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Monthly Newsletter | December 2022 | Issue XII

Have A Holly Jolly Holiday Season

from your Friends at ASRC!

2022 has flown by and it is hard to believe we are entering a New Year in just a few short weeks. The COVID-19 pandemic changed many things for the world, however, our Connecticut Autism community stayed strong and connected throughout the many challenges. ASRC is excited to continue our social skill groups for teens/adults, and our recreation programming that is offered both in person and virtually for all ages. Our Resource Guide remains a valuable tool for families with over 35,600 page visits to the ASRC site with more families accessing it, online, daily. 


Now, more than ever, we need to remain supportive, engaged, and hopeful for a strong future, where we can all stay connected and continue to grow past relationships and build new ones.


Our annual Walk for Autism in North Haven brought us together this past May with nearly 3,000 walkers for fun, and information gathering too. The addition of the Inclusive Employer Showcase and Recreation Resources is something we will build upon even more in 2023! Our goal is to provide you with pertinent information throughout April and May leading up to the Walk that focuses on employment opportunities and services.


Education is so important no matter where each of us is along our journey. Hundreds of families attended several of our FREE online Transition Workshop series, via Zoom & Facebook and we are continuing our Live Workshops into 2023 with a 2-part panel discussion about the “Ins & Outs of Protecting Your Benefits” coming this winter. I encourage you to visit our website and Facebook often for updates. We work collaboratively with so many resources across the state and try to share as much information as possible via both platforms.


With deep appreciation for our small ASRC team – which is a very important part of our organization – I want to thank all of you. To our families, sponsors, and supporters, thank you. Your commitment to ASRC allows us to continue to provide much-needed resources to the Autism Community in CT. On behalf of the entire organization, thank you. 


To all of you and your families,

best wishes for a healthy and prosperous 2023.

Julie Hipp (Board President)

& The Team @ Autism Services & Resources CT



website: CT-ASRC.org |  Facebook  | Instagram 

UPCOMING EVENTS

You're Invited to join us as ASRC hosts a special guest

this month for our LIVE webinar. 

**This event is free but pre registration is required** 

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.

Michael Gilberg

 Attorney-at-Law

December 7th @ 6:00pm

Click Here to Register

Michael Gilberg is a Special Education Attorney and Autistic self-advocate first diagnosed at age 18. Michael devotes his legal career to representing children with disabilities to ensure they get the appropriate education that they are entitled to under the law, which he was denied.


Michael serves on numerous Boards and committees including Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA), the Autism Society of America’s Council of Autistic Advisors, Westchester County Advisory Council on People with Disabilities, Autism Spectrum News Editorial Board, Parents United Learning the Special Education System of the Mid-Hudson Valley NY (PULSES), New York State Autism Spectrum Disorders Advisory Board, and Hillels of Westchester.


Michael will speak on the role of Social Emotional Learning in Special Education and how Special Education is not just academics but also requires schools to provide students with the necessary social emotional skills and address not only academics but student's mental health. Michael will also discuss his own experiences growing up with undiagnosed Asperger's not being diagnosed until 18 and going through special education being placed in programs that were not appropriate to meet his needs and his journey to reach his career through his own determination without proper supports and how he helps others avoid those challenges. 


Autism Services and Resources Connecticut (ASRC), and Clifford Beers Community Care Center, will hold the 26th Annual Walk and Festival for Autism on May 21, 2023, at Quinnipiac University’s North Haven Campus.


The event begins at 9:00 a.m. and will include a walk around the picturesque campus and surrounding areas, as well as two additional concurrent events on the campus: the return of the popular “Autism Resource Fair”, and the “Inclusive Employment Showcase”.


There is no charge for attendance at any of the activities, but all participants must be registered.

Click Here to Learn More

For this entire month of December 2022, 

Autism Services and Resources CT

will receive $1 from every $2.50 Community Bag sold at:


Stop & Shop

930 North Colony Road, Wallingford CT

Click to Complete a Member Profile (12 & under)
Click to Complete a Member Profile (Teen-Adult)

There are still a few spaces left for the activities listed below.  Contact Rachel@CT-ASRC.org for more information. Please refer to the activity you are looking for. 


*Adaptive Dance/Movement Classes 

Saturdays 11/12, 11/19, 12/3 & 12/10

*Santa Train 11/27

*Letters To Santa 12/4

*Art Club 12/11

There are still many activities coming up in the next few weeks both IN PERSON and Virtual. Contact Francesca@CT-ASRC.org to get involved today.


Virtual Highlights:

Sunday's - ANIME CLUB VIRTUAL

Tuesday's- Kerry's Kitchen

Wednesday's - Lego Virtual Club or Exercise Club

Improv Workshop for Teens & Adults

The ASCR and Legacy Theater in Branford is forming an 8 week Improv Workshop in February. We need need at least 7 participants, (ages 17-35). If you are interested please contact Julie@CT-ASRC.org today!


Typically, individuals with ASD have difficulty with communication and social skills. Improv helps people improve these skills by teaching them to read social cues such as facial expressions and body language.

To learn more about the success of improv, Click here to check out this article>>

BASKET BALL for ADULTS

The JCC in Woodbridge is looking for some basketball players. If you are interested contact Emily Anne Austin 

EAUSTIN@CHAPELHAVEN.ORG for dates, times and location.

Click Here to Complete ASRC's Support Group Registration

The Autism Mom Coach: Presentation Summary

Lisa Candera - "The Autism Mom Coach"

In case you missed it...

Every Autism Parent Needs to Know ...

  • In this presentation, she called BS on the unhelpful stories you have been telling yourself, like: This is my fault, I am not doing enough, or the right things, We are losing time!

My child's behaviors mean they are a bad kid, I am a bad parent, or both. I don't know what I am doing. I don't have time for myself, my child needs me!

After you watch the presentation, email Lisa at: Lisa@theautismmomcoach.com and share your favorite truth, any AHA moments, and/or any questions you have; or go to https://theautismmomcoach.com


ASRC's Professional Resource Guide

Looking for expert advise & resources? ASRC has Connecticut's largest, most comprehensive list around.

Access our Professional Resource Guide Here>>


LifeNet

LifeNet is a private pay, independent living support program for adults with Asperger's or similar autism spectrum profiles.

Click Here for More Information>>


Click Here to Go To ASRC's Event Calendar

Post an event on ASRC's EVENT CALENDAR to help reach the Autism population statewide!  Follow the link on our webpage CT-ASRC.org/event-registration or email Rachel@CT-ASRC.org to get started.

College Autism Spectrum

College Autism Spectrum.png

ASRC is thrilled to continue to partner with Dr. Jane Thierfeld Brown to offer college consultations for your teen and family.


Email to Learn More>>

Are you struggling to let go of that old family car—the one that’s barely still ticking but you love so much? Donating is the perfect way to honor a car that has been more than just a car. And now is the perfect time. ASRC is celebrating Cartober, and when you donate your vehicle to us, our donation team will pick it up for free, sell it, and then use the proceeds to support our mission: To prepare those with ASD for the world, as we prepare the world for those with ASD.


Turn that old beloved car into a vehicle for change this fall.

Visit https://cartober.careasy.org/donate-now/autism-services-and-resources-connecticut    #Cartober2022

United Way

campaigns are underway in your places of employment!


ASRC’s designation code is

AG0445

Thank you for considering supporting us! You can also make your fundraising efforts count for more by checking your

employer’s matching funds policies. Contact the ASRC office for certification or any other help you need to process matching gifts! ASRC participates in the “double the donation” program, see the graphic below to check whether your company will match your donations! 

 

Employee matching gift programs are a type of corporate philanthropy set up to encourage employees to give back to their communities. These companies encourage community outreach by making donations to the same nonprofits that their employees have donated to. These programs have become quite widespread, but many donors have not heard of them or aren’t aware of their own match-eligibility. $4-7 billion in matching gift revenue is left on the table each year, and we want to work with our donors to claim some of it.

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