MAB Community Services Annual Meeting Recap
This year’s annual meeting theme was “A Real Difference for a Real Life – Transition Programs That Work.” For teens with autism or other learning or social challenges, finding the right school makes all the difference. Joannie Y. Jaxtimer, Co-Head of Global Philanthropy, BNY Mellon lead an informational, educated, and spirited conversation focused on transition programs. Our panellists discussed whether teachers and clinicians really understand their unique needs? Is the program creative, flexible, and grounded in research? Is the student going to be able to make a successful transition to adult life, with goals for the future and the skills to take the next steps? Too often, these students enter the real world with limited social opportunities, no vocational prospects, and minimal community independence.
Panelists included:
Brooke Howard, MS, OTR/L, Transition Director, Ivy Street School
Brooke has worked as an Occupational Therapist with children and adolescents in early intervention, inpatient, outpatient and school-based settings since she was licensed in 2005. She has also served as an adjunct faculty in the Occupational Therapy department at Sargent College from 2010-2014.
Joan Kester, Ed.D. Assistant Professor Special Education and Disability Studies, Graduate School of Education and Human Development, the George Washington University
Dr. Joan Kester is an Assistant Professor of Special Education and Disability Studies at the George Washington University, Graduate School of Education and Human Development. She is responsible for the online Master’s and Certificate in Secondary Special Education and Transition Services. Dr. Kester’s research interests include secondary transition, interagency collaboration, communities of practice, and youth engagement. Dr. Kester receives national recognition for her work in the successful transition of youth with disabilities from school to adult life.
Michelle Garcia Winner, M.A., CCC-SLP, Founder and CEO, Social Thinking
Michelle Garcia Winner is a speech language pathologist who specializes in the treatment of students with social cognitive deficits at the Social Thinking Center, her clinic in San Jose, California. She coined the term “Social Thinking®” in the mid-1990s and continued to evolve the Social Thinking framework that today includes information, vocabulary, curriculum, and strategies that help individuals with social learning challenges become better social thinkers.
Following the panel discussion, MAB Community Services presented the Community Partner Awards. These organizations and individuals support MAB Community Services and the important work of our divisions; The Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Adult Disability Services, and the Ivy Street School. The Massachusetts Association of Councils on Aging received recognition for commitment to expanding access to life-changing technology for older adults who are blind or visually impaired.
Talya Nevo-Hacohen for her work with Adult Disability Services to achieve the highest level of person-centered planning and for making such a difference in the lives of the individuals MAB Community Services serves.
Michelle Garcia Winner for her contributions to the field of special education. Her thoughtful work on Social Thinking has changed the lives and futures of countless children and families.
MAB Community Services has been creating opportunities for people with disabilities since 1903. Our highest priority (and our greatest success) is to make it possible for an individual with a disability to live a full and active life in the community. More than 1,400 lives are affected by our programs each year.