Autistic Community Summit
October 14, 2023
Lionsgate Academy, Shoreview Campus
Presented by AuSM and Minnesota Independence College & Community
Autistic Community Summit
Created and curated by autistic people and for autistic people, the purpose of the Autistic Community Summit is to provide a space for community building and sharing the knowledge and perspectives of Minnesota’s autistic community.
Find your community – and your voice in it.
This year we are offering a fully hybrid option, with all sessions and social times offered both in-person and virtually. All our speakers are neurodivergent, although we have invited some neurotypicals to support as moderators of panels.
Thanks to all of you, this event gets better every year, and we can’t wait to share this powerful experience with you on October 14 at our new venue – Lionsgate Academy in Shoreview. Some of Summit’s features include:
- Integrated social opportunities throughout the day, including a social room so you can take a break to meet other autistics at any time during the day
- Lunchtime meet up groups: AuSM will designate spaces to meet up with others who have similar identities and interests so you can connect with others
- Both half hour and full hour presentations incorporated throughout the day to give more people the opportunity to present
Date: Oct. 14, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Location: Lionsgate Academy, Shoreview.
Cost: $35. Scholarships are available. Fill out the application form when you register.
Detailed Schedule
Wondering what to expect at the Autistic Community Summit? Our detailed schedule lets you know what will be happening throughout the day, so you can plan ahead. You can read session descriptions and presenter bios.
Transportation
The Summit venue has plenty of parking available onsite. If you are looking for a carpool option, you can find a sign up linked in the registration form. If you are taking public transit, the closest stop is route 227, which does include a .8 mile walk from the nearest bus stop.
Food
AuSM does not provide lunch at the Summit, however there is a one hour lunch break during the day. You can bring your own food, order through a service like DoorDash or GrubHub, or drive to a nearby restaurant. AuSM also has the option to add on a boxed lunch with your registration ($16-$17).
Accessibility
AuSM is serious about doing everything we can to provide a welcoming, accessible environment for all attendees. This is a general overview of the accessibility and inclusion services and facilities offered at the conference. To help you prepare, we’ve added all our accessibility information to one document. Click below to read!
Code of Conduct
Please note that our Summit is for people who identify as autistic, giving our community an accessible space to share their experiences and wisdom. As a public event, we ask our non-autistic friends and guests to allow as much space as possible for autistic presenters and participants. In general, Summit is not the forum for non-autistic conversation and questions; each moment here can be important for autistics in ways neurotypical people might not see, so we ask that guests hold off on commenting or asking questions during sessions until all autistic participants have had the opportunity to speak and discuss.
Creating Inclusion
AuSM believes that its Autistic Community Summit can be a model for organizations like ours to look to when organizing their own community initiatives and events – particularly in terms of accessibility and inclusion. We’ve thought beyond making our event accessible for guests, because it’s also important to consider inclusion for event organizers, speakers, staff, and volunteers. It takes a neurodiverse village. To make our own Summit as “turnkey” as possible for other orgs to emulate, we’ve carefully articulated our steps and processes in organizing and operationalizing this event in creating this document as a resource for others:
The only event of its kind. By autistics, for autistics.
100+ autistics will gather for community, education, and resource gathering.
Event will feature a keynote presentation, education breakout sessions, and exhibitors featuring autism resources.
Thank you, 2023 Sponsors!
Platinum
Silver
