Next up for AASCEND‘s Job Club is Donna Feingold, of the employment collaborative HireAble. Donna has over 40 years of experience working with individuals with disabilities. For nearly 28 years, she was the executive director of several Bay Area nonprofit agencies that provided employment and independent living services. She started her own consulting business, Finding Golden Solutions, over 3 years ago and is also a certified Work Incentive Practitioner.

Donna will be joined by Job Club facilitators Dan Middleton and Michael Bernick, and will engage in discussions with attendees.

The link to the Zoom presentation will be emailed to our newsletter subscribers (click here to subscribe) in the days before the event. There is no need to register for this event.

Donna will present the following agenda:
* Understanding the difference between SSI and SSDI/CDB and the different rules for each
* program on how earnings impact benefits
* Review of common Work Incentives
* How to manage an Overpayment
* ABLE Accounts

As usual at AASCEND meetings, attendees on the autism spectrum will offer their experience and perspectives throughout the program. 

Who: Autistic adults, family members and professional who work with them are all welcome.
When: Sat April 5, 10 – 11am (Pacific Time)
Where: Online via Zoom, link will be emailed.

Contact info@aascend.org with any questions.

The San Jose Public Library is sponsoring an online book club for people who are neurodivergent or disabled. Click here for details. // The Catalight Research Institute is conducting a study on the lived experience of autistic adults. See below for details.

Tired of hearing about, or experiencing, the “downside” of autism? AASCEND was inspired by the recent presentation about the upside—the joys—of autism, on the AASCEND TV show featuring Jackie Schuld. Jackie is an autistic and ADHD individual who has assembled positive experiences autistic people have had as a result of their autism, and she is compiling the accounts as a book to be published this Fall. At our March 15 meeting we will have a discussion springboarding off Jackie’s interview. Let’s talk about our own positive experiences resulting from our autism!

The link to the Zoom presentation will be emailed to our newsletter subscribers (click here to subscribe) in the days before the event. There is no need to register for this event

Jackie Schuld is a therapist who works with late-diagnosed autistic adults, specializing in the use of art as a way of accessing and expressing thoughts and emotions. She has written a number of books.

As usual at AASCEND meetings, attendees on the autism spectrum will offer their experience and perspectives throughout the program. 

Who: Autistic adults, family members and professional who work with them are all welcome.
When: Sat March 15, 10 – 11am (Pacific Time)
Where: Online via Zoom, link will be emailed.

Contact info@aascend.org with any questions.

Catalight Research Institute is conducting a qualitative study on the lived experience of autistic adults. They are looking for 25 autistic adults to participate. See the flyer attached to see if you qualify. If you’d like to move forward fill out the Qualtrics survey in the flyer. https://www.catalight.org/research-study