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We hope you'll give it a try! To learn more or sign up now click here. Thanks in advance for supporting ASCEND Group!
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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.
Calling All Volunteers!
ASCEND President Elena Perri asks: What Type of Person Are You?
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.
The Experiences of Stigma, Stress, and Social Support Amongst Fathers of Children on the Autism Spectrum
Are you a father of a child or teenager (ages 5-18) with autism? Have you ever felt that people don't understand what your life is like and how you feel? Have you ever been rejected, judged, or embarrassed by friends, family, or even complete strangers because you are the father of an amazing and wonderful child with autism? Your experiences as a father of a child with autism are unique and important. As a parent, you are the only person who really knows what it's like to raise a child with autism. You have experienced the ups and downs, the laughter and tears, the joy and pain. We are inviting you to participate in a research study and share your experiences of stigma, stress, and social support. Your perspective will increase our understanding of what your life is like. You can help us know how it feels to be a father of a child with autism. The entire survey should take approximately 20 minutes to complete. As a small token of appreciation for your participation, you may choose to be entered into a raffle for one of four Amazon Fire 7 tablets.
NEW: Suicide Prevention and Autism
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania are conducting a study on suicide prevention in adolescents and adolescents and adults with autism spectrum disorder. You may qualify to participate if you are the family member of a teenager or adult with ASD. Participants will complete a 1-hour interview with a member of our research team and will be compensated $30 for their time. Please call Dr. Shari Jager-Hyman at 215-746-3944 for more information. Investigators: Shari Jager-Hyman, PhD, Brenna Maddox, PhD, and David Mandell, ScD.
NEW: Suicide Prevention in Adolescents and Adults
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania are conducting a study on suicide prevention in adolescents and adults with autism spectrum disorder. You may qualify to participate if: you are 12 or older; you have a diagnosis of ASD; you have struggled with thoughts of suicide in the past; and you have the verbal abilities to complete an interview. Participants will complete a 1-hour interview with a member of our research team and will be compensated $30 for their time. To see if the study is a good fit for you, please take our brief screener survey by going to this website. Investigators: Shari Jager-Hyman, PhD, Brenna Maddox, PhD, and David Mandell, ScD.
SPARK for Autism
We are enrolling any individual with autism spectrum disorder and their biological parents into the nation’s largest autism study, called SPARK. The goal of SPARK is to speed up autism research and find the genetic causes of autism. All participants enroll online at www.sparkforautism.org/CHOP and then provide a saliva sample via kits that are mailed to the home. Families who return the saliva collection kits will receive compensation and access to free webinars and an interactive and informational dashboard. For more information: 267-426-4971 [email protected]
Police Safety Study
We are looking for teens and adults ages 12 and older with autism spectrum disorder to participate in a research study testing two different methods of helping people with ASD learn to interact with police officers. One method will use virtual reality (VR) and the other uses video modeling (VM). Participation in this study involves one to three visits to CAR for VR or VM intervention and complete questionnaires. Participants will be compensated for their time. For more information: Ashley Zitter [email protected]
Social and Motor Communication Study
The goal of this research study is to better understand differences in the way children with autism move their bodies and faces compared to children who are developing typically. Children who are diagnosed with ASD or who are typically developing are invited to participate in this study, which will include a visit to CAR to complete simple social skills tasks, motor behavior and language tasks as well as an IQ test. Participants will be compensated for their time and effort and will receive a brief report of their behavioral and IQ tests results. For more information: [email protected] | 267-425-1192
Orbiting- For Repetitive and Restrictive Behaviors
No two people with autism are the same. And of course we wouldn’t want them to be. We’re looking for children and adults with autism between the ages of 5 and 17 to join the oRBiting study. oRBiting will help us to better understand the different scales used to measure certain behaviors associated with autism. We’ll also ask what wearable technologies can tell us about autism. For more information: 267-425-1179 Jessica Tschida.
We are looking for adults with autism ages 18 and older to participate in a study looking at the impact of travel training on use of public transportation to access the community (i.e., social events, medical appointments, work).
Wandering Research Study
Researchers at Cohen Children’s Medical Center are conducting a new, national study about wandering in children with autism and other developmental disabilities. If you are the parent of a child who wanders, you may be eligible to participate. Participants will be asked to spend approximately 30 minutes completing an anonymous, online questionnaire about their child’s wandering behavior. To take the survey, click on this link. For more information, contact Bridget Kiely.
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.
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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.
FREE: Preparing for College: Supports and Panel Discussion for Students with Asperger's / Autism Spectrum Disorder & Their Caregivers Darlene Hemerka Esq., will share information about the transition to college and beyond, including the following topics:
About our speaker: Darlene is a staff attorney at the Public Interest Law Center. She focuses on representing parents in IEP meetings, advocating for teens with disabilities in the Philadelphia School District, and teaching students and their families about transition services. In 2016, she received her J.D. from the Pennsylvania State University Dickinson School of Law. She received her B.A. in political science and urban studies, summa cum laude, from Rutgers University. When: Wednesday, October 16, 7:00 - 8:30 PM RSVP here. We are requesting anyone planning on attending to please RSVP to determine whether there is enough interest in this topic so that we may proceed with the session. MeetUp: (Adults 18+) Picnic in Rittenhouse Square The Chit Chat Group in Philadelphia will meet on Tuesday, October 29 at 6:00 PM at Rittenhouse Square Park, weather permitting (by the goat statue).
Grand Opening: Autism Treatment Center
Ribbon cutting with Mayor Chuck Cahn, Cherry Hill K9 Unit meet & greet and raffle prizes! Please RSVP [email protected]
Location: Bethel AME Church 50 S. Merion Avenue, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010 Parking in the front and rear of the property
A group of adult self-advocates who with the help of a facilitator, discuss topics chosen by the group. Topics that have been addressed include dating, co-workers, break-ups, meet-ups, interviewing for jobs, etc. In the past, we have had a few guest speakers who have addressed the group as well. Attendees: Adults on the autism spectrum, ages 18+ Runs simultaneously but in a different room than the adult social group. MeetUp Adults (18+) : Picnic in Rittenhouse Square The Chit Chat Group in Philadelphia will meet on Tuesday, October 29 at 6:00 PM at Rittenhouse Square Park, weather permitting (by the goat statue). MeetUp Adults (18+) Bowling at Sproul Lanes
Sunday, January 12, 2020 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Tickets: $35 per person (includes food, unlimited video games, $20 Power Card). The restaurant will open an hour early so that our group has exclusive use of the gaming area. 50/50 Raffle and Gift Basket Raffles! Get your game on and support ASCEND! Purchase tickets here.
Professional Events and Ongoing Groups:
Valley Forge Educational Services invites you to join us as we host our 4th Annual Resource Fair We bring together fifty of the area's best programs, services and resources for transition-age youth and adults with special needs and their families.
Explore a variety of supportive employment organizations, residential services, community support services, continuing education programs, benefits counselors, family advocates, special needs financial planning experts and recreational and leisure programs-all in one location.
This event is free and open to the public. We hope to see you there!
Thursday, October 10 from 6:00 - 8:00 PM at VFES Activities Center, 1777 N. Valley Road, Malvern PA 19355
1) Tuesday, October 15, 6:30 PM 2) Wednesday, October 23, 6:00 PM Interested in hosting a workshop for your families? Should your employer be offering something similar? Please reach out to Pat!
 1) LET'S GET M.A.A.D. (MANAGEMENT OF OUR ANGER, ANXIETY, AND DEPRESSION)
Difficulty regulating one's emotions not only impacts the individual's mood and well-being but also his/her ability to socialize with others effectively. This group will focus on helping group members identify their emotions including bodily sensations and triggers and how these emotions negatively impact their ability to connect with and socialize with their peers. Group leaders will facilitate the learning of more effective coping skills for managing emotions in difficult and stressful situations as well as learning how to better connect and maintain relationships with peers. Groups of 8 will meet for 1 hour per week sessions starting Monday, October 28 in Doylestown, PA. Members will be grouped based on their age, language abilities, and goals for the group. Openings for Children ages 7-8, 9-10, 11-12, & 13-15. Children will be grouped by age, language abilities, and social skills goals. Lego®-Based Therapy, or Lego®-Club as it called by group members, is an evidenced based treatment where children develop skills through collaboration on group projects through the use of Lego®. Group members collaborate on building sets, free style projects, and creating and producing short stop-action films. Children with ASD, ADHD, anxiety, and other social challenges are welcome!
Groups will be run on Monday afternoons/evenings for 1 hour per session for 8 sessions starting Monday, October 7, 2019. Contact Dr. Brittany Lyman at [email protected] for more informatio
2) emPower Lunch Parents, educators, and professionals are invited to FREE lunchtime workshops! Each month, Mike Fogel MA, ATR-BC, LPC presents practical and memorable social-coping skills and parent/caregiver reinforcement tips. These are the same strategies promoted at Camp Pegasus and the Art of Friendship Social-Coping Skills Program. Child & Family Art Therapy Center ~ 250 W. Lancaster Ave. ~ Suite 255 ~ Paoli, PA 19301 5 Sentry Pkwy Ste 110, Blue Bell, PA 19422,11:30 AM - 12:30 PM, Thursday, October 10
1) MeetUp Group: Autism Spectrum 2) Anime Club for Adults on the Spectrum 3) Adults on the Autism Spectrum Group 4) Spouses & Partners of Aspies / Autism Support 5) Adult Support Group 6) Women with Autism If you or an adult with ASD you know is interested in this group (or in one of the other groups Kristina meets with) please contact Kristina: [email protected] or 484-274-8957. I am a good listener and will give you time and space to share your concerns. I specialize in supporting transitioning teens and adults with ASD and parents/caretakers. I offer a comprehensive strengths-based approach that also utilizes evidence-based interventions to address issues related to anxiety and depression, life transitions, family and relationship dynamics, self-advocacy, work/employment, co-morbid mental health issues, healthy lifestyle, independent living, contact with law enforcement, and sexuality/dating. I work across the spectrum including nonverbal individuals to high functioning professionals.
ASCEND Group Membership Levels...Membership options that make senseAs a nonprofit organization, we depend solely on the support of our members as Access to some of the content on this website is available only to subscribing members. Various membership options and benefits are shown below: Member Benefits include:
ASCEND Individual Membership $25/year ASCEND Family Membership $45/year Need to Pay
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