All are welcome at this presentation and discussion of new employment possibilities for people on the autism spectrum. Join us with your experience, thoughts and feedback!

Innovative entrepreneurs Rick Reddy of Semperical and Andy Aczel of The Specialist’s Guild will discuss their new business models specifically designed to use the abilities of adults on the autism spectrum.

 Rick Reddy – Vice President, Marketing and Business Development

Semperical is a high-performance software testing and Quality Assurance enterprise with a powerful technical “engine” fueled by the exceptional qualities inherent in our engineers on the autism spectrum. We’re a social enterprise whose unique engineering talent sets us apart from the competition. Our specialized program unleashes the incredible natural talents of people on the autism spectrum.

The Specialist’s Guild  

 Andy Aczel-Founder, Board Member and CTO

The Specialist Guild is a nonprofit social enterprise focused on providing training, employment opportunities and support for people on the Autism Spectrum so they are able to contribute to society in line with their intelligence and abilities.  The Specialists Guild provides software and product testing, graphic design and data entry services.

When:   Sat Nov 17, 10am – Noon
Where:  The Arc of SF   1500 Howard St. @ 11th St.     SF, CA 94103     map

At AASCEND’s October 20 meeting Phil Shemanski will discuss the launch of a new online art gallery Renewing the Renaissance featuring the work of artists with challenges including autism. Phil will talk about this for-profit business, the art it represents and the artists it employs.

PLUS:
AASCEND members will report on their recent meeting with the trailblazing Autistic Global Initiative in Boulder, Colorado. Here we are with Temple Grandin:

When:   Oct 20, 10am – Noon
Where:  The Arc of SF   1500 Howard St. @ 11th St.     SF, CA 94103     map

AASCEND has a NEW LOCATION for its regular monthly meetings:
The Arc of San Francisco  1500 Howard St. @ 11th St.  SF, CA 94103     map

At AASCEND’s September 15 meeting hear KALW radio star Marty Nemko (“The Bay Area’s Best Career Coach” — SF Bay Guardian) field questions about employment for people on and off the autism spectrum.  Bring your job-hunting and employment stories and questions and join the conversation!

Note our new meeting location:
The Arc of San Francisco    1500 Howard St. @ 11th St.   SF, CA 94103     map

ALSO:
The AASCEND Job Club meets Saturday Sep 29, 10:00-1:00
1500 Howard St. @ 11th St,   SF, CA 94103    (note New Location)
RSVP to Michael.Bernick@sedgewicklaw.com or Cindy_Zoeller@yahoo.com

And thanks to all who helped make our annual AASCEND picnic a great success!

Come one come all to AASCEND’s annual potluck picnic in the park! All are welcome for an afternoon of low-key socializing with our community. This year’s picnic will be held at Pioneer Log Cabin in Golden Gate Park. We will have food and drink, but bring something to share if you can. No RSVP is necessary. Set-up begins at 11:00 AM.

August 18, Noon-4pm  at  Pioneer Log Cabin in GG Park   near Stow Lake

Jan Johnston-Tyler, MA, principal and manager of EvoLibri, will speak about working with the Department of Rehabilitation, EvoLibri’s new social networking sites, and job development for adults and teens on the spectrum. EvoLibri provides neurodiversity counseling and a wide array of programs and services. Jan comes from an impressive career in high-tech management, holds an M.A. in counseling and is the mother of an Aspie.

The meeting is July 21 10-noon at our usual location in SF. All are welcome!!

Housing is a perennial challenge for people on the autism spectrum. At AASCEND’s May 19 meeting we’ll talk about the issues — what has and hasn’t worked, and what might work in the future. Bring your experience: Where are you living now; how did you get it; how is it paid for; what would ideal housing look like for you? What housing issues have you had in the past that were a result of autism; what are the challenges of managing your own place, of rural vs urban housing, roommates on the spectrum, transition from living at home, and living in group homes? Is a housing development exclusively for adults on the spectrum a promising future, or a gateway to an institutional past? Come join the discussion and share resources!

Plus a report on the recent Autism Global Initiative conference in New Jersey!

May 19, 10-noon    CCSF Downtown Campus     Room 618   88 4th St. @ Mission St.

April is Autism Awareness Month, but we propose thinking in terms of Autism Advancement! Join the AASCEND community for a potluck brunch on Saturday, April 21, 10:30-1:30 PM, at the Arc of San Francisco, 1500 Howard St. @ 11th St. San Francisco. We will have food and drink, but bring something to share if you can. No RSVP necessary. Entertainment!!

The March 17 AASCEND meeting should be a lively one! Is it possible to have peaceful and inclusive discussion of questions like the following? Come share your thoughts:

1. Do the changes to the definition of autism proposed for the upcoming DSM 5  help or harm the autism community?
2. “The Autism Wars”: Can the Cure-Childhood-Autism and Celebrate-Adult-Autism contingents hear each other and speak with one voice when advocating for autism resources? How do the needs of self-advocating spectrum adults overlap those of families with severely impacted autistic children?
3. Can adult autism advocates “own the puzzle piece” logo long associated with the cure-autism movement? Is there anything puzzling about autism?
4. Bring your own questions about the Politics of Autism!

March 17, 10-noon     CCSF Downtown Campus      Room 618    88 4th St. @ Mission St.

AASCEND members will explore What I Wish My Parents Knew about autism on a panel at the 2012 Information and Resource Conference hosted by Support For Families, Saturday March 3, 8:30am-3:30pm at John O’Connell High School, 2355 Folsom St., SF.

The AASCEND panel will be at 2pm. Come for a lively event, to encourage the panelists, and to  soak up a lot of useful information among friends!

The event is FREE and all are welcome. There is food. More information is here.