Romantic Relationships On and Off The Spectrum

The March 17 AASCEND meeting should be a lively one! Is it possible to have peaceful and inclusive discussion of questions like the following? Come share your thoughts:

1. Do the changes to the definition of autism proposed for the upcoming DSM 5  help or harm the autism community?
2. “The Autism Wars”: Can the Cure-Childhood-Autism and Celebrate-Adult-Autism contingents hear each other and speak with one voice when advocating for autism resources? How do the needs of self-advocating spectrum adults overlap those of families with severely impacted autistic children?
3. Can adult autism advocates “own the puzzle piece” logo long associated with the cure-autism movement? Is there anything puzzling about autism?

Autism Advancement Month Brunch

Where: The Arc of San Francisco, 1500 Howard St.@ 11th St, San Francisco, CA 94103

When: 10:30 AM-1:30 PM

What: April is Autism Awareness Month. Join friends on and off the spectrum for brunch as we celebrate Autism Advancement Month! We will have food and drink, but bring something to share if you can.

Join us for a conversation about housing on and off the autism spectrum. Where do you live? Where would you like to live? Would you like to live with others on the autism spectrum? What housing supports are available for AS adults?

There will be no AASCEND meeting in June. Gone Fishing.

Neurodiversity and Employment is the topic at this general meeting of AASCEND.

Join the AASCEND community for our annual potluck picnic in the park. All are welcome for an afternoon of low-key socializing with our community.  We will have food and drink, but bring something to share if you can. No RSVP necessary! Set-up begins at 11:00 AM. More details to come.

Come hear “The Bay Area’s Best Career Coach” (SF Bay Guardian) and KALW radio star Marty Nemko field questions about employment for people on and off the autism spectrum.

Phil Shemanski discuss the a new, online art gallery, Renewing the Renaissance, featuring the work of artists with challenges, including autism.

Plus: Report on the recent Autistic Global Initiative Conference in Boulder, CO

All are welcome at a presentation and discussion about two new companies seeking to employ people on the autism spectrum in software testing and related work. Join us with your experience, thoughts and feedback!

The previously planned meeting on autism diagnosis has been rescheduled to January.