Profiles in Partnership
Jan and Nick Koppenhofer
Janet Koppenhofer and her son Nicholas live in Benton, Maine where Nick is a sixth grader at the Benton Elementary School.
Since the time Nick was a young child, Jan has struggled to realize for him her vision of a valued and meaningful childhood. Like all parents, her vision includes going to school, making friends, and being continually challenged to grow and learn. For a number of years this vision seemed out of reach. Jan & Nick's ongoing relationship with the Center exemplifies the reciprocal nature of the many activities at the Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies. While Jan and Nick have benefited from The Center's resources and supports, the Center has also gained a great deal from the knowledge and experience Jan and Nick have shared with students, faculty and the community. Jan and Nick have received information and technical assistance from our positive supports and family support initiatives.
Jan and Nick and their school district have received information and technical assistance offered through the Center's inclusive education initiative, LEARNS. Nick's communication was enhanced through education and support from the Facilitated Communication in Maine project.
Jan and Nick have participated on panels in education and assistive technology classes offered on campus and in outreach workshops for teach- ers and parents.
Jan is an FC Resource Person and has shared her knowledge of the technique with other families and individuals who use FC.
Jan and Nick are contributors to the Center's newsletter,
Facilitated Communication in Maine ... An Update. Nick continues to
teach all of us about the value and importance of supporting all
children in inclusive classrooms, and the strategies that work to
support individuals with autism to be active and engaged members of
their schools and communities
Centerpoint is the newsletter of the Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies, Maine's University Affiliated Program.
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