Help AuSM continue to be Minnesota's First Autism Resource

During this time of uncertainty, schedules are changing frequently, routines are disrupted, and days are unpredictable. We know that life in flux is especially hard on the autism community. We feel it, too.

Through all of this uncertainty, people like you are helping AuSM continue to be Minnesota’s First Autism Resource. Our services are needed more now than ever.

Our community is relying on AuSM’s essential programs and services – mental health therapy, our Information and Resources hotline, autism-specific pandemic guidance, and more – to enhance the lives of those with autism in Minnesota. Your investment now will help ensure that AuSM will remain a constant through this unprecedented time and into the months and years ahead.

We are grateful for your generosity and commitment to our local autism community and AuSM during this extraordinary time.

We can't do this without you. Please donate today.

P.S. April is National Autism Awareness Month, but at AuSM, it’s Autism Acceptance and Appreciation Month. COVID-19 will not stop us from celebrating this amazing community. Give today to help our community thrive.

Autism Societies of Minnesota and Greater Wisconsin announce virtual conference

Unprecedented times call for creativity, collaboration, and community. The Autism Societies of Minnesota and Greater Wisconsin are proud to announce a first-ever joint conference that will be brought to you virtually April 30-May 2, 2020. Get access to the keynote speakers, breakout sessions, and exhibitors you have known through our live conferences, but from the comfort and safety of your own home. The combined conference will feature more than 30 cutting-edge topics and will include live and on-demand educational and resource-gathering opportunities that will be available to you April 30-May 2 and at your leisure for up to six months after the conference dates.

If you registered for AuSM's previous in-person conference, we will be reaching out to you soon. For more information about and to register for the Stronger Together in 2020 virtual autism conference, click here.

Autism prevalence rate now 1 in 54 CDC reports; 1 in 44 in MN

The Centers for Disease Control’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network released its biennial prevalence report today that one in 54 U.S. children has an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This reflects an increase over the previous report of one in 59. Also consistent with previous findings, boys are more than four times as likely to be identified with ASD than girls.

These estimates from the ADDM Network are based on data collected from health and special education records of children living in 11 communities across the United States during 2016. Information was collected on 8-year-old children because previous studies have shown that, by this age, most children with ASD have been identified for services.

MN-ADDM, part of the ADDM Network, monitors the prevalence of ASD and of intellectual disability (ID) in parts of Hennepin and Ramsey counties. MN-ADDM collects ongoing data on ASD prevalence in MN communities and provides ASD prevalence estimates every two years.

In Minnesota, the prevalence rate for autism is one in 44, the third highest rate of the 11 data collection sites throughout the country. Minnesota data was collected from Hennepin and Ramsey Counties only, which is where nearly one-third of Minnesota’s population base lies. This new prevalence rate is similar to the previous study which identified prevalence as 1 in 42.

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Support the local autism community when you shop Amazon

With the shelter in place order from Governor Walz, many will be turning to online shopping to purchase essentials and other items to keep busy during time at home. When you shop Amazon, please select the Autism Society of Minnesota as your charity of choice for the Amazon Smile Program. Click here to choose AuSM as your preferred charity, shop as usual, and a percentage of your purchases will be given to AuSM to support programs and services for the Minnesota autism community. Thank you!

AuSM's Guide to Managing Self-Quarantine and Social Distancing

As we work through these unprecedented days altered by the COVID-19/coronavirus pandemic, AuSM is here for you. You may be feeling anxious over changes in routines, unsure about how to handle social isolation and distancing, and nervous about copious and often conflicting information available through the news and social media. You are not alone. AuSM has created a Guide to Managing Self-Quarantine and Social Distancing for adults with autism. Obtain tips for managing your mental health, activities to stay busy, creating a routine, socializing remotely, working from home, and more. The guide is available for free on AuSM's website, along with other resources to help you through these unpredictable days. Click here to access the guide and other resources.