amounts of mental effort will be needed for such a relatively simple task. Now imagine other factors such as how far away a student is seated, visual distractions or barriers between the student and board, the stress of trying to keep up with the pace of the class, and then having to repeat this process all day knowing that completing the homework is based on the ability to write everything down. The focus is now on writing the information instead of comprehending it.
There isn't going to be a situation when 100% of the student's needs will be met, which is why self-advocacy is such an important area to focus on. But, as school-based therapists, teachers, and classroom support staff, we can better understand student learning styles and differences and make sure that we're putting them in the most ideal situation to find the most success.

08/17/2022

The Oak and Unity Program Summer Sale is on! Just 15 days left! This includes all options from the self-guided program to private consultations.

There’s no better time to learn a more efficient and effective way to support those in your life with disabilities.

06/25/2022

05/22/2022

“When a flower doesn’t bloom, you fix the environment in which it grows, not the flower” ~ Alexander den Heijer



https://www.oakandunity.com/