April is Autism Acceptance Month, a time to move beyond awareness and take meaningful action toward inclusion and support for autistic individuals. From Awareness to Acceptance In 2008, the United Nations General Assembly established April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day, which was initially focused on finding…
The Minnesota autism community has a new hometown hero to root for—Eva Erickson, a proud Eagan native, lifelong hockey player, and PhD candidate, who is now making waves on the 48th season of Survivor. But beyond her impressive athletic and academic accomplishments, Eva’s story is one of resilience, determination, and…
We’re thrilled to share that the Autism Society of Minnesota’s (AuSM) 2024 Annual Report is now available for you to explore. This report is a reflection of the incredible work we’ve done over the past year—work made possible by our dedicated community, partners, and supporters. Inside…
AuSM has long been committed to fostering a more inclusive and supportive autism community. In 2024, through the Family-to-Family Grant funded by the Minnesota Department of Human Services Disability Services Division, we have continued to expand our reach by building meaningful partnerships with organizations…
We’re excited to announce that registration and fundraising for Steps for Autism 2025 are officially open! Mark your calendars and get ready to walk, fundraise, and celebrate our autism community. Funds raised through Steps for Autism stay local, supporting AuSM’s summer camps, counseling services, education efforts, training,…
For many autistic and neurodiverse adults, finding spaces that feel comfortable, welcoming, and inclusive can be challenging. Socializing in traditional settings can often feel overwhelming or inaccessible. Recognizing this need, AuSM launched Coffee Club in 2023, a monthly gathering designed…
In addition to AuSM’s partnerships with other organizations, it is also an essential part of our organization to collaborate with community members. In 2024, this commitment to collaboration was exemplified through our NeurodivergArt initiative,…
For over a decade, AuSM has proudly partnered with the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) to support the Navigating MSP program. This initiative, a collaboration with the Metropolitan Airports Commission and Fraser, offers travelers with autism and other disabilities an…
Over the past two years, AuSM has made significant strides in improving accessibility across our events, online spaces, and office environment. As a disability organization, we know that it is essential to model inclusivity and accessibility in a truly meaningful…
In 2024, AuSM made a significant leap forward in its mission to provide essential educational resources to the autism community. Since 2020, AuSM has moved nearly all workshops and classes to a virtual format, and in 2024 we increased the number of workshops offered in order to reach more participants…