Celebrating People Who Are Neurodivergent A message to pep staff from pep ceo, Habeebah R. Grimes “Being different is difficult in a world that tells us there is a ‘normal.’” ~Sonya Renee Taylor Diversity in Neurological Functioning When we think about the diversity of human beings, we often limit our understanding to physical characteristics
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PEP Leads the Way for Young People with Autism In the mid-1980s, school districts sought help from Positive Education Program in serving students who had limited communication capabilities and intense behavioral challenges. Though the terminology was not as widely used as it is today, many of these students were autistic. Districts knew these young people
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The Calming Story Reimagined WHEN TARYN WITNESSED THE REGULATING EFFECT “THE CALMING STORY” HAD, SHE VOLUNTEERED TO GIVE IT A REFRESH. Last year, during the pandemic, one bright spot for students at PEP Prentiss Autism Center was the Superhero Project. This organization interviews young people with serious illnesses and special needs about their superhero alter
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The Opportunity to Play: Step One on the “Competence Makes a Difference” Journey FOR MANY OF THEM, MENTAL HEALTH STRUGGLES OR BEHAVIORAL CHALLENGES HAVE MADE PARTICIPATION IN A TYPICAL SCHOOL SETTING UNREALISTIC. Contributed by David Weiss, occupational therapist, PEP Prentiss “Mr. Weiss, I am SO PROUD OF MYSELF!” DeShawn* exclaimed to me out of
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