2nd Annual Community Health Education Fair Sat Aug 12, 2023 9AM-12PM ET (VT State House Lawn) Due to the catastrophic flooding in Montpelier, the State House Lawn is closed to events. We will soon announce a rescheduled date later this…
Author: Melissa Houser
Brain Club Archives
Brain Club is All Brains Belong’s flagship community program. This is a weekly virtual community conversation on “everyday brain life” topics. We have made all recordings available for community education, at no cost. If you are able to, we welcome…
Vermont Edition: Families with autistic kids are shifting the conversation to inclusion and affirmation
Vermont Public: The conversation around autism is changing. This hour, we’ll learn how many parents of autistic children are embracing their neurodivergence. They are seeking inclusion in the classroom and affirmation from doctors. This episode of Vermont Edition was broadcasted…
All Brains Belong VT advocates to end to traumatic practices of seclusion and restraint of children in schools
Essex Reporter: All Brains Belong VT advocates to end to traumatic practices of secluding and restraining children in schools (Kate Vanni, 4/25/23) VERMONT — All Brains Belong VT is working to end the traumatic practice of restraint and seclusion still…
WCAX: Challenges autistic individuals face accessing healthcare
MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) – Autistic individuals see the world through a different lens, which can often make tasks like going to the doctor’s office a challenge. Stigmas surrounding autism can often lead providers to dismiss certain illnesses. It can also…
Restraint & Seclusion in Vermont Schools: Ending the Trauma
All Brains Belong VT is proud to announce a collaboration with Dr. Ross Greene and Lives in the Balance to advocate for the creation of school environments where children with all types of brains can thrive. Specifically, we advocate for…
The Impact of Stigma on Autistic Health (4/11/2023)
Autistic people have an average life expectancy of age 36-54 years, with leading causes of death being premature cardiovascular disease and suicide. Extensive research shows that autistic people are dissatisfied with their healthcare, experience significant barriers in accessing care, and feel marginalized and…
VT Digger: Vermont lawmakers consider limiting restraint and seclusion in schools
(Peter D’Auria, 3/15/2023) Vermont lawmakers are considering placing restrictions on restraints and seclusion, controversial practices in which students are physically immobilized or detained in school. On Tuesday, the House Committee on Education heard testimony on H.409, which would prohibit schools from secluding students and limit the use of physical restraints. As written, the bill also would require officials to report and track any instances of restraint and seclusion in schools. Advocates argue that the practices can be dangerous and traumatic and disproportionately affect students with disabilities. “That kind of trauma does stick with students and their families,” Rep. Theresa Wood, D-Waterbury, the bill’s sponsor, told lawmakers Tuesday. “It’s not something that staff and teachers also want to do.” Dr. Melissa Houser, executive director of the neurodivergence advocacy group All Brains Belong VT, testified in favor of the bill Tuesday. “Vermont has made so much effort over the past decade enhancing trauma-informed schools, trauma-informed health care, trauma-informed everything,” she said. “And yet Vermont law currently allows for children to be traumatized by being immobilized by physical force at school.”
Neuroinclusive Employment Education
At a time when employee burnout is at an all-time high, we have an epidemic of “quiet quitting,” and employers are struggling to fill open positions, the “defaults” of employment are clearly not working for all brains. Here’s what All…
Family Lunch & Learn Series
In 2022, All Brains Belong hosted a virtual educational webinar series to learn and connect with like-minded families. Archived recordings are available at no cost.
