As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP) and a Chartered Special Needs Consultant (ChSNC), these designations have provided Pat with the knowledge and expertise to address the unique circumstances and requirements of planning for families that have dependents with special needs, the core focus of his practice. Special Needs Planning addresses these key areas of planning: protecting & maximizing government benefits, creating the correct estate planning framework and analyzing funding strategies to provide for lifetime care & quality of life in the most tax-efficient manner possible. To view our upcoming Spring 2019 Workshops click here.
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.
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.
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 Family Experiences with Wandering Study The purpose of the Family Experiences with Wandering (“FEW”) study is to improve the medical community’s understanding of why wandering behavior occurs and how to prevent it. Compensation for your time.
Transportation Survey 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.
Marybeth Harmer is the Educational Director at A Step Up Academy (ASUA), a private, not-for-profit school for children with autism. ASUA has two locations, one in Jenkintown that services Kindergarten through 6th grade, and a second location within the Meadowbrook School in Meadowbrook, PA which houses a preschool and a learning center designed for high levels of inclusion opportunities.
Surviving and Thriving Support Group: Keeping the focus on your well-being. A group that helps you navigate what it's like to have a child diagnosed with autism.
Contact [email protected] for more information.
Serves individuals with sensory processing disorders, autism spectrum disorders, learning disabilities, dyslexia. The Total Approach team includes occupational therapists, speech language pathologists, and physical therapists working with each client in a holistic manner, believing that each client has the ability to learn in his/her own unique way.
Our goal is to support individuals on the Autism Spectrum and their families throughout the lifespan. We focus on services that improve outcomes through early identification, education, inclusion, advocacy and increased independence. We provide comprehensive diagnostic, psychoeducational and neuropsychological evaluations of children, adolescents and adults using evidence-based tools such as the ADOS and ADIR. We have social skills groups, facilitated play groups and Lego based social skills groups for children.Our practice provides sexuality education groups for adolescents and adults and classes on social literacy where individuals work with social mentors. Adult support groups discuss issues such as disclosure, workplace supports and interpersonal relationships. Educational workshops are provided for parents on topics such as college selection and supports for ASD students. The clinical team has more than 20 years of experience providing therapeutic support and promoting autism awareness and education in the Philadelphia community.
Sexuality Education Group
Parent Workshops
Lego Social Skills
Social Literacy Classes
After School Game Club
Social Scholars
Thinking Friendship
Being Buddies
Lego-based Social Skills Group Summer Session in Doylestown, PA - Openings for Children Ages 6-7, 8-9, 10-12, and 13-15 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. Groups are developed based on the child's age, language abilities, and goals for the group.
Camp Akeela is a co-ed, overnight sleepaway camp with locations in Vermont and Wisconsin. Within a well-rounded, traditional camp program, Akeela is a small, supportive community that helps campers improve their social skills. Our campers are bright, creative boys and girls ages 9 - 18 who have difficulty connecting with their peers. Many, but not all, of our campers have been diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome or a non verbal learning disability.
We offer top-notch instruction in dozens of activities, from swimming and boating to outdoor adventure, farm & garden, community service, athletics and an extensive arts program. Campers take comfort in the structure and predictability of the program, but also thrive when given a chance to pick their own activities.
Akeela is an intentional community that values and celebrates each child and staff member. Campers make life-long friends, develop self-confidence, achieve independence, feel pride in their accomplishments, and leave camp with lasting memories filled with fun and spirit.
Vermont: Two sessions of 3.5 weeks each.
Wisconsin: Two sessions of 2 weeks each.
The Art of Friendship Social-Coping Skills Program (AoF) provides social-coping skills groups for children & teens ages 4-19. Groups focus on the unique needs of participants: social cognition, anxiety, impulse control, frustration tolerance/anger management, conversation, play, social media, navigating unstructured situations. Mike Fogel's AoF curriculum (also at Camp Pegasus) offers clear and memorable social-coping skills lessons. Participants experience modeling & role play, conversation practice, team-building activities, free play or group projects, depending on the age and development level of the group. Great attention and care is given to ensure that children are placed with appropriate peers, ensuring maximum success. During the school year, girls groups & boys groups are available in Paoli, Plymouth Meeting, Haverford, & Center City. In summertime, Camp Pegasus provides small groups with low staff ratios, social success, friendships, and fun.
Developmentally focused social-coping groups for children and teens between the ages of 4-19. Girls groups, boys groups, and co-ed groups are available. The program provides direct instruction in social-coping skills, modeling and role play, interwoven with conversation practice, team-building activities, play and/or group projects. A reward system and a positive social coaching approach make the groups a fun and comfortable place for children and adolescents to develop friendships and learn skills. Great attention and care is given to ensure that children are placed with appropriate peers in order to ensure maximum success.
Locations: Center City Philadelphia, Plymouth Meeting, Paoli, and Haverford, PA.
Camp Pegasus: The Intensive Social Skills Day Camp on the Main Line
Carroll-Ratliff Counseling Services provides expert counseling for people on the spectrum. Parent coaching and sibling support are also provided. Some services offered are individual therapy, family counseling, group counseling, home visits/ consultations, and evaluations. Services are individualized for the person and family being served.
The Center for Autism Research (CAR) is a collaborative effort between The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and the University of Pennsylvania. As one of the largest and most comprehensive autism research centers in the world, our mission is to understand the causes of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in order develop more effective treatments. CAR is also committed to serving the needs of families living with ASD through evidence-based education, guidance and clinical services. We developed the CAR Autism Roadmap (www.carautismroadmap.org) to help families answer questions about life with autism and to connect them with resources in their community, whether they are new to the diagnosis or have lived with it for years.
CAR also developed www.autismMatch.org to connect families with studies that are a match for them! Families who participate in CAR research receive comprehensive assessment reports and are paid for their time and some travel expenses. Learn about CAR at www.centerforautismresearch.org.
Find a full listing of our upcoming events at http://www.centerforautismresearch.org/newsandevents/
Speech production involves the intricate coordination of the entire vocal tract including the respiratory system and all of our articulators. Our evidence-based, multi-sensory approach therapy is utilized to treat a multitude of speech disorders.
As defined by the American Speech and Language Association (ASHA), a language disorder is "an impairment in comprehension and/or use of a spoken, written, and/or other communication symbol system." The therapists at Communication Imaging use our optimal knowledge and expertise to facilitate our clients linguistic needs