Supporting Potential in Autism
Creating Optimal ACCESS
to life, learning, communication & autonomy for those who cannot rely on speech for communication
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Creating Optimal ACCESS
to life, learning, communication & autonomy for those who cannot rely on speech for communication
Thank you for visiting Optimal ACCESS (formerly Optimal Rhythms).
We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping individuals who are
unable to rely on speech alone to be understood.
We look forward to sharing helpful resources through
our various programs and initiatives.
Explore our website to learn more about our mission and how you can get involved.
We want to say a huge thank you to all of our sponsors, donors, speakers, attendees, and University of Southern Indiana for the sold-out success of our conference. Here are some moments from that special day!
Please Support our School Fundraiser!
Place your order today for those you love and give the precious gifts of communication and education to nonspeaking students still waiting in their silence.
Optimal ACCESS (formerly Optimal Rhythms) was founded in 2014 by a group of community members who recognized the need for a local organization dedicated to helping nonspeaking (includes unreliably speaking and minimally speaking) autistic individuals. Since then, we have grown into a thriving nonprofit, serving hundreds of individuals and families each year.
Optimal ACCESS
Inspired by the book Underestimated, this full-length documentary challenges conventional wisdom regarding a group relegated to society’s margins: autistic nonspeakers. The film opening asks, “What if we’ve been wrong…about every single one of them?”
SPELLERS tells the stories of eight nonspeakers—who spell to communicate.
Watch to understand why Optimal ACCESS is committed to supporting potential in autistic students in our community and across the globe.
This new registry for vulnerable persons is informed by individuals with sensory, motor, and communication challenges and will better inform first responders to the needs of individuals who respond best to specific supports and accommodations.
This registry is designed as a collaborative effort across communities to ensure the safety of those who are statistically at risk.
Click on the button below to lean how you can enroll and receive your Keep Me Safe Decals.
For information about how to bring this program to your area, contact us at 812-490-9401.
2024 ACCESS FAMILY SUMMER INTENSIVES WERE A HUGE SUCCESS!!!
This enhanced program is designed to challenge families
of nonspeaking students and young adults to
CONNECT and COMMUNICATE through
COMPASSIONATE SUPPORT and GOAL SETTING.
This in-Person opportunity for Parents and Nonspeaking Individuals is being provided in response to requests for families who want to build their support skills not only for spelled communication but for real life!
Families will receive activity kits with all of the materials needed for this 4-day intensive - it doesn't get much easier than that!
Family and small group sessions will be filled with engaging activities, movement challenges, sensory-motor supports, communication opportunities, peer interaction, and parent/caregiver training that has been proven to lead to improved confidence and communication in the home.
Our incredible staff will meet you where you are and ensure you and your loved one success!
Thank you to all of the campers and families who participated in previous camp experiences since 2014. We have learned so much and we have so much to celebrate!!
The 2025 Family Intensive spots will be filled on a first-come first-served basis. Contact us for registration information!
This program grew out of the needs we've heard expressed for years from parents and students who have been advocating for an educational opportunity that presumed competence and supported the motor and regulation challenges so many autistic students face in our schools. This program is implemented virtually, and we are so excited and prepared to partner with students and families all across the country (and beyond) to unleash potential and achieve their dream of rigorous classes that allows them to earn an academic diploma -even if they believed they had missed their chance! No more discrimination. No more set-backs. No more isolation. Welcome to our A2A Community!
ESA funding can be used for A2A in IN, NC, and AZ!
More states coming soon!
Contact us for details.
Our amazing team of full-time and part-time staff is committed to serving those with complex communication, sensory, and motor challenges.
If you have an interest in learning more about how you can train to be a part of our team, visit our About Us page to complete an application.
We grew out of the needs expressed by our community. Many other programs focused on DISability and did not provide opportunities to young autistic individuals to learn and live at their highest potential. In 2014, we opened ACCESS Academy as an alternative to traditional special education/life skills. Focusing on our student’s strengths
We grew out of the needs expressed by our community. Many other programs focused on DISability and did not provide opportunities to young autistic individuals to learn and live at their highest potential. In 2014, we opened ACCESS Academy as an alternative to traditional special education/life skills. Focusing on our student’s strengths and abilities, then supporting their challenges, allowed them thrive!
To optimally support autistic individuals to experience their full potential through access to communication, education, and connection for a good, full, and autonomous life.
Join us as a mission partner!
Your support and contributions will enable us to meet our goals and improve conditions for children and families.
Your generous donation will fund our mission.
Sign up for our email list and follow our social media to hear from us about programs, fundraisers, events and more!
Check out this informative blog by our founder, Casey DePriest. Learn more about ways that children with neuromotor apraxia learn to cope, especially when they are not understood to need the supports they truly need.
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