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ASCEND’s Meetup GroupHighlight on an ASCEND Professional:
The Quaker School at Horsham is a compassionate community that builds trusting relationships among students, parents, therapists, faculty and staff. The students at TQS have struggled in traditional schools and come with a pressing need for a safe learning environment where they can confidently face the challenges of learning.
These students have a mix of disabilities: ADHD, learning disabilities, autism, expressive and receptive language disorders, and anxiety disorders. At TQS, we use the latest findings from educational research to guide our curriculum and nurture our students' inherent curiosity and desire to learn.TQS equips students with the skills needed to succeed in secondary school, develop fulfilling personal relationships and lead meaningful lives.The underlying basis for all things at TQS is the fundamental Quaker belief that there is the Light of God within every person, and that we are meant to share that Light through our efforts, our gifts, and our actions.
To learn more about our programming, please contact Lori Boccuzzi: [email protected] or 215-674-2875.
Support ASCEND today!
As a nonprofit organization, we depend solely on the support of our members. Please click on the donate now image above to see the different ways you can support ASCEND Group.
Thank you to ASCEND Board Member Rich Fry for raising $1,325 through Facebook! In lieu of birthday gifts this year Rich asked his friends and family to donate to the ASCEND Group. If you or someone you know would like to set up donations to ASCEND Group through Facebook, here are the steps: Fundraisers for Nonprofits
To create a fundraiser for a charitable organization, click here or follow these steps:
- Click Fundraisers in the left menu of your News Feed.
- Click Raise Money.
- Select Nonprofit/Charity.
- Select ASCEND Group, choose a cover photo and fill in the fundraiser details.
- Click Create.
Calling All Volunteers!
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.
Research Studies
In the interest of promoting autism awareness, we feel it is important to help spread the word about autism spectrum research studies that are being conducted in our area. For the first time, we are giving individuals and organizations the opportunity to advertise their research studies in future ASCEND e-newsletters and on our website, for a nominal fee without first becoming ASCEND members. Use this Research Study Form to submit your study.
Mealtime Experiences Study
The purpose of the study is to learn directly from young adults (18-23 yrs.) on the autism spectrum who have food selective behaviors (i.e., dislike a lot of foods or eat fewer foods than most people their age), about whether and how their food preferences impact their mealtime experiences with family, peers, and/or community access.
Young Children's Knowledge About General Event Representations
We are studying the event knowledge of children with ASD, 6 to 12 years old, for a number of familiar routine, social events, as well as less familiar social events.
The Traits and Social Cognition Study
The goal of this Drexel University study is to learn how people understand moving shapes. This includes how thoughts, feelings, and experiences influence what people see. We are looking for volunteers between the ages 16-35 years who meet one of the following criteria: 1) identify as on the autism spectrum, or 2) have a parent or sibling on the autism spectrum.
Young Children's Knowledge About Categories of Foods
A study on the ability of children, ages 7-12, with an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis to categorize food items.
We are looking for people who are 18 years and older with developmental disabilities to complete a survey asking questions about transportation.
autismMatch is an online registry that can quickly and easily connect interested individuals and families with research opportunities to advance scientists' understanding of ASD and related disorders, such as ADHD, anxiety, 22q deletion syndrome, and others.
Infant Brain Imaging Study (IBIS)
In an attempt to learn about patterns of brain development in children, we are studying the differences in brain patterns between children with autism spectrum disorders and typically developing children. Infants between 3-6 months of age with an older sibling who is diagnosed with an ASD are invited to participate.
Research on Autism and Developmental Disorders (ROADD)
This study will observe young children to learn more about the biological underpinnings of ASD. Children ages 3-5 with or without a diagnosis of ASD may be eligible to participate.
Early Autism Risk Longitudinal Investigation (EARLI)
This ground-breaking study is looking at possible environmental and genetic links to autism. Mothers who have a biological child with ASD or who less than 28 weeks pregnant and who live in the tristate area are being invited to participate in this study.
JAKE App Study
With the use of new mobile app technology, this study aims to develop a mobile app-based system to monitor clinical outcomes in children and adults with ASD vs. typically developing children and adults. Children and adults ages 6 and older with or without ASD may take part.
Facing Puberty: Understanding Menses in Females with ASD
The purpose of this study is to understand the onset, symptoms, and experience of menses for girls with ASD compared to typically developing peers. Girls with and without ASD and one of their parents are being asked to participate.
Welcome to ASCEND Group
ASCEND's MISSION: To improve the lives of individualsand families in the Greater Philadelphia area impacted by Asperger Syndrome and Autism through connections, community and support. ASCEND Adult MeetUp: Bowling Night at Facenda-Whitaker Lanes
Chips, Chocolate and Chat:
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Professional Members' Offerings:
Social Groups, Support Groups & Workshops
Summer Camps/Programs
Research Opportunities (New studies added!)
Professional Member Events:
Fick Educational Services:
Study Skills Strategies and Executive Function Coaching Course
Social Enrichment Center: Now Enrolling Young Adult Transition Sessions
Young Adult Transition Sessions Available for ages 18-21
1hr weekly group sessions available,, meets Mondays from 4-5 PM.
Designed to facilitate the transition from high school to either college or the workforce, this experience will develop the skills necessary to move into adulthood. Weekly sessions are designed to foster overall social skill development as well as guide individuals through the adolescent to adult transition. Sessions can be modified and individualized depending on need. Click on main title link for more details.
Young Adult Transition Sessions Available for ages 21+
1hr weekly groups sessions available, meets Thursdays from 4-5 PM.
Designed to facilitate the transition to, this experience will develop the skills necessary to move into adulthood. Weekly sessions are designed to foster overall social skill development as well as guide individuals through the adolescent to adult transition. Click on main title link for more details.
Autism Spectrum Diagnostics & Consulting: Young Women's Groups
Young Adult Social Encounters and Relationships Group for Young Women starting July 2018 at Autism Spectrum Diagnostics and Consulting in Doylestown, PA. Groups are for ages 15-17 and 18-21.
The group will focus on a variety of topics pertinent to Young Adults on the autism spectrum including: nonverbal communication, maintaining reciprocal conversations, dating and relationships, use of social media, consent, etc. Groups will start second week of July.
If interested in learning more about our Young Adult group and to sign up for our next session please contact Dr. Brittany Lyman.
Attention Providers! CHOP is offering free tele-health consultations for professionals wishing to develop more expertise in autism: regular, convenient access to CHOP experts will help providers increase knowledge about:
- Evidence-based practices for screening, diagnosis and treatment of autism
- Common medical and psychiatric concerns in children with autism
- Successful office visits for children with autism and other behavioral concerns
- Care for your patients in your own practice with the support of nationally recognized autism experts
Learn more about the Project ECHO Autism Collaborative at CHOP.
Sensory Friendly Mornings at the Art MuseumThe Philadelphia Musuem of Art is holding sensory-friendly mornings at the museum. These mornings are designed for families with children on the autism spectrum or who have other sensory sensitivities. The lights, volume and crowds are turned down, but not the fun or creativity for example you can experience Art Splash before we open to the public as well as hands-on activities. Sensory events are free after admission but registration is required. For more information please view our flyer. and reserve your spot at [email protected].
Wednesday 8/22 from 9:00 - 10:00 AM
Saturday 8/25 from 9:00 - 10:00 AM.
ASCEND Membership
Member Benefits include:
- Free admission to one or more meet-ups. To view our 2017 Meet Ups list click here.
- Invitations to ASCEND-sponsored social events
- Inclusion in our Membership Directory (optional and available only to member families)
- Invitation to join our families e-lists (listservs) for message posting (member families only)
- Invitation or join our professionals e-list (listserv) for message posting (professional members only)
- Free, unlimited posting of events, sessions, camps, social groups, etc on our calendar as well as our free, monthly e-newsletter which has 4000+ subscribers (posting for professional members only)
- Access to member only links on our site like our recent information sessions: Choosing the Right Job or Career: Tips for Individuals on the Spectrum and Their Parents, SAP: Autism at Work: The groundbreaking Autism at Work program as well as our e-newsletter archive.
- Referrals of your services to clients who phone us for resources (professional members only).
ASCEND Individual Membership $25/year
ASCEND Family Membership $45/year
ASCEND Professional Membership $160/year
Click to get a printable Membership Form in Word format.
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.
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