Supporting Potential in Autism
Creating Optimal ACCESS
to life, learning, communication & autonomy for those who cannot rely on speech for communication
Printed and eCookbook Versions Available
FEEDING MINDS & HEARTS COOKBOOK: Recipes for Communication
Please Support our School Fundraiser!
Place your order today for those you love and give the precious gifts of communication and education to nonspeaking students still waiting in their silence.
SPELLERS, THE FILM
SPELLERS - Join us for a FREE public screening!
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.
The University of Southern Indiana is hosting a FREE Public Screening on March 11, 2024.
Optimal ACCESS will host a Q&A Panel of nonspeaking students after the film.
Join us to watch and #rethinkautism!
Call 812-490-9401 for questions
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. As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (Associate), she is now offering mental health counseling services to our students and intensive support services to Indiana Medicaid Waiver clients in SW Indiana.
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. Connect with her to discuss community partnerships, training opportunities, and collaborations to improve the lives of nonspeaking people in our community.
Tammy is an avid watercolor artist and an active wife, mom, and Grammy.
Safety First
KEEP ME SAFE PROGRAM NOW AVAILABLE IN VANDERBURGH CO, INDIANA!
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 enroll and receive your Keep Me Safe Decals.
For information about how to bring this program to your area, contact us at 812-490-9401.
2024 CAN-Do Family Summer Intensives
Registrations will open soon for our
2024 CAN-Do FAMILY SUMMER INTENSIVES
This enhanced program is designed to challenge families
of nonspeaking students and young adults to
CONNECT and COMMUNICATE through
COMPASSIONATE SUPPORT and GOAL SETTING.
This in-Person opportunity for Parents and Nonspeaking Individuals is being provided in response to requests for families who want to build their support skills not only for spelled communication but for real life!
Families will receive activity kits with all of the materials needed for this 4-day intensive - it doesn't get much easier than that!
Family and small group sessions will be filled with engaging activities, movement challenges, 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 meet you where you are and ensure you and your loved one success!
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 2024 Family Intensive spots will be filled on a first-come first-served basis. Registration will open Feb 15th!
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.
