Welcome

Thanks for visiting our website. We’re glad you found us!

Our goal is to provide support to individuals on the autism spectrum and their families through educational programs, support groups and social gatherings. You’ll find information about our mission, upcoming programs, professional members, and a variety of resources on issues such as education, employment, advocacy, etc.

We hope the information on our site is helpful for you and your family. If you have any questions about the ASCEND Group, please send a message to [email protected]

Upcoming Events:


Chips, Chocolate and Chat Gatherings for Adults and their Caregivers
(virtual for the foreseeable future and free for members and non-members)

For adults on the spectrum and their parents/caregivers (families will attend a simultaneous, but separate session)
Upcoming 2021 Sundays:  3/7, 4/18, 5/16,  6/13
Sessions: 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Contact us to RSVP (link provided only to those who contact us).



IMPROV CLASS (for adults and limited to 10 participants)

Fridays, March 12 at 6:30 PM via Zoom.
Free, but registration is required.

 

New! Virtual Support Group for Parents & Caregivers of Teens

Every 3rd Tuesday, 7:00 - 8:15 p.m. Next session: March 16
Click here to view our video with Margot Stein, marriage and family therapist who will facilitate these groups.
Sessions are free for members and $10 for non-members.  Join now!

ASCEND Group Webinar: Self-Care for Parents and Caregivers

Tuesday, March 23, 7:00-8:15 PM
Register: http://bit.ly/ASCENDSelfCareWebinar

This webinar will discuss strategies that may help parents and caregivers to balance the important self-care occupations/activities in their life during this uncertain time. How can parents care for their children with special needs and still carve out important time for themselves. Presenter: Adele Breen-Franklin, OTD, JD, OTR/L, is an Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy at the University of the Science.

 Camp Akeela: Autism & Asperger's Social Skills Summer Camp 

Camp Akeela is now accepting application for Summer 2021 and spots are filling quickly!
See our How to Apply page for more information. Use this link to review COVID-19 plans for next summer.



Check out Hill Top's amazing summer programs designed for students in grades 2 through 12. There's also a new Esports program in the curriculum.

 ASCEND Professional Events


Love with Limits, part 2: Transform Your Child’s Non-functional/Unacceptable Behavior to Positive Coping & Cooperation
Free session, March 24, contact for link.


Upcoming Special Needs Zoom Workshops
Complimentary workshops 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. 

Friday March 5 7:00 PM - hosted by National Autism Association!

Thursday March 18, 6:30 PM - hosted by Rose Tree Media School District! Email for link.

We will be hosting a Special Needs News at Noon every Wednesday, at 12 Noon to discuss special needs planning topics!



Adult Sensory Processing Disorder: Free Consultation

Sensory difficulties that were unidentified in younger years, can continue to persist into adult years. Areas impacted may include:

  • choosing a vocation based on their profile and not on their abilities, causing them to feel like they “under-perform” consistently in their lives
  • Some may have tried to go to college, but their executive functioning difficulties caused them to have to leave and not finish school
  • Feelings of intimacy in relationships may also have caused them to have difficulty maintaining it

To read about our approach, testimonials and to schedule a free consult, please click the link above.