Georgia Neurodiversity Chamber of Commerce

06/18/2026

JUNE GANCC NETWORKING EVENT! Sign Up Soon!

Hosted By Spellers Center Atlanta Spellers Center Atlanta

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.

Register at: https://www.gancc.org/event-6583742

06/16/2026

Our GANCC member InCommunity has great advice about transiting into adulthood. Start early!!

Transition Tip: Start Planning Early

For families of students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), school years can move quickly. One of the biggest mistakes families make is waiting until high school to begin exploring adult services, employment programs, day supports, transportation options, or community-based programs.

Adult programs and supports often involve applications, evaluations, NOW/COMP waivers, and planning timelines, so starting early can help families feel more prepared and confident as they navigate the transition into adulthood.

It’s also important to begin discussing goals with your loved one:

- What type of daily routine do they want?
- Are they interested in employment, volunteering, or community activities?
- What level of independence and support will help them thrive?

Planning ahead can make the transition feel less overwhelming and open the door to more meaningful opportunities after high school.

06/15/2026

Our GANCC Member The Jacob's Ladder Group has a number of incredible programs for students and adults. Follow their social media pages and visit their website. Just listen to how special this place is from their employees!

06/15/2026

The Hirsch Legacy Fund emerged from a personal journey of compassion and commitment. Driven by their own experience with a child facing complex mental health issues and a generational dedication to philanthropy inspired by Jewish values, Michele and David Hirsch envisioned a way to help families that couldn’t access the quality care they were able to afford.
The journey began with the Peaceful Family Fund, which is dedicated to helping families finance adolescent mental health treatments through interest-free loans and grants. In 2023, Atlanta’s Jewish Family & Career Services began managing the Peaceful Family Fund, and the Hirsch family established the Hirsch Legacy Fund.

06/09/2026

Spelling as Communication
At Spellers Center Atlanta they provide The Spellers Method™ which is a multidisciplinary approach taught to providers seeking to deepen their capacity to help nonspeakers. It is an educational model, curriculum, & mentorship program used to provide individualized support across a variety of sensory-motor profiles of students who spell or type to communicate.
The Spellers Method incorporates research and expertise from the fields of assistive technology, developmental optometry, and occupational therapy to guide each student’s unique path to fluency, from their very first spelling session through their self-determined ultimate goal. For some that means open communication on a stencil, for others it means pursuit of autonomous typing skills i.e., the goal of spelling without a trained communication partner holding their keyboard.
Contact them at www.spellers.com/sc-altanta

06/08/2026

Learn more about our GANCC Member Ability Wealth Group! Jason is a dedicated financial planner for special needs families. Follow his company and learn more! Long term planning is vital for all members of our families.

06/05/2026

The GANCC presents:
Parent Planning with Purpose: A Hands-On Legal and Financial Workshop for Parents of Children/Adults with Disabilities

Parents must manage an adult child's legal and financial future. 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?

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 know what to do through your child's life into adulthood.

SPACE IS LIMITED! REGISTER NOW!
https://www.gancc.org/event-6683807

A Light Dinner is included with your registration.

GANCC Members and General Public Welcome!

DATE
Tuesday, July 21, 2026

TIME
5:30 PM - 8:15 PM

LOCATION
Nadler Biernath Law Office - 1455 Lincoln Pkwy E, Suite 355, Atlanta, GA 30346

06/03/2026

REGISTER TODAY FOR OUR JUNE 23th ALL COMMUNITY CONNECT NETWORKING EVENT AT A NEW CENTER IN ATLANTA! You won't want to miss this event.
Spellers Center Atlanta will be holding our monthly GANCC Community Connect networking meeting . You will learn how non-speakers are communicating with their amazing therapies and program.

Here is more about them through their documentary.
SPELLERS DOCUMENTARY ON YOUTUBE (free full length): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8h1rcLyznK0

GANCC MEETING TIME AND DATES
"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.
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 letter boards 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.

Register Now: https://www.gancc.org/event-6583742

Date: Tuesday, June 23, 2026
Time: 8:30am arrival
Location: Spellers Atlanta Clinic, 139 Village Center W, Woodstock, GA 30188

06/02/2026

WE ARE WORKING HARD THIS SUMMER WITH NEW EVENTS STARTING IN JUNE AND JULY!

Everyone is Welcome

Spellers - Atlanta Clinic
"The Hidden Voices: A New Lens for Nonspeaking Individuals"
Tuesday Morning, June 23 · 8:30 – 10:30 AM - Woodstock, GA

The innovative 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. Come meet Spellers Hayes and Carter!

GANCC's Newest Series: Parent Planning with Purpose
"Hands On Legal and Financial Workshop for Parents of Adults with Disabilities"
Tuesday Evening, July 21 · 5:30pm - 8:15pm - Atlanta, GA (near Perimeter Mall)

Only parents are going to manage an adult disabled child's legal and financial future. At the end of the day, they are the ones who must understand the highly specialized long-term plan for their individual child. The GANCC is now putting parents in the driver's seat as we bring together a special needs attorney and a financial advisor into one room with parents - and make plans that work.

Register Today for All Our Events at www.gancc.org/events