ASCEND Professional Member News

ASCEND's Professional Member: JCHAI Transitions receives the Breaking Barriers Award!
JCHAI Transitions received a Breaking Barriers Award from the Genesis Foundation worth $50,000. The goal of this initiative is to promote inclusion of people with disabilities for young adults 18-30 and to teach them the skills they need to live and work independently in the community. This grant will help continue to grow the programs far into the community beyond the traditional residential supports work that they have been doing for 30 years.

The next JCHAI Open House is on Thursday, August at 6pm where people can meet program directors and then visit JCHAI self-advocates living in their own apartments in their Supported Apartment Program at the Radwyn. RSVP required: Dr. Beth Rosenwasser or 215.498.1270
You can view a four-minute video about JCHAI as well as learn more about JCHAI Transitions: (formerly JCHAI Café) offering young adults classes three nights a week & weekend Trips.

Local ASD News & Events

Autism Society Greater Philadelphia and AMC: Sensory Friendly Movies
AMC is proud to partner with the Autism Society to bring you unique movie showings where you can feel free to be you! We turn the lights up, and turn the sound down, so you can get up, dance, walk, shout or sing!

We are now expanding our Sensory Friendly Film program into four showings per month. Monthly showings are every 2nd and 4th Tuesday and Saturday of the month.

Saturday showings will still be family-friendly movies starting anytime from 10:00am on. Please check your local theater:

AMC Neshaminy 24, Bensalem, Pa 19020 215-396-8050

AMC Franklin Mills 14, Phila, Pa 19154 215-612-2740

AMC Marple 10, Springfield, Pa 19064 610-328-5439

July 22 Spider Man: Homecoming

July 25 War for the Planet of the Apes

Aug 8 The Emoji Movie

In the Media

Calculating the Costs of Curbing Medicaid" (which benefits many persons with disabilities, and their schools)
From: The Wall Street Journal, by Jo Craven McGinty
In his first full budget proposal, President Donald Trump advocates changing the way the federal government funds Medicaid. The fiscal 2018 budget was short on details but endorses a bill passed last month by the U.S. House of Representatives that would restrict Medicaid spending for the first time since the program started in 1965.

Things We Like

Free Expert Incentive Charts Can Boost Behavioral Change - From: Autism Parenting Magazine
Most of us are familiar with reward or incentive charts. Maybe we first came across them as a child, hoping to receive a star for our chart on the kitchen fridge. Or perhaps we learned about them when studying to be a teacher. Whether you call them sticker charts, star charts, or behavior modification or goal charts, the idea is the same: to nudge behavior in a desirable direction.

2017 A- List
Submitted by Karen Krivit
Elwyn's Philadelphia Special Needs Resource Guide (the A-List)

New additions of short films to our Sproutflix catalogue: the largest and most diverse assortment of films featuring people with I/DD on the marketplace:
Brooklyn Love Tales 12 min. / documentary / USA
A personal look into the lives of three couples with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This is the latest film made by Anthony Di Salvo, Sprout's ED.

Navigation 4 min. / dance / Spain
A modern dance performance - Navigating through life makes every human face different situations; some are in favor of and others are against the tide - cutting through the waves of time and always moving forward.

Someone Like Me 9 min. / documentary / USA
Two young adults with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder spend a day exploring Seattle together, and discuss the difficult realities of living with a preventable disability.

Welcome to ASCEND Group

Free ASCEND Events: Chips, Chocolate and Chat: ASCEND's Social Gathering for Adults on the Spectrum

This is a gathering of adults who may be interested in connecting with other self-advocates. While staff are available to help facilitate, participants will collectively guide the nature of the group and how they may like to see the group evolve from a gathering moving forward. Instead of becoming a therapeutic group, this group is intended to provide opportunities for connection and discussion among participants, possibly leading to additional activities based on common interests.
Sunday, 7/23 from 3:30 to 4:30PM
Ruttenberg Autism Center
1740 Walton Road, 1st Floor
Blue Bell, PA 19422
Attendance is free but please RSVP to info@ascendgroup.org

Ruttenberg Autism Center's mission is to provide expert assessment, treatment and support services to individuals and families affected by autism. The Ruttenberg Autism Center offers evaluation and assessment services for people of all ages. E-mail Us or call 484-567-4725.

Free screening of "Swim Team" movie

ASCEND is co-hosting a free screening of the "Swim Team" movie with the Ruttenberg Autism Center on Tues., Aug. 22 at 6 p.m. at the Wissahickon Valley Public Library, 650 W Skippack Pike, Blue Bell, PA 19422. Click here to RSVP.

ASCEND Professional Events Calendar & Professional Directory

ASCEND Professional Member Events
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Professional Members' Offerings:

Social Groups, Support Groups & Workshops

Summer Camps/Programs

Research Opportunities (New studies added!)

ASCEND's MISSION:

To improve the lives of individuals
and families in the Greater Philadelphia area impacted by Asperger Syndrome
and Autism through connections,
community and support.

Support ASCEND today!

As a nonprofit organization, we depend solely on the support of our members.

Member Benefits include:

Discounted admission to ASCEND’s
annual conference
Invitations to ASCEND-sponsored
social events
Inclusion in our Membership
Directory (optional)
Free admission to speaker meetings
Invitation to join our listserv
for message posting (member families only)
Access to the online e-newsletter archive

There are membership level options that make
sense and are affordable for just about anyone.
Please consider becoming an ASCEND member today .

Interested in volunteering? We welcome ASCEND members and non-members to sign up to volunteer on one of our committees. It's a great way to meet other people in our community and to give back!
Please click here to sign up to volunteer.

On this site

An important part of the ASCEND mission is identifying and sharing resources with families, individuals with autism, professionals, educators, and other community stakeholders. We invite you to browse this site for access to regional and national resources in many categories, including advocacy, research, autism in the media, and much more!

Legal Disclaimer: ASCEND maintains the Professional Services Resource Directory as a service to families and professionals as a reference tool. ASCEND does not endorse or claim to have personal knowledge of the abilities of those listed. The resources listed on this page are not intended as a recommendation, referral, or endorsement of any resource or as a tool for verifying the credentials, qualifications, or abilities of any organization, product or professional. Users are urged to use independent judgment when considering any resource associated with diagnosis or treatment of autism, or the provision of services related to autism.

ASCEND Group Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. We do not endorse any specific professional or therapeutic treatment. We are not meant to be a replacement for medical or legal advice. Our mission is to raise public awareness about Asperger Syndrome and related disorders, to advocate for improved education and services, and to provide support and information to the Asperger and autism community. This web site is for informational purposes only. Any link or mention on our web site should not be construed as an endorsement or recommendation. If you have questions about Autism or Asperger Syndrome, please consult with a qualified medical professional.

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