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Hello TBS Villagers,

I’m thrilled to share with you about my recent experience participating in the annual South Carolina Assistive Technology EXPO, presented by the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Assistive Technology Program. As a practitioner, this was my first time attending an event specifically focused on assistive technologies, and it was truly eye-opening. The atmosphere was vibrant and filled with passionate individuals dedicated to enhancing the lives of those we serve.

The EXPO drew a diverse crowd, primarily parents and professionals from special education, nursing, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and physical therapy. It was inspiring to connect with so many individuals across disciplines, all working towards a common goal. I was particularly excited to discover a wealth of resources, including potential collaborators and referral sources. Even more exciting was discovering some unique and innovative approaches to supporting the learners we work with at Transformations. It was a powerful reminder of the ever-evolving landscape of assistive technology and the importance of staying informed.

At Transformations Behavioral Solutions, we are dedicated to supporting individuals across the lifespan, as well as those who care for them. We work with individuals with developmental disabilities, physical or medically sensitive disabilities, and provide support for any behavioral needs, regardless of diagnosis. This experience at the EXPO reinforced the importance of accessible and effective tools for all of the individuals we serve.

Beyond simply attending, I also had the incredible opportunity to present as a SC LEND fellowship trainee. This experience was particularly meaningful, as I was able to share information about Project Lifesaver with parents and professionals. A huge thank you to the Richland County Sheriff's Department for generously sharing their booth and allowing us to display our poster!

My leadership project group has been dedicated to advocating for increased participation and expanded access to Project Lifesaver across South Carolina. Our poster provides a simple visual representation with participating counties highlighted in green and non-participating counties in red. We also provided a comprehensive list of contact information for all sheriff’s departments in the state. For participating counties, this served as a direct pathway for families to sign up. For non-participating counties, it was an invitation to voice their needs and advocate for change, especially amidst the current political landscape and ongoing funding cuts.

To further support this initiative, we created a flyer with detailed information about how to participate in Project Lifesaver, designed to be accessible to individuals across South Carolina. It was incredibly rewarding to see the positive response and the genuine interest in this vital resource.

What struck me the most was the power of collaboration and the impact of shared knowledge.

Being able to present and engage with attendees, sharing space with the sheriff's department - this experience allowed me to witness firsthand the difference we can make when we come together. It reinforced my belief in the importance of:

• Staying informed about the latest assistive technologies and resources.
• Building strong collaborative relationships with professionals across disciplines.
• Advocating for initiatives that improve the lives of individuals with diverse needs.
• Providing clear, accessible information to families and caregivers.

My participation in this event energized me and reaffirmed my commitment to bringing the best possible support to the individuals we serve at Transformations Behavioral Solutions. I am excited to continue exploring the world of assistive technology and to share my learnings with our team and community.

Have you had any experiences with assistive technology that have made a significant impact? I’d love to hear about them!

Do you know about Project Lifesaver? I'd be happy to share more information with you!

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Warmly,

Aubrielle Kituuma, MS, BCBA, LBA

CEO & Clinical Director

Transformations Behavioral Solutions