We wrap up Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Awareness Month with a look at how AAC can partner with verbal speech. Most children develop a spoken vocabulary by age two, and are talking in short sentences by two and a…
Author: Katherine Swarts (page 17)
In the Pumpkin Patch, 2023
The annual Pumpkin Patch at Easter Seals Greater Houston (ESGH) was held Tuesday afternoon, October 17. Most every department at Loop Central headquarters dressed up its office area and team members for the occasion. Our BridgingApps area featured an “Under…
New BridgingApps List: Women’s Health Apps
October is #BreastCancerAwarenessMonth, but every month (and day) is a time to stay aware of women’s health concerns. While no age or gender is immune to the self-neglect habit, mothers and working women face unique pressures to focus on responsibility…
The World of Adaptive Fitness
Can intellectual disability place anyone at risk for obesity? Unfortunately, statistics say yes. In the U.S., 39 percent of youngsters are overweight or obese (which is certainly bad enough); but among those with Down syndrome, the rate is 49 percent.…
How to Avoid Unconscious Hiring Biases
This article is dedicated to Disability Employment Awareness Month, Down Syndrome Awareness Month, and everyone working for progress in disability employment. Check our BridgingApps for Employment list of apps that can help job seekers find opportunities, practice social skills, and…
Texas Youth2Adult Resources: Colleges with IDD Programs
Disorders such as Down syndrome or autism needn’t mean a lifetime of dependence. Many people with such disabilities can be employed and self-supporting—and there have never been more options available. Higher education, for instance, is no longer reserved for academic…
How Many Disabilities Are There?
Ever heard Down syndrome called a “spectrum disorder”? While “spectrum” in a disability context typically refers to autism, “spectrum disorder” could mean any condition that covers different types and levels of impairment. With autism, these typically include: With Down syndrome,…
It Sounds Just Like You: The World of Text-to-Speech
October is Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Awareness Month. AAC is assistive technology that provides audible voices for people who have disabilities impairing physical speech. There are many reasons a person may not be able to speak physically: The Evolution…
Disability and Extreme-Weather Concerns
See also: Whoever you are and wherever you live, extreme-weather chances run high these days. And when extreme weather strikes, people with disabilities are in a high-risk bracket for serious injury. The best protection is advance preparation. Recommended apps for…
TexasYouth2Adult: Recommended Resources for Medical Needs
A product of BridgingApps and Easter Seals Greater Houston, the TexasYouth2Adult (TY2A) website is an online resource library aimed at young adults who are transitioning to independent living with a disability. Resources are sorted into seven categories: Over the next…