Special Family Transitions

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Houston, TX
Special Family Transitions

Providing special needs divorce consulting, coaching and support.

Special Needs Divorce support, Navigating Divorce to get best result for Children with Disabilities

04/29/2026

Excited to share about the book “My Parents’ Divorce Through My Eyes: Helping Children with Autism Understand Divorce” and my Autism Mom Advocacy Journey TEDx Talk at this Autism Awareness & Acceptance event!

Join us at the Fort Bend County Libraries Missouri City Branch Library on April 29, from 6-8 pm, to take part in the special event, Authors for Autism. This meaningful and engaging program features authors celebrating the importance of connection while navigating the autism spectrum. Families will find a place to connect, learn, and celebrate together. Special Needs Divorce Coach Mary Ann Hughes and educator Linda Carranza will share readings, discuss their inspiration, and talk about creating inclusive stories and resources. They will reflect on the experiences of individuals on the spectrum — from diagnosis through adulthood — and the family dynamics that naturally create bridges of advocacy, all while supporting their loved ones along their journey. City Councilwoman and Mayor Pro Tem, Lynn Clouser, will make a special appearance.

Refreshments are provided courtesy of the Friends of the Missouri City Branch Library - FBCL Fort Bend County Libraries. For more information, call the library at 281-238-2113.

See you at The Pointe meeting room at Missouri City Branch
1530 Texas Parkway
Missouri City, TX 77459

04/20/2026

It’s Disability Book Week! Honored to share
💙 My Parents’ Divorce Through My Eyes: Helping Children with Autism Understand Divorce 💙
as a resource to support families with a child on the autism spectrum when facing family transitions.

04/04/2026

Thrilled to share that my TEDx Talk on advocating for loved ones, especially those with special needs, is now LIVE!

My divorce story as a mom of children on autism spectrum is the backdrop, but the learnings and tips shared can apply in many situations, whether advocating for ourselves, elderly parents, children, or anyone who needs us to stand up for them in challenging situations.

You can find the video titled “An Autism Mom’s Advocacy Journey | Mary Ann Hughes | TEDxThird Ward” on TEDx YouTube channel, and I also made it easy to find on its own playlist on my Special Family Transitions YouTube channel.

Would love and appreciate if you could view the 10 minute video, like, comment in the YouTube comments section, and share the video with those who could benefit.

04/02/2026

On the first day of and Acceptance month, I had the honor of presenting on Respite at The Monarch School and Institute at their Spring 2026 Parent University free training, for parents of neurodiverse children.

Parents appreciated the resources and insights I shared to explore ways to make respite work for their family. By finding ways to take care of ourselves as caregivers, we will be able to take better care of ourselves kids.

Loved being part of this event with my friends and fellow presenters and advocates Cynthia Singleton and Robbin Rettie.

If you would like to learn more about , , , or , when have child with complex needs, please reach out. As a Certified Special Needs Divorce Coach, I know how important Respite is to nurture a marriage and relationships, as well as survive as a single parent, when have a child with a disability.

What do you do for respite, relaxation or self-care, to recharge as a caregiving parent?

03/30/2026

Join us on April 1 from 8:00–11:30 AM at The Monarch School & Institute for an informative morning designed for caregivers of individuals with neurological differences.

Topics Include:
🎓 Navigating Post-Secondary Pathways: Creating a Life Your Young Adult with Differences Loves, presented by Cynthia Singleton
🎓 Respite Resources & Support for Special Needs Families, presented by Mary Ann Hughes
🎓Supporting People with Neurological Differences Prepare for College, Employment, and Self Regulation with Neurological Differences from the Inside Out, presented by Robin Rettie

Open to the public — invite friends, family, and anyone who supports individuals with neurological differences.

👉 Visit the event page to learn more about the speakers and sessions and to register: https://bit.ly/3Po6mLT

03/30/2026

Honored to present “Respite Resources and Practical Ideas for Special Needs Families” at a free parent training event at The Monarch School and Institute on April 1. Hope you can attend!

Caring for a child with special needs is deeply rewarding - and it can also be exhausting. This session will explore the importance of respite and why intentional caregiver support is essential for the well-being of the entire family. Caregivers will learn about available respite resources, creative options for building support systems, and practical ideas for incorporating restorative breaks into everyday life. Participants will leave with actionable strategies and real-world resources to help reduce caregiver stress, strengthen and support family balance (whether parents are married or single), and create sustainable support systems.

Join us at the Spring Parent University on April 1 from 8:00–11:30 AM at The Monarch School and Institute, a FREE event designed for caregivers of individuals with neurological differences who want practical guidance, resources, and strategies to help their child build a successful future.

Whether your child is young or approaching adulthood or already an adult, Parent University offers valuable insight to help families plan ahead with confidence.

* Mary Ann Hughes will share Respite & Family Resources,
* Cynthia Singleton will present Navigating Post-Secondary Transitions,
* Robin Rettie will discuss Self-Regulation and Preparing for College and Employment.

Parent University is open to the public, so please invite friends, family members, neighbors, or anyone who helps support individuals with neurological differences.

📅 April 1
⏰ 8:00–11:30 AM

Register at https://bit.ly/3PkOgKE

03/09/2026

Would you like to attend my next free Zoom monthly Special Needs Divorce information session on March 20, at 12pm CT?

Comment below or message me for registration link.

03/07/2026

Destination…Life Transition Conference, a joint effort of over 10 Austin area school districts, featuring many organizations, exhibitors, and helpful presentations, is happening Saturday, March 7.

📅 Event Details
Saturday, March 7, 2026
9:00 AM – 1:30 PM
McNeil High School (5720 McNeil Dr., Austin, TX 78729)

⏰ Schedule
Doors open at 9:00 AM
Sessions begin at 9:15 AM, 10:15 AM, 11:30 AM, 12:30 PM
The exhibitor hall will remain open throughout the event.

Honored for Special Family Transitions to present at 11:30am, on Special Needs Divorce Considerations. Hope you can join my session!

03/07/2026

Austin area families- join us March 7 for the free Destination Life Transition Conference & Resource Fair, a great event to help Texas families prepare and support their student(s) with disabilities for life beyond high school. Families can expect to gather information and gain access to experts on how to help their student(s) with disabilities ranging from early childhood through high school to successfully transition to adulthood.

Special Family Transitions is honored to be an exhibitor as well as a presenter. My session on Special Needs Divorce is 11:30am-12:15pm.

Conference Details
📍 McNeil High School
5720 McNeil Dr., Austin, TX 78729
🕘 9:00 AM – 1:30 PM

Address

Houston, TX

Telephone

+17139620203

Website

http://www.specialfamilytransitions.com/

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