Supporting Potential in Autism
Creating Optimal ACCESS
to life, learning, communication & autonomy for those who cannot rely on speech for communication
Giving Tuesday 2023
%20(Lands.jpg/:/cr=t:0%25,l:0%25,w:100%25,h:100%25/rs=w:1209,cg:true)
GIVING TUESDAY 2023
Join us this November to unleash potential through your generosity.
Support Optimal ACCESS with a donation to Give the Gift of Communication
to Autistic students silenced by their apraxia and current policies and systems.
Join us to #rethinkautism and open doors for change.
Funding allows us to train more parents and communication regulation partners
to successfully support students who cannot rely on speech for communication.
Speech does not make someone more human.
Communication Rights are for ALL of us!
GOAL: $5,000
SPELLERS, THE FILM
SPELLERS - On Demand Tickets Available Now
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.
Optimal ACCESS is hosting an ON-DEMAND Screening until December 16.
Tickets Only $10
Call 812-490-9401 for questions or for help reserving tickets.
Meet our Leadership team
Casey DePriest, MT-BC Founder / CEO
Eric Lund, MT-BC, Director of Student Engagement / Support Coach
Eric Lund, MT-BC, Director of Student Engagement / Support Coach
Casey is a board-certified neurologic music therapist, small business owner, sought-after presenter, and fierce advocate for the rights of those with communication disabilities. She founded Optimal ACCESS (formerly Optimal Rhythms, Inc.) to provide increased access to community training programs and support services for autistic individuals and those with neurologic disabilities or injuries who struggle to communicate via speech or move reliably to be understood.
Eric Lund, MT-BC, Director of Student Engagement / Support Coach
Eric Lund, MT-BC, Director of Student Engagement / Support Coach
Eric Lund, MT-BC, Director of Student Engagement / Support Coach
Eric is a University of Evansville grad with 15+ years of experience in the field of music therapy. Eric started his career with Integrative Music Therapy and was instrumental in the start of Optimal Rhythms and ACCESS Academy. He has presented at regional and national conferences, often alongside self-advocates. Eric is a neurologic music therapist, a composer, and a songwriter. He enjoys being a husband and daddy and loves making music with all people.
Kaitlin Brazina, Educational Liaison/Family Care Coordinator
Kaitlin Brazina, Educational Liaison/Family Care Coordinator
Kaitlin Brazina, Educational Liaison/Family Care Coordinator
Kaitlin has been a member of the Optimal Rhythms team since 2019, supporting students in-person and virtually. She is passionate and skilled at helping families get the supports they need to address the individualized needs of our students. She graduated from the University of Southern Indiana with a Bachelor's of Science in Psychology and recently received a Master's degree in Clinical Counseling from Indiana Wesleyan University.
Tammy Croft, Director of Development and Community Engagement
Kaitlin Brazina, Educational Liaison/Family Care Coordinator
Kaitlin Brazina, Educational Liaison/Family Care Coordinator
Tammy is an experienced professional who understands the nonprofit sector. She is passionate about people and works hard to creatively engage with stakeholders to share our mission and the needs of our students.
Tammy is an avid watercolor artist and an active wife, mom, and Grammy.
About Us
KEEP ME SAFE CAMPAIGN KICKS OFF APRIL 2022!
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 apply and receive your Keep Me Safe Decals.
CAN-Do Camp [Home Edition] 2023
Registrations are open for our
2023 CAN-Do Camp [Home Edition]!
This camp is designed to meet the needs of camp families, through an accessible and innovative camp model.
CAN-Do Camp will again be held virtually via Zoom, and each family will be assigned a Camp Coach and a Board-Certified Music Therapist. Families will receive activity kits with all of the materials needed for our weekly themed camp activities - it doesn't get much easier than that! Large group and small group sessions will be filled with engaging activities, movement breaks, 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 be meeting you where you are and ensuring you and your loved one succeed!
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 2023 CAN-Do Camp spots will fill on a first-come first-served basis. Registration is now open!
ACCESS2Academics Home Education Program for K-12 or Adults
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.
Help Our Efforts Flourish
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.
