Zavikon: A New Workforce Intermidiary for the Autism Community + Summit Sunday!

It’s coming right up! Register HERE for the Nov 7-9 Stanford Neurodiversity Summit (FREE online)! Info at the link. Keynote speakers include Dr. Temple Grandin, Sir Simon Baron-Cohen, and more. Be there or be square!

We will discuss the conference at the AASCEND General Meeting on November 20, so go to the conference, pick a few presentations, take notes, and be ready to join the discussion then!


At the November 6 AASCEND Job Club, we will hear from Zavikon, a new company that provides recruitment, workplace readiness, and job accommodation identification and advocacy for individuals with disabilities or those who are neurodivergent. They also provide education and guidance to employers to support a successful employment relationship.

The speaker will be Rebecca Beam, founder and CEO of Zavikon. Prior to launching Zavikon she was a founding advisory team member launching MindSpark, Inc. whose mission was to train and employ adults on the autism spectrum in technology careers.

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

Picture of Rebecca Beam

After MindSpark’s acquisition by Auticon, Rebecca became President of the US operations leading the US expansion and driving growth. As a veteran of the tech sector, Rebecca’s career has included senior leadership roles sourcing and developing human capital with high-demand skill sets for the area’s leading tech firms, including Fortune 100 and 500 brands. Rebecca believes there is a job out there for everyone to apply their talents and skills in a meaningful way and she is dedicated to being a bridge to an inclusive working world. In 2019, Rebecca won the prestigious Milestones Visionary Employer Award.

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

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

When: Saturday, Nov 6, 2021 10 – 11 am (approx)

Where: Online via Zoom, URL and password will be emailed.

Again! Again! Another walk together! — at Crissy Field THIS SUNDAY Oct 17 11am

Register HERE for the Nov 7-9 Stanford Neurodiversity Summit (FREE online)! Info at the link. Keynote speakers include Dr. Temple Grandin, Sir Simon Baron-Cohen, and more. Be there or be square!


Last month AASCEND‘s hike at Land’s End met such a strong need to get together in person after the pandemic shut-in that we’re doing it again! We’ll meet at 11am this Sunday, October 17, at the St. Francis Yacht Club parking (X on the map), for a hike in beautiful bayside Crissy Field, and perhaps beyond. NOTE: The hike is SUNDAY, not the usual Saturday, and 11am, not the usual 10am. This will give those of you who missed the last hike a second chance, and the rest of us an opportunity to talk to the people we missed during the last hike. We plan to sit down together to eat along the way, so bring a lunch. Snacks should be available at the Crissy Field Warming Hut. The weather looks to be partly sunny with highs in the upper 60’s and only light winds. Dress accordingly. Come revel together by the beautiful waters many autistic people enjoy!

Map to
 St. Francis Yacht Club Parking

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

When: SUNDAY, Oct 17, 2021 at 11:00 AM

Where: Crissy  Field, San Francisco, Meet at St. Francis Yacht Club parking (X on map above)