Featured Resources and Events
Transition Talks Tuesdays Wisconsin Autism Transition Demonstration (WAuTD) is partnering with the School District of Janesville for the next Transition Talks Tuesdays (TTT)! TTT is series of virtual presentations highlighting different parts of the transition to adulthood journey. All talks will be 4:00-5:00pm, will be recorded and a resource sheet developed. Registration is now open! TTT is designed for educators, family members, school nurses, county workers, medical workers, social workers — anyone interacting with youth transitioning to becoming adults and who want to learn more about integrating the transition journey. Please share with others! Topics and dates (4:00-5:00pm): Apr 14 — Guardianship and Supported Decision-Making (Process and Steps). Any questions — tmarkle@wisc.edu. Feb 3 — Ready to Work: Finding and Keeping Integrated Employment (Recording and resources); Feb 17 — Health Care Transition (Recording and resources); Mar 3 — What is the purpose of the Post-Secondary Transition Plan? (Recording and Resources); Mar 17 — Getting Help as an Adult: Aging and Disability Resource Centers (Recording and Resources) Apr 7 — Children’s Long-Term Support (CLTS) Program (Recording and Resources) Share the flyer with families and others — 2026 Transition Talks Tuesdays Flyerpost
Upcoming Events
Autism Acceptance and Water Safety (virtual) Apr 13, 11:00am-12:00pm from Autism Society of America and National Drowning Prevention Alliance
Transition IEP Checklist (virtual) Apr 14, 12:00-1:00pm from WI FACETS
A Gathering for Parents of Children in Complex Care (online) 6:30-7:45pm Apr 14, Apr 21 This six-week parent support group is part of Connecting Families, a network of peer support for families of children and youth with special health care needs in southern Wisconsin. Complex Care Group – Spring 2026
Overcoming barriers to communication with your child’s IEP team (online) Apr 15, 12:00-1:00pm from PACER Center
What’s After High School?-Life in the Community (virtual) Apr 15, 5:30-6:30pm A broad overview of the transition to adult life for youth with disabilities and special health care needs for families with children ages 14 – 21, and the educators and providers who support them. Community living includes housing, recreation and friendships. It’s what makes life enjoyable and it’s important to make sure that your community is a place your young adult wants to be. This Family Voices of Wisconsin workshop is presented in partnership with Waukesha County Transition Advisory Council.
Minnesota Autism Conference Virtual Apr 15-16
Family, Youth & Community Engagement (virtual) 4:00-5:30pm 4/16 The Family , Youth & Community Engagement Network is for educators, families, caregivers, and others who want to see improvement in family engagement across the state of Wisconsin. Learn from each other and experts in the field. Come join us! From the WSPEI project
Peer-Led Learning Circle (virtual) 6:30-7:30pm Apr 16-Dealing with the Day-to-Day; May 21-Making Plans for Summer Zoom Link: go.wisc.edu/PeerLedLearningCircle Connecting Families – Spring 2026
SibConnect Overnight Camp Apr 17-19, Easterseals WI Respite Camp from DSAW Sibshop A weekend of activities for kids and teens who are a sibling of someone with a disability. SibConnect
Anxiety and Neurodiversity in the Modern Age (in-person) Apr 17, 9:00am-11:00am with Madeline Barger and Community Outreach Wisconsin at UW South Madison Partnership. There is a fee. Reg closes Apr 10.
2026 Creative Power Opening Reception—Saturday, April 18 from 2:00-5:00pm Join us as we celebrate the talents of Wisconsin artists with disabilities. Tickets include entertainment by performing artists with disabilities, complimentary refreshments, art-making activity, and opportunities to support AFA. We will present this year’s Creative Power and Merit awards during the celebration from 2:00 to 3:00 pm, with a reception to follow from 3:00 to 5:00 pm. Full details are listed at https://www.artsforallwi.org/events/2026-creative-power-celebration
10th International Conference on Adolescents and Adults with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: Integrating Research, Practice, and Policy Around the World Apr 19-21, Seattle, WA
Finding Your Way (virtual) 12:00-1:00pm Apr 21, May 19 Join Connecting Families and the Children’s Resource Center-South for a casual chat with local Resource Guides and fellow families. Zoom Link: go.wisc.edu/FindingYourWay Connecting Families – Spring 2026
Understanding the FDA’s Plausible Mechanism Framework Webinar Apr 21, 12:00pm from NORD
Adapted Yoga & Mindfulness Workshop (in-person) Apr 21, 5:15-6:00pm with LOV inc at Wil-Mar Center This workshop is open to any adult with a disability. Click here to register!
Up to Us Apr 21, 28, May 5 6:00-7:30pm This educational group supports people with loved ones facing mental health and/or substance use challenges in reflecting on the story they tell themselves, and others, about their loved one. Join us for this free opportunity. From WISE
Special Needs Trusts and ABLE Accounts Webinar Apr 22, 11:00am-12:00pm from A Special Needs Plan
Autistic Learners and Bullying (virtual) Apr 22, 12:00-1:00pm from WI FACETS
Crisis Prevention Summit Apr 23, Alliant Energy Center (Madison) There is a fee
37th Annual Autism Conference April 23-25 Kalahari Resort, Wisconsin Dells
Adolescent Palliative Care: Who Decides? (virtual) Apr 23, 2:00-3:00pm Pediatric Palliative Care Webinar Care Series (there is a fee)
Banking on Their Futures: Financial Planning for Special Needs Caregivers (in-person) Apr 26, 12:00pm-3:00pm BPN’s Kasieta Center (1200 E. Verona Ave, Verona) Banking_on_their_futures_flyer
From High School to Life: Designing Transition IEPs That Reflect Real Futures (webinar) Apr 27, 1:00-2:00pm from RAISE Center, Think College, and NTACT:C
The Family’s Role in the CCR-IEP Process (virtual) Apr 28 12:00-2:00pm family-role-in-the-ccr-iep-spring-2026 Spanish
Pleasure as a Human Right: A Conversation with Evan Sweeney and Rebecca Cokley (virtual) Apr 28, 12:00-1:00pm from Brandeis
Managing Threatening Confrontations (in-person) April 29, 9:00am-3:00pm (one hr lunch break on your own). UW South Madison Partnership, Madison. Space is limited to 25 participants. There is a fee. Managing Threatening Confrontations is designed to assist you in learning how to effectively support individuals who could experience the full range of behavioral escalation. These moments often appear chaotic-when to talk, when to step back, who to call for back up, and “when to duck.” This seminar is designed to put order to the chaos. Stages of escalation are described and each stage is paired with a positive action plan for caregivers as well as teams. The content places strong emphasis on proactive supports. The principles are taught in a straightforward manner so as to provide a framework for conceptualizing behavior escalation that can readily translate into positive plans of action. The learning is brought to life using a video of a dramatic, real life enactment of threatening confrontations by professional actors.
During the second half of the training seminar, you will learn passive self protection techniques that can be used in challenging situations. You will break into pairs and role play how to protect oneself from various types of aggression. The “Managing Threatening Confrontations” approach believes in disengaging and “running with dignity”. If disengagement isn’t possible, this these passive self protection techniques will hopefully give you the foundation to protect yourself if needed.
An Introduction to the Children’s Long-Term Support Program (virtual) Apr 29, 12:00-1:00pm An introduction for families of young children to the Children’s Long-Term Support (CLTS) program including steps to get the most out of CLTS. We discuss the screening process, the role of Support and Service Coordinators, and the experiences of families. Last Wednesday Series by Family Voices of Wisconsin
A New Perspective on Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA): The Element of Praxis (virtual) Apr 29, 12:00-1:00pm from WI FACETS
Boys, Fathers, and the Myths of Masculinity (virtual) Apr 29, 2:00-3:00pm Learning to Listen: Conversations for Change from Brazelton Touchpoints Learning to Listen webinars feature live Spanish language translation and captioning.
Prepárate para el futuro: ¡Guía para padres en juntas de transición del IEP! (virtual) Apr 30, 12:00-1:00pm from WI FACETS
Supporting Apprentice Success: Unlocking the Power of American Workers with Disabilities through Apprenticeship (online) Apr 30, 1:00-2:00pm from Jan
The Family’s Role in the CCR-IEP Process (virtual) Apr 30 6:00-8:00pm family-role-in-the-ccr-iep-spring-2026 Spanish
Save the Date — Children’s Mental Health Network Meeting on Neurodiversity (virtual) – May 1, 2026, 10:00am-12:00pm
Up to Me May 9 & 16, 10:00am-1:00pm This group guides individuals with lived experiences through a process of learning and applying principles of self-disclosure towards their mental health and/or substance use recovery story. Join us for this free opportunity. From WISE
Compassion Resilience Training of Facilitators May 12 & 14; June 16 & 18 12:30-3:30pm from WISE There is fee and you need 2+ people to attend.
The Self-Compassionate Caregiver (in-person) May 13, 9:00-11:00am with Ellen Merker and COW at 2238 South Park St, Madison (there is a fee).
Family Support Community (virtual) 7:00-8:00pm 5/13 A monthly learning opportunity designed for families and other caregivers supporting a child(ren) with a disability. Our supportive community meetings provide valuable learning opportunities and mutual support. From the WSPEI project
CLTS Support and Service Coordinator Professional Development Day May 13, Holiday Inn, Stevens Point On the Path Together: Strengthening Family Relationships. A Circles of Life Pre-Conference. CEH’s available. There is fee. Professional Preconference flyer
Family Support Community (virtual) 12:00-1:00pm 5/14 A monthly learning opportunity designed for families and other caregivers supporting a child(ren) with a disability. Our supportive community meetings provide valuable learning opportunities and mutual support. From the WSPEI project
Circles of Life Conference May 14-15, Holiday Inn, Stevens Point Registration is open! Attendee Registration Now Open flyer 2.3.26
4th Annual Gillette Healthcare Transition Summit May 18, Wilder Foundation, St. Paul, MN
Quarterly Convening WI School Mental Health(virtual) May 18, 2:30-4:00pm: Crisis, Care & Connection
Empowering Youth and Families for Complex Transitions from Pediatric to Adult Care: A Palliative Care Lens (virtual) May 19, 2:00-3:00pm Pediatric Palliative Care Webinar Care Series (there is a fee)
Resource Fair for Blind and Visually Impaired High School Students and Families (in-person) May 21, 9:00am-12:00pm 1700 West State Street, Janesville You must register.
Up to Me Training of Facilitators (Essentials) May 21, 9:00am-12:00pm from WISE
Q is for Questioning (virtual) May 27, 2:00-3:00pm Learning to Listen: Conversations for Change from Brazelton Touchpoints Learning to Listen webinars feature live Spanish language translation and captioning.
Anti-Racism and Health equity in Pediatric Serious Illness: Next Steps in Maintaining Commitment (virtual) Jun 16, 2:00-3:00pm Pediatric Palliative Care Webinar Care Series (there is a fee)
SibDays Day Camp July 27, 28, 29 (10am-3pm daily) for kids who are a sibling of someone with a disability Lunney Lake Farm County Park Site #3 from DSAW Sibshops contact Alley at amcguane@dsaw.org SibDays Flyer
Improving Pediatric End of Life Legacy Building at Home (virtual) Aug 20, 2:00-3:00pm Pediatric Palliative Care Webinar Care Series (there is a fee)
Emotional Toll: Caring for the Caregiver (virtual) Sep 15, 2:00-3:00pm Pediatric Palliative Care Webinar Care Series (there is a fee)
National Federation of Families National Conference Oct 13-15, Orlando, FL
The Promise of Supported Decision-Making: From Practice to Legal Instrument (virtual) Oct 20, 2:00-3:00pm Pediatric Palliative Care Webinar Care Series (there is a fee)
Integrating Trauma-Informed Practices: Compassionate Care for Others and Ourselves (virtual) Nov 17, 2:00-3:00pm Pediatric Palliative Care Webinar Care Series (there is a fee)
Save the Date Institute on Theology and Disability June 15-17, (probably Twin Cities)
Save the Date Prevent Suicide Wisconsin Virtual Conference June 16-17
Save the Date Autism Exchange Annual Conference and Staycation July 10-11, Wilderness Resort, Wisconsin Dells
Save the Date WI FACETS Endless Possibilities Aug 7 Conference Waukesha Technical College, Pewaukee
Save the Date Gatlinburg Conference: AI in IDD Research Oct 6-9, Minneapolis, MN
Save the Date NADD Annual Conference Oct 7-9, Pittsburgh, PA
Save the Date Health Care Transition Research Consortium Oct 21, Houston, TX