Event Will Feature: 

Dinner

Mindwarp Show featuring Mentalist/Magician Steve Haberman

Vocal talents of Tracy Lynn

Disc Jockey and Dancing by Nite Life DJz

Basket Raffle and 50/50 drawing

If you have questions about this event, feel free to call Tracy Lynn at 13th Hour Entertainment, (412) 926-3472 or email her at Tcolussy.inc@gmail.com.

Thanks to our Sponsors for A Magical Connection Fundraiser

April 29th at the Tonidale Pub near Robinson.

You can do your renewal online from the COMPASS website at dhs.pa.gov/COMPASS or over the phone at 1-866-550-4355.

You can even submit any necessary verification documents on COMPASS or through the myCOMPASS PA mobile app.

You can download the myCOMPASS PA mobile app for free from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store

Contact the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Customer Service Center at 1-877-395-8930

Sunflowers Shine Bright for Travelers with Special Needs at the Pittsburgh International Airport

Autism rates rise again. Why experts say many kids are still 'invisible to the system.'

PECO Announces New Facility in Philadelphia for People Impacted by Autism

Detecting a Signal Amid Noise in Autism Early-Intervention Research

Commentary: Best Practices and Processes for Assessment of Autism Spectrum Disorder – The Intended Role of Standardized Diagnostic Instruments

Presley's Place

A world-class sensory space at the Pittsburgh International Airport

Concourse A, next to Gate A9

Applications for Future Camp 2023 are now open! Our annual two-week summer arts camp hosts neurodiverse and neurotypical learners ages 12+ (this includes adults!) with classes focusing on creativity, self-expression, and storytelling through a variety of media. In addition to classes led by teaching artists, Future Camp wraps with a celebration called “Future Fest” which features local arts programming vendors, college resource booths, and more.

July 24 - August 4, 2023 — in person at Winchester Thurston in Pittsburgh, PA!

The deadline to apply is May 30, 2023.

SUFFERING IN SILENCE: SUICIDALITY IN NEURODIVERSE COMMUNITIES OF COLOR

April 28, 12-1:30 PM EST

This webinar, coordinated by researchers, self-advocates, parents, and clinical experts in autism, crisis support, and suicide, will blend learned and lived expertise, cultural

considerations, and neurodiversity to examine suicidality through an intersectional lens.

Who is it for? Autistic and/or neurodivergent adults; families; friends; health professionals; researchers; educators; etc.

This event is free but pre-registration is required.

For questions, email pittace@upmc.edu

Achieva Advocacy Presents an Overview of Adult Protective Services on Monday, April 24, 2023, from 6:30 – 8 p.m.

Join to discuss:

• History
• Identifying and reporting abuse and structure
• Contacts at Adult Protective Services

Join with Google Meet

meet.google.com/sdd.-nrij-pyj

Or dial: (US) +1 929 269 1859 PIN: 732 386 456#

Questions? Email Melissa Skiffen at mskiffen@achieva.info.

The Empowered Voices Leadership Group is comprised of self- advocates who are interested in meeting new people, sharing their stories, and developing self-advocacy and leadership skills. Members of the group plan the meeting agendas, speakers, and outreach activities. The group meets on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month via Google Meets from 6pm to 8pm ET. Topics include Person-Centered Planning, Self-Advocacy Skills, and Public Speaking.

Google Meets Joining Information:

Video call link: https://meet.google.com/iuu-miaf-wio

Or dial: (US) +1 304-908-9025 PIN: 199 210 961 #

For more information contact Melissa Skiffen at mskiffen@achieva.info

WHO: Youth with disabilities and neurodivergent youth age 10 + and their friends/families

WHAT: Free admission to a private event where you can explore interactive exhibits, try art and making activities, test new access amenities, and share your insights about how we can improve accessibility at the Museum.

WHEN: Saturday, April 22, 2023 from 9:30-11:30am

WHERE: MuseumLab, 6 Allegheny Square, Pittsburgh

WHY: Each group will get a $50 gift card and free Museum tickets to return at a future date.

Sign up at tinyurl.com/AccessAdvocate

or email tbelesi@pittsburghkids.org

Drexel University: Computerized Verb Test Training

Does your child have difficulty communicating about the past and future? We are seeking Philadelphia area participants with autism for an interactive web-based language teaching program accessible on your home computer or tablet. Participants will practice verb tenses in response to action pictures and captions and will receive instructional feedback and encouragement.

Potential benefits include helping participants move beyond the immediate here and now and communicate about the past and future. For more information, please contact Dr Vorndran, the principal investigator, at cmv69@drexel.edu

Duquesne University Study

Autistic Moral Experience: A Quantitative Assessment

What character strengths (virtues) are common among autistic adults? A study at Duquesne University explores these questions through a 15-25 minute online questionnaire. This anonymous questionnaire is open to adults who identify as autistic and/or who are formally diagnosed with autism. If you wish, you will have the option to share an email address to enter a drawing for a $10 gift card at the survey’s conclusion. The study has been approved by Duquesne's IRB.

Please contact cochrane@duq.edu if you have questions.

The questionnaire can be found here:  https://duq.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6hAC77PoLLTQTDU

PENN STATE UNIVERSITY AUTISM SOCIAL SKILLS INTERVENTION

PSU Lab of Developmental Neuroscience

Participate in a computer game intervention designed to alleviate social symptoms and foster more independence in autistic adolescents (10-18 years). Families come to Penn State Univ. 3 times over 6 months to play computer games, answer survey questions, and have eye movements observed. Adolescents play a computer game at home 3 times/week for 3 of the months.

Families are paid for lab visits and game play time and reimbursed for travel costs. Scheduling is flexible. For more information go to http://sagaintervention.com or email: psu.asd.gameintervention@gmail.com

UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH CENTER OF EXCELLENCE FOR AUTISM RESEARCH

EDI-fNIRS- functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy

The Center of Excellence for Autism Research at the University of Pittsburgh is conducting a research study to measure emotion regulation. We are enrolling parents or guardians and children ages 4-8 with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Parents will complete a small battery of assessments and children will take part in computer games where they wear a cap on their head to measure brain activity. The appointment takes approximately 2-3 hours. We offer payment for participating.

If you would like more information, please email to autismrecruiter@upmc.edu 

or phone toll free 1-866-647-3436. http://www.REAACT.pitt.edu