AuSM’s Coffee Club launched in 2023, providing regularly-scheduled opportunities for autistic adults in our community to socialize, create and build bonds, and meet new people on an ongoing basis at Dogwood Coffee in St. Paul. “It was instantly popular,” said Daren Howard, AuSM’s deputy director, in…
In October 2023, AuSM piloted a family camp session for Somali and Oromo families affected by autism. Anyone who’s been to camp knows it’s a powerful experience, but we now know that summer-camp feel comes on just as strong in the fall – during just one long weekend.
Jean Bender’s profound impact on the autism community was heralded by many of her colleagues at AuSM’s annual meeting of its Board of Directors, staff, and community in February 2023. Jean stepped away from AuSM’s Board after a decade of compassionate service during which she held nearly every…
AuSM furthered its collaboration with the Autism Society of Greater Wisconsin throughout 2023 as co-hosts of virtual conference content in April and as co-presenters of our popular workshop, Language Development in Neurodivergent and Other Gestalt Language Processors in December. Beginning during Autism Acceptance Month, AuSM and…
As a free service to our community, AuSM provides practical advice for individuals and families struggling to navigate systems, understand options, and obtain services and support to fit their needs. In 2023, we added a vital component to our Information and Resources services: texting.
After her presentation at the Minnesota School Social Workers Association’s 2023 fall conference, AuSM Therapist Sara Lahti was approached by audience members who made a point of saying how neurodivergent-affirming her presentation was. Sara’s presentation, “Helping Autistic and Neurodivergent Children Through Trauma,“ was a discussion…
Minnesota’s 2023 legislative session brought historic progress from lawmakers in the ongoing work to eliminate subminimum wage in Minnesota, advocacy that AuSM supports. The Task Force on Subminimum Wages – co-chaired by Jillian Nelson, AuSM’s Community Resource and Policy Advocate – made several…
In recent years, autistic adults have shared how important it is for them to receive care from neurodiversity-affirming providers. Neurodiversity refers to the fact that human beings have a wide variety of minds, sensory systems, and ways of processing the world. To be a neurodiversity-affirming provider means not simply accepting…
The Autism Society of Minnesota (AuSM) has curated a wide-ranging slate of autism experts and self-advocates as presenters for its 2024 Minnesota State Autism Conference, returning April 17-19, 2024. Keynote speakers include Joyner Emerick, Dr. Devon Price, and Dr. Paula Kluth. AuSM’s conference will also feature 28 breakout sessions…
AuSM’s June 6 Workshop, Plain Language and Easy Read: An Introduction to Cognitively Accessible Formats, is a must-see for everyone who wants to create more accessible flyers, articles, handouts, and other materials. Hosted by Donnie TC Denome, this presentation will cover the basics of cognitive accessibility and cognitively accessible formats…