In this episode, Dr. Christi Carnahan and Dr. Kate Doyle from the University of Cincinnati's Special Education Department are joined by Ashley Barlow to discuss the role of self-determination in the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The guest, Amy Szymanski, shares her extensive experience of over 30 years in special education, covering her journey from being an intervention specialist to working on secondary transition and workforce development. Amy also provides personal insights from her role in supporting her brother-in-law, who has autism. The conversation covers practical examples of promoting self-determination, the importance of early connections with support agencies, and the value of thorough documentation. The episode wraps up with some book recommendations

Connect With Us:

• For more information about the University of Cincinnati's special education programs, visit online.uc.edu/SPED.
• To learn more about the programs for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, visit cech.uc.edu.
• Contact us with your thoughts and questions at advancetheconversation@uc.edu.

Join us on this journey as we advance the conversation on self-determination and its crucial role in supporting individuals with disabilities.