See below for an opportunity to participate in a research study.
“The Ohio State University Nisonger Center needs your help to develop an interview about the mental health of youth and young adults with Intellectual Disability (ID). Participants will play an important role in an effort to improve the mental health outcomes of adolescents and young adults with ID.”
See below for an opportunity to participate in research.
“We are looking for individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities, which may include diagnoses such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, Cerebral Palsy, Down syndrome, ages 15-30 years to participate in a research study! This study is to enhance the usefulness of learning activities for sexual health education. We also want to learn what we can do to make them more fun for you! We need your help!”
See below for an opportunity to participate in research.
“Project STEER (Stakeholders Engaging for Early Intervention Research) is a new, federally-funded project that aims to increase the influence of stakeholder voices in shaping the direction of autism early intervention research. We are looking for individuals from three stakeholder groups (people with autism, parents, early intervention providers) who would be interested in engaging over the course of one year to develop an early intervention research agenda and a framework for stakeholder consultation to research teams. Selected Project STEER participants will be paid for their time on the project ($15/hour) and have all expenses reimbursed (including mileage for travel to meetings).”
Click here to access the recruitment flyer and the FAQs page. Applications are being accepted through the end of June.
Individuals with disabilities may qualify for free, lifetime passes to U.S. National Parks & Federal Recreational Lands. This pass allows individuals with disabilities who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the United States to access national parks across the nation. There is an online or paper application available, which can be submitted with a one-time $10 processing fee. Follow this link to learn more about how to apply!
The week has flown by. We have spent time getting to know ourselves through assessments. We have had classes to learn about academics at OSU, the internships available, some tips for living independently and how to be social. So much to learn but students are eager to learn and get back in August. Students have asked such good questions about their transitions to campus in the fall.
We have had a lot of fun too! We met some alumni and current students for game night. We headed to Miner 49er and HoundDogs for pizza. Trivia was a bust because it was 21+ only but we stopped for ice cream on the way home instead.
Some of our incoming students were able to get their BuckID’s. Check out Matt’s!
Students have been hard at work on their video presentations. Here is a group working at the Research Commons!
It’s officially the start of one of our favorite times of the year as TOPS Staff – the annual summer College Orientation and Transition Assessment (COTA) Program. COTA is a week-long college orientation experience, during which, incoming TOPS students and rising high school juniors and seniors that are interested in the TOPS program come to Ohio State’s campus for a taste of what it is like to be in college.
Yesterday, we kicked off the week by moving in to the dorms, talking to the students about the Ohio State Student Code of Conduct (because college students have responsibilities, too!), and having a tour of the campus, led by one of our current TOPS students, LaMont.
LaMont showing his excitement after giving a great campus tour!
Students on the campus tour with Ohio Stadium in the background – Go Bucks!
After the amazingly comprehensive tour (thanks, LaMont!), the students broke up into their Scarlet and Gray groups and completed a scavenger hunt on campus – which had the students searching for Brutus statues and the campus newspaper, taking pictures at their favorite spot(s) on campus, and interacting with current Ohio State students. A great time was had by all and we are so excited for what the rest of the week will bring 🙂
Students doing the O-H-I-O in front of the Ohio Stadium stained glass.
Students during the scavenger hunt at their favorite place on campus – the William Oxley Thompson statue on the Oval.
Currently, there seems to be a never-ending list of apps available for download, and many can increase an individual’s access to and success in the classroom, in the community, or in a variety of other contexts. Over the summer, we’ll highlight several of these apps, so hopefully you find one that fits your lifestyle!
App name: Any.do
Where you can access this app: smartphone, computer/laptop, tablet, some smart watches
What can this app do?
This app keeps all of your lists and to-do items in one app. Any.do has the following features: to-do lists, a calendar, grocery lists, reminders, and a daily planner.
Beyond keeping a simple to-do list, you can also color-code and prioritize tasks. Set up custom one-time reminders, repeating reminders that occur at the same time every day/week/etc., and location-based reminders (such as reminding you to feed the cat when you get home).
Any.do syncs with your previously existing calendar, including Google Calendar.
The grocery list feature automatically organizes items based on sections of the grocery store and saves recently purchased/regularly occurring items so you can easily add them to your list.
How much does this app cost? The app is free to download, but a subscription is required to access some features.
Click here to learn more about this app.Â
Source: https://www.any.do/
The Nisonger Center maintains a research registry, made up of individuals who could be potential participants in relevant studies. The registry is made up of individuals who have received services through the Nisonger Center and are interested in being a part of research. The registry is voluntary, and you can remove your name at any time. Once in the registry, you may periodically be contacted about participating in a study. Your participation in these studies is entirely optional. If you would like to be a part of this registry, fill out the form below and send it to Jessie Green.
Are you aware of the Communication Disability Self-Identification database for drivers/vehicle passengers in Ohio?
The database was established by House Bill 115 and its purpose is as follows:
Allows for individuals with a medically diagnosed communication disability who drive or regularly have someone with a communication disability in their vehicle to voluntarily identify themselves to law enforcement. Officers approaching a vehicle will be notified that there may be someone with a communication disability in the vehicle prior to approach in order to reduce any potential misunderstandings or communication problems.
Source: OOD
To learn more about the database, including who qualifies and how to sign up, click here and here.
If you’d like to register for the database, you can access the Communication Disability Verification Form here.
Recently, two TOPS staff members published a resource on how to establish a peer mentor program to support students with intellectual disabilities. This resource is available on the Think College Resource Library and was published in How to Think College. It provides information on how to establish and maintain a peer mentor program. Check it out!