April 2020
Distribution 4,457
As Americans and nations around the globe continue to react to the coronavirus pandemic, our hearts are with those who have been directly affected, as well as those whose lives have been turned upside down as a result of social distancing. As we gain more insight about the virus and read personal stories on social media, we realize that certain groups are more acutely impacted than others. Such is the case with parents caring for the 1 in 54 children with an autism spectrum disorder. Fortunately, there is Alison Singer, President of the Autism Science Foundation, a passionate and tireless advocate who devotes her life to providing educational resources and supporting the science that seeks a cure.
 
STA WIF is honored to share Alison’s article in this month's newsletter, and we respectfully encourage you to learn more. 


Supporting the Autism Community During the Coronavirus Crisis
President, Autism Science Foundation

We at the Autism Science Foundation realize this is an incredibly challenging time for the thousands upon thousands of people who are stakeholders in our work to support autism research. In recent weeks, we have taken several steps to provide these individuals and families with direct support. All families are struggling to adapt to the “new normal” of distance learning, but families raising children with autism are dealing with unique challenges. Children with autism who need stability and insist on “sameness” are finding their routines completely upended. Special education students, many of whom have severe behavioral issues and are used to working one-on-one with a highly trained teacher, are now at home with their parents. Physical therapy, occupational therapy and social skills training protocols are hard to replicate on Zoom. 
  
We have compiled an extensive list of resources that address the wide variety of issues these families are facing. These include tips for meeting these children’s unique educational needs, strategies for behavior management and valuable information on navigating the healthcare system. There are also resources on managing mental health, for both individuals with autism and their family members. We are constantly updating this list with the hope of assisting as many families in crisis as possible.

All families are struggling to adapt to the “new normal” of distance learning, but families raising children with autism are dealing with unique challenges. Children with autism who need stability and insist on “sameness” are finding their routines completely upended. 

While this support to families is crucial, we haven’t forgotten about the autism research community. With laboratories and universities shut down, the research world has changed overnight, and many talented scientists are in limbo as they try to make sense of how to continue their important work with limited facilities and without access to people with autism to participate in clinical trials.

Announced last week, our new Pivot Grants initiative is meant to help cover new costs encountered due to modifications of an original research plan as a result of the current shutdown across research institutions. These changes range from anything from fully readjusting the research plan to paying for storage of previously acquired biological agents and implementing technological tools to collect data from families remotely. Scientists have been forced to adapt on the fly, and we want our funding mechanisms to match this nimbleness.

These are just a few of the ways ASF is providing resources to the autism and science communities alike. We remain dedicated to our mission and are actively looking for ways to continue expanding our efforts during this crisis, so keep an eye out for more updates in the weeks ahead.

These are challenging times for us all. While our ability to hold events and travel the country as autism advocates is curtailed for the time being, members of the community need our support more than ever, and we will continue to provide it as best we can. Be well and we hope to see you soon enough.
Open Call - Unlock Your Inner Entrepreneur

It's a centuries-old proverb: Necessity is the mother of invention . As we enter the second month with roughly 90% of our industry in quarantine, individuals have been forced to create novel solutions to fit their unique situations.

For many of us who have spent our entire careers in a structured corporate culture, we have discovered certain skills that are typically associated with entrepreneurs. Learning more about how to become an entrepreneur at this extraordinary and unprecedented time can be beneficial regardless of whether you plan on returning to corporate life or you are thinking about starting your own dream business.

Join us for a conversation on how to unlock your inner entrepreneur.

Featuring:
Eleanor Beaton
Advisor & Entrepreneur


May 6, 2020
4:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. ET
(register & a webinar link will be sent
on Tuesday May 5th)
Articles of Interest
             
The Diversity Imperative: Why We Need More Women and People of Color in Finance
Thrive Global
Last year, a part of Wall Street called “structured finance” funded nearly a half-trillion dollars of loans to consumers and businesses across the country. As the Structured Finance Association, the Washington trade association that represents this industry before policymakers and the public, we have plenty on our plate.

Women in Finance Are Rising—at Last
Barron's ($)
The members of the inaugural Barron’s 100 Most Influential Women in U.S. Finance  list are impressive for their numerous achievements. But their accomplishments are even more remarkable in an industry that has been slow to fix the dearth of women in powerful roles. There has been some notable change. Executives have made great strides in acknowledging the problem. 

9 Ways You Can Support Gender Equality From Your Home
World Economic Forum
The COVID-19 pandemic is not just a health issue. It’s a profound shock to our societies and economies. It has drastically altered everyday life as we know. And while we are all in it together, as it happens in any crisis or pandemic, women are being impacted by COVID-19 in different and less visible ways.

Women and the Hidden Burden of the Coronavirus
The Hill
Stephanie Morgan can’t remember exactly when she knew something was wrong. But for the mother living in the epicenter of the U.S. coronavirus outbreak, the shift from working parent coordinating summer camps and enforcing screen time to staring at the next six weeks as a homeschool teacher for her three kids came suddenly. 

Gender Equality Matters in COVID-19 Response
UN Women
The COVID-19 pandemic is not just a health issue. It is a profound shock to our societies and economies, and women are at the heart of care and response efforts underway. As front-line responders, health professionals, community volunteers, transport and logistics managers, scientists and more, women are making critical contributions to address the outbreak every day.

7 Habits of People who Keep it Together During Uncertain Times
The Ladders
I am in awe of a former co-worker. Despite a pandemic and recession, he’s acting like the calm and peaceful internet monk...How an earth can anyone be so calm and be talking about opportunity? Everybody else I’ve asked jumps straight into their own tragic story...Even Oprah is sounding shaky in these uncertain times.
Save the Date:
STA 87th Annual Market Structure Conference
       October 7-9, 2020
JW Marriott Washington DC
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