Aspire is offering a series of FREE virtual workshops designed to support parents and caregivers of individuals with ASD/an Asperger profile. Workshop attendees do not need to have a child currently registered in an Aspire program. Interested adults may register for individual sessions or the entire series. Call 781-860-1900 or email Aspire to register. To view the spring parent programming schedule, follow this link.
Sleep Hygiene
Tuesday, February 8th
Time: 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. 
Parents and caregivers will discuss common sleep disturbances for children with ASD, their potential causes, and how sleep (or lack of sleep) impacts your child. Workshop participants will receive recommendations and tools for promoting better sleep.
Autism Burnout
Tuesday, March 15th 
Time: 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Existing literature on the emerging topic of "autism burnout" will be reviewed during this workshop. Participants will learn about potential supports and strategies and share individual experiences. This discussion will be led by a self-advocate's first person account.
Understanding and Managing Meltdowns, 101
Tuesday, March 22nd
Time: 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
This workshop is intended for parents and caregivers of elementary school-aged children with ASD or a similar social profile who are looking for an introduction to the topic of Managing Meltdowns. Participants will review the difference between a meltdown and a tantrum, the anatomy of a meltdown (including typical triggers) and various considerations that might lead to escalation. Participants will learn ASD-informed strategies to help manage each phase of the meltdown.
Understanding and Managing Meltdowns, 102
Tuesday, April 5th
Time: 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
This workshop is intended for parents and caregivers who have already completed the Understanding and Managing Meltdowns 101 workshop or who have had similar experience and exposure to the subject. Participants will review how to spot early meltdown warning signs, and proactive and in-the-moment coping strategies for both parent/caregiver and child. Participants will learn targeted strategies to help manage meltdowns during specific situations (e.g. homework, transitions, bedtime).
Understanding and Managing Meltdowns, 103
Tuesday, April 26th
Time: 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
This workshop is intended for parents and caregivers who have already completed Understanding and Managing Meltdowns 101 and 102 workshops or who have had intermediate level education and exposure to the topic. Participants will review how to build reasonable data collection mechanisms and evaluate patterns, and learn how to use a child’s strengths to reduce frequency and duration of meltdowns. Participants will customize a crisis response plan, develop a proactive stress reduction plan, and learn tips to collaborate effectively with team members and providers to coordinate care. 
Disclosure 101
Tuesday, March 29th
Time: 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
This workshop is intended for parents and caregivers of individuals with ASD or a similar social profile who are looking for an introduction to the disclosure process, concepts, vocabulary, and objectives. Disclosure is more than introducing a diagnosis. Participants will discuss disclosure expectations including learning how to gather and organize diagnostically relevant information to educate your child, and understanding age-appropriate developmental milestones regarding identity and self-awareness.
Disclosure 102
Tuesday, April 12th
Time: 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
This workshop is intended for parents and caregivers who have already completed the Disclosure 101 workshop or who have had similar experience and exposure to the subject. Participants will review existing literature on disclosure focusing on parent perspectives. This includes identifying the positive aspects of disclosure, fears and concerns, learning how to talk about ASD to introduce it effectively to children, and learning how to promote self-awareness through disclosure, which will support self-disclosure and self-advocacy in the future. 
Disclosure 103
Tuesday, May 3rd
Time: 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
This workshop is intended for parents and caregivers who have already completed Disclosure 101 and 102 workshops or who have had intermediate level education and exposure to the disclosure process and core concepts. Participants will discuss how to customize their disclosure road map. This includes planning for challenges or negative emotions, building community and healthy self-awareness, and considering the different contexts of disclosure (e.g. employer, friend, family, acquaintance). 
To Register: Call 781-860-1900 or Email Aspire
Aspire, a MassGeneral Hospital Program, specializes in helping children, teens and adults on the autism spectrum achieve success. Our programming is uniquely designed to help participants with Asperger profiles develop positive self-awareness, stress management and social competency skills so they can succeed at home, school, work and in community settings.