11 | When an Adult Sibling Becomes the Caregiver: conversation with Stefanie Hennes about Ralph’s Law and Advocacy

13 | Worried about Elopement? Free Safety Programs and Registries for Wandering, Elopement, and Emergencies for Special Needs Children and Adults Every Family Should Know About

13 | Worried about Elopement? Free Safety Programs and Registries for Wandering, Elopement, and Emergencies for Special Needs Children and Adults Every Family Should Know In this solo episode of Adult Special Needs Caregiving, host Jenny Olson shares some of the best free safety programs and registries for families caring for a child or adult with autism, Down syndrome, dementia, intellectual and developmental disorders, and  communication disabilities. Jenny opens up about the scary moment her son Ben eloped as a toddler, and why programs like these matter so much, especially during summer when wandering and elopement risks go up. She walks through several free tools every caregiver should know about, including the Blue Envelope Program for traffic stops, Take Me Home and Safe Encounter registries, Project Lifesaver and WanderFlag tracking programs, SMART 911 safety profiles, the Big Red Safety Box wandering prevention kit, and state Silver Alert programs for missing persons. These resources can help first responders, police, and medical teams respond faster and more safely if your loved one wanders, elopes, or is involved in a medical emergency. Whether your loved one is 3 or 45, these programs are designed to give caregivers peace of mind and give first responders the information they need right away. Best of all, these programs are free and easy to set up before a crisis ever happens. Grab Jenny's FREE downloadable PDF with all the program info on Instagram @adult.special.needs.caregiving [https://www.instagram.com/adult.special.needs.caregiving/] or click below:  Special Needs Safety and Elopement Prevention Checklist [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DayZzKvzpERtysLnGdL-yKEoihhu5ktt/view?usp=share_link]

12 | How the VizyPlan App is Helping Autism Families Navigate Daily Routines with Founder Justin Bowman

12 | How the VizyPlan App is Helping Autism Families Navigate Daily Routines with Founder Justin Bowman In this episode of Adult Special Needs Caregiving, host Jenny Olson talks with Justin Bowman, founder and CEO of VizyPlan, a visual routine and planner app for kids and adults with autism, ADHD, and other special needs. Justin shares the story of his son Sawyer's autism diagnosis and how his own family's struggles with meltdowns, transitions, and communication led him and his wife Danielle, a speech language pathologist, to create an app that turns sticky notes and picture boards into an easy digital tool. You'll learn how VizyPlan uses AI generated images, avatars, and social stories to help kids and adults understand their day, prepare for new places, and feel less anxious about change. Justin also talks about the app's calendar features, IEP meeting support, provider tools, and a brand new calming feature called Resna that uses heart rate data to help with focus and anxiety. This episode is packed with real, practical ideas for special needs parents and caregivers looking for tools that actually make daily life easier, whether your loved one is a young child or an adult on the spectrum. Justin also shares great advice on finding community and support in the autism and disability space. Note: This episode is not sponsored, and Jenny is not an affiliate of VizyPlan. VizyPlan app: https://vizyplan.com/ [https://vizyplan.com/] Justin Bowman: https://www.instagram.com/vizyplan/ [https://www.instagram.com/vizyplan/] Follow the podcast on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/adult.special.needs.caregiving/] Timestamps: * 00:01:49 – Justin introduces himself and his family * 00:02:22 – Sawyer's early signs and autism diagnosis journey * 00:08:01 – How Vizyplan started with sticky notes and picture binders * 00:12:11 – Moving from paper visuals to AI generated images * 00:16:00 – How Vizyplan avatars and Vizy Stories were created * 00:18:09 – Using countdowns to prepare kids for big events * 00:20:20 – Vizyplan's provider tools and Vizi Advocate for IEP meetings * 00:25:43 – How Vizyplan can help special needs adults, not just kids * 00:29:23 – Introducing Resna, a new calming and focus tool * 00:32:25 – Pricing, free trial, and how to download Vizyplan * 00:36:10 – Justin's advice on finding community and support online

11 | When an Adult Sibling Becomes the Caregiver: conversation with Stefanie Hennes about Ralph’s Law and Advocacy

11 | When an Adult Sibling Becomes the Caregiver: conversation with Stefanie Hennes about Ralph’s Law and Advocacy In this episode of Adult Special Needs Caregiving, host Jenny Olson sits down with Stefanie Hennes, a sibling caregiver who stepped up to care for her brother Ralph, who has autism and an intellectual disability. Stefanie shares what it was really like moving Ralph across state lines to live with her family after their mom passed away suddenly and their dad could no longer provide care. If you're a caregiver dealing with Medicaid waivers, waiting lists, or state disability services, this episode is packed with real talk and practical tips. Stefanie walks through the frustrating legal roadblocks she hit when Ralph's Medicaid waiver services didn't transfer between states, and how that fight led her to work with Maryland lawmakers to pass "Ralph's Law," legislation designed to help other families avoid the same struggle. You'll also hear how she prepared her own kids and husband for a major family change, tips on organizing important documents and disability records, and heartfelt stories about what it's really like to be both a sibling and a full time caregiver. Whether you're a parent, a sibling caregiver, or planning for the future of a loved one with special needs, this conversation offers hope, honesty, and advice. Follow and subscribe to the podcast!  We'd also love ratings and reviews to help more people discover the show.  Thank you for listening! Follow Stefanie and Ralph: https://www.instagram.com/spreadingjoywithralphieboy/ [https://www.instagram.com/spreadingjoywithralphieboy/] Follow the podcast: https://www.instagram.com/adult.special.needs.caregiving/ [https://www.instagram.com/adult.special.needs.caregiving/]

10 | Life Skills and Vocational Training for Special Needs Adults After Graduation Through Transition Programs

10 | Life Skills and Vocational Training for Special Needs Adults After Graduation Through Transition Programs Did you know your special needs child may be eligible for a free post high school transition program through their school district? Most families never find out until it is too late. Host Jenny Olson is here to change that. In this episode, she breaks down what extended school year services and transition programs are, how they work, and why every special needs caregiver should start asking about them as early as age 14. Jenny also shares her own family's experience getting her son Ben, who has autism and an intellectual disability, enrolled in a three year transition program through their local Colorado school district this fall. Under the federal IDEA Act, school districts are required to provide transition services for eligible students with an IEP through age 21 or 22, depending on your state. That means your special needs young adult may have access to free vocational training, life skills classes, job coaching, and community based instruction even after high school ends. This is one of the most valuable and underused resources available to disability families, and this episode walks you through exactly what to look for and how to get started. Jenny covers the different types of programs available, including transition programs that blend life skills and job training, vocational and job coaching programs, and community based instruction. She also spotlights an incredible national program called Project Search, a one year work preparation program available in over 40 states that places young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities into real workplace internships with the goal of landing competitive employment. Jenny also gives a detailed look at the specific transition program her son Ben is starting this fall, including what the daily schedule looks like, what life skills and vocational training are offered, how the job training with local businesses works, and what it costs families. Spoiler: it is free. If your special needs child is still in high school, do not wait for the school to bring this up. This episode will help you know exactly what to ask for and when. If this episode was helpful, please follow and subscribe so you never miss a new episode and take a moment to leave a review. It helps other special needs caregivers and disability families find this community when they need it most. Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/adult.special.needs.caregiving/]

9 | Feeling Unprepared for Special Needs Adulthood? A Conversation with Candace Ridley of Mom’N Real Hard

9 | Feeling Unprepared for Special Needs Adulthood? A Conversation with Candace Ridley of Mom’N Real Hard This episode is a little different and we are so excited to share it with you. Host Jenny Olson was recently a guest on Candace Ridley's YouTube show Mom'N Real Hard, and the conversation was so good that it had to come to this podcast too. Candace is a fellow special needs mom to her son Lyric, and together she and Jenny dive deep into the world of special needs caregiving, from the middle school years all the way through preparing for adulthood. In this heart to heart conversation, Jenny shares her family's journey raising her son Ben, who has autism and an intellectual disability, including what inclusive classrooms and unified sports have looked like for their family. Candace opens up about her own experience with school bullying, advocating for her son, and finding a school community that finally felt safe and supportive. Together they talk honestly about navigating social challenges, finding the right educational fit, and what it really takes to advocate for a child with special needs. The conversation then shifts into the big stuff that every special needs parent and caregiver needs to know about as their child approaches adulthood. Jenny breaks down guardianship versus power of attorney, what ABLE accounts are and how they protect SSI eligibility, and what families should know about preparing for the transition to adult disability services. This is real, practical information mixed with genuine encouragement for caregivers who are feeling exhausted, isolated, or worried about the future. This episode is packed with relatable mom talk, useful resources, and the kind of community and connection that every special needs caregiver needs to hear. Jenny and Candace remind us all that we are not alone on this journey, and that taking it one day at a time is enough. Check out Candace Ridley and her show Mom'N Real Hard for more real conversations about motherhood. www.momnrealhard.com [http://www.momnrealhard.com/] Mom'N Real Hard - YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@MomNRealHard] Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/2acQHvLIgnA7ymluLz082C?si=a273e607f331407c] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579435791513] If this episode resonated with you, please follow/subscribe so you never miss a new episode and take a moment to leave a rating and review. It helps other special needs caregivers and disability families find this community when they need it most.  Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/adult.special.needs.caregiving/] so you don’t miss anything!