Mark your calendars for the 2023 Stanford Neurodiversity Summit, coming up Oct 1-3

Be sure to check out the latest from AASCEND TV!

The return to the Arc was great! Forty-five people, friends old and new, showed up and had a chance to catch up and network for the first time in years. We had a lively and constructive discussion of ideas for future programs (stay tuned for developments) and there was lots of delicious coffee from Ted’s next door, plus donuts!

On June 17 AASCEND returns to the Arc, for its first in-person, brick-and-mortar general meeting since the start of the pandemic!!! Join us for donuts, coffee and conversation as we welcome friends old and new. We plan to relax and enjoy each other’s company as we have not been able to do for too long. We’ll be reviewing a list of proposed future meeting topics, to see which people prefer, and to hear your suggestions. Also, for fun, bring your summer media favorites—your recommendations for games online and off, movies, videos, websites and even books and graphic novels, as we aim to get the most of the summer season.

There will also be a breakout session for Transition-age youth and families to plan social events.

Moving forward, our plan is to hold some monthly meetings online and some in-person, in addition we will continue to sponsor hikes and social events.

Everything is free and all are welcome. It will be great to see everybody live and in person again, and we certainly hope to see you there! Here’s a picture of the Arc:

At the moment we do not plan a hybrid online/in-person meeting—as an incentive for people to show up in-person. To hear the latest updates be sure you are on our email list: If you are not on our email list, click here to sign up. No registration is necessary.

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

Who: Adults on the autism spectrum, families, mentors and professionals all welcome. For more information, please contact: info@aascend.org
When: Sat Jun 17, 10am – noon (approx.)
Where: The Arc of SF 1500 Howard St. @ 11th St.    SF, CA 94103  map   

The Kirby Cove Hike was delightful. See pictures below!

At the June 3 AASCEND Job Club, Dan Middleton and Keith Halperin will continue their series on proven job search and retention strategies. This month they will focus on making the most of job fairs and employer events, which are coming back in person. Dan and Keith will be interviewed by Job Club facilitator Michael Bernick. Job club member Mark Romoser will discuss his new job with the City of Oakland, and the rewarding of persistence. Attendees are encouraged to bring their experience with Job Boards, and questions about them.

The Zoom meeting URL and password will be sent to people on our email list as the date approaches. If you are not on our email list, click here to sign up. No registration is necessary.

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

Who: Adults on the autism spectrum, families, mentors and professionals all welcome. For more information, please contact: info@aascend.org
When: Sat Jun 3, 10am – 11am (approx.)
Where: Online via Zoom. URL and password will be emailed.

Stanford University is seeking autistic individuals, family members, and providers for autistic people, to participate in a working group on Sleep and Autism. Details below, now with clickable link!

Kirby Cove is one of San Francisco’s hidden gems–just a short walk from the Golden Gate Bridge’s north end, but feeling like a cozy hideaway in the wilds, and with spectacular views! On Saturday, May 20 AASCEND Board member and Pacific Crest Trail Hiker Paul Nussbaum will take us to the Cove! We’ll meet at 11am at the Headlands Parking lot (X on the maps). This is across Highway 101 from the Vista Point familiar to millions of tourists. There should be plenty of parking there, particularly if you get there closer to 10:30am. The Golden Gate Transit 130 bus stops near Vista Point at 10:40am, about a 3-minute walk (via the under-bridge walkway at Vista Point) to our parking-lot meeting place.

There are bathrooms and water at Vista Point and Kirby Cove. The hike is about a mile each way. We plan to sit down together to eat at Kirby Cove, so bring a lunch and something to drink. We’ll be walking on an unpaved road, so wear suitable shoes. Also check the weather and dress accordingly.

It will be fun to walk and talk together in such a beautiful place. See you there!

Detail:

Who: Adults on the spectrum, family, professionals and friends all welcome!

When: Saturday, May 20 2023 at 11:00 AM (or a little before)

Where: Headlands Parking lot (X on maps above)

For questions contact info@aascend.org

Stanford University is seeking autistic individuals, family members, and providers for autistic people, to participate in a working group on Sleep and Autism. Details below.

Image shamelessly borrowed from Butte.edu

The May 6 AASCEND Job Club takes a deep dive into Job Boards for the Neurodiverse Community. There is a growing number of job boards specializing in jobs for adults with autism and related neurodiverse conditions. Dan Middleton and Keith Halperin, facilitators of AASCEND’s Monday evening job club sessions, have compiled a list of 20 of these specialized job boards, and will discuss how to effectively use them. In addition, Dan and Keith will discuss effective use of the more general job boards, such as Indeed, and job boards specialized by occupations and sectors. Come with your questions.  The discussion will be led by Job Club facilitators Dan Middleton and Keith Halperin.

The Zoom meeting URL and password will be sent to people on our email list as the date approaches. If you are not on our email list, click here to sign up. No registration is necessary.

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

Who: Adults on the autism spectrum, families, mentors and professionals all welcome. For more information, please contact: info@aascend.org
When: Sat May 6, 10am – 11am (approx.)
Where: Online via Zoom. URL and password will be emailed.

Here is the link to the video of Joseph Krauter’s inspiring presentation.

AASCEND wishes all a happy and healthy Autism Advancement Month! /// If you are autistic and have ever been pregnant, consider participating in the (paid) online survey below. /// If you haven’t already, check out this Forbes magazine article about the recent AASCEND Job Club focus on older autistics in the workforce. Also, see the latest about Love on the Spectrum, on AASCEND TV. /// Shupin House in San Francisco is inviting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and their family and friends, to a Passover Seder on April 9, 5-8pm. For details and to RSVP contact alizah@jfcs.org . You do NOT need to be Jewish to attend.

Sometimes autistic people end up in prison—too often because autistic traits led to their incarceration in the first place. The next AASCEND regular meeting will address the problem and challenges of autism, and neurogdivergence generally, in prison. Speaking with first-hand experience on the subject will be Joseph Krauter, an autistic former San Quentin inmate, and a writer.

The Zoom meeting URL and password will be sent to people on our email list as the date approaches. If you are not on our email list, click here to sign up. No registration is necessary.

Please come with your thoughtful questions for Joseph. As usual at AASCEND meetings, attendees on the autism spectrum will offer their experience and perspectives.

Who: Autistic people, families, mentors and professionals all welcome. For more information, please contact: info@aascend.org
When: Sat Apr 15, 10am – 11am
Where: Online via Zoom, URL and password will be emailed

On April 1 (no fooling!) the AASCEND Job Club tackles accommodations. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 requires employers to make reasonable accommodations in the workplace for workers with developmental differences, including autism and related conditions. At the April 1 Job Club meeting we will discuss who is covered by the requirement, what are examples of reasonable accommodations, and best practices for requesting such accommodations. The discussion will be led by Job Club facilitators Dan Middleton and Keith Halperin. Attendees are encouraged to bring examples of reasonable accommodations they have obtained or are interested in obtaining.

The Zoom meeting URL and password will be sent to people on our email list as the date approaches. If you are not on our email list, click here to sign up. No registration is necessary.

In the second half of the meeting there will be opportunity to role-play with Dan and Keith, in requesting accommodations. As usual at AASCEND meetings, attendees on the autism spectrum will offer their experience and perspectives throughout the program.

Who: Adults on the autism spectrum, families, mentors and professionals all welcome. For more information, please contact: info@aascend.org
When: Sat Apr 1, 10am – 11am (approx.)
Where: Online via Zoom. URL and password will be emailed.

The Central Valley Autism Support Group invites people in the Modesto area to attend their meetings. They are open to all people on the autism spectrum 18+ years old. Younger welcome with a guardian. Meetings are 5 – 7 PM on the 1st Monday of the month. The meeting is at 422 McHenry Ave, behind the McHenry Building Offices. Contact here for more information.

After a smashing Job Club program on adult autistic employment, AASCEND continues its decades-long support for San Francisco’s Support For Families Information and Resource Conference, FREE and in-person on March 18. (location below) In place of our usual general meeting, come join AASCEND at our booth. This is a great chance to shake off pandemic isolation, and to learn about many of the autism resources available in the area—from actual humans! There is a whole smorgasbord of exhibitors, so it’s really worth checking out. The fair is particularly useful for families of young adults. There will be plenty of workshops, also free. For more information, and because it helps the organizers, please register here.

Who: Autistic people, families, mentors and professionals all welcome. For more information, please contact: info@aascend.org
When: Sat Mar 18, 9am – 4pm (any time in this period)
Where: John O’Connell High School, 2355 Folsom St, San Francisco

The Feb 25 SF Bayfront walk was beautiful. Light rain was planned but instead we got sun with puffy white clouds. Our profound thanks to the universe! AASCEND really showed its mettle as many of us showed up despite the dour weather prognostications. What a great team, and great conviviality! See pix below.

On March 4 the AASCEND Job Club takes on the subject of employment for older autistics. What happens as adults on the autism spectrum age in the work world? At the March 4 Job Club, AASCEND members on the autism spectrum who have been in the work world for ten years or more discuss their experiences and what they’ve learned.

Among the members who will describe their work journeys are Mark Romoser and Sarah Howard. Additionally, Keith Halperin and Dan Middleton of the Monday night job group, along with AASCEND board member Michael Bernick, will offer advice on the challenges of aging in the work world.

The Zoom meeting URL and password will be sent to people on our email list as the date approaches. If you are not on our email list, click here to sign up. No registration is necessary.

As usual at AASCEND meetings, attendees on the autism spectrum will offer their experience and perspectives throughout the program. Come with your own questions, and stories of employment challenges and successes as you have aged.

Who: Adults on the autism spectrum, families, mentors and professionals all welcome. For more information, please contact: info@aascend.org
When: Sat Mar 4, 10am – 11am (approx.)
Where: Online via Zoom. URL and password will be emailed.

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AASCEND is planning a fresh social adventure, a friendly walk from San Francisco’s Marina Green to Aquatic Park and possibly on to the new Francisco Park near Ghirardelli Square. Our route will take us through ever-interesting Fort Mason. We’ll meet at 11am on Saturday, February 25, at the Marina Green parking lot (X on the map), by the Phil’s Coffee truck, near the corner of Marina Blvd and Scott St. Click map for detail. There is usually plenty of parking in the Marina Green lot. NOTE: The walk is on the 4th Saturday of the month, not the usual 3rd Saturday of AASCEND meetings, and at 11am, not the usual 10am. We plan to sit down together to eat along the way, so bring a lunch. It’s San Francisco, so dress accordingly!

It will be fun to walk and talk together again. See you there!

Who: Adults on the spectrum, family, professionals and friends all welcome!

When: Saturday, Feb 25 2023 at 11:00 AM

Where: Marina Green, San Francisco, Meet at the Philz Coffee Truck (X on map above) near the corner of Marina Blvd. and Scott St.

Chase Bank is offering a FREE online class on finance fundamentals for neurodivergent people! It will be held from 3-4pm Pacific Time on Thursdays Feb 2, 9, 16 and 23. Click here for details and to register.

On February 4 the AASCEND Job Club presents Barry Jardini, Executive Director of the California Disability Services Association (CDSA), the association of major providers of services for our autism community. Barry will talk about the need for workers in this field, and the job opportunities available, for all workers including workers in our autism community. He also will address how our community in 2023 can more effectively access the employment-placement, housing and mental health services available.

The Zoom meeting URL and password will be sent to people on our email list as the date approaches. If you are not on our email list, click here to sign up. No registration is necessary.

As Executive Director for CDSA, Barry leads the association’s lobbying and public policy, as well as CDSA and CDS Institute operations. He cultivates strong relationships with Administration officials, legislators and relevant staff members, and colleagues at stakeholder organizations to ensure CDSA members are well represented in Sacramento. Barry previously served as the in-house counsel to a regional human rights and fair housing commission. A native Southern Californian, Barry has developed Northern California bona fides as an alumnus of UC Davis and the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law.

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

Who: Adults on the autism spectrum, families, mentors and professionals all welcome. For more information, please contact: info@aascend.org
When: Sat Feb 4, 10am – 11am (approx.)
Where: Online via Zoom. URL and password will be emailed.