Support Group for Parents of Special Needs Children with Rachel

Rachel's goal is to educate, empower, and inspire parents and families to better receive and benefit from community services stemming from a foundational base of knowledge from someone who struggled but is now benefiting!

Her role as parental advocate for her son, and a fierce advocate for others who don't know where to start or who to ask what questions. We are all on this journey together, and community is so very important! Let's walk this united!
Goals are to create a strong community of parents who are united to strengthen, uplift, and inspire each other to new heights. Families are there to learn, use each other as a support and be a resource to each other. My personal goal is to assist others in the community of special needs parents and be a resource and teach others to be a resource to each other. This only serves our families and children better in their present and future lives.
Participants will be parents of children or adult children with special needs. Rachel will facilitate everyone becoming acquainted with each other, learning about services, as well as important providers in the community. Rachel has been a part of a parenting group in Saratoga county since last summer.

Rachel McDermott

Parent of Zachary, an amazing son with challenges | Advocate for the Special Needs Community l independent financial planner

As both a dedicated parent and a passionate advocate for the special needs community, Rachel brings a unique blend of expertise and personal experience to her work for her son. As the parent of a special needs child, she has spent years meticulously planning for her son's emotional, educational, vocational, social, and financial stability and independence—crafting a roadmap from grade school to adulthood that ensures independent living, vocational fulfillment, satisfying social opportunity, and financial security throughout his lifetime.

Beyond being a parent with all of its Joys and challenges, Rachel has a diverse professional background, having worked as a mental health therapist, adjunct professor, and director of a home-schooling business. This breadth of experience enhances her ability to connect with families, understand their challenges, and provide compassionate, strategic guidance.

A fierce parental advocate, she is deeply involved in the special needs community, working with organizations like Saratoga Bridges’ Parent Support Group and Best Buddies of Albany. She facilitates connections between families, guiding them through complex processes, introducing them to critical services, and ensuring they have the knowledge and support to advocate effectively for their children.

Rachel is also at the forefront of establishing a parent network for families with higher-functioning adult children with Autism (ASD), specifically within the 22-30 age group. Recognizing a significant gap in available resources, she is actively seeking parents who are looking for social opportunities for their amazing children, additional support, community service providers, and specialized training opportunities. Her goal is to create a network that fosters connection, advocacy, and meaningful growth for both parents and their children.
Her mission is clear: to educate, empower, and inspire families—helping them navigate a complex system, access community services, and build a strong network of parent support. She believes that no parent should feel lost or alone on this journey and is dedicated to fostering a united, informed, and resourceful community.

"We are all on this journey together—let’s walk it united!"

Registration Preferred, Walk-ins Welcome

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Community Room @ Honest Weight Food Co-op, 100 Watervliet Ave, Albany, United States