Optimal Access / Access Academy

12/20/2025

“ENGAGE MY BRAIN!”
Listening doesn’t have a look. Nonspeaking kids are often provided the exact opposite of what they need to regulate. This is neurodiversity at work. Underestimating the intelligence and academic potential of these students is what leads to dysregulation. They don’t need mindless drills our modified curriculum. They need us to BRING IT, not restrict their academic learning or build in unnecessary repetition. Adequate engagement is the best support for engagement and regulation. Don’t assume they aren’t listening and learning. ASK THEM!

12/19/2025

In recent months, the media has been filled with stories about autism—many of them filled with confusion, division, and fear. Families are left wondering what to believe, and autistic individuals are feeling more misunderstood than ever. At Optimal ACCESS, we believe this is our moment to bring clarity, science, and compassion back into the conversation.

That’s why the 2026 Rethinking Autism Conference is more than just another event—it’s a lifeline. Together with the University of Southern Indiana, we’re gathering leading voices in applied neuroscience, movement science, communication access, and family-centered support to restore hope and rebuild trust for families affected by autism.

Why Attend?

▪️Learn from leading autism advocates, applied neuroscience researchers, and neurologic music therapy innovators.

▪️Hear inspiring stories from autistic self-advocates who are challenging stereotypes and leading change.

▪️Participate in practical workshops focused on communication, regulation, and movement-based supports for nonspeaking, minimally speaking, and unreliably speaking individuals.

▪️Connect with educators, therapists, healthcare providers, and families who are shaping the future of autism support.

Together, We Can Calm the Noise and Restore Confidence.

Families deserve to feel informed, supported, and hopeful—not fearful or overwhelmed. By attending this year's Rethinking Autism Conference, you’re not just participating in an event; you’re joining in a national movement to replace anxiety with understanding, misinformation with truth, and division with unity.

For more information or to pre-register for Early Bird pricing when registration officially opens visit: https://www.optimalaccess.org/rethinking-autism-conference/

Know someone who should be part of this conversation? Please share this post and invite them along.

12/18/2025

🌟 Reminder for ACCESS Parents! 🌟
Don’t forget — our monthly ACCESS Parents meeting is TONIGHT at 5:30pm CST on Zoom. We’d love to have you join us for connection, updates, and shared support. 💛

👉 Please make sure to complete the registration form to receive the Zoom link!
We can’t wait to see you there. 👋💻

Register here: https://bit.ly/accessparentgroup

12/13/2025

Santa is in the house!!! HO HO HO
Sensory-friendly environment and highly trained elves and photographer are waiting to greet you until 2:00 PM TODAY to get great photos with Santa! Suggested donation $25/family. Digital photos will be emailed to you after the event.
All proceeds support the programs of Optimal ACCESS with autistic children and their families!
Special Thanks to Kim’s Consignment 🪑 and Gary Craig!!! 🎅
Visit us TODAY at Optimal ACCESS and IntegratIntegrative Music Therapy Hill In Newburgh! PLEASE SHARE!!

12/13/2025

Today is the day! We still have 4 spots available - 12:30pm, 12:45pm 1:00pm & 1:15pm. Register now to claim one of the remaining sessions!


🎅🏼🎄

Reserve your Sensory-Friendly 15-min Photo Shoot with Santa!
Dec 13th 12:00PM - 2:00PM
Optimal ACCESS, Newburgh, IN (On K**b Hill)
$25 per session - includes the support of highly-trained staff and our kind and patient Santa, plus 2-3 digital photos, provided after the shoot.

CAPTURE A MOMENT. SUPPORT A VOICE.
All proceeds from this holiday fundraiser will be used to provide ACCESSS Communication Kits to families of children with communication challenges as they build the skills for spelled communication together.

Reserve your session on our event calendar and make payment now to secure your spot! SESSIONS ARE LIMITED and will FILL FAST.
Visit https://www.optimalaccess.org/events/ or scan the QR Code in the image for next steps.


🎅🏼🎄

12/12/2025

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: FAMILIES PLEASE SHARE!
These are the needs we see each week.. Please speak up and ask for:

* Self-determination - more flexibility in how you can spend your service dollars
* Communication support services beyond speech therapy - to ensure every waiver participant has the opportunity to be understood
* Family and Paid Caregiver Training that includes the individual!
* Coordination of services between school and home!

Who can participate?
* People accessing services who have physical disabilities (under age 60); intellectual and developmental disabilities; and traumatic brain injuries
* Family members
* HCBS service providers
* HCBS case managers

What will we talk about?
* What is and isn’t going well with services
* Suggestions for changes to the BDS waivers

Information to participate:
* Register to participate by clicking here: https://click.subscription.in.gov/?qs=50c79f58b53584c505fffd67295bb2c973593cd599555fe4ba729093025e2dd79bba4b25ebf52115ae71deb8a3d33a4bd0bab82beede91beebb9c0b6d7fc8bf5
* Once you have registered, please scroll down in the Zoom confirmation email and add it to your calendar.
* American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation and English captions will be provided.

For more information click here: https://click.subscription.in.gov/?qs=50c79f58b53584c5c819caf58b8da1c52134f33ff349d6ed29d0bba9c86c86a0ce7028b1207276e2a5aa8f639e08a22f5d020476cefd4f921e08d110a36046e2

12/09/2025

Great book study opportunity here with our friends at Alliance Against Seclusion and Restraint!

Our first book study for 2026 will be Alfie Kohn's Punished by Rewards. It remains one of my favorite books and gets at the heart of the problem with rewards. All studies will be open for registration later this week.

12/06/2025

Reserve your Sensory-Friendly 15-min Photo Shoot with Santa!
Dec 13th 12:00PM - 2:00PM
Optimal ACCESS, Newburgh, IN (On K**b Hill)
$25 per session - includes the support of highly-trained staff and our kind and patient Santa, plus 2-3 digital photos, provided after the shoot.

CAPTURE A MOMENT. SUPPORT A VOICE.
All proceeds from this holiday fundraiser will be used to provide ACCESSS Communication Kits to families of children with communication challenges as they build the skills for spelled communication together.

Reserve your session on our event calendar and make payment now to secure your spot! SESSIONS ARE LIMITED and will FILL FAST.
Visit https://www.optimalaccess.org/events/ or scan the QR Code in the image for next steps.


🎅🏼🎄

12/06/2025

Reserve your 15-minute Sensory-Friendly Photo Shoot with Santa!
WHAT: Make holiday memories without the stress. We email you the digial pictures.
WHEN: Dec 13th from 12:00 PM- 2:00 PM
WHERE: Optimal ACCESS (On K**b Hill in Newburgh)
HOW: Click on the link to choose your time from our event calendar and pay. https://www.optimalaccess.org/events/
Then, SHARE WITH OTHER FAMILIES!
WHY: All proceeds of this holiday fundraiser will be used to provide ACCESS Communication kits to families of children with communication challenges as they build skills for open reliable communication!
🎅🏼🎄⭐

12/05/2025

Holiday considerations from Thoughts from Henry.

If you would like to support our efforts to teach students and families the skills for letter board communication, please consider our year end giving campaign at Optimal Access!

Donate: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/unlock-communication-train-families-change-lives

REALLY WANT TO WRITE ABOUT THE HOLIDAYS.

THEY ARE SORT OF HARD BECAUSE I AM NOT ABLE TO DO MANY OF THE SPECIAL THINGS THAT OTHER PEOPLE DO. I AM HAPPY SOMETIMES TO WATCH AND OTHER TIMES I WANT TO PARTICIPATE, BUT I HATE HOW MY BODY DOES NOT WORK. I AM GLAD I HAVE LOVING PARENTS WHO INCLUDE ME AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

I REMEMBER WHAT CHRISTMAS WAS LIKE BEFORE I HAD COMMUNICATION AND IT WAS SO HARD. I COULD NOT TELL ANYONE WHAT I FELT OR NEEDED AND IT WAS TERRIBLE. NOW I CAN COMMUNICATE MY THOUGHTS AND PARTICIPATE MORE SO IT IS MUCH BETTER.

HAVE COMPASSION ON THOSE WHO CANNOT SPEAK AND GET HELP IN TEACHING THEM TO USE A LETTERBOARD SO THEY CAN COMMUNICATE LIKE I CAN. IT IS HARD WORK BUT SO WORTH IT. MAYBE YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO HAS A NONSPEAKING CHILD. TELL THEM ABOUT IT. NOTHING IS MORE IMPORTANT. YOU CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE IN A PERSONS LIFE BY TELLING THEM BY SAYING SOMETHING SO THEY CAN GET OUT OF THEIR PRISON OF SILENCE.

12/02/2025

As Giving Tuesday comes to a close, we’re asking from the deepest place in our hearts: please stand with the nonspeaking autistic students who have spent years fighting to be understood.

Your gift tonight isn’t just a donation - it’s a lifeline of dignity, belief, and opportunity for a child who has been waiting far too long for someone to say, ‘I see you, and you matter.

Learn more: https://www.optimalaccess.org/

Donate: https://bit.ly/4p3hyL1