Pandemic Consequences and Where We Need More Change with ToniAnn Loftus

The pandemic brought many changes to the world of education, including how children with specific needs can access the services available to them. We still have SO far to go, and many changes need to happen to help parents and their children get the help they deserve. Join us to learn more!ToniAnn Loftus is a speech-language pathologist in private practice in Manhattan. After working at the Rebecca School in midtown Manhattan for ten years, she had her son during the pandemic. Knowing that her niche is teaching kids based on their passions and individual differences, she pivoted and opened her private practice, Seaport Speech and Feeding. Her practice is a licensed professional speech, language, and feeding therapy provider for children and young adults in NYC. Show Highlights:How ToniAnn had to pivot, along with many others, as a result of the pandemicToniAnn explains the new legislation in NY about parents’ choices about services for their kidsHow DIR Floortime and ABA are different–and why ToniAnn embraces the Floortime approachHow small things, like a comfortable sitting position, can affect everything about a child’s engagement in a classroomWhy we need to change and evolve as the world around us does–but we are still fighting an uphill battleHow ToniAnn’s experience at the Rebecca School (a non-approved private school) positioned her to be an expert courtroom witness in many casesHow ludicrous it is for someone in a courtroom to make decisions regarding a child’s education when they have never metWhy parents need to know that they can file for services for their children who need them—and the immense financial burden for those who don’t fileHow the system is massively overloaded in NYC with people going on a 6-8 month waitlist for speech therapy assessmentsHow ToniAnn feels about the new guidelines from the American Speech-Language-Hearing AssociationLinks/Resources:Thank you for listening! Connect with ToniAnn: Instagram or at  Seaport Speech and FeedingEmail ToniAnn:  [email protected]  Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to the show to receive every new episode delivered straight to your podcast player every Tuesday.If you enjoyed this episode and believe in our message, then please help us get the word out about this podcast. Rate and Review this show in Apple Podcasts, Stitcher Radio, or Google Play. It helps other listeners find this show.Be sure to connect with us and reach out with any questions/concerns:FacebookInstagram–We are doing videos on Instagram, so connect with us there and send us your questions!TwitterIEP websiteThis podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not to be construed as legal advice specific to your circumstances. If you need help with any legal matters, be sure to consult with an attorney regarding your specific needs.