As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP) and a Chartered Special Needs Consultant (ChSNC), these designations have provided Pat with the knowledge and expertise to address the unique circumstances and requirements of planning for families that have dependents with special needs, the core focus of his practice. Special Needs Planning addresses these key areas of planning: protecting & maximizing government benefits, creating the correct estate planning framework and analyzing funding strategies to provide for lifetime care & quality of life in the most tax-efficient manner possible. To view our upcoming Spring 2019 Workshops click here.
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 $1,325.00 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.
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.
The Family Experiences with Wandering Study The purpose of the Family Experiences with Wandering (“FEW”) study is to improve the medical community’s understanding of why wandering behavior occurs and how to prevent it. Compensation for your time.
Transportation Survey 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.
Our Sponsors
September 2018
Save the Dates! Upcoming ASCEND Events:
Sunday, 11/18 ASCEND Workshop at Congregation Or Ami, Lafayette Hill
ASCEND's Upcoming Events
ASCEND Group Brains Vs. Games MeetUp Come out to test your brain power by playing board games such as Yahtzee, Trouble, Checkers, and card games like UNO & Crazy 8s. Make new friends! Have fun! Light refreshments will be offered!
How to find us: just off the Rt. 202 Exit for Paoli Pike, across from the West Goshen Shopping Center, as if headed to Chester County Hospital
Chips, Chocolate & Chat Adult Social Group A group of adult self-advocates who with the help of a facilitator, discuss topics chosen by the group. Topics that have been addressed include dating, co-workers, break-ups, meet-ups, interviewing for jobs, etc. In the past, we have had a few guest speakers who have addressed the group as well.
ASCEND Game MeetUp for Tweens & Teens This event is for kids age 10 to 17, and we will have Legos, board games, Wii video games, Nintendo DS and other video games, foosball and air hockey. We encourage participants to bring their favorite games to share and for parents to stay and socialize. Light refreshments will be available. Sun., 9/30 from 2-4 PM Social Enrichment Center 542 Wesley Rd., Springfield, PA 19064 How to find us: The Social Enrichment Center is located at Hancock Methodist Church in Springfield. Entrance has red doors. Free event but RSVP before 9/27 viameetup.com(free) and SEARCH for ASCENDGroup Event.
ASCEND Group College Panel Discussion ASCEND Group presents a panel discussion with college staff members as well as students on the autism spectrum who attend these colleges. The panel will discuss resources, share their experiences, and offer their advice and insight into college life.
Therapy Bridges provides private and school-based occupational, physical, and speech therapy services for both children and adults. Our mission is to provide quality services that are contextually focused and use best practices. We believe it is essential to implement assessment and intervention processes that support the child or individual, as well as their families in enhancing quality of life and participation in meaningful daily activities and interactions. Services are individualized to the needs of the client and involvement of families/caregivers and school personnel is viewed as essential. We value evidence-based practice and support research and training of future therapists necessary to implement best practice .
Our therapists have advanced training in: Sensory Integration, Neuro-development treatment, Myofascial Release, Listening programs, Vision therapy, Yoga, Feeding & Social Skills interventions.
For more information or to schedule a visit, please contact us: email us or call (610) 395-2880.
ASCEND Professionals Events
Special Needs Planning Workshop
Please Join Us!
Our complimentary workshops are focused on empowering and educating families who have dependents with special needs giving them clear, actionable information that can be used to understand and build a responsible financial lifestyle. Our small and interactive seminars are led by popular financial speaker, Pat Bergmaier, and they provide a comfortable setting in which attendees can learn how to take control of their present and future financial planning. As a follow-up, individual meetings may be scheduled to focus on your personal financial situation.
Interested in your organization hosting a workshop for your families? Should your employer potentially be offering one of these workshops on location? Please email Pat: Pat Bergmaier, CFP®, ChSNC or call 215-317-4143.
Family Support Group: Reframing Expectations: Setting and Achieving Realistic Outcomes in Postsecondary Living, Jordan Hollander M.Ed BCBA, Clinical Development Director, Kaleidoscope Family Solutions. Using a person-centered approach combined with the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis, Jordan Hollander will focus on rethinking values, identifying strengths, and how to start teaching your family skills that are essential for success in the real world. Peer Support Group: Strengths, Interests and Dreams Equal Life Pizza Served.
You're in high school, looking at going to college. Lots to think about. For students like my son and I, there's the additional wrinkle of neurodiversity-autism, ADHD, or dyslexia. How does that shape school decisions?
Children with autism were able to improve their social skills by using a smartphone app paired with Google Glass to help them understand the emotions conveyed in people's facial expressions, according to a pilot study by researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine.
Years of uncertainty - that's what you might face if your child is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and clinicians struggle to find the right treatment to address specific symptoms. But there's a different scenario: A genetic test quickly identifies the cause of your child's disorder. This unique key - coupled with extensive research on thousands of other children with autism - then unlocks the answers that will guide your child's treatment today and affect all of their tomorrows.
In August, I spent a picture-perfect day in Wildwood, New Jersey, for "They Will Surf Again," a free, one-day event that helps people with disabilities go surfing.
Intellectual Disabilities and Autism Help-Line
Do you need help accessing services and supports for someone with an intellectual disability or Autism? A collaboration of Catholic Social Services-Developmental Programs. The Office for Persons with Disabilities and the Schools of Special Education of the Archdiocese is offering this convenient help-line to assist families connect to disabilities services provided by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.To reach the Help-Line, call 484-472-5041 or email:[email protected]
Local ASD News & Events
6th Annual Autism Awareness Event in Autumn
Exceptional Families of Exceptional Children (E.F.E.C.) and Elmwood Park Zoo are teaming up to bring the community an Autism Awareness Event in Autumn! Elmwood Park Zoo is looking to expand the community's understanding of autism and Exceptional Families of Exceptional Children is looking to show families all of the wonderful resources available in this area. Join us for resources, information and family fun! Sat., 9/22 from 11 AM-2 PM. Elmwood Park Zoo 1661 Harding Blvd., Norristown, PA 19401
In the Fall, 2013, two teenagers decided to start a special needs tennis clinic for area students. Tennis Buddies Squad, now in its sixth year, has provided stress-free tennis instruction with a fun-filled experience for all participants. Fully staffed by volunteers, this is a free clinic for all our athletes. We are a USTA adaptive tennis registered program.
All ages with varying abilities are welcome to join our seven-week fall program. We meet on Saturdays from 12-1 PM at the tennis courts, Montgomery County Community College, Blue Bell, PA. Email us to sign up at [email protected] If you would like to join us, please fill out a release form and a participant form and bring it with you to the first clinic.
Mealtime Experiences Study For 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).
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.
Transportation Study We are looking for people who are 18 years and older with developmental disabilities to complete a survey asking questions about transportation.
autismMatch This is a research registry in which children and adults with or without ASD are asked to create a profile in order to be matched with currently enrolling research studies.
Infant Brain Imaging Study (IBIS) Infants between 3-6 months of age with an older sibling who is diagnosed with an ASD are invited to participate.
Early Autism Risk Longitudinal Investigation (EARLI) 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 Children and adults ages 6 and older with or without ASD may take part.
Autistic Women with who have given birth within the past 10 years in an acute care setting such as a hospital and had no complications in themselves or with their baby are invited to participate.
Legal Disclaimer: ASCEND maintains the Professional Services Resource Directory and e-newsletter 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.