Ruth Lucas

Nursing

Past/current experiences working in the field of disabilities:

I have worked as a acute care staff nurse in the maternal child setting for twenty years. I have cared for low risk and high risk infants. I have also raised a son with learning disabilities and have participated in several IEP planning meetings for my son. My research interest has been with focused on learning disabilities. During my studies I have observed special needs teachers interact with their students at the preschool, elementary, and high school levels.  My dissertation study is interviewing mothers of children diagnosed with autism.

Goals for your LEND training experience:

My goal for my LEND training experience is to understand how each discipline contributes to the support and care of the individual with disabilities and their families. I also wish to have a better understanding of how policy and services work together to support the individual. Lastly, my goal is to have a solid understanding of the diagnosis, treatment, and future of infants and children diagnosed with autism.

What you wish to contribute, in the future, as a professional/family member in the field:

I would like to establish breastfeeding as an early screening tool for infants at risk for neurodevelopmental disabilities