Georgia Neurodiversity Chamber of Commerce upcoming events

Community Connect - Spellers of Atlanta - Tuesday June 23 (Tuesday, June 23, 2026)

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 12:30:00 GMT

The Spellers Center of Atlanta will be hosting our June Community Connect networking to discuss:

The Hidden Voice: A New Lens on Nonspeaking Individuals

June 23, 2026

8:30am - 10:30am

The Spellers Method provides a transformative lifeline for nonspeaking and minimally speaking adults who may have spent decades being misunderstood due to the "consistently inconsistent" nature of motor apraxia. By reframing their challenges as a motor planning challenge rather than a cognitive deficit, this approach recognizes that many adults possess fully intact intellects trapped by an unreliable brain-body connection. Through the purposeful use of letterboards that leverage gross motor movements, these individuals can bypass the fine motor demands of speech to finally express complex thoughts, often for the first time in their lives. Grounded in the principle of Presuming Competence, this method asserts that it is never too late to provide a child, teen, or adult with the tools for autonomy and education. This challenges years of low expectations and opens a long-overdue pathway to genuine social connection and self-advocacy.

This event will be held at the Spellers Atlanta Clinic in Woodstock, Georgia. Please attend in person to witness the incredible impact of this innovative, science-backed program, developed by Dr. Dana Johnson, OT. Witnessing nonspeaking adults use letterboards reveals their high level of intelligence and wit. It is a powerful, firsthand demonstration of what happens when we simply presume competence and provide the right motor support.

Register today to meet and ask questions of Spellers Hayes and Carter while learning more about this incredible program from Lisa.

A light breakfast with coffee and tea will be provided by Rise Coffee + Tea.

Bring your business cards to share!

Date: Tuesday, June 23, 2026

Time: 8:30am arrival

Location: Spellers Atlanta Clinic, 139 Village Center W, Woodstock, GA 30188

Rise Coffee and Tea will provide a light breakfast and hot beverages.

NeuroCONNECT - Game Night - July 13 (Monday, July 13, 2026)

Mon, 13 Jul 2026 22:30:00 GMT

GANCC Parent Planning with Purpose - Workshop for Parents of Adults with Disabilities - July 21 (Tuesday, July 21, 2026)

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 21:30:00 GMT

The GANCC presents

Parent Planning with Purpose

A Hands-On Workshop for Parents of Adults with Disabilities

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No one is going to manage an adult child's legal and financial future except their parents. It’s not a criticism of the professionals that are hired - it's the reality. At the end of the day, parents are the ones who must understand the highly specialized long-term plan for their individual child, connect the pieces, and make sure nothing falls through the cracks.

That's exactly what the GANCC Parent Planning with Purpose Workshops is built to do.

We're bringing together a special needs attorney and a financial advisor who specializes in disability planning into one room, at one table, for parents - to teach everyone how the legal and financial sides of a disabled adult's plan works together ... and how to manage it going forward.

Right now, most parents are flying blind.

Parents may be starting or already have a special need trust — but do you understand how to fund it? You may be applying for or already have government benefits in place — but do you know what triggers a loss of SSI or Medicaid? You may be creating a will and an estate plan — but does your extended family know how to leave money to your child without destroying the benefits they depend on?

For example, Grandma passes away and leaves your child $50,000 directly - with nothing but love behind it. The money hits their bank account. Suddenly they're over the resource limit. SSI - gone. Medicaid — suspended. Housing support, medication, daily care - all at risk. Not because of bad intentions, but because the family didn't understand the rules.

This is preventable ...

but only if you understand how the system works.

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The Professional Presenters

HEATHER NADLER, JD

Ms. Nadler is a Partner with Nadler Biernath Special Needs and Elder Law.

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TANA GILDEA, CFP, CPA, CCFS, CDFA

Ms. Gildea is a Senior Wealth Advisor with HB Wealth

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What we keep hearing from parents:

"I have a special needs trust but I don't really understand how it works or how to fund it."

"My mother left money directly to my son. He lost his benefits for months."

"My attorney and financial advisor do not understand the complexities of special needs funding along with government barriers - and I don't know enough to bridge the gap."

"I don't know what questions I should be asking."

"My brother wants to leave something for my disabled daughter, and I have no idea how to guide him."

"I've been to the big seminars. I leave with information overload and no idea how it applies to my specific child and family’s situation."

This workshop puts you in the driver's seat.

Our GANCC Parent Planning Workshop is here to teach you how the pieces fit together — trusts, government benefits, ABLE accounts, estate plans, inheritances, long-term funding — so that you can manage your child's plan with confidence. So you know what to ask your attorney. So you know what to tell your financial advisor. So you can sit down with your parents, your siblings, your family, and explain exactly how they can help without accidentally causing harm.

And we're doing it the only way that works – keeping it small.

We're capping this at 12–16 parents, broken into small groups of 6–8, working shoulder-to-shoulder with both professionals. Parents ask your questions. Parents hear other parents ask theirs. Everyone will begin to truly understand the legal and financial interconnectivity with more clarity and will leave understanding their own child's plan.

What parents walk away with.

The knowledge to understand how your child's legal and financial plan works as one integrated system. A roadmap connecting the legal documents to a real funding strategy. The ability to ask the right questions, catch the gaps, and guide your family. The confidence to lead your child's planning team.

This workshop is for you.

You're a parent or caregiver of an adult (or soon-to-be adult) with a disability. You have some pieces in place but don't fully understand how they connect. You want to learn how to manage and oversee your child's plan — not just delegate it. You want real answers to your specific questions in a room small enough to ask them.

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The Details of Event

Date: Tuesday, July 21, 2026

Time: 5:30 PM – 8:15 PM

Location: Nadler Biernath Special Needs and Elder Law

1455 Lincoln Pkwy E Suite 355, Atlanta, GA 30346

Cost: GANCC Members: $35 per person GANCC Non-Members $45 - light dinner and beverages included.

Capacity: Limited to 12–16 parents

The Evening Agenda

5:30 – 6:00 — Arrive, connect, light dinner and beverages

6:00 – 6:05 — Opening remarks

6:05 – 6:35 — Heather Nadler, JD: Special Needs and Elder Law Attorney — Trusts, guardianship, inheritance protection

6:35 – 7:05 — Tana Gildea, CFP, CPA, CCFS, CDFA: Special Needs Senior Financial Advisor — Funding strategies, long-term planning

7:05 – 7:35 — Small group session with one professional

7:35 – 8:05 — Groups rotate to second professional

8:05 – 8:15 — Closing

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Thank you to our Presenters

NeuroCONNECT - Game Night - August 10 (Monday, August 10, 2026)

Mon, 10 Aug 2026 22:30:00 GMT

NeuroCONNECT - Game Night - September 14 (Monday, September 14, 2026)

Mon, 14 Sep 2026 22:30:00 GMT

Adaptive Driving for Neurodivergent Adults - September 22 (Tuesday, September 22, 2026)

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 12:30:00 GMT

Save the Date! More information soon!

Evaluations and Adaptive Driving for Neurodivergent Adults - lead by an Occupational Therapist.

NeuroCONNECT - Game Night - October 12 (Monday, October 12, 2026)

Mon, 12 Oct 2026 22:30:00 GMT

Tommy Nobis Center: The Academy Program (Tuesday, November 03, 2026)

Tue, 03 Nov 2026 13:30:00 GMT

Tommy Nobis Center Presents their Academy Program

100% Employment Placement for Graduates

We are so confident that this program will be successful in educating, training, and employing young adults that we guarantee every participant who successfully completes the program will find employment.

How can we guarantee employment? Tommy Nobis Center has been empowering people through employment for 45 years. We know what training and support young people with disabilities need to be successful in the workplace, and we know how to provide it. We are well connected with local and national businesses and government agencies that trust TNC to prepare and provide the employees they need.

Program Model

The Academy offers a yearlong program of accelerated vocational education and training on life skills and job readiness.

EDUCATE: Curriculum-based vocational training. Topics include life skills, social skills for employment, self-advocacy, vocational skills, confidence, communication, and more! Instruction takes place in the classroom and in the community.

TRAIN: Job discovery that includes on-site and community-based instruction. Participants will be able to explore specific career pathways and learn about targeted vocational topics.

EMPLOY: Specialized employment support to ensure success. All participants who complete the program will be guaranteed employment.

HOW STUDENTS BENEFIT

Immersive vocational education, training, and employment
Training on workplace readiness and self-advocacy
Education on life skills to support the development of successful, contributing citizens
Experiential learning that helps build confidence
Training both on-site and in the community to prepare students for employment

HOW THE COMMUNITY BENEFITS

More employed individuals contributing to the local economy
Greater justice and equality rooted in opportunities for all
Solutions for employers seeking skilled, qualified workers
Support for employers’ Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion goals

REGISTER TODAY!

Date: November 3, 2026

Time: 8:30am - 10:30am

Address: Tommy Nobis Center: 240 Interstate N Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30339

NeuroCONNECT - Game Night - November 9 (Monday, November 09, 2026)

Mon, 09 Nov 2026 23:30:00 GMT

Jacob's Ladder - Post High School Program - February 17, 2027 (Wednesday, February 17, 2027)

Wed, 17 Feb 2027 13:30:00 GMT

More Information To Come. Save The Date!

Learn More About Jacob's Ladder COMPASS PROGRAM for teens / young adults 16+ yo and up.

This program focuses on personal, educational, vocational, and community building.

https://thejacobsladdergroup.org/compass/