The LINK Volume 20 | September 2025

On Saturday, September 27th, MSPTI held a half-day virtual training. The event was a huge success, with 40 participants!

Participants learned about:

- Communication

- Conflict Resolution

- Advocacy

- The six key principles of IDEA

- The MS Hearing Vision Project

- Resources to enhance their personal advocacy toolkits.

As a special takeaway, each participant will receive a resource box filled with information to support their ongoing journey of advocating for their children.

Thank you to everyone who participated and contributed to making this event a success! We look forward to seeing you at future trainings!

We are excited to announce that the Mississippi Coalition for Citizens with Disabilities has been funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs, and will continue to serve as the Parent Training and Information Center for Mississippi!

As the OSEP funded parent center in MS since 2006, we continued to be honored and privileged to serve Mississippi families of children, youth, and young adults (birth to 26) impacted by disabilities. A huge thank you to everyone who supported us and helped make this possible! 

The 2025 Creating Your Own Path Autism Conference was an amazing experience for everyone in attendance! A special thank you goes to our keynote speaker, Rick Daynes, whose insights and stories inspired us all. We also want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make this conference a resounding success. Your dedication and hard work did not go unnoticed! Lastly, a big thank you to all who attended! Your participation made this event truly special, and we hope you left feeling empowered and connected.

Rick Daynes is a dynamic voice for families navigating the world of special needs. A father of five—including children with Autism, Asperger’s, and Down Syndrome—Rick knows firsthand the daily challenges, unexpected joys, and emotional rollercoasters that come with raising a child with disabilities.

Author of Keep It Together Man: For Dads with a Special Kid, Rick brings a raw, relatable, and often humorous perspective to parenting, marriage, and personal resilience. His message resonates deeply with parents, educators, and service providers alike, offering real-life strategies and mindset shifts that empower families and support professionals to thrive—not just survive.

Through his nationwide speaking engagements and media appearances, Rick has inspired thousands to reframe their struggles, embrace creativity, and take action every day to create brighter futures for children with special needs.

Rick Daynes's Book Cover for Keep It Together Man: For Dads with a Special Kid.

Caiden's Corner founder, Alyece Smith, with Rick Daynes. They are holding each other's book.

The 11th Annual Disability Law Conference & CLE was held on Thursday, July 31, 2025, at Mississippi College School of Law in Jackson, MS. The conference focused on three laws: IDEA, Section 504, and ADA - who is protected, who must comply, what is required, how to challenge noncompliance, and enforcement responsibility under each law.

Diana MTK Autin, Esquire, was the presenter. For 29 years, she served as Executive Director and Executive Co-Director of the SPAN Parent Advocacy Network (SPAN). During that time, SPAN was involved in multiple class action lawsuits regarding special education and inclusion, especially for children who are most overrepresented in educational settings and the State Special Education Code.

Alyece Smith, Founder of Caiden's Corner, recently presented a webinar with MSPTI, and it is now available on our website for anyone who missed it live. This session is a raw, real look at how one autism diagnosis flipped everything Alyece knew upside down and sparked a mission to make sure no other family ever feels alone on this journey. Alyece shares the behind-the-scenes story of starting Caiden’s Corner, how they’re building support systems for families across Mississippi, and what they’ve learned about advocacy, grief, grit, and community along the way.

The Bloom Program at Itawamba Community College (ICC) is an innovative initiative designed to support students through personalized academic instruction, social skills development, and career readiness training in a nurturing and inclusive environment. This pre-recorded webinar provides an opportunity for parents and students to learn how Bloom creates real growth opportunities through hands-on learning, tailored support, and strong community connections. Whether you're exploring postsecondary options or preparing for transition, this session will provide valuable insight into how ICC is helping neurodivergent students thrive.