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Thank you to ASCEND Board Member Rich Fry for raising $1,325.00 through Facebook! In lieu of birthday gifts this year Rich asked his friends and family to donate to the ASCEND Group. If you or someone you know would like to set up donations to ASCEND Group through Facebook, here are the steps: Fundraisers for Nonprofits
To create a fundraiser for a charitable organization, click here or follow these steps:
- Click Fundraisers in the left menu of your News Feed.
- Click Raise Money.
- Select Nonprofit/Charity.
- Select ASCEND Group, choose a cover photo and fill in the fundraiser details.
- Click Create.
ASCEND President Elena Perri asks: What Type of Person Are You?
ASCEND College Panel Night:
If you were unable to attend our recent sold out College Panel Night at West Chester University here is some information presented that night:
Understanding College Accommodations
Difference K-12 and Higher Education
Calling All Volunteers!
Interested in volunteering? We welcome ASCEND members and non-members to sign up to volunteer on one of our committees. It's a great way to meet other people in our community and to give back! Please click here to sign up to volunteer.
Research Studies
In the interest of promoting autism awareness, we feel it is important to help spread the word about autism spectrum research studies that are being conducted in our area. For the first time, we are giving individuals and organizations the opportunity to advertise their research studies in future ASCEND e-newsletters and on our website, for a nominal fee without first becoming ASCEND members. Use this Research Study Form to submit your study.
Mealtime Experiences Study
The purpose of the study is to learn directly from young adults (18-23 yrs.) on the autism spectrum who have food selective behaviors (i.e., dislike a lot of foods or eat fewer foods than most people their age), about whether and how their food preferences impact their mealtime experiences with family, peers, and/or community access.
Young Children's Knowledge About General Event Representations
We are studying the event knowledge of children with ASD, 6 to 12 years old, for a number of familiar routine, social events, as well as less familiar social events.
Young Children's Knowledge About Categories of Foods
A study on the ability of children, ages 7-12, with an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis to categorize food items.
We are looking for people who are 18 years and older with developmental disabilities to complete a survey asking questions about transportation.
autismMatch is an online registry that can quickly and easily connect interested individuals and families with research opportunities to advance scientists' understanding of ASD and related disorders, such as ADHD, anxiety, 22q deletion syndrome, and others.
Infant Brain Imaging Study (IBIS)
In an attempt to learn about patterns of brain development in children, we are studying the differences in brain patterns between children with autism spectrum disorders and typically developing children. Infants between 3-6 months of age with an older sibling who is diagnosed with an ASD are invited to participate.
Research on Autism and Developmental Disorders (ROADD)
This study will observe young children to learn more about the biological underpinnings of ASD. Children ages 3-5 with or without a diagnosis of ASD may be eligible to participate.
Early Autism Risk Longitudinal Investigation (EARLI)
This ground-breaking study is looking at possible environmental and genetic links to autism. Mothers who have a biological child with ASD or who less than 28 weeks pregnant and who live in the tristate area are being invited to participate in this study.
JAKE App Study
With the use of new mobile app technology, this study aims to develop a mobile app-based system to monitor clinical outcomes in children and adults with ASD vs. typically developing children and adults. Children and adults ages 6 and older with or without ASD may take part.
Welcome to ASCEND Group
ASCEND's MISSION: To improve the lives of individualsand families in the Greater Philadelphia area impacted by Asperger Syndrome and Autism through connections, community and support. Autism and Employment Webinars with Barbara Bissonnette
1) Networking Webinar: Tues., 1/29 from 7:00 PM - 8:15 PM (session runs for one hour followed by a 15-minute Q&A) Job Networking for the Not-So-Socially-Savvy Do you cringe at the thought of attending a job networking meeting and speaking to people you don't know? Don't worry! There are many ways to utilize this job search technique that do not involve rooms full of strangers. We'll begin with an explanation of what, exactly, networking is and why it is the best way to find employment. Then you will learn specific ways to begin and grow a network both online and in person. The webinar includes examples from the presenter's actual clients.
Job Interviewing: Communicate Your Skills and Get Hired! Do you wish that someone would explain the unspoken rules about what to say during an interview? Are you confused about the difference between marketing your skills and lying? Nervous about what to expect? This webinar is for you! You will learn: how employers evaluate candidates; how to prepare strong responses to anticipated questions; tips for avoiding common mistakes; the correct way to follow up; and the pros and cons of disclosing during an interview. Fees:
Chips, Chocolate and Chat: ASCEND's Social Gathering for Adults on the Spectrum This is a gathering of adults who may be interested in connecting with other self-advocates. While staff are available to help facilitate, participants will collectively guide the nature of the group and how they may like to see the group evolve from a gathering moving forward. Instead of becoming a therapeutic group, this group is intended to provide opportunities for connection and discussion among participants, possibly leading to additional activities based on common interests. Discussion Group for Caregivers of Adults This free group for parents/ caregivers will be held in a different room but at the same time as the adult group session, Chips, Chocolate & Chat.
*Free Gamer MeetUp for Tweens and Teens (Video games, board games, Legos, foosball & air hockey) Hosted by Elena Perri and Terry Peura From ASCEND Group
*This event is free but RSVP through MeetUp.com is required. Once you join (it's free!) search for ASCEND Group. Details Directions: Social Enrichment Center, 542 Wesley Road · Springfield We fill up fast so please RSVP to reserve your spot.
Our Bryn Mawr Location: Family Support Group: Managing Challenging Behaviors for Your Child with ASD or IDD Peer Support Groups ... now every Tuesday! Date: Tuesday, January 22, 2019 Time: 6:30-8:00 PM Topic: Independent Living: Topic: Life Planning: Vision Board Collages Date: Tuesday, January 29, 2019 Time: 6:30-8:00 PM Social Skills: Group Game Night Refreshments Served. Please RSVP to Pam Frebowitz at [email protected] or call 215-681-0172 Our Coatesville Location: Family/Caregiver Support Group: "Charting the LifeCourse"
Hill Top Prep Open House
This ADOS-2 training provides experienced autism professionals with introductory training on the use of the ADOS-2 to assess and diagnose autism spectrum disorder (ASD) across ages, developmental levels, and language skills.
Tuesday, 1/22 from 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday, 1/23 from 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Roberts Center for Pediatric Research, 2716 South Street, 1st floor conference center, room 1-120, Philadelphia, PA 19146
 Valley Forge Special Kids Camp Expo Free and open to the community! Saturday, 1/26 from 1 - 4 PM at Valley Forge Educational Center
Our complimentary workshops are focused on empowering and educating families who have dependents with special needs giving them clear, actionable information that can be used to understand and build a responsible financial lifestyle.
Ongoing Groups:
Fick Educational Services will be forming new social skills groups for the New Year! If your child struggles to make friends and could use some practice with team work or coping skills, consider a social skills group at FES. We form groups based on need and age and will tailor activities to suit the child's needs. Call us at 610-457-2199 for more information. Social-Coping Skills Groups are currently enrolling girls, boys and co-ed groups between 4-18 years old in: Paoli, Haverford, Plymouth Meeting and Center City Philadelphia.
Social skills groups SHOULD NOT be one-size-fits-all. Different kids have different challenges! AoF differentiates Social-Coping Skills into the following skill areas to meet the needs of your client or student:
Research has shown that individuals with ASD can not only perform proficiently in the workplace, they can do so independently if the job matches their personal strengths and capabilities and specific job tasks are taught to mastery. The goal of this group is to not only develop participant proficiency in technology use, but to also teach key "soft-skills" such as; job searching, understanding workplace norms, routines and etiquette, social communication at work and workplace problem-solving skills. This group will utilize an eclectic curricular approach as well as evidence-based practices in providing skill instruction to individuals with ASD. Skills are presented in a developmental sequence to ensure that participants obtain the foundational knowledge needed to develop higher order technical and workplace skills. Skill demonstrations, role-plays, work simulations and individual as well as group-based skill projects will be some of the key activities participants will be exposed to during sessions.
If interested, contact Reggie Candio at [email protected] Adult Social Groups
Kristina Vacha, LCSW, LBS, MSS, MA Applied Behavior Analysis, Therapist, Behavior Support Specialist is forming an ongoing therapeutic support group for adults on the spectrum ages 25 and up. The purpose of the group is to talk about your experiences living as an adult with ASD and to discuss topics the group is interested in like employment and dating. Cost is $30 to attend. This group is appropriate for adults who are employed and or pursuing higher education. RSVP, completed registration form and facilitator approval are required to attend. Kristina is also forming other therapy groups: https://www.meetup.com/Social-Steps/ Contact [email protected] or 484-274-8957.
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Family Support and Peer Groups
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