Parenting Young Adults: Looking to the Future
2026-03-23 17:00 - 18:30, 2026-03-30 17:00 - 18:30, 2026-04-06 17:00 - 18:30 (America/New_York)
Are you raising or supporting a teen or young adult with social, emotional, or mental health needs? Join us for connection, support, and learning! We welcome you both virtually or in person. Also, check out PPAL’s Parents of Transition Aged Youth members-only Facebook Group!
Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/97898615351
Physical Address:
Mount Wachusett Community College (MWCC)
444 Green Street, Room S105 (Murphy Conference Room)
Gardner, MA

Contact: Parentsupportgroup@ppal.net

Family Action Meetup: Housing
2026-03-23 18:45 - 20:00
Family Action Meetups (FAMS) are a monthly opportunity for families to get together, learn about two housing models per month, and chat in depth.
Each monthly meeting comprises:
• A 15 minute overview of housing for people with developmental disabilities in Massachusetts.
• A brief video description of a housing model, followed by 20-25 minutes of breakout groups.
• Repeat with a second housing model.
Participants have the option of joining a private io email group to discuss housing models and share information. Let’s get to know one another!
For tickets, visit: https://autismhousingpathways.org/services/training-and-outreach/#FAMS

What Driving Provided to Me: An Autistic Perspective on Driving
2026-03-23 19:00 - 20:30
Learn from an autistic perspective about learning to drive and its impacts to quality of life.

This webinar explores the lived experience of an autistic individual learning to drive. Participants will learn about common barriers autistic people may face in the driving process, the steps involved in obtaining a driver’s license, and strategies that supported success. Andrew Arboe shares his personal journey and discusses how this experience informed his broader work in autism advocacy, including the development of driving-related programs and resources. This webinar was the reason why Andrew engage in public speaking throughout various autism focused organizations and schools.

Andrew Arboe’s Bio-Andrew Arboe is an autistic self-advocate and disability professional with experience in driving-related advocacy and program development. His brand, Andrew Arboe: Autistic Self-Advocate and Speaker offers both public speaking and contracting services to schools and nonprofits all over to showcase his vast experiences and fulfill his mission of creating collaboration through his nuanced advocacy. Drawing from lived experience, his work has contributed to the creation of two driving programs like Driving with Autism and practical resources that support autistic individuals in accessing mobility and independence.
Learn more and purchase tickets here

Supporting Executive Function at Home: A Guide for Parents of 6th-12th Grade Students
2026-03-25 08:00 - 17:00
Presented by Dr. Lauren Lukasik and Dr. Laura Austin, licensed psychologists and pediatric neuropsychologists of Concord Comprehensive Neuropsychology Services (CCNS).

Join us for a practical session on helping your middle and high schoolers thrive at home by strengthening their executive functioning skills. Executive functioning refers to the mental processes that support goal‑directed behavior, including organization, planning, emotional regulation, and time management.

Many students in grades six through twelve struggle in these areas, which can affect life at school and at home. In this talk, Dr. Lauren Lukasik and Dr. Laura Austin will explain what executive functioning is, outline the key skill areas, and describe how challenges often show up at home. They will also share evidence‑informed ways to support routines, build organizational habits, and encourage independence in daily life.

This session is designed for parents and caregivers seeking both understanding and practical tools.

Contact NashobaSEPAC@gmail.com for Zoom Meeting Link.
Zoom Meeting ID: 880 2668 6357 Passcode: [REDACTED]

Oh, The Places They’ll Go: Supporting Independent Living Goals During Conflict
2026-03-25 16:00 - 17:00
A virtual workshop for families of transition age youth with disabilities navigating conflict as their child prepares for their future!
Learn about:

5 Rs of conflict resolution
Collaborative problem-solving during disagreements
Creating a support system post high school
Promoting independent living goals

Register by March 23, 2026 here.
Questions? Contact: Maddie Heavey, Youth Services Program Manager at mheavey@bostoncil.org
Please Note: BCIL‘s Service Area:

Metro North Area: Everett, Malden, Medford

Central Middlesex: Acton, Arlington, Bedford, Burlington, Carlisle, Concord, Lexington, Lincoln, Winchester, Woburn

Out of Northeast Region: Belmont, Boston, Braintree, Brookline, Cambridge, Canton, Chelsea, Dedham, Milton, Newton, Norwood, Quincy, Randolph, Revere, Sharon, Somerville, Walpole, Waltham, Watertown, Westwood, Weymouth, Winthrop

Social Skills: Learning Adventures
2026-03-25 16:00 - 17:30, 2026-04-01 16:00 - 17:30, 2026-04-08 16:00 - 17:30 | Riverside Family Support Center, 6 Lincoln Knoll Lane, Suite 103, Burlington, MA, 01803, United States
Join us every Wednesday 4:00pm-5:30pm. In this class, we will explore and build upon a variety of life and social skills to prepare for the future, including: self-advocacy, communication, building relationships, & more. Reserve your spot today.

Woburn SEPAC College and Transition Fair
2026-03-25 18:00 - 20:00 | Woburn Memorial High School, 88 Montvale Avenue, Woburn, MA, 01801, United States
Celebrating 20 years as the region’s premier event for students who learn differently. Featuring schools with robust supports & a variety of post-secondary transition options.
Featuring: Curry College, Dean College, Lesley U, North Shore CC, Salem State, Westfield State, UMass Boston, AANE, DDS, Easterseals, FCSN, MAIPSE, MassAbility, MGH Aspire, PYD, Triangle Inc, WPS. For more information, see www.woburnsepac.org.

Culinary Class
2026-03-26 16:00 - 18:00, 2026-04-02 16:00 - 18:00, 2026-04-09 16:00 - 18:00 | Riverside Family Support Center, 6 Lincoln Knoll Lane, Suite 103, Burlington, MA, 01803, United States
Join us every Thursday 4:00pm-6:00pm. Build relationships with friends to create a delicious meal based on different cultures and holidays celebrated around the world. In this class, friends will learn to work together as a team to accomplish a common goal as well as learning essential daily life skills such as safety, set-up, and following instructions. Reserve your spot today.

Empowered Parents
2026-03-26 18:00 - 19:30, 2026-04-02 18:00 - 19:30 | https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87083392277
Are you caring for or supporting youth with mental health needs? Connect, learn from, and support other parents raising children with social, emotional, or mental health needs. Join us for good conversation in a confidential and welcoming place! (Hybrid event with in-person option at Boyden Library in Foxborough, MA)

Dr. Prince: Autism and Medication Webinar
2026-03-26 18:00 - 19:30
Presented by Dr. Jefferson Prince Child/Adolescent Psychiatrist. This virtual workshop will cover:
* Medication: benefits, limits, and myths
* Is medication right for my child?
* Why supports still matters.
* Partnering with prescribers
* Trusting your gut.
Learn more about the event here.
Registration is required and can be completed here.

Meeting the Moment: A Community Conversation and Resource Fair
2026-03-27 11:00 - 14:00 | UMass Lowell University Crossing, 220 Pawtucket Street, Lowell, MA, 01854, United States
Join MassAbility at this hybrid event. Individuals with disabilities, families, caregivers, providers, and advocates are invited to share experiences and ideas on Transition from Education-to-Employment, Long-Term Services, Supports, & Health Equity, Digital Accessibility, and Workforce Support.
11am–12:30pm – Hybrid Community Conversation (in-person and Zoom)
12:30pm-1pm – Lunch
1–2pm – In-Person Resource Fair
Submit written comments via email by March 23 to cspwdinfo@mass.gov. Register to attend in-person or virtually at https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/m5qhk2r/lp/d74489f2-6cbb-470d-81af-711727f40789. For more event information, visit: Mass.gov/MBY/MTM-March

Brighter Futures: A National Conference on Adults with Down Syndrome and Aging
2026-03-27 11:00 - 2026-03-28 17:00 | DCU Center, 50 Foster Street, Worcester, MA, 01608, United States
A conference in Worcester presented by the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress (MDSC) and National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) featuring the latest research findings and timely information from national experts on a range of topics related to adulthood and aging for individuals with Down syndrome. Register at: https://brighterfuturesconference.com/.

Social Group: Girls 14-22
2026-03-28, 2026-04-04 | AllStars Learning, 10 Curve Street, Lexington, MA, 02420, United States
✨ Fun. Friendship. Confidence. ✨
AllStars Learning is launching a new social group just for neurodivergent girls ages 14–22!
Join AllStars in Lexington to make friends, share interests, and have fun—all while building confidence in a safe and supportive space. Each session is guided by a neurodivergent special education teacher who understands and celebrates every girl’s unique strengths.
👩‍👩‍👧 Who: Neurodivergent girls, ages 14–22
📍 Where: Lexington, MA
📅 When: Saturday afternoons
💲 Cost: $400 for 10 sessions (covers materials, teacher, and room)
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach us at allstarslearninginc@gmail.com or info@allstarslearning.org
👉 Ready to join? Sign up below and fill out a form for yourself—or if you’re a parent/guardian, for your daughter!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf7_eTUT9EhN8-0qqIDMoqHIBMrK8ofYqftZpLXrZ_DE4zJOA/viewform

“I’ve Been There” Series
2026-03-31 17:00 - 18:00
Life after high school can be confusing — jobs, independence, education, friendships, support.
I’ve Been There is a free virtual series where two young adults with disabilities share their real stories about making the transition to adult life in each session. New people each month.
You’re part of the session — ask questions, share tips, or just listen.
Who is this for?
This series is by young people for young people with disabilities ages 14-26.
All speakers are current or members or graduates of FCSN’s Youth Advisory Council (YAB)
What conversation leaders talk about:
• What helped them
• What was hard
• What they wish they knew sooner
• Reminders that everyone is on their own path
Some of the topics:
• Life after high school
• Connections for finding jobs and job support
• Different ways for continue education after high school
• Delaying accepting your diploma so you get the services you need
• Independence & daily life skills
• Friendships, mentors & support
When do we meet?
• Last Tuesday of each month through June 2026: March 31, April 28, May 26, and June 30
• 1 hour session on Zoom
• Free & virtual (captions included)
Real stories. Real tips. Real talk.
Visit https://fcsn.org/series/ive-been-there-series/ to learn more and register!

Healthcare Series: Transitioning from Pediatric to Adult Healthcare
2026-04-01 12:00 - 13:00, 2026-04-08 12:00 - 13:00
Transitioning from pediatric to adult healthcare series with Perkins Transition Center
The Perkins Transition Center is proud to present a free, five-part webinar series focused on supporting youth with complex medical needs and disabilities as they move from pediatric to adult healthcare systems.
Parents, caregivers, educators, healthcare professionals, and advocates will gain practical strategies, tools, and resources to ensure a smooth, person-centered transition. Each session features expert presenters – several of whom are parents with real-world insights into the unique challenges faced by individuals with complex disabilities.
By the end of the series, participants will have a deeper understanding of how to promote continuity of care, independence, and quality of life for young adults with complex medical and developmental needs.
4/1/2026: Seeing Beyond the Behavior: Understanding Agitation in I/DD
Led by Dr. Maulik Trivedi, CSO, StationMD, this session helps families better understand why agitation happens in individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and what to do when it does. Dr. Trivedi will walk through common medical and environmental triggers, how to spot possible underlying causes using simple tools like the HURTS checklist, and ways to communicate and calm situations before they escalate.
Using real-life examples, the session also covers medication questions, working together with providers and family members, and steps that may help avoid unnecessary ER visits. Parents will leave with clear, practical strategies they can use right away to support safety, dignity, and overall well-being.

4/8/2026:Pap Camp: Your Health, Your Access, Your Power
(*This event is for those supporting individuals with female anatomy.)
Pap Camp is a supportive session for parents who want to help their young adult feel more comfortable and prepared for reproductive health visits. We’ll walk through what typically happens at an appointment, who may be involved, and how to plan ahead in ways that honor comfort, privacy, and individual needs. The session also explores why respectful, accessible reproductive health care matters, and how it can support self-advocacy, early awareness of health concerns, and informed choices that reflect personal values and goals.
Presenters: Dr. Jennifer M. LeComte, Medical Director, Rowan Medicine and Dr. Wendy F. Aita, PhD, Co-Director, Rowan Medicine

4/15/2026: Facilitating Transition Age Youth Voice: Ways to Ensure Youth Participation in Health-Related Decision Making
This session is designed to help parents support their transition-age youth in having a real voice in health-related decisions, even when communication is complex. We’ll talk about common challenges young people with medical needs may face when expressing preferences, asking questions, or participating in care decisions.
We’ll also share practical strategies families can use alongside schools and IEP teams to support participation in healthcare planning and goal-setting. Parents will leave with ideas for helping their young adult be included in decisions about their health in ways that feel meaningful and achievable.
Presenter: Elizabeth Bostic, Director, Division for Children and Youth with Special Health Needs, Massachusetts Department of Public Health; Founder, The Parent Coach

4/22/2026:Building the Bridge: Strategies for an Inclusive Healthcare Transition for Individuals with Disabilities
This session helps parents understand and navigate the move from pediatric to adult healthcare for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities or autism. We’ll look at common barriers, like gaps in provider training, biases, and insurance challenges, and share practical strategies to make the transition smoother.
Parents will gain tools, tips, and parent-to-parent advice for supporting their young adult in accessing inclusive, lifelong healthcare, helping them feel confident and supported every step of the way.
Presenter: Maura Sullivan, CEO, The ARC of MA

4/29/2026:Putting the Good in Goodbye: Acknowledging, Managing and Celebrating the Shift to Adult Care
Susan Shanske and Lisa Volpigno, social workers with the BRIDGES Adult Transition Program at Boston Children’s Hospital, will explore the emotional and relational challenges families often face when moving from pediatric to adult healthcare. They’ll share how their program supports patients, families, and providers in navigating changing relationships and balancing new responsibilities. Parents will gain practical strategies and insights for making the most of this transition, helping their young adult move into adult care with confidence and support.
Presenters: Susan Shanske, MSW, LICSW, Director, Transitional Care Support, Boston Children’s Hospital, BRIDGES Adult Transition Program and Lisa Volpigno, MSW, Clinical Social Worker, Boston Children’s Hospital, BRIDGES Adult Transition Program

Click here to register for the series.

Transition to Adult Services - What to Know and How to Prepare
2026-04-03 11:30 - 13:00
This single-session workshop offers parents and caregivers of adolescents (13+) with autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, or a related developmental disability an overview of transitioning to adult planning. The presentation covers how to prepare for the student-to-adult transition, important timelines, process steps, and useful tools and resources. The session is offered monthly on the first Friday of the month and costs $75 to attend. Additional workshops are available regarding Guardianship, Health, and Safety. For more information on workshop offerings visit https://www.massgeneral.org/assets/mgh/pdf/children/lurie-center-caregiver-workshop-flyer.pdf
Register by e-mailing LurieCenter@mgb.org or call 781-860-1700.

FCSN Talking Transition
2026-04-07 18:00 - 19:00
The Federation for Children with Special Needs is offering monthly Transition Talks on the first Tuesday of each month from 6:00pm-7:00pm. Hear from experts on different parts of the transition process! Throughout this series we will discuss topics like employment, independent living, social opportunities, benefits, and more.

Register here: https://fcsn.org/event/talkingtransition-2-3-26/

Transition Group/Life Quest Series
2026-04-08 12:00 - 13:00 | https://ecommunityconnections.org/event/transition-group-life-quest-series/2026-04-08/
A virtual support group for parents/caregivers of transition-aged youth (14-22) run by Northeast Arc’s Autism Support Center and Family Resource Center. The group meets on the second Wednesday of each month and is open to the Northeast Region.
To register: call Aymee Lucifora at 978-924-5734 or e-mail at alucifora@ne-arc.org.
