Event Calendar

Whether you're new to special education or looking to strengthen your knowledge, this summit will provide practical information to help you support your child's educational journey with confidence.
Thank you for registering. Note that you register once and can attend any of the sessions during the three days of the conference, October 20 (Special Education Basics), October 21 (Secondary Transition), or October 22 (Spanish Language - Special Education & Transition). CEU's are not provided. FMPTIC is not a legal services agency and information received during FMPTIC events should never be construed as legal guidance. FMPTIC is a federally funded (via OSEP) Parent Training and Information Center.

Day 1 – Monday, October 20, 2026

8:40–9:30 AM CT – Accommodations, Modifications, and How They Help Your Student
Presenter: Jennifer Kaufmann
9:40–10:30 AM CT – Beyond Behavior: Supporting the Mental Health of Students with Disabilities
Presenter: Nadjeh Awadallah
10:40–11:30 AM CT – Supporting Communication in Minimally Speaking and Non-Speaking Students
Presenter: Daj Mitchell
12:15–12:30 PM CT – Become an Educational Surrogate Parent: Program Overview
Presenter: Paula Wills
12:30–1:20 PM CT – Going to School with Complex Medical Needs
Presenter: Susan Agrawal
1:30–2:20 PM CT – Developmentally Appropriate Practices: Early Childhood Education and Care
Presenter: Ann Oswalt
2:20–3:20 PM CT – Early Childhood Inclusion: What Families Should Know
Presenter: Ann Kremer
3:20–4:10 PM CT – Discipline and IDEA: An Overview
Presenter: Zoubida Pasha

Day 2 – Tuesday, October 21, 2026

8:40–9:30 AM CT – Ready or Not, Here It Comes: A Transition to Adulthood Primer for Parents
Presenter: Suzanne Aaron
9:40–10:30 AM CT – Know Your Options: PUNS & Waiver Services
Presenters: Annie Bruno & Jerin Olson
10:40–11:30 AM CT – Navigating the Maze: Understanding Agencies and Acronyms
Presenters: Suzanne Aaron & Tiffany Steinhauser
12:30–1:20 PM CT – ABLE Accounts: What Parents, Guardians, and Families Need to Know
Presenter: Elizabeth Campos Hamilton
1:30–2:20 PM CT – School Records and Transition
Presenter: Laura Hart
2:25–3:20 PM CT – Charting the LifeCourse: One-Pagers in Transition
Presenter: Abbi Mars
3:20–4:15 PM CT – Using AI to Develop a Strong Transition Plan
Presenter: Abbi Mars and Paula Wills

Day 3 – Wednesday, October 22, 2026 (Spanish Track)
9:30–9:50 AM CT – Resumen FMPTIC / Overview of FMPTIC
Presenter: Carmen Butron
9:50–10:40 AM CT – Know Your Options: PUNS & Waiver Services (en español)
Presenter: Ruth Aguilar
10:40–11:30 AM CT – Cuentas ABLE
Presenter: Elizabeth Campos Hamilton
12:15–1:15 PM CT – Conceptos Básicos de Educación Especial / Special Education Basics
Presenter: Gladys Guerra
1:20–2:10 PM CT – De IDEA a ADA
Presenter: Oscar Gonzalez
2:20–3:10 PM CT – Requirements & Process for ISBE-Certified Interpreters
Presenter: Gladys Guerra