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As a nonprofit organization, we depend solely on the support of our members. Please click on the donate now image above to see the different ways you can support ASCEND Group.
Help the ASCEND Group Every Time you Shop Online
It's all free and socially-conscious. Join iGive and start giving year round.
The stores make this possible because they want you to like them and shop with them over and over again. There are 2,036 socially-responsible stores helping to make donations happen. Examples include Walmart, Barnes & Noble, Apple, Best Buy, Target, Macy's, QVC and HSN, Land's End, Avon, 1800-Pet-Meds, PETCO, Enterprise Rent-a-Car (and other rental companies), Best Western (and other hotels) and even Caesar's Entertainment Atlantic City,
We hope you'll give it a try! To learn more or sign up now click here. Thanks in advance for supporting ASCEND Group!
ASCEND Professional Directory
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.
New! Online Research Study: Physical Activity and Nutrition Habits of Young Adults with ASD and their Parents
Researchers at the University of Virginia are conducting a nationwide survey of parents to understand physical activity and nutrition habits of young adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). You will be asked to complete an online survey with questions about your physical activity and nutrition habits as well as your adult child’s physical activity and nutrition habits. The survey is completely anonymous; we are not asking for names or any personal information, The survey takes about 20 minutes to complete. The University of Virginia’s Institutional Review Board (IRB) has approved this study, and all participants will receive via email a $20 Amazon gift voucher. Questions? Feel free to email the study director, Dr. Martin Block from the University of Virginia.
VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED FOR A RESEARCH STUDY
Are you a young adult with autism who would like to better engage with your community?
ABOUT OUR STUDY This study will evaluate an intervention designed to help young adults with autism increase participation in their communities.
Recruitment Flyer.
FOR MORE INFORMATION Jayde Nagle 717-531-0003 ext. 285543 [email protected]
The Prevalence of Genetically Linked Autism & Vitamin D Deficiency in Hispanic Families
Contact Faith Hess, RN for Thomas Jefferson University Hospital at [email protected]
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.
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.
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.
Our Sponsors
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.
UPCOMING ASCEND EVENTS Cyber WellnessPresenter: Dr. Paul Kesselman Thursday, February 27
7:00 - 8:30 PM
Berwyn United Methodist Church
140 Waterloo Ave, Berwyn, PA 19312
(The church is about a 10-minute walk from the Berwyn train station.) Living in an "Instaworld"
How parents can learn to deal with the challenges of the internet, social media and more. Dr. Paul Kesselman's presentation will help parents understand the addictive nature of games, social media and the internet. Provide ideas and resources to parents on how to help their children at different ages manage “screen time” Create more of an overall balance in the home which will help minimize the impact of technology. Help create a dialogue between parents and children about technology. Cost: FREE for ASCEND Members (up to three people); $10 per person for non-members
ABOUT OUR PRESENTER:
 Paul Kesselman holds a Doctor of Psychology and a master's degree from the Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, Yeshiva University. He is the founder of Kesselman Clinical Associates in Devon. He and his staff provide treatment for children, teens, adults and families who have a variety of different issues and problems.They specialize in working with clients with anxiety, depression, behavioral problems, trauma, ADD/ADHD, and Asperger's and Autistic Spectrum Disorder.
In this 90-minute program, attendees will learn why teaching young children to identify and solve problems can open doors to independence, improve academic skills and reduce challenging behaviors. Attendees will leave with an understanding of:
This presentation is geared toward younger children (under 10).
Cost: FREE for ASCEND Members (up to three people); $10 per person for non-members ABOUT OUR PRESENTER:
WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION: Social communication occurs in the home, school, work and community and with a variety of people. Additionally, social communication rules vary depending on every social context across the landscape of humanity. How very confusing! People with social learning challenges and their communication partners will benefit from this workshop. Susan Paul, a speech/language pathologist and founder of Communiverse® will arm you with strategies to foster positive relationships and functional communication strategies in this interactive workshop geared toward people of all ages. Please note new date: Cost: FREE for ASCEND Members (up to three people); $10 per person for non-members ABOUT OUR PRESENTER:
As a private practitioner, Susan has consulted with preschools, schools, and early intervention programs, and has provided individual and group therapy for people of all ages. In her group private practice, Communiverse®, she and her associates pride themselves in fostering effective and functional communication techniques by utilizing the most recent research, and a team approach, while drawing on individuals' strengths. In her capacity as an expert in the field of autism, Susan was featured on Friendly Neighborhoods, a cable television program produced by La Salle University. Susan has presented workshops to both professionals and laypeople on the topic of autism, social communication, early child language, and learning and literacy development. Game Meetup
This event is for kids age 10 to 17, and we will have Legos, board games, WII video games, Nintendo DS and other video games, foosball and air hockey. We encourage participants to bring their favorite games to share and for parents to stay and socialize. Light refreshments will be available. Sunday, February 23 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Every 4th Sunday of the month
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+ Upcoming Dates:
March 22
April 19
May 17
The location of our monthly Chips, Chocolate and Chat gatherings has moved to JCHAI’s Schwartz Campus in Bryn Mawr. Click here for directions to our new location.
Runs simultaneously but in a different room than the adult social group.
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Dr. Alan Schnee is a clinician, author and public speaker on effective autism intervention for young children. He has been working with children on the spectrum for almost 30 years. For 10 years, he ran a center-based autism intervention center in Northern New Jersey and has now moved his work here to Marlton, NJ to meet the unmet needs. He studied under ABA pioneers at Princeton Child Development Institute, and with Dr. Bridget Taylor from the Alpine Learning Group in Bergen County. 
Susan Paul is an American Speech-Language-Hearing Association certified speech/language pathologist with over 35 years of experience. She attended the University of Maryland and received her bachelor's and master's degrees from Temple University and received her teaching certificate from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. 
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