04/16/2025
As part of Autism Education Month, Kate Hurst, SLP-CCC and I (Donna Shank) are offering a FREE ONLINE Presentation on RAPID PROMPTING METHOD (RPM).
DATE: TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2025
TIME: 7:00 – 8:30 PM
LOCATION: ONLINE – VIA ZOOM LINK TO BE SENT AFTER REGISTRATION
RSVP Required - Email directly to: "[email protected]" or "[email protected]"
WHAT IS RAPID PROMPTING METHOD?
Rapid Prompting Method is a TEACHING and EDUCATIONAL method with specific SENSORY and SPELLING STRATEGIES that lead to COMMUNICATION. Individuals with APRAXIA of SPEECH (Nonspeaking or Unreliable) or those with LIMITED VERBAL SPEECH (Echolalia, Verbal tics/stims, Perseveration of limited topics) ALSO can benefit.
IN this presentation we will discuss:
· Background of RPM
· What is PRESUMING COMPETENCE?
· Who can benefit from RPM?
· Why RPM works for individuals for whom traditional speech therapy or AAC methods have not achieved a means of communication
· How you can integrate RPM into your existing therapies and independently on your own using free resources.
Participant Requirements:
· This is for individuals who have no to little knowledge about RPM and wish to understand more deeply the fundamentals
· This is an INTERACTIVE PRESENTATION, so we ask that all participants keep their cameras on to have a discussion
ABOUT THE PRESENTERS
DONNA SHANK, M.A.
- RPM LEVEL 3 PROVIDER (On Facebook: Northern Virginia RPM)
- Director of Wings to Thrive (501c3), Former Owner of Wings to Fly Therapy and Play Center
First, I am mom to two boys, Ryan who was diagnosed with ASD in 2002 (now age 23) and an older son, Daniel who is 27. I have a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Notre Dame, a M.A. in International Public Administration from the Monterey Institute of International Studies and speak Spanish and Italian. Other training and volunteer experience include AS-NV Board Member, POAC Committees, and the Georgetown University Hospital Lombardi Pediatric Oncology Parent Advisory Board. Parent training includes Son-Rise, Floortime, RDI, ABA/VB, OT, Masgutova Neuroreflex, Play Therapy and others.
From 2013-2020, I was the Owner and Director of Wings to Fly Therapy and Play Center. With a desire to focus on improving community activities, I created the nonprofit, Wings to Thrive in 2019. I discovered RPM in 2014 and since then have hosted multiple RPM Workshops by the highest certified RPM providers and creator, Soma Mukhopadhyay. In 2016, I completed my Level 1 Certification and currently hold a Level 3 RPM Certification and work with students of all ages and behaviors. I also attended for 2.5 years the M.A. Occupational Therapy program at Shenandoah University. My inspiration is to provide my son and others with autism, practical, affordable and sustainable strategies that improve overall quality of life.
KATE HURST, SLP—CCC, Owner of "RPM of Virginia", Level 3 Provider
I hold a Masters degree in Speech Language Pathology from James Madison University and have over 30 years of experience working with children and adults with communication and learning differences to each session. I have worked in a variety of settings including Georgia Baptist Medical Center, the Virginia Public Schools, Children’s National Medical Center in Washington DC. I formed my own S-Corporation in 2010 and worked as an independent contractor for several private schools and private practices in the Northern Virginia Area. I have training and experience with language and literacy programs including Lindamood-Bell LiPS and Visualizing/Verbalizing, and with the Orton-Gillingham and Wilson literacy programs.
I began working with students on the autism spectrum beginning in 2010 with Arlington County Public Schools and completed RPM Level 1 training from Soma@RPM (Halo-Soma.org) in 2016 where I worked with Donna at Wings to Fly/Northern Virginia RPM Center in Chantilly, Virginia for 5 years, I furthered my experience serving speaking, non-speaking and minimally speaking individuals ages 4-50 on the autism spectrum. I implement a total communication approach utilizing an array of techniques from all my previous training to help each individual achieve their highest potential. I am a Certified LEVEL 3 RPM Provider.
