About us.
1st Adapted Communication Job Skills Magazine
Explicitly Trains, Visually Explains and Helps to Maintain Job Skills.
About our Founder
Dana Bunker
D Hi I’m Dana, a Licensed Speech Language Pathologist residing in North Carolina with over 20 years of experience in this field. Throughout my career, my passion has revolved around working with individuals with disabilities including Autism. From volunteering at the Special Olympics to caregiving at a group home and providing respite care for children with disabilities, I’ve always been driven to make a positive impact on their lives.
My area of expertise lies in working with children and adults with Developmental and Intellectual disabilities. I have extensive experience in both school settings and as a consultant for group homes, aiming to enhance functional communication skills for adults with intellectual disabilities.
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the staffing shortages and unmet needs in our communities and schools leaving many of our adapted classes without teachers. Inspired to make a difference, I decided to shift my focus towards speech services that support transferable job skills using real-life tasks. This change has led to remarkable progress in social skills, language skills, routines, and motivation. Notably, the integration of real job titles, like “manager,” instilled a sense of pride and commitment among my students. This transformation also extended beyond the individuals themselves, as others began to recognize and appreciate their “abilities” instead of only seeing their disability. Throughout my career, I’ve had the opportunity to engage with parents who share their dreams for their children with me. Many express their heartfelt desire to see their child become more involved in the community and work towards securing a job someday. These conversations have been profound and have further fueled my dedication to my work. As Zig Ziglar wisely said, “You cannot perform in a manner inconsistent with the way you see yourself.” With this in mind, I’ve named many of my materials “You’re Hired” to inspire my students and clients to envision a future where they are valuable contributors in the workforce. My materials are not only intended for Speech-Language Pathologists and teachers but also for parents who want to actively contribute to their child’s growth at home. I believe in starting early to work on these essential skills. On a personal note, I am married to an entrepreneur and coach, and we have three children together. Two of my kids are in college, and one is still in high school. Music is my therapy, and I enjoy exploring new restaurants. My mom often says ” You never meet a stranger”, so if you ever meet me, don’t hesitate to talk 2 me, and I’ll gladly lend an ear. I sincerely hope that my materials can make a positive difference in someone’s life. Take care and best wishes.