Georgia Neurodiversity Chamber of Commerce upcoming events

NeuroConnect: Battle and Brew - Games and Dinner - May 17 (Sunday, May 17, 2026)

Sun, 17 May 2026 19:00:00 GMT

NeuroConnect: Social Events for Neurodivergent Adults and Allies

Calling all neurodiverse adults and friends! Join us for a fun-filled afternoon of board games, card games, great food, and awesome company at BATTLE & BREW in Sandy Springs.

We’ll have a variety of board games to play, from strategy to card games—something for everyone! Dinner and a soda are included, so come hungry and ready to game. Whether you’re a seasoned board gamer or just looking for a laid-back social night, we can’t wait to see you there!

Date: Sunday, May 17, 2025
Time: 3:00PM - 5:00PM
Location: Battle & Brew: 5920 Roswell Rd a120, Sandy Springs, GA 30328

$30 for Members

$45 For Non-Members

Price includes:

Games with friends
One dinner plus one soda

RSVP by May 10th so we can save you a seat at the table. We are sorry but there are no refunds.

Looking forward to an evening of laughs, games, and great conversation!

Please note: This price does not include video game seating at B+B.

Community Connect - RISE, SHINE, and BLOOM - May 20th (Wednesday, May 20, 2026)

Wed, 20 May 2026 12:30:00 GMT

What’s Possible: Rethinking Vocational Opportunities

Presentation by Nicole DeWard of Rise Coffee & Tea

The transition from adolescence to adulthood is often a period of significant uncertainty for families supporting individuals with autism and other developmental differences. As established educational structures conclude, a fundamental question emerges: What does a purposeful and independent adult life look like?

Nicole DeWard, founder and owner of Rise, Shine and Bloom, presents a transformative perspective on this transition, framing it not as an abrupt change but as a deliberate, intentional process of continuous development. Leveraging her extensive experience as both a parent and a program developer, Nicole advocates moving beyond the conventional definition of vocational success. She guides families to embrace a comprehensive framework that prioritizes participation, purpose, self-confidence, and a sense of belonging.

Attendees will be encouraged to shift from comparative standards to informed discernment, learning to identify environments where their young adult can achieve genuine, sustainable growth. The core focus redirects from prescriptive models - "What should this look like?" to practical, person-centered success - "What actually works for this individual?"

Furthermore, Nicole will explore the pivotal role of dignity-centered support in shaping growth. She demonstrates that the quality of support within any given environment—not just the location—is critical. This approach fosters foundational confidence, which in turn serves as the essential bedrock for increasing independence over time.

Everyone who attends will have the unique opportunity to see her philosophy in action at the event venue itself, Rise, Shine & Bloom, all her real-life businesses that embodies the principles of inclusive vocational success discussed in the presentation.

Location: Rise Coffee & Tea, 4651 Sandy Plains Rd Suite #116 Roswell, GA

Day: Wednesday, May 20, 2026

Time: 8:30am - 10:30am

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: 139 Village Center W, Woodstock, GA 30188

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

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

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