Nov. 1, 2019 News for the Minnesota autism community.
AuSM Featured Articles
Support AuSM on Give to the Max Day 2019
Though Nov. 14, 2019 is the actual Give to the Max Day, donations given Nov. 1-14 count toward the total. Give to the Max Day is Minnesota's day of giving, and we at AuSM encourage you to consider donating to AuSM in support of programs and services that enhance the lives of those in the local autism community. 100% of all donations made to AuSM stay local, growing advocacy, education, support, collaboration, and community building. Donate Nov. 1-14, 2019 and your dollars will be doubled up to $18,078 by our Give to the Max Day match fund created by Pentair Foundation, Games by James, the AuSM Board of Directors, and other community supporters.

Shake Shack locations rally for AuSM on Nov. 14
Enjoy a delicious meal or treat at Shake Shack locations near Southdale in Edina or inside the Mall of America on Nov. 14. 25% of all sales on Give to the Max Day will be donated to AuSM.
Tin Whiskers supports AuSM from 4-10 p.m. on Nov. 14
Join AuSM at Tin Whiskers in downtown St. Paul from 4-10 p.m. on Nov. 14. AuSM will be the Pints for a Purpose charity, and $1 from every pint, flight, and crowler served will support the local autism community.
Visit Chuck E. Cheese's on Nov. 3 and support AuSM
Visit a Chuck E. Cheese’s location near you on 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. Click here to find a location near you.
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

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.

Nov. 1: Parents’ Night Out Trinity Church/Special Journeys
Nov. 2: SPARK at the Minnesota Children's Museum
Nov. 2: Autism Friendly Family Cosmic Bowling at Huikko's Autism Allies of Wright County
Nov. 3: Chuck E. Cheese's Fundraiser for AuSM All Minnesota Locations
Nov. 3: Sensory-Friendly Jump Urban Air Adventure Park
Nov. 5: Sensory-Friendly Tuesdays Cheap Skate
Nov. 8-11: Bailame Dance Festival
Nov. 9: Sensory-Friendly Second Saturdays TPT, Twin Cities PBS
Nov. 10: Sensory Friendly Sundays The Bakken Museum
Nov. 10: Autism Friendly Early Entry Como Park Zoo & Conservatory
Nov. 11: Sensory Jump Night Pump It Up Plymouth
Nov. 13: Autism Friendly Early Entry Como Park Zoo & Conservatory
Nov. 14: Sensory-Friendly Storytime Wild Rumpus
Nov. 15: Third-Friday Dances St. Louis Park Recreation Center Reach For Resources
Nov. 17: Sensory-Friendly Sunday Science Museum of Minnesota
Nov. 17: Sensory-Friendly Day Duluth Children’s Museum