AHA eNewsletter
Issue 1218 No. 1
Letter to the AHA Community
Dear Community Member:

At the conclusion of our 30th anniversary year we want to thank everyone for their generous support and contributions during our appeal. It brought us together through events, raising funds and awareness of the role AHA plays in our community. The following letter should be read carefully to fully understand the depth of our commitment and new found ability to continue to help our current members and to reach so many more in the future.
 
AHA is delighted to announce that we are merging with the Asperger/Autism Network (“AANE”), another non-profit organization, based in Greater Boston, that is an important resource and thought leader in the Asperger/autism community. We have known, collaborated with, and respected AANE for years and are thrilled to join forces with this highly-regarded and like-minded organization. We anticipate that we will be operating under the name AANE beginning early in the new year.  
 
AHA and AANE have compatible missions, values, and programs. Since 1996, AANE has worked with well over 40,000 individuals, families, and professionals to help people with Asperger Syndrome and similar autism spectrum profiles build meaningful, connected lives. (Read more at AANE’s website: aane.org ). 
 
This opportunity to join AANE enables us to keep our existing programs intact as well as continue to innovate and expand. We want to assure you that after the merger is finalized we will be here to support you in the same ways we always have. The AHA programs and services you rely on will continue uninterrupted, and the same staff and volunteers you’ve come to know and trust will remain available to you after the merger. Our high quality phone and email consultations, support groups, community activities, and conferences all will continue under the name AANE.  We also anticipate that AANE’s broad infrastructure and resources will allow us to gradually expand to enhance existing services in New York to fill gaps and provide vital services for those who currently lack them.
 
We appreciate that so many of you have supported us by investing in a membership in AHA.  All of our current members will automatically become members in AANE at the time of the merger. If you currently hold a one-year, two-year, or lifetime membership in AHA, your membership will convert to a corresponding membership in AANE without taking further action.  
 
We’re already exploring how to make the most of this opportunity to expand our footprint and provide additional essential services in New York. We look forward to building partnerships and collaborating with individuals, organizations, and agencies that share our values. If you have suggestions or can make introductions that might be helpful, please contact me at  pats@ahany.org  or 888-918-9198. If you have ideas around individuals, foundations, or companies who may be interested in financially supporting this effort, please contact AANE’s Director of Development Erica Remi at  erica.remi@aane.org  or 617-393-3824, extension 47.

 Around Town
Autism Awareness Day at Citi Field
SO Fun City
Massapequa Challenger Baseball Program
BIPS - Behavioral Intervention Psychological Services
Neurology Matters in Couple Therapy
Peter M. Friedman Neurodiverse Couples Institute
OT Skills 4 Life

Articles
How Do Women Experience Autism
New Brain Power App Helps Those With Autism Improve Social Skills
Companies Tap Into An Underused But Highly Capable Workforce

Get Involved
Daniel Braun Memorial Camp Scholarship Fund

Media and Theater
Autism Stories

Research
The Seaver Autism Center at Mount Sinai
Virtually Augmented Social Skills Training
Columbia University's Translational Medicine Program- aV1ation Study
Columbia University's Translational Medicine Program- Autism Biorepository
Hofstra University Research
Clemson University Research

Resources
AHA Support Groups
Spectrum Services
Spectrumly Speaking
Aspies For Social Success
Parent to Parent
Around Town
Autism Awareness Day at Citi Field with the NY Mets

SAVE THE DATE! Tickets on sale soon.
Sunday, April 28 th  @ 1:10 pm
Mets vs. Milwaukee Brewers
SO Fun City

New Winter Schedule just launched for after school programs at www.SOFunCity.com . Now offering SO Magic, SO Messy, SO Games and SO Yummy! First timers may use code AHA50 to take $50 off any 4 week program registration. Click on flyer for more information or contact Josh at besocial@sofuncity.com. Classes begin January 7, 2019.
BIPS - Behavioral Intervention Psychological Services

Social Skills Groups for children and teens ranging in age from 7-18. PEERS Social Skill Training program (ages 12-18) and Children’s Friendship Training (ages 7-11). Intensive 14-week (ages 12-18) and 12-week (ages 7-11) programs for children and their parents. Both the child and a parent must be available to attend classes weekly. May be covered by insurance. To setup a screening: http://bipservices.com
Massapequa Challenger Baseball Program

Special needs children and young adults given an opportunity to enjoy the benefits of Little League baseball at a level structured to their abilities. We provide all levels of baseball (skilled, moderately skilled and unskilled) to special needs children and young adults 3 pm Sundays May-June and Sept-Oct. For more information visit h ttp://www.massapequachallenger.com or call Al Freise at 516-541-4677.
Neurodiverse Couples Skill Building Workshop

The workshop is interactive, fun, and has been well received by many neurodiverse couples over the past 5 years. The focus is to help couples who seem to speak different languages and understand the world so differently improve their abilities to communicate, understand each other, and connect. Date: TBD on a Saturday 9:30 am-4:00 pm Location: Spectrum Services, NYC, $500/couple. More information http://gracemyhill.com, or emai l . Click for here for flier
The Peter M. Friedman Neurodiverse Couples Institute

AANE offers online courses that teach how to effectively work with neurodiverse couples in therapy. These interactive and comprehensive online training courses teach therapists about the different needs of neurodiverse couples and how to treat this unique population in therapy. Training for couple therapists and resources for neurodiverse couples. Learn more about Neurology Matters here or click on the logo to learn more about the institute.
OT Skills 4 Life

Addressing all occupational therapy-related goals while children engage in use of materials that mimic real-life. Sensory room, kitchen, laundry area, grocery store, money station with cash register, and writing center are utilized to provide a learning experience that promotes functional independence for each child. Now accepting children ages 7-14. Mon,Tues, Wed 3:30 pm-7:30 pm, Sat 11:00 am-1:00 pm http://otskills4life.com
Articles
How Do Women Experience Autism

Elle Magazine - Australia, written by Laura Sams. Helen Hoang was 33 when her daughter's preschool teacher suggested the little girl might be on the autism spectrum. "When she started talking about the symptoms, I thought, 'Oh wow, that's me.'" Hoang, the daughter of workaholic parents, says her family was "too tired to notice or care when I listened to the first 17 seconds of  Madonna's   'Papa Don't Preach' on repeat for hours, or avoided the neighborhood children because I didn't know how to play with them." But that conversation with her daughter's teacher was something of an "aha" moment—it sent Hoang on a "journey of exploration" that resulted in her own diagnosis on the autism spectrum at the age of 34. Read more .
New Brain Power App Helps Those With Autism Improve Social Skills

The Download Blog - CNET Download.com, written Jonathan Greig. As AI usage in education grows rapidly, more companies like Brain Power are using technology to help those struggling with autism. Read more .
Companies Tap Into An Underused But Highly Capable Workforce

The Boston Globe, written by Katie Johnson. People considered to be "neurodiverse" - those on the autism spectrum, or with OCD, dyslexia, or communication disorders - often have unique abilities to see patterns and focus on repetitive tasks. Read more.
Get Involved
We would be honored if you made AHA your designated charity. Go to smile.amazon.com every time you shop and AHA will receive a .05% donation of all your purchases. Please share with family and friends!
Daniel Braun Memorial Camp Scholarship Fund

Proceeds will be used to assist children on the spectrum who wish to attend sleep-way camp. Camp was instrumental in enabling Daniel to achieve an independent and fulfilling life. Click here to make a tax-free donation. 
Media and Theater
Autism Stories

Alex Plank, founder of Wrong Planet , strives to unite and support people to live, thrive and succeed with autism. The first video network entirely dedicated to autism. Stay tuned for updates and s tart your free trial now https://www.autismstories.com
Research
The Seaver Autism Center at Mount Sinai

An exciting neuroscience research opportunity for individuals ages 2 to 50 with autism spectrum disorders. All research tasks are completely non-invasive, and participants will be compensated for their time. If you are interested in participating, or would like to know more about the research, please contact Christopher McLaughlin at Fossfeiglab@mssm.edu  or call 212- 241-3172. Click here for flyer .
Virtually Augmented Social Skills Training

Providing free social skills training using the Program for the Education and Enrichment for Relational Skills (PEERS) for families with an adolescent diagnosed with high functioning autism spectrum disorder.  Two four month periods from January to August 2019 (enrollment is currently underway). For additional information, click on the image for flyer or email doctoral candidate Kevin Ambrose at the CUNY Graduate Center at  kambrose@gc.cuny.edu  
Columbia University's Translational Medicine Program

Located at the Center for Autism and the Developing Brain (White Plains, NY) is recruiting children ages 5-17 with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and an IQ above 70 to participate in the aV1ation Study, a clinical trial. The purpose of this study is to test whether an investigational medicine, called Balovaptan, improves social functioning in children with ASD. Participation lasts up to 39 weeks and families will be reimbursed $50 per visit.  For more information contact Micah Davoren: 914-997-5587 / md3636@cumc.columbia.edu or click here .
Columbia University's Translational Medicine Program
Located at the Center for Autism and the Developing Brain (White Plains, NY) is recruiting individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) from 4-10 years of age, their siblings from 4-10 years of age, and their biological parents under 70 years of age to participate in our Autism Biorepository. The purpose of this study is to determine genetic factors that influence the development of autism. Participants will be reimbursed. The study consists of one visit to our lab and lasts between 2-3 hours. If you would like more information or would like to participate in the research study, you can email Elizabeth Aaron at ea2781@cumc.columbia.edu or call her at 914-997-5242 or click here .        
Hofstra University's Saltzman Community Services Center

This study is for adults ages 18+. The study's purpose is to help adults increase their socialization, and will take place on Tuesdays at 7:30 pm in a group format. Projected start date is January 2019. Click here for more information.
Clemson University Research

The purpose of our project is to explore how adults with Autism use everyday objects. The research we collect may help us to understand more about the factors that impact the way various individuals perceive and use objects. Each participant will be asked to respond to a series of questions about the functions of certain everyday items via questionnaire. All participants that complete the survey will be offered a $15 amazon e-gift card. For more information read flyer here . Click to take the survey here .
Resources
AHA Support Groups a re for parents, family members, caregivers and individuals on the autism spectrum. There is no fee to attend AHA support meetings. All are welcome and pre-registration is not required. 2019 AHA Support Sheet or visit ahany.org for the most up to date information.
Spectrum Services   in Midtown Manhattan offers specialized therapy services for clients with Asperger's, autism, anxiety, trauma, and multi generational family and couples needs by the o ver two dozen experts in Asperger's and related conditions   here. Located within blocks of Penn Station at 303 Fifth Ave., Suite 1003 Articles  by the professionals   here. Groups currently available   here .
Spectrumly Speaking - podcasts d edicated to women on the autism spectrum, produced by Different Brains®. Hosts: Katherine Cody, Psy.D. (a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in people on the autism spectrum at Spectrum Services ) and  Becca Lory, CAS, BCCS an autism advocate who is on the spectrum, discuss topics, news, personal stories, and interview voices from the autism community. More info   here . 
Aspies For Social Success, AFSS  - a peer-run organization providing support, social groups, and cultural events, to adults 18 plus with Asperger's Syndrome. or an Autism Spectrum Disorder or difficulty with social communication. Groups currently available   here .
Parent to Parent of New York State is a supportive network of families reducing isolation and empowering caregivers to navigate and influence service systems and make informed decisions. More info  here .  
Membership in AHA vs the AHA eNews
 
Membership in AHA   supports the eNews, free support meetings, talks, and subsidizes our conferences. It also allows us to offer scholarships for membership and conferences to families or individuals.  

The AHA eNews   is a service to our members and the ASD community. Receiving the AHA eNews does not mean that you are members of AHA. Consider supporting our organization by joining.   CLICK HERE TO JOIN NOW
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