The Home & Community-Based Services Act was one of the more vital pieces of legislation that, as part of LEND's Policy & Advocacy subcommittee, I participated in educating legislators and their aides regarding how it would be of significant benefit. This flyer was part of my advocacy effort while participating in the Disability Policy Seminar.
Competency 3, 8.

This panel, of which I take regular part, meets on a quarterly basis to answer medical student questions about how to treat patients with disabilities (specifically neurological disorders). Listening to students voicing their concerns and apprehensions when working with patients with disabilities positively influenced other projects, including my capstone. Competencies 1, 4.

As part of the LEND curriculum detailing the self-advocacy movement, I had the honor of giving a small lecture about Neurodiversity in class. Competency 6.

Part of my work as a member of the Executive Committee for the Kansas City League of Autistics includes leading meetings, presenting at conferences and creating workshops. These hour-long sessions typically focused on one singular topic, and included audience participation activities. Competencies 8, 9.

The Kansas University School of Medicine received an American Medical Educator grant to develop & pilot curriculum regarding proper care of patients with developmental disabilities. I was gratified to contribute the slides and narrarations for these two specific webinars, discussing patient-centered care for autistics, social/behavioral interventions for autistic adults, history of disability & the disability rights movement, Neurodiversity, and more. Competency 7.

As part of the LEND Media Club, I led discussion about the book Leaders Around Me: Autobiographies of Autistics who Type, Point & Spell to communicate. I unexpectedly came away from the book itself feeling somewhat conflicted regarding facilitated communication, and used this as a catalyst for conversation with my fellow LEND peers. Competency 6.

As part of the Family Immersion program under LEND, I was able to observe an IEP meeting concerning the family to which I was assigned; the above is a brief reflection essay of my thoughts regarding that meeting. Competency 2.

Following the Family Immersion IEP meeting, I crafted this resource based upon what I had learned from the family interactions. Missouri Family To Family is a network that connects individuals with disabilities and their families to resources, including trained & certified peer mentors, custom referrals, and more.
Competency 5.