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A passionate clinician, executive director, and entrepreneur with keen strategic and intellectual ability evidenced in professional accomplishments, clinical staff mentoring, and advising and teaching students, professionals, and parents across the country. Landria has the opportunity every day to work and live in her purpose by working and training people with special needs and their families. Landria is described as a dynamic, informative, energetic, and captivating speaker. She is a certified and licensed speech-language pathologist with specialties in autism, assistive technology, behavior, and communication. As the granddaughter of a woman who’s communication abilities were cut short by a massive stroke, she understands first hand the impact of impairment on the family. Landria is currently the owner and Executive Director of SLC Therapy, a private therapy firm located in Connecticut and Michigan focused on Empowering Families and Expanding Independence. Through her leadership at SLC Therapy, Landria has created dynamic and innovative programs for families that include Flourish!, a center based educational program for learners with autism, and the use of videoconferencing (Teletherapy) technology to provide families access to therapy service. In addition, Landria is focused on empowerment through partnerships with organizations to enhance community services. Landria is the creator of The Empowered Parent, a parent e-magazine focused on support for families of people with special needs. Landria was recently selected as a professional expert on a documentary focused on Autism in the African-American Community. Landria is the author of the social curriculum Keep the Conversation Going, which focuses on social cognition, conversation fluency, and social skills. Education B.S. Speech and Hearing Science University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign M.A. Speech Language Pathology Northwestern University Certified Speech Language Pathologist American Speech Language Hearing Association DIR Level 1 Practitioner Certification: Compton P-ESL Certificate: ADOS Training, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor PROMPT-Introduction Verbal Behavior, Dr. Vincent Carbone Achievements 40 Under 40 Business Professionals in Fairfield County 2009 Someone You Should Know Award, Bridgeport Black Pride 2007 People’s Bank Community Award 2006
Blog » Support System
About two years ago an eight year old boy with autism who was being treated by our therapy team had a massive seizure in his sleep and died. I will always remember him because he was one of the severe children with self injurious behaviors and a great smile when he was happy. I will remember his family as his mother was trying to master the English language and did not receive all the services she could have due to the language barrier. I will remember the day I received the news that he passed away...it was right in the middle of my day..I still had clients to see after I received the news. I found that throughout that day and week...I just couldn't seem to pull myself together enough.
What I knew for sure about his death is that he was loved by his family. The autism brought a stressor to this single mother of two and first generation American. I knew that this mother was stressed and what I respected most about her is that she spoke to anyone who would listen. She soaked up all the encouragement she could from others and loved on her son.
She always communicated. She spoke aloud. She screamed. She tried to understand what the therapist were saying. She worked with him at home. She found therapists that cared who found other agencies to support her and the family.
I am disturbed by the number of deaths of children with autism by those that love them as this phenom continues to be highlighted in the media. I am disturbed that this has not caused people to move beyond the talk of disbelief and ridicule of these families. I am disturbed by the level of judgement toward people who could not deal with their life's stressors. Because the truth is, we all get stressed.
Each time I read or listen to these particularly disturbing news stories, I wonder "Did this person not feel comfortable to be authentic and articulate how they really felt?, Did those around this person brush aside the feelings articulated?" I also wonder "Were the danger signs ignored?".
I honestly don't know how it feels to parent. That does not discount my argument because it is strengthened by the fact that I am a human being with feelings. I know that whether your child is an atypical or typical learner, it is challenging work. I just can't imagine not being able to artciulate to those close to me how I feel when my life is challenging and thankful to those that don't dismiss my statements whether "over the top" or understated.
As the world moves forward and as we start to support families of people with special needs...let's give them room to be honest about how they feel, where they stand, and offer yourself as a resource to them.
I continue to applaud the mother of the client that passed away. She vented. We listened. We provided a professional counselor as a resource. She was healthy.
Remember it only takes one person to assist and listen to another person.
Let's Support Families (Moms Dads Siblings) and allow them to SCREAM when they must! Truth be told, we all need to scream...sometimes! :-)
Enjoy and Be Empowered
Landria Seals Green
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