Since joining the Champaign County Early Intervention Team last June, I have been happy to hear the conversations between Early Intervention Service Providers and families about the importance of reading to their very young children.

Some concerns parents have about reading to their children are often that children have no interest in books or that children just destroy the books. These are valid concerns!

However, coming from a preschool background, I know the importance of reading to children. Reading to your child during infancy is important in building that language/literacy connection. Children learn to talk when adults engage them in conversations, which often happens during reading.

But how can you help your child learn to speak by reading?
I think we all have the illusion that reading to a child should be a quiet, peaceful experience. Your child sits on your lap and listens intently as you read them a story…

But it usually doesn’t happen that way! At least not right at the start. You must show your child that reading can be enjoyable, just as you would demonstrate any other skill you are trying to teach them. It’s also important to understand how reading to a child should look, according to your child’s age.

Expectations for read with infants
Infants, up to about a year old, need fabric, plastic, or board books that can be handled without fear of being torn apart. Books need to have brightly colored, easily recognizable pictures, with only one or two words per page. Look for books that label items such as animals, colors, etc. While you look at the book, have a conversation with your child about the pictures you are seeing on the pages. Encourage your child to point to the pictures as you read.

Make sure your child can see your face. Younger infants especially learn so much from your facial expressions. This is how you begin to teach them that reading time can be enjoyable. If you are not having fun, your child will not have fun either!

Expectations for read with toddlers
Older infants and toddlers enjoy board books with just a few words on each page. Eric Carle books are a favorite of mine for this age. Let them turn pages (with your help if necessary). Point out the pictures, ask them questions even if they don’t have the words to answer yet. This is how children learn the back-and-forth nature of conversation. Again, sit so that your child can see your face. Make faces or use silly voices while reading to engage your child.

Reading a book isn’t just about the words on the page, it’s about the experience you create.

When you choose books for older toddlers, you can begin to introduce more traditional paperback picture books. Rhyming books are a great way to have fun with words!  But again, it’s up to adults to teach children to handle books with care. Store books on a bookshelf (or something similar) to help children understand that they aren’t meant to be on the floor, written on, or stepped on. Children are young but usually capable of learning how to take care of books.

The process of reading the words, pointing to the words and pictures, and having a conversation about the story all encourage language. It helps your child make the connection between words on a page and the everyday items all around them. These are beginning reading skills, and it just builds from there.
Reading to your child helps them learn to use their own words, and later, helps them learn to read! It’s kind of magical when you see it happen! 😊

RESOURCES FOR READING
Getting books to read with your child does not have to be expensive. If you haven’t already, check out your local library. They have books for children of all ages.
https://www.champaigncountylibrary.org/
https://www.stparispubliclibrary.org/index.html
https://www.mechanicsburg.lib.oh.us/
https://www.champaign.lib.oh.us/category/branches/north-lewisburg?page=22

You can also sign up for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. This is a free service that mails one new, age appropriate book to your child each month until they are 5 years old. Use the link below to sign up. 
https://ohioimaginationlibrary.org/

Have you ever wanted to know more about what the county board of DD does? If you have ever asked someone about county board services, you may have heard the acronym “ISP”. And, in recent news, there is discussion about “OISP” or “Ohio ISP”.

What is an ISP or OISP?
ISP stands for Individual Service Plan and Ohio ISP stands for Ohio Individual Service Plan. Every person who qualifies to receive services from the Ohio county boards of developmental disabilities is connected with a Service and Support Administrator (SSA). Aside from many other duties, the SSA facilitates a yearly meeting with each person served to create a life plan, or an “individual service plan”.

Is Ohio ISP different from ISP? How?
Yes. Ohio ISP and ISP are different. While both are systems of creating life plans for individuals with developmental disabilities, there is one major difference. Currently each county has their own system/format for creating and maintaining ISPs. With Ohio ISP, all 88 counties will be using the same system. This will simplify processes and eliminate complications of living and working across different counties.

What information is in an Ohio ISP?
The Ohio ISP assessments are grouped into 7 categories. Communication, Advocacy & Engagement, Safety & Security, Social & Spirituality, Daily Life & Employment, Community Living, and Healthy Living. The individual receiving services, the SSA, and all other team/family members who support the person on a regular basis discuss and answer questions together. The questions in each of the 7 categories are designed to assess the person’s goals, capabilities for completing the goals, and what areas the person might need additional supports.

When will Champaign County Board of DD start using the Ohio ISP?
According to the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD), there are approximately 98,000 people receiving services from county boards across the state. Additionally, there are 88 counties all using different systems. As you can imagine, getting everyone to learn and use a whole new system takes an extraordinary amount of time. However, several counties have already transitioned and are using the new Ohio ISP successfully. Once staff are all trained and software is updated, SSAs can start implementing the new assessment at scheduled meetings with individuals served and their teams.
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Information is already being made available to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families/team members, so they will be prepared for a change to their future meetings.

The topic of Ohio ISP has been discussed at several self-advocacy groups, including the April Regional Advocacy meeting hosted in Shelby County. Also, DODD provides a wealth of resources on their website: https://dodd.ohio.gov/compliance/oisp. Visit the DODD website or contact CCBDD if you have more questions about the upcoming change to Ohio ISP.

Every year, during the first week in March, individuals with developmental disabilities, their families and their community allies gather in Columbus to advocate for policies that impact their lives.

After several years of virtual gatherings due to the pandemic, the 2022 event once again offered in-person participation. On March 2, advocates from Champaign County joined the rest of the state for a day of education and activism.

A Day of Activity
Participants of DD Awareness and Advocacy Day had a busy schedule to fill their day in Columbus.

Important Topics Discussed
This year, speakers at DD Awareness and Advocacy Day asked participants to "be the change". This was one of the main topics for the day. Attendants (in-person and virtual) were praised for making their voices heard and advocating for the changes they need.

Also discussed were the state's initiatives in assistive technology. Making technology more available to persons with disabilities can allow more independence. Those served by CCBDD can call their SSA for additional resources on assistive technology.

Advocates also mentioned better accessibility in public areas, better transportation, and the Direct Support Professional shortage. All are important for supporting independent living.

The CDC defines a developmental disability as “a group of conditions due to an impairment in physical, learning, language, or behavior areas. These conditions begin during the developmental period, may impact day-to-day functioning, and usually last throughout a person’s lifetime.”

Developmental disabilities can start as early as birth or develop later in life. To receive services from the county board of developmental disabilities the disability must have occurred before the age of 22.

Between the ages of 0-3 years, if an infant has or is at risk of developmental disabilities, the Champaign Co Board of DD (CCBDD) can provide early intervention services. Early intervention also helps families when their child is ready to transition into school.

As a person with DD ages, CCBDD can provide them with a Service and Support Administrator (SSA). SSAs help individuals and families get the resources they need to live their lives to the fullest.

Do you or a loved one have a developmental disability and need extra help? Check out our website to see the services we offer and contact us for a referral.

This year, for Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, we are not just celebrating the individuals with DD, but also everyone who contributes to the DD community. Let’s give a round of applause to those with developmental disabilities, their family members, their Direct Support Professionals (DSPs), their employers, their SSAs, and their friends.

Because of you more people can volunteer and help make their communities a better place.

Because of you more people can become valued members of the workforce and take pride in a job well done.

Because of you more people can laugh, have fun, and enjoy life to the fullest.

Because of you more people can show off their special abilities, and more people can receive the benefits of those abilities.

Because of you we are all helping each other to make our world a better place.

If you know someone with special abilities, share a picture or story of them on your social media pages. Spread the word about DD Awareness in March and all year round. Post with the hashtags  #DDawareness or #DDAM.

The Champaign Co Board of DD is here to connect all parts of the community. Ask us how you can be a part of it! 

Self-advocacy is defined as the action of representing oneself or one's views or interests. This year, CCBDD was full of people, both those we serve and those we employ, advocating for themselves and what they want for our community.

Just scroll through the newsfeed on the CCBDD Facebook page, and you will see many images and stories of self-advocacy. Aktion Club members taking officer positions and creating projects for children, Special Olympics participants meeting weight lifting and running goals, Regional Advocacy conference and meetings, people fundraising for a new inclusive playground, and individuals with disabilities finding their ideal job are just a few examples.

This winter, let's start thinking about more ways to be better advocates and how we can continue to promote self-advocacy in the new year.
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• Think about what makes you happy and healthy, and find out how to start doing it.
• Set new goals for yourself.
• Share your story with others and listen to their stories.
• Ask for help when you need it. Knowing that you sometimes can't do it on your own is also a part of advocating for yourself and your wellbeing. (If you are served by CCBDD, speak with your SSA about your goals.)
• If you have an infant or toddler and feel your child needs help with developmental growth, make a referral to our Early Intervention program. (see P.L.A.Y. Project article)
• Be inspired by other self-advocates!

Employing people with disabilities is beneficial to both the individuals and the employers. Having a job:

• provides opportunities for socialization
• allows people to be less dependent on social security income
• gives a sense of purpose

Employers will find that hiring those with disabilities:

• reduces employee turnover
• increases overall productivity
• provides tax incentives for the business

We encourage anyone with disability employment questions to contact the Champaign Co Board office at 937-653-5217. Whether you are a person with disabilities curious about employment or a business interested in hiring persons with disabilities, we can help you!