Oct. 15, 2019 News for the Minnesota autism community.
AuSM Featured Articles
Visit Chuck E. Cheese's during MEA Friday and support AuSM
Visit a Chuck E. Cheese’s location near you on Oct. 18 (the Friday of MEA weekend!) from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. or Sunday, Nov. 3 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and support Autism Society of Minnesota programs and services for our local autism community. Mention AuSM at the register, and Chuck E. Cheese’s will donate 20% of your purchase to AuSM. Chuck E. Cheese’s features a video arcade with interactive games, pizza and an all-you-can-eat salad bar, and performances by the one and only Chuck E. and his gang. All Minnesota locations are participating in these fundraising days for the local autism community. Wear a costume to the October fundraiser and you will receive 50 free tickets. Click here to find a location near you.
AuSM offers free mini-workshop about using technology for support
The autism community is invited to participate in a free 2-hour AuSM Skillshop on Tuesday, Oct. 22. Held at AuSM's office in St. Paul, "Technology as Support" will feature presentations from Joshin, Kinuu, and Rem5 VR Lab. Technology is constantly evolving, and new technology allows for new possibilities. In addition to being fun and engaging, technology can be used to provide support and build new skills for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other neurodiversities. In this AuSM Skillshop, hear from three different businesses that have used technology in innovative ways. This AuSM Skillshop is being offered at no charge; however, registration is required. Click here to register.
Support AuSM on Give to the Max Day 2019
On Nov. 14, Give to the Max Day 2019, supporters of the Autism Society of Minnesota and those affected by autism in Minnesota will come together and donate to AuSM in support of programs and services that enhance the lives of those in the local autism community. 100% of all Give to the Max Day donations will stay local, growing advocacy, education, support, collaboration, and community building.

Donations from Nov. 1-14 will count toward AuSM's Give to the Max Day 2019 goal. Don't want to wait to donate? You can donate any time to support AuSM's programs and services for the local autism community. Click here for more information and to donate.
Submit a proposal to present at the 25th Annual Minnesota Autism Conference in April
Please consider submitting a proposal for presentation during the 25th Anniversary year for the state autism conference! The conference will take place at the Minneapolis Marriott Southwest April 22-25, 2020. Click here to download the Call for Submissions for the 2020 conference. Proposals are due Nov. 15, 2019.
AuSM Education
AuSM's fall social skills classes for ages 8+
AuSM classes and activities offer low-stress, accepting environments that promote learning and growth while celebrating neurodiversity. AuSM programs are conducive to youth and adults who fall within the wide range of the autism spectrum. Social skills classes are staffed at a 1:4 staff-to-participant ratio. If an individual is able to participate safely in a program but requires more support than 1:4 staffing provides, the individual may bring a Direct Support Professional (DSP). The DSP will be responsible for supporting the individual with communication, behavior, and daily living skills. Call 651.647.1083 ext. 22 or e-mail education@ausm.org for more information. AuSM is committed to making your class experience positive and rewarding. Click on the below links for more information and to register.

AuSM Skillshops available in-person and as live-stream in 2019-2020 season
AuSM is pleased to announce that six 2019-2020 AuSM Skillshops will be available through a live-stream Internet broadcast, thus making content accessible to a more broad-based audience. Participants may purchase an individual session or all Internet streaming sessions that cover a wide variety of topics. Sessions purchased for live-stream viewing will be available in real time only and will not be accessible after the AuSM Skillshop has taken place. All 12 AuSM Skillshops in the 2019-2020 season also are available for in-person participation. Click here for more information about the complete line-up of AuSM Skillshops and for more information about the new live-stream options.

Life with Autism and Understanding Autism classes
Life with Autism Series
Nov. 16, 2019: Childhood (10 mos.-10 yrs.)
Dec. 7, 2019: Adults (18+ yrs.)


Understanding Autism and Best Strategic Practices
Nov. 21, 2019 from 4-6 p.m. 
Jan. 20, 2020 from 2-4 p.m. 
March 14, 2020 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. 
May 4, 2020 from 6-8 p.m.

Learn with AuSM Skillshops and Certification

FREE AuSM Skillshop!
Oct. 22, 2019
Technology As Support
Location: AuSM

Nov. 12, 2019
Let's Talk About It: What Everyone Should Know About Disclosure
Location: AuSM and Live-Stream

Dec. 3, 2019
Promoting Independence and Self-Determination
Location: Lionsgate Academy, North St. Paul


AuSM’s Autism Direct Support Certification Program is designed for professionals who work with individuals with autism or those who want to better provide support to people on the spectrum. This in-depth, 15-hour course will give practical solutions for working with people on the spectrum.

Winter 2020 Session
Saturdays from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Jan. 11, 18, 25, 2020

Spring 2020 Session
Mondays from 6-9 p.m.
March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, 2020

AuSM Resources, Counseling, and Consulting
AuSM Counseling
and Consulting Services
The AuSM Counseling and Consulting Services team works in partnership with you to develop a plan based on your needs. For many, working with mental heath service providers is a new experience; we want you to feel comfortable and knowledgeable as we strive for positive, individual-focused goals.
Uniting the Community Events
On the heels of the successful first publication of AuSM’s Guide to Sensory-Friendly Minnesota, AuSM has started work on the second, 2020 edition. The guide, created to be a reference tool for families and individuals with autism and other sensory sensitivities, will include articles about the importance of community inclusion and how sensory-friendly accommodations lead to welcoming environments. It also will contain a calendar guide of sensory-friendly community events and activities offered throughout Minnesota in the coming year.

AuSM currently is accepting event and activity listings for the second edition. If you know of a business or organization that offers sensory-friendly events or activities, please encourage them to complete the 2020 listing form. Click here to access the online listing form. Listing submissions for the 2020 guide are due Nov. 25, 2019. A paper form can be accessed here. Advertising space, which includes enhanced listings, also is available.

The second edition of AuSM's Guide to Sensory-Friendly Minnesota will be available in January 2020.


Below is a highlight of upcoming events; more details about these and all 2019 events and activities are available at the above link.

Oct. 15: Sensory Jump Night, Pump It Up Eden Prairie
Oct. 16: Autism Friendly Early Entry, Como Park Zoo & Conservatory
Oct. 16: Academy of Whole Learning Activity Day, Minnesota Zoo
Oct. 17: Intelligent Lives Film Screening Arlington Hills Library
Oct. 17: Academy of Whole Learning Activity Day, James and the Giant Peach at Stages Theatre
Oct. 18: Children's Theatre Company Sensory-Friendly Performance of Circus Abyssinia
Oct. 18: Third-Friday Dances, St. Louis Park Recreation Center, Reach For Resources
Oct. 18: Academy of Whole Learning Activity Day, Apple Jack Orchards
Oct. 20: Sensory-Friendly Sundays, Three Rivers Parks District: Lowry Nature Center
Oct. 20: Sensory-Friendly Sundays, Three Rivers Parks District: French Visitor Center
Oct. 20: Sensory-Friendly Sunday, Science Museum of Minnesota
Oct. 20: SPARK at the Science Museum of Minnesota
Oct. 20: Sensory-Friendly Day, Duluth Children’s Museum
Oct. 21: Intelligent Lives Film Screening, George Latimer Central Library
Oct. 26: Ghostly Gala Halloween Party, Brooklyn Park Community Center, Reach For Resources