As we watch the last episode of Speechless, Season One, it’s obvious that we have been given a rare and beautiful gift – an incredible look at what it means to live a life with CP. Both for the person and for the family.

We hope you feel the same way about our expert videos – which now comprise a library of 45 videos, dealing with critical issues across a broad spectrum. If you want to get a full sense of this information, you can see the entire library here.

For this last week, we turn to two more of our valued friends in the medical community to give us a sense of how to better understand the needs around CP: from the earliest moments, to the growing child. Dr. Andrea Guzzetta discusses General Movement Assessments, which allows us to detect the potential for developmental delay in a baby as young as three months. And Dr. Josh Hyman, who can help you understand x-rays that your child might need.

It has been a glorious season. All our love to our friends at Speechless. And to all our CPF families and friends.

Come back next week, when we’ll share our final thoughts on what this year has been like for us, some friends, and our ambassador, Micah Fowler

As we watch the last episode of Speechless, Season One, it’s obvious that we have been given a rare and beautiful gift – an incredible look at what it means to live a life with CP. Both for the person and for the family.

We hope you feel the same way about our expert videos – which now comprise a library of 45 videos, dealing with critical issues across a broad spectrum. If you want to get a full sense of this information, you can see the entire library here.

For this last week, we turn to two more of our valued friends in the medical community to give us a sense of how to better understand the needs around CP: from the earliest moments, to the growing child. Dr. Andrea Guzzetta discusses General Movement Assessments, which allows us to detect the potential for developmental delay in a baby as young as three months. And Dr. Josh Hyman, who can help you understand x-rays that your child might need.

It has been a glorious season. All our love to our friends at Speechless. And to all our CPF families and friends.

Come back next week, when we’ll share our final thoughts on what this year has been like for us, some friends, and our ambassador, Micah Fowler

Parents are protective. That’s their job. So what happens when your child needs surgery? Not just once, but over and over again. Parents certainly understand the need, each and every time, but it sure doesn’t make the moment any easier.

Imagine knowing you can’t fully protect your child. Imagine the difficult decisions you need to make. Imagine the strength needed to keep going on and always being there.

That’s what this week’s Speechless episode is all about. The DiMeo family, as JJ gets surgery. This moment is something many people in the disabilities community know too much about.

However, there are parts of surgery we should know more about. So this week CPF introduces you to two of our close friends: Drs. Roye and Hyman. Both are orthopedic surgeons, who can explain some of the intricacies of hip and back surgery – in language we can all understand. Surgery never ever gets any easier, but understanding the process can help.

Parents are protective. That’s their job. So what happens when your child needs surgery? Not just once, but over and over again. Parents certainly understand the need, each and every time, but it sure doesn’t make the moment any easier.

Imagine knowing you can’t fully protect your child. Imagine the difficult decisions you need to make. Imagine the strength needed to keep going on and always being there.

That’s what this week’s Speechless episode is all about. The DiMeo family, as JJ gets surgery. This moment is something many people in the disabilities community know too much about.

However, there are parts of surgery we should know more about. So this week CPF introduces you to two of our close friends: Drs. Roye and Hyman. Both are orthopedic surgeons, who can explain some of the intricacies of hip and back surgery – in language we can all understand. Surgery never ever gets any easier, but understanding the process can help.

Everyone feels like an outsider sometimes. We all have triggers which rile us up every time we hear that same…. thing…. about…. ourselves. Everyone has moments when they just want to get away from the people who don’t understand them – and only stop running if they find that world where they fit in.

And, yes, these things are also harder in the world of disabilities.

Getting someone to see you for the person you are and to look past things which feel dissimilar should be so easy, but if we are honest with ourselves, it’s not.

In this episode of Speechless, JJ finds himself in an iconic moment: Prom Night. With usual bravery, Speechless shares how tough and confusing these moments can be. It also shares the hopes which all of us will always chase after.

To help in that chase, CPF introduces you to two new friends: Dr. Heakyung Kim, who talks about social and medical issues around drooling, and Dan Herlihy, who talks about finding the things you love to do.

Enjoy tonight’s fantastic and poignant episode, P-P-PROM NIGHT. And, of course, save your last dance for CPF.

This week’s Speechless episode is extra special because not just one, but two of our ambassadors will be on it! Not only Micah Fowler, but Zach Anner in one episode. Wow! Just when we thought we couldn’t possibly be bigger fans of the show.

Zach, playing Lee, enters the life of the DiMeo’s to guide JJ in his quest for independence with some pretty powerful advice. Don’t miss the chance to see this dynamic duo bring us not only their incredible talent, but some pretty incredible interactions.

But they’re not the only CPF besties who can help explain the needs and supports around the broad goals of gaining independence. So we’re also sharing a video from expert Kelly Fonner, who talks about goals you can help your child set in the classroom. And Mike Marotta tells you about the remarkable world of accessibility features already built into products you own. To round it out we have Dr. Seth Warchausky getting back to the foundations for gaining independence.

This week’s Speechless episode is extra special because not just one, but two of our ambassadors will be on it! Not only Micah Fowler, but Zach Anner in one episode. Wow! Just when we thought we couldn’t possibly be bigger fans of the show.

Zach, playing Lee, enters the life of the DiMeo’s to guide JJ in his quest for independence with some pretty powerful advice. Don’t miss the chance to see this dynamic duo bring us not only their incredible talent, but some pretty incredible interactions.

But they’re not the only CPF besties who can help explain the needs and supports around the broad goals of gaining independence. So we’re also sharing a video from expert Kelly Fonner, who talks about goals you can help your child set in the classroom. And Mike Marotta tells you about the remarkable world of accessibility features already built into products you own. To round it out we have Dr. Seth Warchausky getting back to the foundations for gaining independence.

Every parent wonders how their child is doing in school. Are they making friends? Are they studying? Are they learning?

There’s rarely an easy answer. It’s rarer still in the world of disabilities. Students with CP and similar conditions often rely on many supports and services. From scanned materials, to augmentative communication, to paraprofessionals who sit beside kids and transcribe answers for tests. It’s no wonder that grades of kids with disabilities don’t always reflect their true abilities.

If you’re a parent of a child with disabilities, you’ll instantly relate to this week’s episode of Speechless, where Kenneth’s support of JJ goes a bit too far when he asks “JJ, is the answer A, or B, or, get ready, how about this one: Ceeeeeeee?” It’s a fabulously funny moment. Yet it’s an honest look at the real complexities around finding the right amount of support in the classroom.

We’re thrilled this week that our classroom has two super thoughtful experts, Kirk Behnke and Craig Bugaj, who explore how to find the right level of guidance and intervention – in everything from communication to taking tests.

Every parent wonders how their child is doing in school. Are they making friends? Are they studying? Are they learning?

There’s rarely an easy answer. It’s rarer still in the world of disabilities. Students with CP and similar conditions often rely on many supports and services. From scanned materials, to augmentative communication, to paraprofessionals who sit beside kids and transcribe answers for tests. It’s no wonder that grades of kids with disabilities don’t always reflect their true abilities.

If you’re a parent of a child with disabilities, you’ll instantly relate to this week’s episode of Speechless, where Kenneth’s support of JJ goes a bit too far when he asks “JJ, is the answer A, or B, or, get ready, how about this one: Ceeeeeeee?” It’s a fabulously funny moment. Yet it’s an honest look at the real complexities around finding the right amount of support in the classroom.

We’re thrilled this week that our classroom has two super thoughtful experts, Kirk Behnke and Craig Bugaj, who explore how to find the right level of guidance and intervention – in everything from communication to taking tests.

In this week’s fabulous and hilarious episode of Speechless, JJ DiMeo heads to, of all places, the supermarket aisle to develop all sorts of clever strategies to assert his independence.

Learning to effectively tap into those skills should start early, with a focus on finding the best ways to support a developing brain. We hope this weeks insights – more from Dr. Ros Boyd, and new ones from Karen Janowski – will provide some great tips on how to make that happen.

In this week’s fabulous and hilarious episode of Speechless, JJ DiMeo heads to, of all places, the supermarket aisle to develop all sorts of clever strategies to assert his independence.

Learning to effectively tap into those skills should start early, with a focus on finding the best ways to support a developing brain. We hope this weeks insights – more from Dr. Ros Boyd, and new ones from Karen Janowski – will provide some great tips on how to make that happen.

If you want to understand someone’s life, listen to their stories.

It’s been energizing – and a bit dizzying – as Speechless has looked at the diverse challenges faced by individuals who struggle with speech. But if there’s one thing we can take away, it’s that addressing these challenges is important. Communication, in any form, is central to life.

So as Speechless brings together a group of kids with diverse challenges for an Oscar Party, we’re bringing together a diverse group of experts to help you support the challenges faced by kids who use speech generating devices. Thanks to Pati King-DeBaun, Deanna Wagner, and Howard Shane for sharing their expertise and insights. In fact, we’re voting them all Best Supporting Speech Therapists!

It’s been energizing – and a bit dizzying – as Speechless has looked at the diverse challenges faced by individuals who struggle with speech. But if there’s one thing we can take away, it’s that addressing these challenges is important. Communication, in any form, is central to life.

So as Speechless brings together a group of kids with diverse challenges for an Oscar Party, we’re bringing together a diverse group of experts to help you support the challenges faced by kids who use speech generating devices. Thanks to Pati King-DeBaun, Deanna Wagner, and Howard Shane for sharing their expertise and insights. In fact, we’re voting them all Best Supporting Speech Therapists!