Workshops
AuSM workshops are offered throughout the year and offer insight from experts on autism-related topics. You’ll find information for family members, educators, professionals, and of course autistic individuals.
Featured Workshop: Gestalt Language Processing Part 2
This three-hour training is a deeper dive into the use of Natural Language Acquisition supports for students who are gestalt language processors (GLPs). Part 1 is available for purchase as a recording.
Featured Workshop: Cognitive Accessibility
This presentation will cover the basics of cognitive accessibility and cognitively accessible formats when writing for autistic people and other people with IDD.
Upcoming AuSM Workshops
All workshops are presented virtually unless otherwise noted.
All AuSM members receive a $20 coupon towards a class or workshop of their choice!
Please note that pricing is listed as follows:
- NM=Non-member
- M=Member
- A=Autistic individual
March 19
7-8:30 p.m.
Speed Friending for Teens with MNeurodivergent
Cost: $25 (NM), $15 (M), $10 (A)
Location: Lionsgate Academy Shoreview, 599 Cardigan Rd. Shoreview, MN 55126
AuSM is partnering with MNeurodivergent to host a speed friending event. Based on the concept of speed dating, you’ll get the chance to meet tons of new people in a quick and structured way. We’ll break up into groups: each group will sit on one side of a table and be paired with another group to talk to each other for 3-5 minutes. Once the time is up, the people on one side of the table then get up, move one seat down, and then start talking to the next person on the other side of the table. You’ll be able to tell event organizers who you felt connected with and they’ll put you in touch with any mutual matches! This workshop is for ages 13-18.
About the Presenter: MNeurodivergent is a social club rooted in a vision of bringing neurodivergent Minnesotans together to build meaningful connections. Its core principle is to foster an environment where all are treated with dignity and respect regardless of ability or preference.
May 21
7-8:30 p.m.
Minnesota Service Navigation presented by Jillian Nelson
Cost: $25 (NM), $15 (M), $10 (A)
Join Jillian Nelson, AuSM’s Community Resource and Public Policy Advocate, as she discusses the nuances of Minnesota service navigation. Jillian will also provide her own perspective of service navigation as an autistic adult. Learn what services are available and which ones may work best for you and your loved ones. Services vary on an individual and family basis; Jillian is not able to provide what an individual will qualify for in services. However, she can walk you through what the process is like and how to find out what someone qualifies for in the state of Minnesota.
About the Presenter: Jillian Nelson (she/her), Community Resource and PolicyAdvocate for the Autism Society of Minnesota, was diagnosed with autism as a young adult. With a degree inhuman services and a background in self-advocacy, she has dedicated her career to helping others with autism achieve their goals, advocating for system change, and spreading a message of education and autism acceptance. Nelson currently sits on The Governor’s Council for DevelopmentalDisabilities. She also has worked in employment services, helping others with autism secure and retain appropriate, successful employment.
June 18
6-7:30 p.m.
Helping Your Child with ASD Learn to Ride a Bike presented by Alex Uhler
Cost: $25 (NM), $15 (M), $10 (A)
Location: AuSM office parking lot, 2380 Wycliff St. Saint Paul, MN 55114
Challenges with body awareness, balance and motor control, and hand-eye coordination can make riding a bike difficult. Learn a number of tips for successful bike riding including purchasing equipment, making bike adjustments, breaking down riding into smaller steps, clothing protection, practice makes perfect pedaling, staying positive and patient, and working toward the sense of independence and accomplishment that your child will experience when learning to ride his or her own bike.
Note: This workshop is limited to eight children, ages 5-12. If someone outside of this age range is interested in attending, please email education@ausm.org to discuss if it will be appropriate. Support adult and child attend together. Child should bring bike and helmet.
About the Presenter: Alex Uhler is an outdoor enthusiast with more than 40 years of bicycling experience.
THIS WORKSHOP IS FULL. Please contact Eric Ringgenberg at eringgenberg@ausm.org to be added to a waitlist.
Accessing ASD Supports and Services in Minnesota
Available to watch at your own pace, in your own space, in your own time at no charge. Increase your awareness of and access to the range of services and supports available to people with autism in Minnesota.
- Minnesota Department of Education (MDE)/Metro Educational Service Cooperative Unit (ECSU)
- Minnesota Department of Health (MDH)
- Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) and Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS)
- Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS)
AuSM Workshops are sponsored by our Premier Partners
AuSM Scholarships
AuSM wants to make its programs and services available to as many individuals as possible. Scholarships for AuSM Social Skills classes and Camps, AuSM memberships, workshops, the Annual Minnesota Autism Conference, the Autistic Community Summit, and more are available for those who qualify. Scholarship applications are available on registration forms for events and activities where scholarship dollars are available.
Waivers
Check with your county case manager to learn if your selected class, camp, or program can be paid for under the Consumer Directed Community Supports (CDCS); Brain Injury (BI); Community Alternative Care (CAC); or Developmental Disability (DD) waivers. By registering for an AuSM class, camp, or program, you agree to pay in full any amount not covered by the Third Party Payer.
Cancellation Policy
Notification of cancellation: If an event or class is cancelled or postponed, AuSM will attempt to notify you via phone, using the phone number provided with your registration. We also will post notice of cancellations and postponements on www.ausm.org.
Cancellation by registrant: Refunds less a $25 processing fee will be given for cancellations received in writing to info@ausm.org ten business days prior to the start of the event or class. Following this date, no refunds will be given. Requests for transfer of registration to another individual will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Cancellation by program organizer: AuSM reserves the right to cancel an event or class due to low registrations or other circumstances that make the event or class non-viable. If AuSM cancels an event or class, registrants will be offered a full refund. If the event or class is postponed, registrants will have the option to either receive a full refund or transfer registration to the same event or class at the new, future date.