Opportunities in Theater for Adults on the Spectrum

The March 7 AASCEND Job Club will focus on employment in theater arts, and the representation of autism in theater. The meeting will feature Pear Theater’s executive artistic director Sinjin Jones, who will talk about the logistics and decisions involved in the upcoming production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime. This Tony-award-winning play is based on the novel of the same name by Mark Haddon. The play’s principal character is autistic.

This is a general discussion and no specific jobs will be offered. However, if you are interested in how to become involved in theater work, or if you are already involved in such work, then be sure be attend! As always, attendees on the 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 Mar 7, 10am – noon
Where: The Arc of SF 1500 Howard St. @ 11th St. SF, CA 94103 map

Parking is usually available in the garage at 255 12th Street, with a reasonable flat rate for Saturdays. There is also metered street parking for $2.25/hr.

A New Approach to Autism Hiring

Register now for the (FREE!) March 14 Stanford Neurodiversity Summit, including a Job Fair with Bay Area employers specifically interested in hiring autistic adults.
                    Conference Information and Eventbrite Registration


At AASCEND‘s February 15 general meeting Maisie Soetantyo, director of Autism Career Pathways, will talk about her groundbreaking approach to autism employment, and describe the upcoming Autism Goes to Work Career Expo to be held in early April in Redwood City. (Details below.) The free event will feature Bay Area businesses already benefiting from hiring autistic workers, as well as Q & A with autistic adults. Don’t miss this opportunity celebrating Autism Awareness Month!

UPDATE: Maisie spoke to a rapt overflow crowd February 15. Here are videos she shared at the talk: Video1 Video2 Be sure to attend Maisie’s Career Expo on April 2 (details below)!

Maisie Soetantyo is the founder of Autism Career Pathways, a new non-profit committed to removing obstacles to neurodiverse hiring. As part of this project, she created an all activity-based Career Screening Tool to better summarize strengths, interests, aptitudes and areas of needs for differently-abled individuals. During the presentation this Saturday, she will showcase a few participants’ video summary, ongoing job training and their progress today.  As always, attendees on the spectrum will offer their experience and perspectives throughout the program.

Meet Maisie at the AASCEND meeting Feb 15:
Who: Adults on the autism spectrum, families, mentors and professionals all welcome. For more information, please contact: info@aascend.org
When: Sat Feb 15, 10am – noon
Where: The Arc of SF 1500 Howard St. @ 11th St. SF, CA 94103 map

Parking is usually available in the garage at 255 12th Street, with a reasonable flat rate for Saturdays. There is also metered street parking for $2.25/hr.


Redwood City event details:


News at the bottom:

AASCEND received a request for participants in a research study about Societal Attitudes About Disability. It looks legit, pays a bit, and you might want to participate.

Preparing for Employer Meetings at the Upcoming Stanford Neurodiversity Summit

                            [Be sure to check out the news at the bottom…]

Slides from Lawrence Fung’s February 8 Job Club presentation.


On Saturday, March 14, the Stanford Neurodiversity Project will be holding a Job Fair with Bay Area employers who are specifically interested in hiring adults with autism.  At AASCEND‘s February 8 Job Club Dr. Lawrence Fung, the Project director, will provide an overview of the Job Fair, and work with Job Club attendees to prepare their presentations to employers. Employed autistic people will discuss their current jobs and how they envision their jobs and careers in the future. The Stanford Conference and Job Fair are FREE and, space allowing, open to all with relevant interest. Please see details and a link to the registration below. Don’t miss this remarkable opportunity!

Conference Information and Eventbrite Registration

For the Feb 8 Job Club:
Who: Adults on the autism spectrum, families, mentors and professionals all welcome. For more information, please contact: info@aascend.org
When: Sat Feb 8, 10am – noon
Where: The Arc of SF 1500 Howard St. @ 11th St. SF, CA 94103 map

Parking is usually available in the garage at 255 12th Street, with a reasonable flat rate for Saturdays. There is also metered street parking for $2.25/hr.


News at the bottom:

AASCEND received a request for participants in a research study about Societal Attitudes About Disability. It looks legit, pays a bit, and you might want to participate.

And for your interest:
Here’s a San Francisco Meetup group to Enhance Your Social Intelligence
and a Scientific American article on A Solution for Loneliness