WALK POSTPONED DUE TO RAIN

Are you a job coach, employer, or family member of someone with an intellectual or developmental disability (IDD)? See the important Stanford research project below.

ALSO Catalight.org is offering copies of its new Compass Work Tool, a self-paced career management tool for neurodivergent adults, free for evaluation to AASCEND folks. Click here to request your copy!

We faced down February weather last year, and we’re doing it again! AASCEND is reprising last year’s friendly, sociable walk from San Francisco’s Marina Green to Aquatic Park, this year with a side loop to the Palace of Fine Arts lagoon, exotic site of a thousand wedding photos.

Our route will take us through ever-interesting Fort Mason. We’ll meet at 11am on Saturday, February 17, 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 at 11am, not the usual 10am AASCEND meeting time. We plan to sit down together to eat along the way, so bring a lunch. It’s San Francisco, so dress accordingly! If weather threatens, check the AASCEND.org website to be sure it’s on, but if it’s just a little mist, heck, we’ll show are stuff and walk together anyway!

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 17 2024 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.

STANFORD DIVERSE PROJECT

Developing Inclusive and Vocational Education and Resources for Success in Employment (DIVERSE)

Do you live in California and identify as at least one of the following?

• Job coach
• Present or prospective employer of adults with intellectual/developmental disability (IDD)
• Family member of an adult with IDD

We are recruiting participants to join in a research study that includes free, self-paced, and asynchronous training on improving skills for working with adults with IDD in employment support settings!

If you are interested in participating, please complete the questionnaire.

See the flyer or visit our website for more information.

Please contact us at stanfordneurodiversityproject@stanford.edu if you have any questions.

Are you a job coach, employer, or family member of someone with an intellectual or developmental disability (IDD)? See the important Stanford research project below.

Here is a recording of the following Job Coach program.

At the last AASCEND Job Club meeting,discussion centered on how to find and work with a Job Coach. On February 3 we will continue the discussion and be joined by two veteran job coaches: Lauren Fuentes and Lasalette Capote. Ms. Fuentes is a Program Coordinator and Job Coach for VistaBility, an agency serving adults with developmental differences in the East Bay. Ms. Capote is a Transition Specialist/Job Coach for the Castro Valley Adult and Career Education program. They will be interviewed by Job Club facilitator and AASCEND member Michael Bernick.The Job Coach is a valuable service for employment success, and is one that most clients of DOR and DDS are eligible for, as needed.

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 Feb 3, 10am – 11am (approx.)
Where: Online via Zoom. URL and password will be emailed.

STANFORD DIVERSE PROJECT

Developing Inclusive and Vocational Education and Resources for Success in Employment (DIVERSE)

Do you live in California and identify as at least one of the following?

• Job coach
• Present or prospective employer of adults with intellectual/developmental disability (IDD)
• Family member of an adult with IDD

We are recruiting participants to join in a research study that includes free, self-paced, and asynchronous training on improving skills for working with adults with IDD in employment support settings!

If you are interested in participating, please complete the questionnaire.

See the flyer or visit our website for more information.

Please contact us at stanfordneurodiversityproject@stanford.edu if you have any questions.

Here is a recording of the presentation. See also socialthinking.com

Next up for AASCEND, Michelle Garcia Winner, Founder of the Social Thinking®  Methodology, will talk on a subject that is sadly relevant to many autistic people, loneliness. Together we will explore the impact of loneliness on both one’s physical and mental health. We will also look at strategies and tips for building social competencies such as unpacking friendship, how we communicate in person, language for conversation, and the “spirals of anxiety.”

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.

Michelle Garcia Winner, MA, CCC-SLP; CEO & Founder of the Social Thinking®  Methodology, is a prolific author, creative clinician, and internationally renowned speaker. She was honored to receive a Congressional Special Recognition Award in 2008, and a Lectureship Award (2019) from the Society of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatricians.

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 Jan 20, 10am – 11am
Where: Online via Zoom. URL and password will be emailed.

Here is a video of the following presentation.

At the January 6 AASCEND Job Club, veteran job coaches Dan Middleton and Keith Halperin will present the results of their recent Employment Survey of AASCEND members. This Survey looked at current job situations and goals for 2024. Keith and Dan  will be interviewed by Job Club facilitator Michael Bernick, who will lead an interactive Q & A session with meeting attendees.

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 Jan 6, 10am – 11am (approx.)
Where: Online via Zoom. URL and password will be emailed.

Here is a link to the recording of the December 9 Employment in Gaming session.
Here and here are links to the Powerpoint slides for the session.

Next up for AASCEND is the December 16 Holiday Potluck Party!  Live and at the Arc for the first time in years!!! Come join our community for food, conversation, music and good cheer. There will be Entertainment, Music, Games, did we mention food, and a low-sensory space available. It’s a potluck, so bring food to share if you can — but if you can’t, show up anyway!

It’ll be a blast to celebrate in person again!

Scroll down for details about the AASCEND Holiday Party at the Arc on Dec 16!

Here is a video of the following presentation.

At the Dec 9 AASCEND Job Club, we will be joined by Pamela Cosman and Leanne Chukoskie, Professors at UC San Diego and Northeastern, who have been doing cutting edge research and testing on jobs for adults with autism in the gaming industry. They also have been testing the use of games and Virtual Reality to assist adults with autism to gain work skills and social skills. They will be interviewed by our Job Club facilitator, Michael Bernick.

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.

Pamela Cosman is a Professor at UC San Diego in Computer Engineering and Leanne Chukoskie, is a Professor at Northeastern University. They have been working in recent years on employment for adults with autism in the gaming industry, and the use of games and VR to teach work skills.

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 Dec 9, 10am – 11am (approx.)
Where: Online via Zoom. URL and password will be emailed.

Next up for AASCEND is the December 16 Holiday Potluck Party!  Live and at the Arc for the first time in years!!! Come join our community for food, conversation, music and good cheer. There will be Entertainment, Music, Games, did we mention food, and a low-sensory space available. It’s a potluck, so bring food to share if you can — but if you can’t, show up anyway!

It’ll be a blast to celebrate in person again!

On Nov 18 AASCEND hosts Peter Kangas and Josiah Polhemus, who are collaborating in making a full-length feature film from the perspective of a person on the spectrum, written by that person and directed by that person. The film has the potential to be a groundbreaking look inside the mind of a person on the autism spectrum, which has never been done before. They will share part of their pitch deck and discuss the process of getting an authentically inclusive film made. Come give your input on this fascinating project!

This meeting will be in-person only, at the SF Arc (address below). No registration is necessary.

Peter Kangas is a filmmaker residing in the San Francisco Bay Area. He has extensive experience in both live action and set-based environments. Peter believes in meticulous attention to detail, good manners, and respect. He has won awards for his filmmaking. He now works through Spectrumotion Pictures, whose mission is to bring the disability community within the entertainment and film industry, tapping into this deep reservoir of talent and experience and no “help the neurodiverse world recognize how they can get past stereotypes and take action to fully realize their professional and artistic potential.”

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 Nov 18, 10am – noon (approx.)
Where: The Arc of SF 1500 Howard St. @ 11th St. SF, CA 94103 map

There are ongoing afternoons of games and socializing (currently a weekly event) on Fridays from 3 to 5pm—at Victory Point Cafe in Berkeley. Young adults (ages 18-30) are especially welcome. Bring $20 to cover games and a small snack. Contact Clara via text at 510 882 4944 to join in.

       

Address: Victory Point Cafe, 1797-A Shattuck Ave, Berkeley, CA 94709
Date: Fridays 3-5pm
Website: https://www.victorypointcafe.com
Drink and Food Menu
Games Available at Victory Point Cafe

Here is a link to the DOR Powepoint slides.

At the Nov 4 AASCEND Job Club, Danielle Hackworth, Project Manager of the new $18.3 million Pathway to Success Project, will be the speaker. This is a great opportunity for adults who are current Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) clients or who can qualify for DOR services. It provides training and placement for “quality jobs” in biotech, Information Technology, Health Care and Advanced Manufacturing.

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.

Danielle Hackworth has been with the Department of Rehabilitation for 11 years and is the Project Manager for the Pathways to Success Project, a Disability Innovation Grant, offered through DOR. Prior to this position, she worked four years as a Statewide Business Engagement Consultant with the Workforce Development Section. She has enjoyed working with business partners throughout the state of California to expand and diversify their workforce by partnering with the Department of Rehabilitation. Prior to joining the Workforce Development Section, she served five years as a local Business Specialist for Shasta, Tehama and Siskiyou Counties, working closely with individuals with disabilities and local businesses to ensure successful employment for her consumers.

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 Nov 4, 10am – 11am (approx.)
Where: Online via Zoom. URL and password will be emailed.

There will be a further afternoon of games and socializing (currently a weekly event) on Friday October 27 from 3 to 5pm—at Victory Point Cafe in Berkeley. Young adults (ages 18-30) are especially welcome. Bring $20 to cover games and a small snack. Contact Clara via text at 510 882 4944 to join in.

More social events are planned for San Francisco and the East Bay, but parents are needed to help coordinate  them. These social events are greatly valued. Email cassindy@gmail.com or text 510 910 3838.

       

Address: Victory Point Cafe, 1797-A Shattuck Ave, Berkeley, CA 94709
Date: Friday, October 27, 2023 – Time: 3-5pm
Website: https://www.victorypointcafe.com
Drink and Food Menu
Games Available at Victory Point Cafe

Here’s Paul Nussbaum at our recent mini-picnic celebrating his arrival at Bridge of the Gods, where he successfully completed the California and Oregon sections of the Pacific Crest Trail:

On October 21 AASCEND is pleased to welcome autistic author Eric Garcia, in conversation about his acclaimed book on autism, We’re Not Broken (which happens also to feature some AASCEND members and friends). Eric is a writer and reporter based in Washington DC. He has written for the Washington Post Magazine, the Week, the New Republic, the Daily Beast, Spectrum, and more. He has also been an assistant editor at the Washington Post’s Outlook section, associate editor at the Hill, staff writer for Market Watch, National Journal and Roll Call. Eric will talk about themes from his refreshingly thorough and respectful book, and touch on how as an autistic person he parlayed a youthful interest in politics into a career.

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.

Who: Autistic people, families, mentors and professionals all welcome. For more information, please contact: info@aascend.org
When: Sat Oct 21, 10am – 11am
Where: Online via Zoom, URL and password will be emailed