Understanding Autism
2025-06-09 18:00 - 19:00, 2025-07-14 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-08-11 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-09-08 18:00 - 19:00, 2025-11-10 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-12-08 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-01-12 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-02-09 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago) and 1 more date | Virtual Event
Understanding Autism is AuSM’s introductory class. You’ll learn all about the diagnosis, common characteristics, and some basic evidenced-based best practices to support autistic individuals and sensory processing sensitivities. Each session lasts one hour with time for you to ask specific questions.
Who Should Participate
Caregivers, parents, grandparents, group home and day program staff, Personal Care Attendants, and health care staff will benefit from this class. *Note, this is a single-session class. Content is the same for all sessions. AuSM offers these sessions at different times to accommodate as many schedules as possible. When registering, select the session that works best for you.

AuSM Adult Coffee Club
2025-06-10 16:00 - 18:00, 2025-07-08 16:00 - 18:00, 2025-08-12 16:00 - 18:00, 2025-09-09 16:00 - 18:00, 2025-10-14 16:00 - 18:00, 2025-12-09 16:00 - 18:00, 2026-01-13 15:00 - 17:00, 2026-02-10 15:00 - 17:00 and 1 more date | Dogwood Coffee, 2700 University Ave W Suite 100, Saint Paul, MN, 55114, United States
Coffee Club is a space where autistic and neurodiverse adults can connect with each other, foster friendships, and build community while enjoying a favorite beverage and/or snack. Adults are welcome to bring items that make them feel comfortable, can stay as long as they’d like, stim, and parallel play. We ask that participants purchase something from our venues.
AuSM will provide a concierge staff person to help assist with questions, check-in, help with ordering, and manage any issues that arise during the club. AuSM will provide a number of resources, including a social narrative providing club details, parking info, menus, and more. Due to staffing, AuSM is unable to provide one-to-one support, however it is encouraged to bring your own PCA or support person if needed.

Workshop: Demystifying "The Sex Talk"
2025-07-31 09:00 - 12:00 | Virtual Event
Current research undeniably supports the value of comprehensive sexuality education, with benefits ranging from reduced rates of unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections, to decreased instances of sexual harm, to a positive impact on global climate change; however, these important conversations are often not inclusive of autistic and neurodivergent individuals. This is not only because health class is often deprioritized for these students, but also because sexuality topics like consent and healthy relationships are often covered through the lens of unwritten and assumed social rules. This often leaves both autistic individuals and their support system feeling underequipped to discuss important topics like consent, boundaries, healthy relationships, and socially appropriate behaviors within those relationships. This workshop aims to demystify those topics and provide tangible tools for their discussion.

Autism Certification Summer Session
2025-08-22 09:30 - 12:30, 2025-08-29 09:30 - 12:30, 2025-09-05 09:30 - 12:30 | Virtual Event
This certificate program is designed to prepare professionals, educators, caregivers, and service providers, to provide direct support to people impacted by autism. You will gain an in-depth understanding of the autism diagnosis, the issues affecting autistic people, and some of AuSM’s favorite support strategies. This three-part series is ideal for support staff, PCAs, group home staff, educational aides, and anyone who works directly with autistic individuals. Individuals on the spectrum also are welcome and encouraged to attend to increase their self-awareness and to share their unique perspectives. Email education@ausm.org for information about discounted group rates.
Training Objectives

Understand Autism Spectrum Disorder and how autism can affect communication, relationships, and behavior.
Explore the social issues impacting the autism community and how you can help autistic people thrive.
Apply evidence-based practices to support autistic people experiencing challenges.

Who Should Participate?

Job coaches
Support staff
Personal Care Attendants (PCAs)
EIDBI Tier 3 providers
Educational aides
Direct support personnel
Group home staff
Day training and habilitation professionals
Anyone who works directly with individuals with autism
Individuals with autism

Each session is limited to 15 participants. Licensed professionals may submit documentation from the AuSM Autism Direct Support Certification Program to licensing boards for Continuing Education Unit (CEU) consideration (up to 15 hours).

Ride for Hope 2025
2025-09-13 09:00 - 17:00 | The Emporium, 736 Rodeo Dr, Hudson, WI, 54016, United States
FOR 17 YEARS, Ascentek’s Ride for Hope has united riders, families and communities to support a cause that touches countless lives. Together, we’ve raised vital awareness and support for the Autism Society of Minnesota (AuSM). This year, we’re back and ready to ride with purpose, passion and heart! Not a Rider? Join us for dinner and entertainment at Dugarel’s Bar and Grill in Hastings, MN. 100% Proceeds goes to AUSM

10 Affirmations for Parents of Autistic Kids (From a Mom Who Gets It)
2025-09-29 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual Event
Parenting an autistic kiddo comes with plenty of lessons — some hilarious, some heartbreaking, and all very real. Join Miss Shannan Paul — comedian, storyteller, and full-time single mom to her amazing autistic teen — for a session built around 10 affirmations every parent needs to hear.
These aren’t Pinterest quotes or sugar-coated mantras. These are lived-in, laugh-through-the-tears reminders that you are enough, that pauses are not failures, and that progress sometimes looks like crooked haircuts or a rare full night’s sleep.With humor, honesty, and a whole lot of compassion, Miss Shannan shares the affirmations (and the stories behind them) that help her — and hopefully you — keep perspective, release guilt, and find joy on this unpredictable journey. Because yes, it’s hard. But it’s also worth celebrating. And you don’t have to do it alone.

Now and Venn: AuDHD and Overlapping Neurodivergence
2025-10-09 09:00 - 12:00 | Virtual Event
As awareness of neurodivergence grows, more individuals are being identified as having both autism and ADHD, a combination often referred to as AuDHD. This virtual workshop offers an in-depth exploration of what it means to be doubly neurodivergent, focusing on the unique strengths, challenges, and nuances that come with an AuDHD diagnosis.
Led by Beth, an experienced educator and advocate in the field of neurodivergence, the workshop will cover foundational knowledge about AuDHD, including diagnostic criteria, common barriers to receiving an accurate diagnosis, and the interplay between autism and ADHD traits. Attendees will also gain insights into strategies and tools that can help navigate the complexities of living in a world designed for neurotypical individuals. These tools aim to improve day-to-day experiences, enhance quality of life, and foster self-understanding and advocacy.
Whether you are newly diagnosed, suspect you might have AuDHD, or want to better support someone in your life with this dual diagnosis, this workshop will provide valuable information and practical guidance.
Workshop Objectives:

Understand AuDHD Basics: Define what AuDHD is and identify the key traits and behaviors associated with the dual diagnosis of autism and ADHD.
Explore Strengths and Challenges: Recognize the unique abilities, potential challenges, and idiosyncratic traits associated with being doubly neurodivergent.
Learn Diagnostic Criteria and Barriers: Understand the process and qualifications for an AuDHD diagnosis, as well as the systemic, cultural, and individual barriers that can complicate diagnosis.
Discover Practical Tools and Strategies: Introduce tools and techniques to manage daily life, enhance self-regulation, and foster well-being for those with AuDHD.
Promote Advocacy and Self-Acceptance: Encourage self-advocacy and a strengths-based perspective to thrive as a neurodivergent individual in a neurotypical world.

By the end of this workshop, participants will have a deeper understanding of AuDHD and feel empowered with actionable steps to support themselves or others on their neurodivergent journey.

Understanding Autism Through an Intersectional Lens
2025-10-20 18:00 - 19:00 | Virtual Event
Join AuSM’s Understanding Autism class: a free, one-hour session that will give you the essential tools to recognize, respect, and support autistic experiences. Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, professional, or exploring your own identity, this class will help you shift from confusion to clarity with a neurodiversity-affirming mindset.
You’ll learn what autism really means, what it often looks like, and how sensory differences can shape behavior. Most importantly, you’ll walk away with practical, evidence-based strategies to make your support more effective and affirming. Every session includes time for your questions, so you’ll get personalized insights to help you take the next step—whatever that may be.
In this special BIPOC session we will also focus on differentials in statistics, common challenges faced by this community and culturally competent resources.

School Seclusion, Suspension, and Expulsion: What Families Need to Know
2025-11-05 18:00 - 19:00 | Virtual Event
Join us for a conversation on exclusionary discipline in schools with parent and advocate Maren Christenson Hofer, Executive Director of the Multicultural Autism Action Network. Learn about the history of these practices, how they are defined, what the data tells us about who is most affected, parent and student rights, and the current discussions going on at the legislature about their use.

Know Your Rights
2025-11-12 19:00 - 20:30 | Virtual Event
Disability rights are applicable to every area of life, from housing, to education, from employment to public access. Join Jillian Nelson, Policy Director for the Autism Society of Minnesota to learn more about the rights that protect people with autism, how to access those rights and how to seek support if those rights are violated. This session will provide key information and resources and is not meant to provide legal advice or situation specific guidance.

AuSM Workshop - Eating Disorders and Autism: Understanding the Overlap and Supporting Recovery
2025-12-04 09:00 - 12:00 | Virtual Event
Autistic individuals are at significantly higher risk for certain eating disorders—especially anorexia and ARFID—yet their experiences are often misunderstood or overlooked in traditional treatment models. This workshop, co-presented by the Autism Society of Minnesota (AuSM) and Melrose Center, explores the intersection of autism and eating disorders through research, lived experience, and clinical insight.
We’ll examine why eating disorders and autism frequently co-occur, how autistic traits can shape the presentation of eating disorders, and why many conventional treatment models fall short for this population. Attendees will gain practical tools for providing or advocating for more affirming, individualized care—whether you’re a provider, caregiver, or autistic person navigating recovery.

AuSM Workshop - PTSD and ASD: Double Neurodivergence
2026-02-05 09:00 - 12:00 | Virtual Event
Autistic people are likely to experience trauma at a higher rate compared to neurotypicals. Sometimes these traumatic experiences turn into Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD. There has been more research regarding the combination of ASD and PTSD, including how PTSD affects autistic people. PTSD has also been explored as a form of acquired neurodivergence, or how some brains are re-wired after birth. What does it mean to have two forms of neurodivergence? This workshop will go over the intersection of PTSD and ASD, the basics of EMDR (a common trauma therapy), and PTSD as acquired neurodivergence.
