Pick Up The Pieces TN

11/26/2025

11/25/2025

🎓 Planning for life after high school can feel overwhelming, but families don’t have to do it alone.

This Family Guide to the Transition-Focused IEP was created by Transition Tennessee Vanderbilt University in partnership with Family Engagement in Special Education to help families understand transition planning in a clear way.

📘 Get the free guide here:
https://familyengagementtn.com/a-family-guide-to-the-transition-focused-iep/

11/25/2025

11/25/2025

🎉 Applications are OPEN for one of our favorite mentorship programs, NEXT Connects by NEXT for Autism; a free, virtual mentorship program for autistic college students and recent grads.

What they offer:
🦸‍♀️ A mentor in your field
📞 8 flexible online conversations
😄 Confidence and communication support
🎓 A certificate for your resume and LinkedIn
💼 Mentors across business, engineering, arts, health, education, and more

It’s free. It’s flexible. And it’s built to help you take your next step with confidence. Apply today and tag a friend who should know! 💬✨ The closing date is December 5th and applications can be found here: https://next.chronus.com/p/p1/about

11/21/2025

COMMUNITY EVENT! 🥯☕️🥐

Tennessee School for the Blind's adult community-based exploration program invites adults with intellectual disabilities (and chaperones, if any) to a Peer Brunch. This is an opportunity to make friends and engage with others in the community!

WHEN: Monday, Dec. 1, from 10:30–11:30 a.m. CT
WHERE: Nashville Public Library, Donelson Branch, 2714 Old Lebanon Pike, Nashville, TN 37214)

There is no cost to attend. Please email jerry.humphreys@tsbtigers.org to RSVP.

11/18/2025

📣 Self-Guided Autism & Communication Course for TN Educators

The Communication and Autism Online Course is a flexible, self-guided 2-hour training. Complete it at your own pace within three months and earn a certificate.

✅ Learn key characteristics of autism

✅ Build a framework for teaching communication

✅ Explore strategies like Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), choices, and following a student’s lead

✅ Reflect and plan for implementation

✅ Join optional monthly Q&A sessions with TRIAD consultants

🎯 Who: TN educators, paraeducators, service providers, and administrators (Pre-K–12).

📅 Q&A Dates:

November 20 • December 18 • January 29 • February 26 • March 26 • April 30 • May 28 • June 25

🔗 Click here to enroll in the course today and start learning on your schedule: https://triad.vkclearning.org/en-us/Self-Guided-PD

11/18/2025

Are you a neurodivergent individual looking for work, who would like to connect with a peer mentor for job coaching? This is a great program! A couple of NAPS leadership folks have participated in this as mentors. Please reach out to Dr. Schwarzman. Text or call 310-916-9477. Email PeerEmpowermentNetwork@gmail.com.
See the flyer below for more information.

11/17/2025

Join us for Season 2 of the Rising Above Dads podcast! Special-needs dads, this is just for you! These dads take their calling seriously, but aren't afraid to have a little fun, too. We hope you enjoy today's topic discussing the many relationships we navigate as dads raising individuals with special needs.

Listen wherever you find your podcasts or here: www.risingaboveministries.org/risingabovedads/s2e1

11/12/2025

Thanks for the shout out!

11/07/2025

Vidyard video