Monthly Milestones | DEC 2019
Registration opens December 10!

Join the national autism community for practical strategies and cutting-edge information June 11-12, 2020,
in Cleveland, OH.

Learn among autism professionals, family members, and individuals with ASD as you attend interactive sessions developed with your interests in mind. 

Register right away to save with our Winter Special rate!
Call for Proposals is open until January 15
Don't miss this chance to share your expertise, research or perspective with the national autism community!

Professionals, family members and individuals on the autism spectrum are all encouraged to submit.

NEW THIS YEAR
Accepted Milestones speakers may now attend the conference for a deeply discounted $50 registration fee which includes CEUs, meals and parking for two full days. Speakers who do not wish to receive CEUs will receive a reduced rate of $25.
Speakers with ASD will attend for free.
Need a specific resource? Want to learn more about our services? Contact the Milestones free Helpdesk with your questions!
Milestones Community Calendar


Looking for a certain kind of event or program? Visit our community calendar each month to find events and supports in your area.
Upcoming Events
Open Office Hours
with Milestones:
Connect to the Right Resources for You
Wednesday, December 4

Stop in to Shaker Heights Public Library for free office hours with Milestones! Meet Helpdesk Coordinator Estee Ezinski to get your questions answered and to connect with helpful resources in your area. You do not have to be a resident of Shaker Heights to attend. All are welcome!

Elopement Resources and Supports
Monday, December 9

Elopement is a common safety issue that affects many individuals with ASD and other developmental disabilities. Join Milestones, MetroHealth and the Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities to learn about wandering resources that may be available to you. S eminar will be on the 1st floor in the Community Room.
2nd Annual Special Needs Snacks with Santa
Saturday, December 14

Bring the family out for sensory-friendly fun with Santa! Attendees will decorate their own cookies, enjoy crafts and get their photo taking with the big man himself. Event hosted by Reed Allen - State Farm Insurance.




This holiday season, please consider selecting Milestones Autism Resources as your charity when shopping on AmazonSmile.

When using AmazonSmile, 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible products will be donated to Milestones and support our core services.

We thank you in advance for taking this small and simple step to support families in our local autism community!
Autistic While Traveling: Haley Moss' Top Tips for Successful Trips
The holidays can be a busy time and often involve traveling to see loved ones. 2019 Milestones keynote Haley Moss, Esq., is a self-advocate who does her fair share of traveling across the country, and offers her best advice to other individuals on the spectrum who struggle with the change in routine, extra stimuli and detailed planning traveling may bring.
Social Strategies for Building Adult Friendships
Building and maintaining friendships takes time and effort for everyone, but can present even more challenges to individuals with ASD due to common difficulties with social interaction behaviors, reciprocating social interaction and communicating with others. Teen/Adult Haley Dunn, MA, LPC, provides some practical guidance for adults on the spectrum looking to pursue new friendships or work on engaging with others.
How Masking My Autism Led to Burnout
Researchers have discovered that many women on the spectrum ‘camouflage’ the signs of their autism. This masking may explain at least in part why  three to four times as many boys as girls  are diagnosed. This masking can help women with autism maintain their relationships and careers, but those gains often come at a heavy cost, including physical exhaustion and anxiety.

Milestones' own Molly D. Dann-Pipinias shares how feeling the need to mask her autism has affected her life over the years, and describes how she has grown to embrace the characteristics she once suppressed.
Support the Milestones Annual Fund
Photo by New Image Photography
Your support can make
a difference.
Help Milestones impact the lives of families right here in Northeast Ohio by donating to the Annual Fund today. Your gift will directly support our core programming, helping families impacted by autism at every age, stage and ability.
Happy Holidays!