The Chilton Autism Network is holding its second meeting Thursday at Clanton First United Methodist Church from 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Guest speaker James Gallini of Birmingham will talk about Individual Education Programs as they relate to children with special needs.

IEPs are legal documents that define an autistic child’s academic and social goals, as well as accommodations and environments necessary in accomplishing such goals.

In the United States, IEPs are mandated by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

“It is an important subject that anyone that has a child with special needs (should) know about,” said CAN organizer Donna Jennings. “Any child with special needs falls under an IEP. We will be discussing autism issues, but it could be for any parent with a special needs child.”

The meeting is free and open to anyone. Childcare will be available, but those interested must email CAN at info@chiltonautism.org to reserve a spot.

A licensed counselor with Autism Experience will be supervising childcare.

CAN held its kick-off meeting in October and saw a good turnout, Jennings said.

“The people that came were very excited and interested,” Jennings said. “I think it went really well. We’re just still trying to see what kind of response we’re going to get. We still don’t know how many are in our audience.”

CAN will not meet in December but will resume in January.

For more information, call (205) 258-0178 or visit Chiltonautism.org.