Welcome to ASCEND Group

UPCOMING EVENTS

ASCEND events provide members and non-members with the chance to meet and
network with other family members, professionals, educators and individuals “on the
spectrum” whose experience and expertise can be of immeasurable value. There is no substitute for in-person conversation, and dialogue when it comes to living, learning and growing.

FAMILY FUN DAY
Sunday, September 22
Concord Elementary School, Glen Mills, PA
More than 200 people attended our inaugural Family Fun Day in 2012. ASCEND professional members will once again provide entertainment and ASCEND will offer plenty of fun activities. This is an event you don’t want to miss!

ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Friday, November 22
Williamson's Caterers in Horsham, PA
Our 2013 conference will feature Leah Kuypers, MEd, ORT/L, developer of The Zones of Regulation curriculum designed to teach self-regulation, and Sarah Ward, MS, CCC/SLP, who speaks nationally on the topic of executive functioning. More information coming soon!

ANNOUNCING NEW BOARD MEMBERS
Please join the ASCEND board of directors in welcoming two new board members who were elected at our Annual Meeting in March. Click here to read bios for Keith Bartley and Erica Brignac.

SUPPORT ASCEND TODAY!

As a nonprofit organization, we depend solely on the support of our members.

Member benefits include:

Discounted admission to ASCEND’s annual conference
Invitations to ASCEND-sponsored social events
Inclusion in our Membership Directory (optional)
Free admission to speaker meetings
Invitation to join our listserv for message posting (member families only)
Access to the online e-newsletter archive

There are membership level options that make sense and are affordable for just about anyone. Please consider becoming an ASCEND member today.

ASCEND's MISSION:

ASCEND is a community of
people in the Greater Philadelphia
area who are concerned about the
many ways that Asperger Syndrome
and other autism spectrum disorders
affect children and adults and their
families in the home, at school
and in every area of
their lives.

By working together, we raise public awareness about Asperger Syndrome and related disorders, advocate for improved education and services, and provide support and information to the Asperger and autism community.

On This Site

An important part of the ASCEND mission is identifying and sharing resources with families, individuals with autism, professionals, educators, and other community stakeholders. We invite you to browse this site for access to regional and national resources in many categories, including advocacy, research, autism in the media, and much more!

Follow @ASCENDGroup

Check it out!

ASCEND’s Meetup Group

Latest News

PA Autism Training Conference
Presenter: PA Bureau of Autism Services
Wednesday-Thursday, June 12-13, 8am-4:15pm
Eden Resort, 222 Eden Road, Lancaster, PA
Fee: $50
Click here to register.
National Autism Conference
Presenter: PA Dept of Education
Monday-Thursday, July 29-August 1
Penn Stater Hotel & Conference Center, State College, PA
Fratti: A Mother's Fight for Her Autistic Son
PhillyBurbs, May 20, 2013
From the article: “I went to meet Linda, because Mitch, 42, now is flourishing in a work program at BARC Production Services in Warminster. BARC provides vocational training for adults with special needs. It was a long road. And one that never could have been traveled without the fighting spirit of his mother, who never accepted the answer 'no,' or 'It hasn’t been done before' when it came to services for her son.”
N.J. Teen Wins 'Kandi Factory' Competition, Debuts New Single on iTunes
Star-Ledger, May 6, 2013
From the article: "Cory Singer, of South Plainfield, won his episode on Sunday night and, with the win, released the single, ‘I Can Do Anything,’ via iTunes with a YouTube video to accompany it. The 18-year-old high school senior, who has Asperger's and Tourette's syndromes, proved an inspiration during his episode. He refused to allow his disabilities to keep him from pursuing his musical dreams."
TedXTeen Talk: Jacob Barnett
Jacob Barnett is a 14-year-old mathematician and prodigy diagnosed with autism at the age of two. At a young age, Jacob began sneaking into the back of college lectures at IUPUI. He is currently working toward a Master's degree in quantum physics. Jacob is also CEO and founder of Wheel LLC, a business he started in his mom's garage, and is in the process of writing a book to help end "math phobia" in his generation.
Elwyn’s "A-List" for Philadelphia
This "Philadelphia Resource List for Autism and Special Needs" is compiled by a network of Philadelphia professionals and families to share information about local resources. The list is updated annually by Karen Krivit and Missy Modesti of Philadelphia’s Elwyn Campus.

ASCEND Group Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. We do not endorse any specific professional or therapeutic treatment. We are not meant to be a replacement for medical or legal advice. Our mission is to raise public awareness about Asperger Syndrome and related disorders, to advocate for improved education and services, and to provide support and information to the Asperger and autism community. This web site is for informational purposes only. Any link or mention on our web site should not be construed as an endorsement or recommendation. If you have questions about autism or Asperger Syndrome, please consult with a qualified medical professional.