(First, register now for the Stanford Neurodiversity Summit, Oct 17-21 online. The theme of the Summit is “Scaling Up the Neurodiversity at Work Initiative“. This conference will bring together neurodivergent individuals, employers, service agencies, educators and students, parents, and professionals from all areas of the field. It will be a groundbreaking event: Don’t miss it, and it’s FREE! Info and registration here.)

On October 10 (NOT the usual 1st Saturday!) the AASCEND Job Club meeting via Zoom will feature Marcia Scheiner, who is the President and Founder of Integrate Autism Employment Advisors (“Integrate”), the author of An Employer’s Guide to Managing Professionals on the Autism Spectrum (Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2017) and a frequent speaker on how to create a successful workplace for autistic professionals. Prior to founding Integrate in 2010, Ms. Scheiner held senior management positions at Zurich Financial Services, Chase Manhattan Bank and Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce.  Ms. Scheiner is a graduate of Wellesley College and has an MBA from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Business.  She is the parent of a young adult son with autism.

Integrate is a non-profit that works with organizations to help them identify, recruit and retain professionals on the autism spectrum. Integrate helps companies become autism friendly employers of college graduates with autism by providing assessment, education and training, recruiting and ongoing support services to those organizations.

As usual, attendees on the spectrum will offer their experience and perspectives throughout the program. Bring your questions! The Zoom link will follow in an email a day or two before the event.

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

In this issue (scroll down to see them all):

• Sept 19 meeting
• Stanford Conference Registration

At the September 19 AASCEND meeting we’re trying something completely different! As a further response to being cooped up during the COVID-19 pandemic, and inspired by the success of our Virtual Ice Cream Social, we are going to have another structured social event–a Question Palooza! There will be a virtual basket of questions people want to discuss. (You can suggest a question via email to info@aascend.org, or in chat during the meeting.) We’ll pick a question at random, and then invite all of you to share your thoughts about it. It should be fun, and a chance to connect during this time of social distancing.

The Zoom meeting link will be sent via email.

AASCEND member Stacey Kennedy has also offered to entertain us with song during the meeting, and that is always a treat!

Who: Adults on the autism spectrum, families, mentors and professionals all welcome. For more information, please contact: info@aascend.org
When: Sat Sept 19, 10am – 11am (approx)
Where: Online via Zoom. URL and password will be emailed.

Stanford Neurodiversity Conference:
Register now for the Stanford Neurodiversity Summit, Oct 17-21 online. The theme of the Summit is “Scaling Up the Neurodiversity at Work Initiative“. This conference will bring together neurodivergent individuals, employers, service agencies, educators and students, parents, and professionals from all areas of the field. It will be a groundbreaking event: Don’t miss it, and it’s FREE! Info and registration here.)

(...but first, be sure to register now for the Stanford Neurodiversity Summit, Oct 17-21 online. The theme of the Summit is “Scaling Up the Neurodiversity at Work Initiative“. This conference will bring together neurodivergent individuals, employers, service agencies, educators and students, parents, and professionals from all areas of the field. It will be a groundbreaking event: Don’t miss it, and it’s FREE! Info and registration here.)

On September 12 (NOT the usual 1st Saturday!) the AASCEND Job Club meeting via Zoom will feature Patricia Wright, PhD, the Vice President of Program Development for NEXT for Autism. NEXT for AUTISM is a nationwide organization that works with employers to implement autism employment initiatives. It has several initiatives here in California, including with Cintas, JP Morgan Chase, and other major employers. Dr. Wright will discuss these initiatives, the job opportunities during the pandemic and in the post-pandemic economy.

Dr. Wright has served the autism community for over 30 years, including as national Director of Autism Services for Easter Seals, and currently as Senior VP at NEXT, where she develops innovative program options to increase employment, education and healthcare options for adults with autism.

As usual, attendees on the spectrum will offer their experience and perspectives throughout the program. Bring your questions! The Zoom link will follow in an email a day or two before the event.

Who: Adults on the autism spectrum, families, mentors and professionals all welcome. For more information, please contact: info@aascend.org
When: Sat Sept 12, 10am – 11am (approx)
Where: Online via Zoom. URL and password will be emailed.