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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for McKenna Autism Consulting
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260916T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260916T170000
DTSTAMP:20260903T161945Z
CREATED:20260902T153545Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260903T161945Z
UID:530-1789545600-1789578000@mckennaautism.com
SUMMARY:Workshop: What is SSI\, and How Do I Prepare?
DESCRIPTION:What is SSI\, and How Do I Prepare?\nJoin us online to dive into the world of services for adults with disabilities. The first step is SSI! Whether you’re new or just curious\, we’ll break down what SSI means and share simple tips to help you prepare. No stress\, just simple and friendly guidance to help you feel confident. Grab your laptop\, get comfy\, and let’s explore SSI together! \nLearn: \n\nThe basic eligibility rules for\nSupplemental Security Income (SSI)\nHow SSI can benefit an eligible young adult\nWhat records and documentation to begin gathering\nHow to prepare for the initial application process\n\nMcKenna Autism Consulting is pleased to launch a new series of practical\, small-group workshops for parents navigating transition planning\, government benefits\, and college options. \nEach online workshop combines a short\, action-oriented lesson with guided group discussion. \nEnrollment is limited to 25 participants\, giving parents an opportunity to ask questions about their own students and learn from both the facilitator and other families. Each session lasts less than one hour and is designed to help families take one manageable step forward. \nThe series is appropriate for parents of students in their junior year of high school through young adulthood\, up to age 30. \nLearn more about McKenna Autism Consulting at www.McKennaAutism.com \nSign up here!
URL:https://mckennaautism.com/event/workshop-what-is-ssi-and-how-do-i-prepare/
LOCATION:Online
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mckennaautism.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/ParentWorkshops2.jpg
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260923T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260923T203000
DTSTAMP:20260826T142127Z
CREATED:20260824T172645Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260826T142127Z
UID:487-1790190000-1790195400@mckennaautism.com
SUMMARY:Webinar: What Happens After High School: Pathways to Adulthood
DESCRIPTION:  \n \n“What Happens After High School?” explores the many pathways available to autistic young adults when graduation does not lead directly to a traditional four-year college or full-time employment. \nFamilies will learn how to evaluate a student’s academic\, social\, executive-functioning\, independent-living\, and employment needs and use those findings to create an individualized transition plan. The presentation compares community colleges\, campus-based autism support programs\, specialized colleges\, programs for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities\, 18–21 transition services\, summer bridge programs\, vocational training\, and day or self-directed supports. \nIt also explains the shift from school-based entitlements to adult systems\, including college disability services\, SSI\, Medicaid\, state developmental-disability programs\, and vocational rehabilitation. \nParents will receive practical guidance on documentation\, applications\, financial and legal preparation\, employment considerations\, and transition timelines beginning in high school and continuing into adulthood. The central message is that readiness is not all-or-nothing: with early planning\, creative thinking\, and the right combination of supports\, young adults can build meaningful paths toward education\, work\, community participation\, and greater independence. \nAbout the Speaker\nLaura McKenna\, PhD\, is the founder of McKenna Autism Consulting\, which provides post-diagnosis support\, personalized resource mapping\, parent coaching\, transition planning\, and college consulting for autistic individuals and their families. Laura helps families understand complex educational and disability-service systems\, strengthen IEP and transition plans\, evaluate college readiness\, identify appropriate academic and residential programs\, and access supports such as SSI\, DDD\, DVRS\, and college disability services. Over the years\, she has supported thousands of parents through individual consultations\, educational programs\, webinars\, articles\, newsletters\, and community outreach. Known for translating complicated information into clear\, practical next steps\, Laura works closely with families to develop individualized plans that reflect each person’s strengths\, needs\, and long-term goals. She is also the founder of ABA Options\, an online directory that helps families find ABA providers in their communities. \nSign up here! \n 
URL:https://mckennaautism.com/event/webinar-what-happens-after-high-school-pathways-to-adulthood/
LOCATION:Online
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mckennaautism.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Wednesday-September-23-2026.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260928T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260928T180000
DTSTAMP:20260903T135427Z
CREATED:20260903T135416Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260903T135427Z
UID:541-1790614800-1790618400@mckennaautism.com
SUMMARY:Meet and Greet: Landmark College's Admissions Director
DESCRIPTION:Meet Erica Loveland\, Associate Director of Admissions and Landmark College Alumna  \nLearn more about Landmark College\, the college for students who learn differently. \nErica will meet with parents at Ridgewood Coffee \nMonday\, September 28th\, 5:00 PM \nat Ridgewood Coffee\, 133 E Ridgewood Ave \nLearn more about Landmark College \nLearn more about McKenna Autism Consulting  \nRSVP here. 
URL:https://mckennaautism.com/event/meet-and-greet-landmark-colleges-admissions-director/
LOCATION:Ridgewood Coffee\, 133 E Ridgewood Ave\, Ridgewood
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mckennaautism.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Facebook-Meet-and-Greet-Flyer.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261014T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261014T200000
DTSTAMP:20260903T162019Z
CREATED:20260902T154003Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260903T162019Z
UID:534-1792004400-1792008000@mckennaautism.com
SUMMARY:Workshop: Can Students with IDD Attend College?
DESCRIPTION:Can Students with IDD Attend College?\nWondering if students with IDD can rock college life? Join our online event to explore how college is possible and accessible for everyone. We’ll dive into resources\, support systems\, and inspiring stories that prove college isn’t just for some—it’s for all. Whether you’re a student\, parent\, or just curious\, this chat is for you! \nLearn: \n\nWhich students may be a good fit for these programs\nWhat admissions requirements and student-support needs programs consider\nAbout selected programs\, with an emphasis on New Jersey and the Northeast\n\nMcKenna Autism Consulting is pleased to launch a new series of practical\, small-group workshops for parents navigating transition planning\, government benefits\, and college options. \nEach online workshop combines a short\, action-oriented lesson with guided group discussion. \nEnrollment is limited to 25 participants\, giving parents an opportunity to ask questions about their own students and learn from both the facilitator and other families. Each session lasts less than one hour and is designed to help families take one manageable step forward. \nThe series is appropriate for parents of students in their junior year of high school through young adulthood\, up to age 30. \nLearn more about McKenna Autism Consulting here. \nSign up here! 
URL:https://mckennaautism.com/event/workshop-can-students-with-idd-attend-college/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mckennaautism.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/ParentWorkshops2.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261028T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261028T203000
DTSTAMP:20260903T144335Z
CREATED:20260824T191437Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260903T144335Z
UID:500-1793214000-1793219400@mckennaautism.com
SUMMARY:Webinar: The Roadmap After High School: Transition Planning for Neurodiverse Families
DESCRIPTION:Many parents reach high school senior year with more questions than answers. What happens after high school if college isn’t the right fit for my child? And if it is\, what kind of support will they actually need to succeed? If these questions sound familiar\, you’re not alone. For parents of neurodiverse young adults\, this stage of life can feel especially uncertain. The structure and support that carried your child through school often disappears almost overnight\, and there’s no single roadmap that works for every family. You’re left trying to piece together information\, unsure which questions to even ask or what “success” should look like for your child. This webinar is meant to help. We’ll talk honestly about what a strong transition really looks like\, what to pay attention to when weighing your options\, and how to start building a plan that fits your child\, whether that means college\, a supported program\, or another path forward. The hope is that you leave with more clarity and less overwhelm. \n\n\nWhat You’ll Learn\n\nUnderstanding the core elements of a strong transition model\, and why “readiness” looks different for every young adult\nRecognizing why high school skills don’t always transfer to college or career\, and how building self-advocacy\, communication\, and time management ahead of time makes the difference\nEvaluating whether a program truly supports independence — academically\, socially\, and in daily living — not just on paper\nSeeing what a comprehensive transition and postsecondary support model looks like in practice\, using College Living Experience (CLE) as a real-world example\nIdentifying practical next steps for families beginning or continuing this planning process\n\n\n\nAbout the Speaker\nCarmen Zahra\, M.Ed. Carmen Zahra is an internationally recognized voice in education for neurodivergent young adults. As National Director of Outreach for CLE\, a national program supporting students with exceptionalities\, she leads strategic partnerships and community engagement that connect families\, schools\, and professionals nationwide. Carmen blends a Master’s in Education with a Bachelor’s in Public Relations and Journalism\, giving her a distinctive edge as both an advocate and a communicator. She is known for reframing the conversation around “failure to launch” into one of strategic relaunch\, helping families see expansive pathways to independence rather than one narrow route to success. Her impact extends well beyond CLE. Carmen serves as a Commissioner on Maryland’s Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Commission (IDDC)\, sits on the Boards of WISER DC and CHADD of Virginia and Washington DC\, and the CSahm Foundation for ADHD. She also serves as a Grant and Scholarship Reviewer for the Organization for Autism Research (OAR) and co-founded the Student Success and Wellness Professional Alliance\, a national network advancing collaboration among transition professionals. Carmen leads with both heart and vision\, driven by a single guiding belief: every young person deserves a path to independence\, belonging\, and fulfillment. \n\nSign up here! \n 
URL:https://mckennaautism.com/event/webinar-the-roadmap-after-high-school-transition-planning-for-neurodiverse-families/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mckennaautism.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Zahra-CLE-October.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261104T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261104T200000
DTSTAMP:20260903T161851Z
CREATED:20260902T155041Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260903T161851Z
UID:537-1793818800-1793822400@mckennaautism.com
SUMMARY:Workshop: How Do I Apply for SSI?
DESCRIPTION:How Do I Apply for SSI? Workshop\nLearn \n\nThe best way to answer open-ended questions\nHow to avoid common mistakes and delays\nSave documentation\nWhere to seek assistance if problems arise\n\nMcKenna Autism Consulting is pleased to launch a new series of practical\, small-group workshops for parents navigating transition planning\, government benefits\, and college options. \nEach online workshop combines a short\, action-oriented lesson with guided group discussion. \nEnrollment is limited to 25 participants\, giving parents an opportunity to ask questions about their own students and learn from both the facilitator and other families. Each session lasts less than one hour and is designed to help families take one manageable step forward. \nThe series is appropriate for parents of students in their junior year of high school through young adulthood\, up to age 30. \nLearn more about McKenna Autism Consulting \nSign up here!
URL:https://mckennaautism.com/event/workshop-how-do-i-apply-for-ssi/
LOCATION:Online
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mckennaautism.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/ParentWorkshops2.jpg
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261118T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261118T200000
DTSTAMP:20260902T153259Z
CREATED:20260902T153259Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260902T153259Z
UID:526-1795028400-1795032000@mckennaautism.com
SUMMARY:Webinar: Special Needs Trusts & ABLE Accounts - What Everyone Needs to Know
DESCRIPTION:Special Needs Trusts & ABLE Accounts – What Everyone Needs to Know\nPresented by Michael Ringel\, CPA\, Chartered Special Needs Consultant at Special Needs Wealth Planning. \nAbout the speaker\nMichael Ringel is a seasoned financial professional who has dedicated over\ntwo decades to empowering individuals and families\, especially those\ncaring for loved ones with disabilities\, with thoughtful\, values-driven\nfinancial strategies. As a Chartered Special Needs Consultant (ChSNC)\,\nMichael is deeply committed to helping families of individuals with special\nneeds plan for the future with clarity\, confidence\, and compassion. \nMichael is a frequent speaker on special needs financial planning\,\npresenting annually at the New Jersey Autism Conference\, the New Jersey\nState Society of CPAs\, and through national webinars hosted by\norganizations such as the Autism Society\, GiGi’s Playhouse\, and The ARC of\nNew Jersey. He is also a sought-after guest on podcasts covering financial\nliteracy and special needs advocacy. \nHe is the author of a free book Planning for Two Lifetimes – http://www.planningfortwolifetimes.com \nSession description\n“Will my child be okay… financially and in life… when I’m no longer here?” \nThe answer often comes down to how well you understand and use two critical tools: \nSpecial Needs Trusts and ABLE Accounts. \nYou’ll learn: \n– The difference between a Special Needs Trust and an ABLE account (and when to use each)\n– What a trustee can and cannot pay for without jeopardizing SSI or Medicaid\n– How to use trust assets to improve your child’s quality of life\n– Common mistakes families make that can unintentionally jeopardize government benefits\n– How to coordinate your overall plan so everything works together. \nMost parents we speak with feel overwhelmed\, confused\, and unsure where to start. \nOur goal is to help you move from uncertainty to clarity—so you can begin putting a plan in place with confidence. \nWhether you’re just getting started or want to make sure you’re on the right track\, this session will give you the knowledge and peace of mind you’ve been looking for. \nWhat you’ll learn\n\nNo plan is NOT an option\nIt is important to work with a financial advisor who has experience working with families with a child with special needs\nThird party special needs trust are important and should not be funded until the parents die\nProper planning will provide you with peace of mind and allow you to sleep at night\nYou can retire without compromise and leave a legacy for your family\, the right way\n\nFall 2026 Webinar Lineup\nJoin McKenna Autism Consulting for three practical evenings focused on college\, transition\, and adulthood planning for neurodiverse individuals and their families. \n\nSeptember 23 — Laura McKenna\, PhD\, CEO and Founder\, McKenna Autism Consulting: What Happens After High School? Pathways to Adulthood\nOctober 28 — Carmen Zahra\, M.Ed.\, National Director of Outreach\, College Living Experience (CLE): The Roadmap After High School: Transition Planning for Neurodiverse Families\nNovember 18 — Michael Ringel\, CPA\, Chartered Special Needs Consultant\, Special Needs Wealth Planning: Special Needs Trusts & ABLE Accounts – What Everyone Needs to Know\n\nView the full lineup and register at mckennaautism.com/events-webinars. \nLearn more about McKenna Autism Consulting \n  \nSign up here
URL:https://mckennaautism.com/event/webinar-special-needs-trusts-able-accounts-what-everyone-needs-to-know/
LOCATION:Online
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mckennaautism.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Ringel-November.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261202T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261202T170000
DTSTAMP:20260903T174439Z
CREATED:20260903T142812Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260903T174439Z
UID:553-1796198400-1796230800@mckennaautism.com
SUMMARY:How Can Autism Support Programs at Traditional Colleges Help My Child?
DESCRIPTION:How Can Autism Support Programs at Traditional Colleges Help My Child?\nLearn: \n\nWhich students are most likely to benefit from these programs\nAbout selected programs\, with an emphasis on colleges in the Northeast\nWhat these programs offer\nHow specialized autism programs differ from standard college disability services\n\nMcKenna Autism Consulting is pleased to launch a new series of practical\, small-group workshops for parents navigating transition planning\, government benefits\, and college options. \nEach online workshop combines a short\, action-oriented lesson with guided group discussion. \nEnrollment is limited to 25 participants\, giving parents an opportunity to ask questions about their own students and learn from both the facilitator and other families. Each session lasts less than one hour and is designed to help families take one manageable step forward. \nThe series is appropriate for parents of students in their junior year of high school through young adulthood\, up to age 30. \nCost: $25 per parent\, per workshop. \nSign up here!
URL:https://mckennaautism.com/event/how-can-autism-support-programs-at-traditional-colleges-help-my-child/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mckennaautism.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/ParentWorkshops2.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261209T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261209T200000
DTSTAMP:20260903T161821Z
CREATED:20260903T142506Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260903T161821Z
UID:550-1796842800-1796846400@mckennaautism.com
SUMMARY:MAC 2026-2027 College Parent Chat
DESCRIPTION:Are you in the trenches of the college search or application process? \nThis informal\, moderated discussion gives parents a chance to compare notes\, exchange information\, ask questions\, and learn from other families on the same path. \nBring your questions\, concerns\, and last-minute challenges-we’re here to help! \nMcKenna Autism Consulting is pleased to launch a new series of practical\, small-group workshops for parents navigating transition planning\, government benefits\, and college options. \nEach online workshop combines a short\, action-oriented lesson with guided group discussion. \nEnrollment is limited to 25 participants\, giving parents an opportunity to ask questions about their own students and learn from both the facilitator and other families. Each session lasts less than one hour and is designed to help families take one manageable step forward. \nThe series is appropriate for parents of students in their junior year of high school through young adulthood\, up to age 30. \nCost: $25 per parent\, per workshop. \nSign up here! 
URL:https://mckennaautism.com/event/mac-2026-2027-college-parent-chat/
LOCATION:Online
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mckennaautism.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/ParentWorkshops2.jpg
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