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Phronesis: Practical Wisdom
Visit Joan's Phronesis Blog for tips on gluten-free living and other practical tools to support a full life for people with IDD. joan.wordpress.com-
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About Joan
Joan Guthrie Medlen, M.Ed, RD, LD focuses her diverse work on coaching people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and those who support them. She is the author of the ground-breaking book, The Down Syndrome Nutrition Handbook, a popular internationally known speaker, and consultant.
For more information about Joan's work and tools she creates, visit
www.DownSyndromeNutrition.com
Category Archives: General
Using health literacy to create practical tools that promote independence
I’ve been involved with Health literacy since 2005 when I attended the Health Literacy Institute in Portland Maine. I have learned a lot about using plain language, being concise, and using visual cues to improve the understandability of communication. During … Continue reading
Posted in Announcements, General
Tagged cooking and IDD, Cooking by Color, health literacy
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Free Webinar for Families: Create Your Vision of Health for Your Family
The crux of health literacy is reaching people with information they want, understand, and can take action with. For me, as a coach for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families, and the people who support them, it’s fun. … Continue reading
Joining vs. Being Joined
Any “people watchers” out there? I admit it. I am one. I love people watching. It’s a great way to fill time when waiting. It is also the foundation of an important skill that I call “joining.” People watching has … Continue reading
The Power of UDL: There’s an App for That!
The first in a series on Apps as tools universal design for learning and living. By Joan Guthrie Medlen, M.Ed, RD, LD Healthy Lifestyle Coaching for All Ages & Stage Reprinted with Permission from joan.wordpress.com In the past year or … Continue reading
October is….Health Literacy Month
Actually, October is the designated month for many of my favorite causes, but the two overall favorites are Down syndrome and Health Literacy. It seems fitting that I would celebrate them together here. Throughout the month I will share insights … Continue reading
Posted in General, Tools
Tagged down synrome, health literacy, health literacy month, intellectual disabilities
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It’s Not What You Say, It’s How You Say It
This series looks at the quote from Linda Hodgdon’s book, Visual Strategies for Improving Communication: “Communication is 55% visual, 37 % vocal, and 7% verbal, or the actual message.” The “vocal” piece of a message is not the words, but … Continue reading
Posted in General
Tagged clear communication, health literacy, intellectual disabilities, Rate of speech, tone
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Five Points to a Clear Message
Strunk and White’s book, the Elements of Style is an invaluable resources for this piece of communication. One of the key messages is to make your communication clear, concise, and direct. here are five things to consider when creating your message for print, scripts, storyboards, presentations, and conversations: Continue reading
“Am I Communicating Effectively?”
The essence of health literacy is looking at communication as a whole. The question to ask is this: “Is my method of communicating effective?” Continue reading
Health Literacy for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities 