Future Directions• SOAR will be expanded to other locations
including Cincinnati Museum Center, Cincinnati Zoo, Newport Aquarium, grocery stores, libraries, restaurants, movie theaters, sports venues, and amusement parks.
• The SOAR program will extend the scope to other disability populations so that families of ALL individuals with developmental disabilities can feel confident that the staff at these community venues are appropriately educated and prepared to support the unique characteristics of their loved ones.
• The public and economic benefits of such an inclusive program are stressed to organizations which may, in turn, help businesses build engagement with the disability community as a whole.
• SOAR emphasizes the importance of working with community leaders in innovative ways to promote safe, comfortable, and inclusive opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities to participate and become more independent within their own communities.
Starting Our Adventure Right: Helping Individuals with Developmental DisabilitiesSOAR In Their Communities Meghan Stahlhut MS, CCC-SLP, Jennifer Bass, PsyD, BCBA-D, Janet Seide, BS, Stephanie Weber, PsyD, & Brady Sellet
Problem• Families of individuals with developmental
disabilities such as Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are often hesitant to participate in community activities, especially when community settings lack essential supports.
• Efforts have been made to prepare individuals with developmental disabilities to participate in community events such as “disability friendly” nights without sufficiently preparing the community in a systematic manner.
• Safe, comfortable, and inclusive opportunities, combined with careful training and education of community members, are vital for individuals with developmental disabilities to participate fully within their own communities.
Program Purpose/Mission• The Starting Our Adventure Right (SOAR)
program emphasizes two themes: education and acceptance.
• The program was originally developed to identify ways for the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) to support families and prepare individuals with ASD for the airport experience.
• SOAR aims to impact hundreds of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families and educate hundreds of community members in the greater Cincinnati area.
Feedback• After participating in the SOAR training and
simulation event, the CVG workers reported greater interest in the disability community and increased confidence in their skills and understanding of developmental disabilities based on a follow-up survey.
• Families also reported greater confidence in utilizing the airport for future travel:
“This program really gives us hope and confidence that eventually our son will be able to
handle traveling again.” – Parents of a 4-year-old
“My husband and I both left yesterday feeling like we could take a family trip with no major issues. It was a great experience and I am
certain it will help so many families.” – Mother of a 5-year-old
“This whole experience has boosted our confidence…maybe we can fly!!”
– Mother of a 15-year-old
Program Components1. Staff Educational Training
strengths/challenges associated with ASDchallenges specific to airporteffective behavior supports
2. Family Educational Trainingidentification of challengessupports to promote successful participation
3. Customized Visual Supportswritten social narrativesvisual schedulesairport rulesexpected behaviors
4. Simulation Daypractice steps of air travel
This work is supported by funding from the Jack H. Rubinstein Foundation
• Psychologists• Speech Language Pathologists• Occupational Therapists• Special Educators• Parents• Self-advocate
SOAR Team Members
