AASCEND‘s annual potluck picnic in the Park is coming up on September 20. All are welcome for an afternoon of informal socializing and games with our community. This year’s picnic will be held from noon to 3:30 at tables 7 – 9 in Hellman Hollow in Golden Gate Park. We will have food and drink, but bring something to share if you can. No RSVP is necessary. Set-up begins at 11:30 AM.

We look forward to seeing you—it’s always a lot of fun!

Who: Adults on the spectrum, family, professionals and friends all welcome!
When: Sep 20, noon – 3:30pm, setup at 11:30am
Where: Hellman Hollow, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco map   

Here is a link to the following program.

Coming up on September 6, AASCEND‘s Job Club presents Sara Trail of Connected Employment — a person-centered employment program that empowers neurodivergent individuals and their support systems with knowledge about employment options. Sara will be talking about

• Paid Internship Program
• Career Pathways
• Job Readiness
• Entrepeneurship Training

Job Club facilitators Dan Middleton and Michael Bernick will lead a roundtable discussion with Sara.

The link to the Zoom presentation will be emailed to our newsletter subscribers (click here to subscribe) in the days before the event. There is no need to register for this event.

Sara Trail, M.Ed. has an extensive background in education and has worked with many neurodivergent individuals, primarily those with developmental disabilities. Since earning degrees from UC Berkeley and Harvard, Sara has continued to serve and advocate for neurodivergent individuals in navigating their housing, education readiness, and employment opportunities. a deep understanding of individual strengths.

As usual at AASCEND meetings, attendees on the autism spectrum will offer their experience and perspectives throughout the program. 

Who: Autistic adults, family members and professional who work with them are all welcome.
When: Sat Sept 6, 10 – 11am (Pacific Time)
Where: Online via Zoom, link will be emailed.

Contact info@aascend.org with any questions.

Do you care greatly about the quality of mental health care for neurodivergent youth? Stanford invites interested neurodivergent youth (13-21), parents, and professionals who work with them to participate in an important new project about this. A small stipend is offered to participants. Community participation is central to the project. Please click this link if you are interested in joining this community-academic partnership. There will be an informational session about the project, via Zoom this Wednesday Aug 6 at 4pm Pacific. This will be a good chance to learn more and to share input. Please click this link to join the meeting. Details below.

On Saturday August 16 AASCEND will host a Kickoff Board Game Social Mixer at the SF Arc (address below). Come as you are. Snacks and new board games will be provided. Bring your own game if you have a favorite. This is a great opportunity to make new friends and to meet old friends while having a blast playing board games with them! The meeting will be in-person only. Click here to RSVP so we can plan refreshments.

GAME DAY!

Who: Adults on the autism spectrum, families, mentors and professionals all welcome. For more information, please contact: info@aascend.org
When: Sat Aug 16, 10am – 12:30
Where: The Arc of SF 1500 Howard St. @ 11th St. SF, CA 94103 (enter on 11th St) map

(Stanford, cont’d): Stanford is excited to share that a group there is starting a new research project entitled “Community Engagement Research in Improving Mental Health Equity Through Neurodiversity-Informed Culturally Equitable (NICE) Interventions in Autistic Youth.” 

The aims of the study are to (1) engage autistic youth, families, and community stakeholders from diverse backgrounds to identify culturally specific mental health needs, barriers, and strengths using a participatory design thinking approach, (2) co-develop and refine Neurodiversity-Informed Culturally Equitable (NICE) mental health interventions that are responsive to the lived experiences, communication styles, and cultural values of autistic youth, and (3) pilot-test the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of the NICE interventions in real-world community clinic settings to inform future large-scale implementation and evaluation.

In Phase 1 of the study, we invite autistic youth and young adults (ages 13 to 21), their families, mental health providers, and primary care providers to join our community-academic partnership. Please click this link to indicate your interest in joining the partnership.

We will hold an Information and Listening Session on August 6, 2025 (Wednesday) at 4 pm Pacific Time. We will focus on the first phase of the study in this meeting. Please click this link to join the meeting.

Here are the slides for this presentation.

The August 2 AASCEND Job Club will focus on listening, reflecting, and taking away tools that can help in job conversations, interviews, or day-to-day life.

Career advice often says to “sell yourself” or “build your brand,” but that kind of language can feel confusing, inauthentic, or overwhelming. This session offers a different approach—one that creates space for clear communication, real strengths, and ways of speaking about yourself that don’t rely on overused buzzwords or vague generalities. It can also feel uncomfortable or even embarrassing to talk about what you’re good at, or to acknowledge your accomplishments out loud. You are not alone in that.

Career coach and strategist Kelly Roehm will guide participants through a simple, practical framework for talking about work, skills, and identity in everyday language. Together, we’ll explore how to describe your contributions, how you approach tasks, and why it matters all in a way that feels natural and grounded in who you are.

The Zoom link will be emailed to AASCEND subscribers in the days before the event. There is no need to register.

Kelly Roehm is a career coach, resume strategist, and founder of gumption, a coaching practice that helps people show up with confidence, stand out with purpose, and step into what’s next. She supports individuals, organizations, and communities by helping people find clarity, advocate for themselves, and communicate their value with confidence. Her approach is practical, encouraging, and always people-centered

As usual at AASCEND meetings, attendees on the autism spectrum will offer their experience and perspectives throughout the program. 

Who: Autistic adults, family members and professional who work with them are all welcome.
When: Sat Aug 2, 10 – 11am Pacific Time
Where: Online via Zoom, link will be emailed.

Contact info@aascend.org with any questions.

Here is a recording of the following presentation.

At AASCEND‘s July 12 Job Club, Devon Morgan and Jose Escobar of Futures Explored speak on the value of job coaching. Devon and Jose will talk about the following topics:

1. What is Job Coaching?
2. What a Job Coach does
3. Five benefits of Job Coaching
4. Who can benefit from using a Job Coach
5. Return On Investment for employers
6. How it works and how you get started
7. Futures Explored services
   Employment Training Program
   Tailor Day Services
   Supported Employment
   Created Art Studio

The link to the Zoom presentation will be emailed to our newsletter subscribers (click here to subscribe) in the days before the event. There is no need to register for this event.

As usual at AASCEND meetings, attendees on the autism spectrum will offer their experience and perspectives throughout the program. 

Who: Autistic adults, family members and professional who work with them are all welcome.
When: Sat July 12, 10 – 11am (Pacific Time)
Where: Online via Zoom, link will be emailed.

Contact info@aascend.org with any questions.

ATTENTION Job Club Participants! The recent presentation by Tiffany Jameson shut down before we could gather the email addresses put in the chat. Our apologies! If you want a copy of Tiffany’s presentation please email Daniel.Middleton@catalight.org .

On Saturday June 14 (NOTE: NOT the usual 3rd Saturday) AASCEND presents Sheraden Nicholau of the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, speaking on the timely and very important subject of proposed cuts to Medicaid, and what can be done to protect this crucial program. Have you wondered how proposed changes to Medicaid could affect your community? Sheraden will help break down what is happening in Congress, and how these policies could impact the lives of Californians. She will cover:

• What is happening with Medicaid at the federal level
• How these changes could impact Medi-Cal, IHSS, regional centers, and more
• What YOU and your network can do to help protect essential services

The link to the Zoom presentation will be emailed to our newsletter subscribers (click here to subscribe) in the days before the event. There is no need to register for this event.

Sheraden Nicholau leads statewide and region-specific projects with a Bay-Area-based team, executing the California State Council on Developmental Disabilities’ core functions of advocacy, capacity building, and systemic change. The State Council on Developmental Disabilities (SCDD) is established by state and federal law as an independent state agency and ensures that Californians with intellectual and developmental disabilities are guaranteed the same full and equal opportunities for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness as all Americans.

With over 20 years in the disability services, policy, and advocacy space, Sheraden has held both lead and individual contributor roles in cross-sector and intra-industry advisory committees, task forces, and collaboratives, effecting change in inclusionary practices, policy and legislation. She has used her completion of the CA Peace Officers Standards and Training’s Instructor Certification Course (AICC) and Instructor Training Course (IITC) to provide developmental disabilities specific crisis intervention training for law enforcement and first responders in the state.

As usual at AASCEND meetings, attendees on the autism spectrum will offer their experience and perspectives throughout the program. 

Who: Autistic adults, family members and professional who work with them are all welcome.
When: Sat June 14, 10 – 11am (Pacific Time)
Where: Online via Zoom, link will be emailed.

Contact info@aascend.org with any questions.

Here is a recording of the following presentation.

Next up for AASCEND‘s Job Club, on June 7, Dr Tiffany Jameson speaks. She is the founder of Grit & Flow, employment consultants serving the needs of the neurodiverse. The company’s aim is to “dismantle the one-size-fits-all approach to employment and replace it with a tailor-made strategy that values each individual’s unique contribution.”

Tiffany will be joined by Job Club facilitators Dan Middleton and Michael Bernick, and will engage in discussions with attendees.

The link to the Zoom presentation will be emailed to our newsletter subscribers (click here to subscribe) in the days before the event. There is no need to register for this event.

Dr. Jameson is a neurodivergent individual and the mother of neurodivergent children. She has a Ph.D. in Psychology, an MBA, and a B.S. in Computer Information Systems and Business Administration. She has developed LinkedIn Learning courses such as Autism in the Workplace, Supporting Your Neurodivergent Colleagues, and ADHD: Strategies for Success in the Workplace. She regularly speak at conferences across the U.S. and abroad.

The “I Work Best When…” Framework is a comprehensive guide designed to empower neurodivergent professionals to identify, communicate, and advocate for their optimal working conditions. Developed by grit & flow ™, this framework encourages individuals to understand their learning and working preferences, communicate their needs clearly, and partner with employers to implement accommodations that benefit everyone. It covers the evolution of self-advocacy from early education to workplace environments, offering actionable strategies and tools for sustained professional success and inclusion.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Self-Awareness – Participants will learn to identify their unique working styles, strengths, and sensory needs that support their productivity and well-being.
2. Effective Communication – Participants will develop the language and confidence to articulate their working preferences and advocate for accommodations that foster their success.
3. Collaborative Problem-Solving – Participants will practice framing self-advocacy as a partnership, co-creating solutions with employers to enhance team performance and innovation.
4. Lifelong Advocacy – Participants will understand that self-advocacy is an ongoing journey and learn strategies for adapting and refining these skills throughout their careers.

As usual at AASCEND meetings, attendees on the autism spectrum will offer their experience and perspectives throughout the program. 

Who: Autistic adults, family members and professional who work with them are all welcome.
When: Sat June 7, 10 – 11am (Pacific Time)
Where: Online via Zoom, link will be emailed.

Contact info@aascend.org with any questions.

Here is a video recording of the following program, and supporting materials.

Do you find yourself constantly going back to check that you’ve turned off the stove or locked the door? Do you struggle with fear of germs or insist on following very specific routines? Some of our members notice signs like these—of OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) along with their autism. On May 17 AASCEND will dive into this subject, with clinician Allie Garza as our guide. Come share your own experiences with this condition, and learn more about it.

The link to the Zoom presentation will be emailed to our newsletter subscribers (click here to subscribe) in the days before the event. There is no need to register for this event

Alie Bernard Garza, LCSW (she/her) is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and founder of OCD & Anxiety Colorado, specializing in evidence-based, neurodivergent-affirming care for adolescents and families. She has extensive experience treating OCD, anxiety, and related disorders across all levels of care, including outpatient, IOP, PHP, residential, and crisis services. Alie has held clinical and program development roles at the Portland Anxiety Clinic, the OCD Institute Texas (formerly the McLean OCD Institute Houston), and the University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine OCD Clinic.

She earned her Master’s in Social Work from the University of Washington in Seattle and is a national Advocate with the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF). Alie brings both clinical expertise and lived experience with severe OCD and ADHD, and is driven by a mission to expand access, reduce stigma, and support lasting change for young people and their families.

As usual at AASCEND meetings, attendees on the autism spectrum will offer their experience and perspectives throughout the program. 

Who: Autistic adults, family members and professional who work with them are all welcome.
When: Sat May 17, 10 – 11am (Pacific Time)
Where: Online via Zoom, link will be emailed.

Contact info@aascend.org with any questions.

Here is a video recording of the following presentation.

On May 3 AASCEND‘s Job Club presents Lucia Rios, Workforce Navigator Program Manager at Salesforce. Lucia will speak to these topics:

* Workforce Navigator program
* Independent living
* Salesforce ECO system
* Mentorship and training

Lucia will be joined by Job Club facilitators Dan Middleton and Michael Bernick, and will engage in discussions with attendees.

The link to the Zoom presentation will be emailed to our newsletter subscribers (click here to subscribe) in the days before the event. There is no need to register for this event.

Lucia was born with spina bifida and is a wheelchair user. She has dedicated her career to disability advocacy and creating inclusive opportunities. With over 15 years of experience supporting individuals with disabilities in workforce development and self-advocacy, she now serves as the Workforce Navigators Program Manager in the Office of Accessibility at Salesforce. In this role, Lucia coordinates a virtual mentorship program and identifies training opportunities to help individuals with disabilities build meaningful careers within the Salesforce ecosystem. She continues her mission to advance equity, inclusion and access in the workplace

As usual at AASCEND meetings, attendees on the autism spectrum will offer their experience and perspectives throughout the program. 

Who: Autistic adults, family members and professional who work with them are all welcome.
When: Sat May 3, 10 – 11am (Pacific Time)
Where: Online via Zoom, link will be emailed.

Contact info@aascend.org with any questions.

Together again! It’s time to get out, breathe the fresh air, and celebrate Autism Advancement Month with each other on Saturday April 19! This time AASCEND offers beautiful Crystal Springs Reservoir, a destination closer to people in the South Bay, but still an easy reach from San Francisco and the East Bay. The walk is level and follows a paved bicycle path flanking the beautiful waters, so it’s also ideal for anyone with mobility challenges.

We’ll meet at 11am on Saturday, April 19, at the Sawyer Camp Trail South Trailhead (Red pin on the map), at 950 Skyline Blvd in Burlingame, near the corner of Skyline (CA-35) and Crystal Springs Rd. a. Click map for detail. There is plenty of parking along Skyline and a few toilets along the way. NOTE: The walk is at 11am, not the usual 10am AASCEND meeting time. We plan to eat together along the way, so bring a lunch and something to drink. (Water may not be available.) Dress for the weather, whatever it may be. If weather threatens check the AASCEND.org website to be sure the walk is on.

It will be great to walk, talk and celebrate Spring together. See you there!

Who: Adults on the spectrum, family, professionals and friends all welcome!
When: Saturday, Apr 19 2025 at 11:00 AM
Where: 950 Skyline Blvd, Burlingame (red pin on map above) near the corner of Skyline Blvd (CA-35) and Crystal Springs Rd.

Contact info@aascend.org with any questions.