Ask anyone around you to define the word “transition,” and you will likely get a variety of responses. In the world of special education, Transition has a very specific meaning, yet is misunderstood by many.

The federal laws (IDEA) around Individual Education Plans (IEP) require school districts to create a Transition Plan for all students with disabilities by the time they are 16 years old. In the state of Wisconsin, that requirement begins at age 14.

Here at Islands of Brilliance (IOB), we have the great privilege of working not only with amazing students but phenomenal parents. Parents come to us at all stages of their child’s journey. Some are veteran parents or parents that have had multiple children go through the IEP process. While others are brand new, having no idea what will happen next, but know they want what’s best for their child.

Yes, it's January 2022. I keep seeing all sorts of wonderful hints, tips and tricks about ways I can lose weight, get healthier, save more money for my retirement, make my house more organized, cleaner, you name it. Setting goals for the new year usually seems like a good idea, but then reality sets in. That is just not happening here. Instead, I have been doing a lot of thinking and reflecting. Sometimes that is at 2AM, so bear with me.

People keep asking me, “how are you doing?” and I am tired of putting on a smile and saying, “Fine.” Or, “Things are good.” They aren’t. And I think we all need to be honest about that.

For new families, this is how our journey together begins. Families reach out to us looking for a welcoming environment, a community where their student can be with "people like me" -- a place where they actually want to be.

Our conversations focus on areas of interest, passions, and stories of success. But we also get the chance to understand where the challenges, barriers, and struggles have been. As I reflect on this past year, I come back to these conversations and how they help guide us in finding common ground and start a relationship that, for many families, has been the first time they've felt heard and that they've finally found their place.

In her immensely beautiful book Braiding Sweetgrass, indigineous botanist and author Robin Wall Kimmerer describes the daily Onondaga Nation ritual known as the Thanksgiving Address. Known more accurately in the Onondaga language as “The Words That Come Before All Else,” this extensive daily recitation is a protocol that sets gratitude as the highest priority.

Over the past two months, our Digital Academy (DA) students completed a Design Thinking sprint creating a social awareness campaign. The team explored multiple topics and issues including LGTBQ+ rights, bullying, autism rights, and gender equality before choosing to create their campaign around the issue of Mental Health Awareness.

How Digital Academy is meeting the needs of neurodiverse students in a work-based learning environment.

DA focuses on helping students develop important personal and professional skills needed for post-secondary education and employment. It also provides them with exposure to specific employment opportunities that may align with their interests and strengths.

Having an IEP is supposed to help. But often it is more confusing or frustrating. I remember my first IEP with our son Harry. Honestly, I felt like a deer in headlights, with acronyms flying and hearing all of the things my son was struggling to do. I wish I’d known then what I know now. Ideally, if you have a loved one who needs an IEP, remember what that stands for–an Individual Education Plan.

As a special education teacher, I tried to meet students where they were at, modify and provide accommodations as best I could with the resources I had available. However, “success” was not always achieved and more often than not a “fingers crossed” mentality was the go-to approach for intervention.

Happy summer to our IOB community! It has been so much fun getting to know IOB families, students, and parents throughout the years. Whether in person or virtually, we've had the pleasure of meeting so many people, seeing so many smiles, and celebrating our students' successes.

The community of Doodle Lounge has proven that our students are incredibly creative and empathetic. Each student is able to express their own interests in a positive environment where they feel safe. The end result is a place where students inspire each other and collaborate and learn how to grow their creative talents. Having a place to share interests has given the students the chance to create connections and friendships.

A big driver of our students' successes is the support they receive from IOB mentors. Dan "Nemo" Janssen is one of these awesome people who dedicates his time, energy, and passion to the Brilliant Breakfast Club (BBC).

For this month's Notebook post, we asked Dan to share his thoughts about his time as a BBC mentor.

It has been a year since we suspended in-person workshops at Islands of Brilliance, so it feels like a good time to reflect and take stock of who we are and how we serve. Looking back at the last 12 months also allows us to see the enormous growth we saw within our students too–they adapted, they learned so much about themselves and their capabilities, and they flourished.

“He’s always on the computer! It drives me crazy! He needs to go outside and play with his friends.”

“She’s always looking at her phone. How will she ever engage with humans in real situations?”

These quotes are all echoed by parents. Whether your child is neurotypical or neurodiverse–if you are a parent–you have likely said one of these things to your spouse or a friend. Today’s children are digital natives, growing up in the information age. We can’t go backwards from this trend of technology being at the forefront of everything that happens at school, work, and home. Of course, the global pandemic has accelerated this trend!

We all know the drill, the new year rolls around and everyone starts focusing on what they want to change in their lives. We set lofty goals for “a better us.” What does that even mean? We often take a look at ourselves or our families and decide this is the year we will change it all! And we quickly overwhelm ourselves with too many goals, plans, and systems. We probably drive ourselves and everyone around us crazy in the process. And before we know it, probably right around now…a few weeks into the new year…we burn out and return to our regular routines. Are you there? Does this feel a little too familiar? Don’t worry! You’re not alone!

Mornings in our home always start with coffee and conversation—which often revolves around how lucky we are to do what we do. The joy, the sense of community, the self confidence and advocacy, and the sense of pride that has blossomed over the past eight years really is something we are incredibly honored to be part of.

It goes without saying, this has been a year like no other. As we head towards what will definitely be a unique holiday season, it seems clear we will need to shift expectations on our old traditions. There is no better time than now to reflect on ways to stay positive, hopeful, and ideally be more inclusive!

What does the word accessibility mean to you?

Wheelchair ramps, automatically opening doors, and braille on elevators, I imagine you would say. Yes, that is what accessibility means in the world of architecture and physical environments, but what does accessibility mean for learning environments?

“Thank you - I am so glad we found you!”

“My daughter absolutely loved joining in yesterday, when is the next one?”

“What is all this Juice Talk?”

I am really lucky, I get to hear lots of happy stories. We here at IOB call it, "Juice." Juice is representative of all the good stories we get to share—stuff that makes us happy, proud, and know we are doing important and meaningful work.

Students thriving in a distance learning environment.

Until March of this year, I had not truly given thought to what it means to pivot. Being part of an organization with a mission that targets changing perceptions around autism, I thought I understood the nature and value of change - and then everything changed.