With the guidance of Dr. Mark Palmieri, Nichole Collins helped CCSN to launch NeuroCare services for the first time in the Spring of 2021. That’s right! We started this work when the world had its doors largely closed to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Alongside Drs. Felicia Morgan and Kristen Powers, the brainstorming and work began to organize how to be helpful to adults and families wanting supports in the State of CT in the areas of acquired brain injury (ABI) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

When you have a brain injury or autism, you may have a whole team of people willing to speak up for you. Though these team members may have good intentions and/or professional experience, your voice should be heard clearly. This isn’t easy for everyone. Frustration or fear may get in the way making it harder to know what they want. We have a few strategies that may help you to have stronger voice in your person-centered meetings or discussions.

Social skills are the gateway to happiness and all of life’s interactions. Work, school, relationships, and even buying food at the grocery store all require social skills. Yes, even the self-check out requires a certain level of social skills. They are everywhere! How do we know what to teach and when?

Gift giving is a joyous component of the holiday season however it can be challenging to find the perfect gift for some of our loved ones.

Transitioning from school to adulthood can be an exciting and challenging time for students with special needs and their families. Frequent questions include:

The world of autism can be overwhelming to navigate: which treatments work? Which are proven to be effective? Which could be harmful? What is best for my child?

The loss of a family member is a tremendously overwhelming experience to the most prepared adults. We often struggle to comprehend the loss, to make sense of the future without our loved one, or to know what the “right way” to grieve might be. Helping your child with special needs through the loss, all while you grieve yourself, can be equally intimidating.

As the school year quickly approaches, books, binders and back-to-school outfits are top of mind for parents and students alike. Many children and adults are excited to start a new school year, but for students with disabilities, the transition back to school can come with some challenges.

Reading only matters if you can understand what you read. For some children with developmental disabilities, they may be able to read the words and sentences accurately and fluently.

Spring break is fast-approaching and you may want to brave Disney, hit the beaches, or fly to see family. If you are considering taking a plane with your child with special needs, but are fearful of how they will do, here are some tips that may make the trip a little easier.