​Event speakers and expert panelists for A Parent Information Session: Parenting a Child with Special Needs. (Back row, left to right): Steve Sweeney, parent of a daughter with disabilities & former N.J. Senate President; Guy Davidson, Ed.D., RCSJ dean and chairperson for the Academy of Neurodiversity; Frederick Keating, Ed.D., RCSJ president. (Front row): Ramon Casanova, LCSW, executive director of RCSJ's Adult Center for Transition program; Kimberly Gober, director of the Housing Authority of Gloucester County; Carmen Bannon, chief community affairs officer for Special Olympics NJ; Jamie Dundee, superintendent of Schools for Neurodiversity Gloucester County Special Services School District; and Dr. Jennifer LeComte, DO, FAAP, FACP, director of the Rowan-Virtua Regional Integrated Special Needs Center.​​

On the evening of Monday, March 24, Rowan College of South Jersey's (RCSJ) Academy for Neurodiversity hosted a free information session for parents of neurodiverse children. A Parent Information Session: Parenting a Child with Special Needs, was made possible through the collaboration of Academy partners including the Housing Authority of Gloucester County, RCSJ's Adult Center for Transition (ACT), the Rowan-Virtua Regional Integrated Special Needs Center (RISN), the Schools for Neurodiversity Gloucester County Special Services School District (GCSSSD), and Special Olympics NJ.

The information session brought together expert panelists to share resources and services that enable individuals with disabilities to thrive; and included remarks from keynote speaker, Steve Sweeney – former N.J. Senate President and parent of a daughter with special needs.

“I want to thank you all for being here tonight," began RCSJ president, Frederick Keating, Ed.D., as he addressed the crowd. “And I want to commend you for dedicating your Monday night to looking into programs and expanding your understanding of the services available to your child. Because this is what it takes to be the parent of a special needs individual today."

“I've known Steve and I've been by his side for thirty years," he continued. “I introduce him tonight not in terms of the political career, the resume affiliations, or the work he does with iron workers. I introduce him as someone who I know first-hand is an aggressively talented individual and a champion who cannot be held back when it comes to advocating for neurodiverse individuals."

Sweeney took the podium and started to speak about the individual who inspired his life's path, his “sweetheart," and “the only person who always knows how to get one over on me."

“I first got into public service when my daughter, Lauren, was born with Down syndrome," he shared. “Because of her, I've spent my career fighting for a better New Jersey."

Throughout Lauren's life, she and her family have faced challenges surrounding healthcare, education, medical needs, finances, housing, employment, and even recreation that are routinely faced by individuals with disabilities. Sweeney credits the unique system of support services available in Gloucester County for easing these challenges, along with legislation he worked to pass during his time as N.J. State Senate President, including the NJ ABLE Act, which allows individuals to save money for disability-related expenses without jeopardizing eligibility for federal benefits, and the NJ Workability Bill, which expands Medicaid eligibility for employed individuals with disabilities.

He spoke of how critical these services and legislative actions have been in enabling Lauren, now 32, to build the independent life she dreamed of and deserves. Sweeney went on to emphasize the importance of fighting for the continuation of programs that eliminate barriers to success for neurodiverse individuals.

“We're at a crossroads here with the Federal government and we don't know what's going to happen," Sweeney concluded. “It's not partisan; we're just seeing who's going to get hurt with this. DEI? That's our kids, you know. That's our kids, so we have to fight, and we have to be more educated."

He then invited in-person and virtual attendees to share their experiences and ask questions.

A father and veteran shared how he and his wife made the move to New Jersey because of the special needs services available for their son; now, they worry those services may be lost. “I'm just wondering if you have any insights, anything that you can share with the group, on what the State or the County is doing to protect these programs from potential Federal government impacts," he asked.

The father of a 20-year-old daughter who “was diagnosed as needing psychiatric treatment" stood up and expressed frustration at the turnover rate of care providers and their methods of treatment. He asked: “Where would be the best place to look for a psychiatrist that would be more in tune to our daughter's needs rather than just a medicine dispenser?"

A 71-year-old mother shared how her 20-year-old adopted son sustained a traumatic brain injury at birth. She described how she and her partner spent the last two years fighting to get him approved for Social Security Disability Insurance, even having to hire a lawyer to navigate the process. “I want to make sure that he's taken care of," she concluded. “Never mind life insurance, or the ABLE account, or the special needs trust, which is what I have. He'll be well-off, but it'll be after I'm dead. What do you do from now until, you know?"

The mother of a 14-year-old son who “has not had a great experience in middle school" and needed some inclusive recreational activities stood to speak. She praised the Special Olympics and acknowledged how lucky she was to live in Deptford Township where her son has access to these programs. She then asked: “How can we get more programs like this, Mr. Sweeney, to have more involvement in black and brown communities?"

These questions and more were expressed, along with positive feedback from parents whose children had already seen the benefits of some of the services represented that evening. Sweeney took his time fielding questions and frequently deferred to the panel of experts behind him including Dr. Jennifer LeComte, DO, FAAP, FACP, director of RISN; Jamie Dundee, superintendent of Schools for Neurodiversity GCSSSD; Ramon Casanova, LCSW, executive director of RCSJ's ACT program; Kimberly Gober, director of the Housing Authority of Gloucester County; Carmen Bannon, chief community affairs officer for Special Olympics NJ; and Guy Davidson, Ed.D., RCSJ dean and chairperson for the Academy of Neurodiversity, who also served as moderator.

Some questions could be answered fully; other attendees were asked to meet at the conclusion of the session to discuss their concerns more privately so further details could be comfortably disclosed; and all panelists shared their contact details for those with additional questions. A recording of the event which includes the information shared in response to these questions can be accessed at RCSJ.edu/Neurodiversity-Academy, on the page's left-hand sidebar.

The volume and complexity of the questions asked provide a real-world demonstration of why RCSJ's Academy of Neurodiversity was founded. Its intended mission is to ease the daunting process of identifying and obtaining the right resources for individuals with special needs.

“We're a network of professional organizations that work with, and advocate for, people with disabilities. The Academy provides a mechanism for us to interact more regularly and more deeply to provide better solutions together than we ever could have working independently of one another," Davidson explained.

“We encourage you to learn more about the Academy for Neurodiversity and its partners, because you will find there are places you can turn to for help. And when you're not certain where to turn? Contact the Academy and we'll get you connected to the right folks."

To learn more about RCSJ's Academy for Neurodiversity and to view a recording of A Parent Information Session: Parenting a Child with Special Needs, visit RCSJ.edu/Neurodiversity-Academy. ​