Autism Society Nebraska

10/11/2026

Monday, October 12th at 6:00 pm
Lynne Waltz is hosting a roundtable discussion with families and providers in Nebraska’s developmental disability community.

Roundtable will be held at 10834 Emmet Street in Omaha.

09/17/2026

The 2026 Common Senses Festival is in full swing!

Check out all of the amazing activities here: https://www.commonsensesfestival.org/2026-festival

09/10/2026

When we only focus on stopping the behavior, we can remove the child’s coping strategy without giving them another way to meet the same need.
The goal isn’t to let harmful or unhelpful behavior continue.
It’s to understand its purpose and teach a safer, more effective skill to take its place.
That shift — from “How do I stop this?” to “What is this doing for my child, and what can I teach instead?” — changes how we respond.

Sometimes the behaviour we most want to stop is the behaviour a child is using to cope.

Avoiding. Yelling. Hiding. Repeating. Controlling. Refusing. Running away.
It may not be a good coping strategy.

It may not be a strategy that can continue. But before we take it away, we need to understand what it is doing for them.

Is it helping them escape overwhelm?
Create predictability?
Communicate something they can’t yet put into words?
Regain a sense of control?
Release feelings that have become too big to hold?

When we only focus on stopping the behaviour, we can remove the child’s coping strategy without giving them another way to meet the same need.

The goal isn’t to let harmful or unhelpful behaviour continue.

It’s to understand its purpose and teach a safer, more effective skill to take its place.

That shift — from “How do I stop this?” to “What is this doing for my child, and what can I teach instead?” — changes how we respond.

I talk much more about looking beneath behaviour and building the skills children need in Guidance from The Therapist Parent.

09/09/2026

If you're in the North Platte area, make plans to attend our final Ice Cream Social of the season on Thursday, September 17, at 6:30 p.m. We hope to see you there!

Autism Society Nebraska - North Platte

09/09/2026

Preparing for adulthood can bring a lot of questions. What services are available? How can VR help? What happens to SSI benefits if my young adult works? What are our options when it comes to decision-making at age 19?
Our Preparing for Adulthood Transition Mini-Conference brings together a fantastic lineup of speakers who will help families better understand some of the services, supports, benefits, and choices that can be part of preparing a young person for adulthood.

For more information and to register: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/KyHpV6rSSc-AQ8z33aRQGg?fbclid=IwY2xjawUOfVlwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMVpxS0NmWDQxd2lEVnVjbW5zcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeZ9CCoAPQeXnec1G1cr_D_Ku0jPzIgwsReVl9uhSkLqVHkkzTkAMWOf6fveE_aem_JbrYmroCXXxptTgE1rg-cQ #/registration

Preparing for Adulthood: A FREE Transition Mini-Conference

We’re excited to bring families a wonderful day of transition information, resources, and support - all in one place!

When: Friday, September 18
Time: 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. CST
Where: Online via Zoom
Hosted by: Shaistha Kiran Karipi, PTI Nebraska Transition Specialist

To Register: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/KyHpV6rSSc-AQ8z33aRQGg #/registration

Preparing for adulthood can bring a lot of questions. What services are available? How can VR help? What happens to SSI benefits if my young adult works? What are our options when it comes to decision-making at age 19?

Our Preparing for Adulthood Transition Mini-Conference brings together a fantastic lineup of speakers who will help families better understand some of the services, supports, benefits, and choices that can be part of preparing a young person for adulthood.

Throughout the day, you'll hear from:
--Joyful Stoves, Nebraska DHHS – Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Medicaid Waivers

--Lupe Stevens, Nebraska VR – Vocational Rehabilitation services and how VR can support youth with disabilities as they prepare for employment

--Shawn Newill, Nebraska Easterseals – SSI and Work Incentives/Benefits Planning

--Jenn Miller, PTI Nebraska – Decision-Making Options, including Guardianship, Power of Attorney, Conservatorship, and Supported Decision-Making

And the best part? You don’t have to attend the entire conference! Come for the topics that matter most to your family. Join us for one session, two sessions, or all four! We want you there for however long you can join us! We'd love to have you for whatever part of the day works for you!

Sign up now! Use the link or the QR code on the flyer or the Zoom link above!!!

***And we’ve added Drop-In Help to this wonderful day of learning!

Have questions specific to your young adult? Lisa Hobza, our Family-to-Family Health Information Center Specialist, will be available from 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. in our Drop-In Zoom Room.

Lisa will be waiting to help! Stop by to ask questions and get additional information about Medicaid Waivers, SSI, Decision-Making Options, and more. No appointment is needed! Just drop in whenever you need her!

Here is Lisa's Drop-in Zoom Room link:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89802706290?pwd=KJdHyMno69xbfb5xlH5bOlPPYjSxLP.1

We can’t wait to see you all on Friday, Sept 18th!!!

Come Learn With PTI!!!

09/04/2026

FREE community resource fair for families sponsored by PTI Nebraska!

Saturday, September 12th, from 1:00-4:00pm at UNO in Omaha.

09/01/2026

Space is limited, so register today!

https://secure.qgiv.com/for/autismactionpartnership/event/makingmemoriesomahachildrensmuseumseptember2026/

Join us at the Omaha Children's Museum on September 5 for an evening exclusively for individuals with autism and their loved ones.

Space is limited, so please register only if you're able to attend to help ensure as many families as possible can participate. We ask that you limit your registration to 6 people per family. If you need to register more than 6 people, please email us, and we'll do our best to accommodate your request.

Get ready for an evening filled with imagination, exploration, and fun!

Register here: https://ow.ly/XWJy50Zurvx

‼️(Please note that we recently transitioned to a new event registration system. You may be prompted to create a new user account and password before applying.)

08/24/2026

TONIGHT! Free IEP clinic for Back-to-School!

https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/st53KxaDQ62dZwatPlF7jw?fbclid=IwY2xjawT5M6NwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMXdEZHRxRHZpV3FMT1dZdDNzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEenPbYVl_kCXRmjQCvbh4BgCcB-YDdTpyiXY7-ldJR4BtWTbiec5c9HKig-ZY_aem_TMSv-f0erEKinGGw3Oiinw #/registration

✨ BACK-TO-SCHOOL IEP CLINIC! ✨

Is your child’s IEP meeting coming up? Are you wondering what to review, what questions to ask, or how to prepare for the new school year?

Join PTI Nebraska for a FREE Zoom training designed to help families feel more prepared and confident: Back to School IEP Clinic: Tools & Tips for Preparing for the School Year

We’ll cover:
✔️ IEP basics
✔️ Common back-to-school questions
✔️ Preparing for upcoming IEP meetings
✔️ Practical advocacy tips
✔️ Helpful tools and resources for the school year

The Details:
〰️Monday, August 24th
〰️6:30–7:30 PM CST

To Register: https://gqr.sh/YH2D
Or scan the QR code on the flyer
Or use the Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/st53KxaDQ62dZwatPlF7jw #/registration

Come learn with PTI and start the school year feeling informed, prepared, and empowered. 💜

08/19/2026

You can still register for the Kids & Dreams Foundation Autism Conference on September 11, 2026 in Kearney!

https://www.kidsanddreams.org/conference

When the conference ends, we hope you leave with more than just notes.
✨ New ideas
✨ Practical strategies
✨ Helpful resources
✨ New friendships
✨ Encouragement
✨ Hope
That's why we do what we do.
Join us this September.
https://www.kidsanddreams.org/conference