Our Advisory Board, composed of autistic advocates and dedicated parents, plays a crucial role in guiding our mission to empower nonspeaking individuals. These carefully selected individuals offer insight and guidance to our Optimal ACCESS team and to the Board of Directors, ensuring that we provide every individual with the tools to thrive with dignity, autonomy, and perseverance.
Adam is a nonspeaking advocate from Huntersville, North Carolina. Adam says he is interested in supporting Optimal ACCESS as an advisory board member because he would love to stay with this great community of people. He wants to support and be an advocate for spellers like himself.
Adam writes, “I believe in Optimal ACCESS because they helped me become a better communicator and I am able to express myself to others where without this program I was not heard. I also believe in this program because with them I was able to be the first high school graduate in this program.”
Ben Breaux is a 23-year-old nonspeaking autistic with epilepsy from Northern Virginia. Ben’s goals are to help assure more people who are Alternative Learners know about this amazing educational option (ACCESS2Academics). He would also like “to raise awareness and societal “buy in” of the incredible potential and commitment to life around us – and all its opportunities – that we have as autistic students”.
Grace Falleur is a student at Belmont University. She is currently majoring in Educational Studies with a double minor in Neuroscience and Journalism. Her goals are to advocate for inclusive and accessible education and curriculum and building a bridge between the neurodiverse population and the science minds by the furthering of advances in neurological research related to autism and neuropsychological practices. Grace loves any medium of art, including digital, and is a lover of classical music. She loves to travel, try new things, and meet new people. Grace writes, “I do have a lot of compassion for those who do not understand our unique gifts as nonspeakers and I love watching minds be opened as we continue to expand our reaches in these environments we were not formerly included in. I am so excited about working with you guys and I am so grateful for this opportunity!”
Noel is a nonspeaking advocate from Evansville, IN. He found his voice through typing at age 13 during ACCESS Academy’s first summer pilot program. Noel won the Justin Dart Self-Achievement Award at age 15. In 2022, Noel was appointed to the Indiana Statewide Independent Living Council (INSILC)’s Shifting the Narrative Task Force. He is passionate and advocates for better training for Indiana Medicaid Waiver providers to ensure individuals are being supported well and presumed competent.
Lucas John, is a current student at the University of Southern Indiana and former student of ACCESS Academy. Lucas is studying to go to law school with the hope to pave the way for nonspeakers and create a more just and equal future.
Andrew Simmons is originally from Newburgh, Indiana but now resides with his family in St. Louis, Missouri. Andrew enjoys public speaking and also writes a blog about his lived experience with autism. Andrew writes, “Being at Optimal ACCESS is amazing! Nowhere else on this planet understands my body. Happy to be here and overwhelmed by people getting the support they need.”
Josh Berkau is an autistic self advocate. Josh writes, “I’m a painter, and I love god. talking about movies is fun.”
Isabella Santoyo is a youth ambassador for the Center on Youth Voice, Youth Choice, a national resource center for youth with disabilities. As a youth ambassador, Isabella shares her Supported Decision-Making story to inform others about alternatives to guardianship. She shares tools and accommodations she needs as a multimodal communicator who uses AAC – Augmentative Alternative Communication. She was 10 years old when introduced to text-based communication. In 2019, Isabella joined forces with her 2 best friends to form ModSquad4access, a one of its kind advocacy trio, focusing on communication access and support. They have served as keynotes and speakers at a wide range of conferences such as Stanford Neurodiversity Summit, Autism Tree Global Neurodiversity Conference and the All In For Equity conference. Isabella is a 2023 graduate of Optimal ACCESS Academy. Prior to that, she spent the majority of her early education in moderate to severe classrooms in restrictive non-public schools. Her experience in public high school presented barriers she could not overcome. Having experienced a marginalized education, Isabella believes all students deserve access to a quality education, despite their differences. Isabella is a consultant for a Supported Decision-Making Training and Information Center with the non profit Disability Voices United. Isabella attends Golden West College where she is the first AAC user on campus.
The Optimal ACCESS Board of Directors serves our central mission of innovating accessible educational programs and services to support the potential of autistic individuals and others experiencing apraxia. Comprised of education, therapy, and business professionals, the board serves the Optimal ACCESS mission through strategic planning and oversight.
Casey is a neurologic music therapist, small business owner, and advocate for individuals with communication disabilities. She founded Optimal ACCESS (formerly Optimal Rhythms, Inc.) to expand community programs and support for autistic individuals and others with sensory and neuromotor differences impacting speech and purposeful movement. A sought-after speaker, Casey passionately champions the rights of these individuals. She is also a proud wife and mother of two successful adult children.
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Our staff is dedicated to and passionate about supporting nonspeaking individuals and developing programs to create equitable opportunities for this marginalized group.
Casey is a neurologic music therapist, small business owner, and advocate for individuals with communication disabilities. She founded Optimal ACCESS (formerly Optimal Rhythms, Inc.) to expand community programs and support for autistic individuals and others with sensory and neuromotor differences impacting speech and purposeful movement. A sought-after speaker, Casey passionately champions the rights of these individuals. She is also a proud wife and mother of two successful adult children.
Eric, a University of Evansville graduate with 15+ years in music therapy, was instrumental in launching Optimal ACCESS and our innovative ACCESS Academy. A neurologic music therapist, composer / songwriter, and advocate, he has presented at multiple conferences, often alongside self-advocates. Eric loves learning, encourating others, making music with all people, and cherishes being a husband and girl dad.
Chris helped found ACCESS Academy in 2014 and now returns to Optimal ACCESS with renewed passion after pursuing and education degree and teaching Life Skills in a public school special education classroom. He is dedicated to empowering students through skill-building, confidence, and daily living skills, ensuring they have the tools to reach their full potential. Chris and his wife are proud parents of two wonderful adult children.
Kaitlin has been part of the Optimal ACCESS team since 2019, supporting students both in-person and virtually. A graduate of Indiana Wesleyan University with a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Kaitlin is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (Associate) who now provides counseling and behavioral health services to students. Skilled and passionate about helping families access needed support, Kaitlin is also a proud wife and mother of two.
Jane Ann, a former special education teacher and administrator, began with Optimal ACCESS as a volunteer at ACCESS Academy. She later joined as a program assistant and communication regulation partner, inspired by what traditional education often misses about nonspeaking students. Her unique training and experience ignited her passion for advocacy. Jane Ann is a voice or face you might come across first at Optimal ACCESS.
