How Technology Enriches Personal Autonomy

PicturePlanner - 1st Cognitopia Software Product

I remember first meeting Tom Keating in 2001 at the Community Living Program (CLP) in Eugene, Oregon. The CLP is a special education program for students ages 18-21 with a range of exceptionalities who have either graduated with a modified diploma or high school equivalency. What makes CLP unique is that students attend classes in actual apartments in their community. … Read More

Using the My Life App in a College Environment

Last fall I decided I was going to college and I was very excited about my decision. I took the placement tests for reading, writing, and math and I got into credits classes at Lane Community College. I started in the winter term and I was ready to quit in the second week. Why? Because there was a lot of … Read More

Siblings as Caregivers

Tom and brother James

The Sibling Leadership Network shared a nice concise information sheet from The Arc on how siblings can begin to think about and plan for the future of their brothers and sisters with disabilities. It’s available in both English and Spanish; click here. As someone who was a caregiver for many years for my brother James who experienced autism and intellectual … Read More

Using My Life to Build a Digital Portfolio

Dorothy Miller presents at OAVSNP 2016

I met Dorothy Miller for the first time a few months ago. She’s young and beautiful and has the kind of optimism and enthusiasm one might expect from a person about to enter the workforce. Dorothy wants to make the world a better place, starting with children. Due to her dysarthria, Dorothy uses the TouchChat program on her iPad to … Read More

Student Feedback Drives Product Design

One of the things that we take pride in doing is embedding ourselves in the special education and autism communities here in Eugene. We learn so much from our peers and friends at places like the ARC of Lane County, Pearl Buck Center, the newly launched SLLEA house, and especially the innovative Connections Program run through the 4J school district. … Read More

SLLEA House and Cognitopia Apps Facilitate ASD Transition from Adolescence to Adulthood

The transition between adolescence and adulthood is hard, but it can be really hard for people who experience Autism Spectrum Disorder. It’s also a stressful time for parents. Sherry Sandreth knows this from personal experience. Julie HenningJulie Henning has been with Cognitopia since 2015. In that time, she has been involved in customer support, training, marketing, documentation, social media, and … Read More