Building the Bridge: Strategies for an Inclusive Healthcare Transition for Individuals with Disabilities
Wednesday, April 22 @ 12:00PM

Join CEO Maura Sullivan for a session with Perkins School for the Blind that will help parents understand and navigate the move from pediatric to adult healthcare for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and 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.

This is an external webinar hosted by Perkins School for the Blind. Please consult their website for information on access.

Healthcare Access for All: Improving Medical Experiences
for Individuals with Autism and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Monday, April 27 @ 1:00PM

Join us to learn practical tips and strategies to improve healthcare access for individuals with autism spectrum disorder and intellectual and developmental disabilities.

This webinar will focus on reducing anxiety and enhancing care through the use of social stories, visual supports, desensitization, and individualized accommodations. Participants will also learn effective strategies for advocating and collaborating with medical providers. Available resources, including social stories for preventative care procedures, will be highlighted to support successful and positive healthcare experiences.

Dr. Jill Pineda is a licensed clinical psychologist at the Lurie Center for Autism and a clinical instructor at Harvard Medical School. She provides neuropsychological evaluations and therapeutic services for children, adolescents, and adults with autism spectrum disorder and other neurodevelopmental disorders. Dr. Pineda has developed expertise in providing desensitization for medical procedures for individuals with developmental disabilities in the hopes to improve access to medical care for this underserved community.

Dr. Pineda has led the Healthcare Access for Autism grant, designed to create social stories on preventative care procedures for adults with autism and related disabilities. Dr. Pineda regularly collaborates with caregivers, healthcare providers, and other stakeholders to improve access to medical care within Mass General Brigham and the broader community.

Transition Timeline and Tips for the Journey
Wednesday, April 29 @ 12:00PM

We all go through it, but the path to becoming an adult is different for each of us. For families of teens with IDD or autism, the transition from school to adult life can feel overwhelming, with so much to learn and navigate.

Join Director of Education and Outreach Jackie Doherty and Education and Outreach Consultant Dianne Huggon for a practical, step-by-step look at the transition timeline, with strategies and useful tips to help you support your loved one’s journey and make the most of every opportunity along the way.

MA21 Alliance: Self-Direction in Action:
Real Stories of Choice, Control, and Outcomes That Work
Tuesday, May 19 @ 1:30 PM

Hear real stories from people using self-direction to create supports that fit their goals and vision for a good life. Panelists will share what’s working, challenges they faced, and how advocacy made a difference.