Thank you to our 2022 e-news underwriter:

Improving Driving Skills

U. Michigan Study to Help Those with Autism Improve Driving

Young woman behind the steering wheel photo from back seat of car

Future Planning Conference

Teenage girl sitting closely with a woman reading a book together smiling

Sessions:

Keynote Presentation: National Study “Future Financial Planning for People with Disabilities - What’s Working and What’s Not”

Special Needs Trusts and ABLE Accounts- Savings Options for Future Planning

Decision-Making Options - Guardianship, Power of Attorney, Supported Decision-Making

Charting the LifeCourse as a Model for Future Planning

Life Beyond High School - Planning for Transition from School

The Financial Empowerment Center - A Resource to Empower Families to Plan for Their Financial Future

October 25, 2022

8:00 AM - 3:45 PM

ALLEGHENY INTERMEDIATE UNIT

475 E Waterfront Dr.

Homestead, PA 15120

Directions

Disability and Race Continuing the Conversation November 17

Thursday, November 17, 2022

1:00-4:30pm ET

This free virtual conference includes a funder panel, a discussion among people of color with disabilities about addressing systemic racism and ableism, and reflections from several justice-focused organizations about the journey to practice Disability Justice.

Featured Keynote:

Understanding Disability as Political

in Anti-Ableism Work

by Dustin Gibson

Director of Access, Disability and Language Justice at PeoplesHub:

Events and Activities

Sensory Sensitive Science Hours 2022

Sunday, November 6

9 am–Noon

Cost: General Admission

Access Card $3.00 for up to four people

Children and adults who are on the autism spectrum or have sensory sensitivities are invited to Carnegie Science Center’s Sensory Sensitive Science Hours on select Sundays from 9 am–noon. Exhibit lights and sound effects will be adjusted and special activities will be added to foster a safe, welcoming, and most of all, fun, environment for all visitors.

Click here for the Adventure Guide, which is helpful in preparing visitors and their families for a visit to the Science Center. The Adventure Guide tells you about the facilities and exhibits, as well as addressing sensory and accessibility-related questions.

Supported by the Jack Buncher Foundation

Visit the Carnegie Science Center Website for More Information

SAPNA Virtual Meetup

Monday, October 3

11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Virtual

Let's Speak Up!

Do you know your rights?

Are you getting what you want and need?

Join us to learn all about speaking up. Tell us ways YOU speak up!

Spread your power to friends and family! Families, staff, and guests are welcome to listen and learn.

For video and audio by computer or smartphone, get the passcode from Rita anytime before the event! Call 724 588 2378 or Email power@sau1.org

Homeless Children’s Education Fund Awareness Event

October 4, 2022 - 9:30am

Stand with us in solidarity to support the 2,836 students experiencing homelessness in Allegheny County and the City of Pittsburgh.

After a few moments of silence, HCEF’s Executive Director Ardana Jefferson will host a press conference that includes Mayor Ed Gainey, County Councilman DeWitt Walton and other leaders sharing remarks about ongoing efforts to lift all students experiencing homelessness.

Contact Brian Knight at 412-576-4996 or bknight@homelessfund.org

Learn more about HCEF, visit: www.homelessfund.org

Information to Share with Health Care Providers

Writing a Letter of Medical Necessity

The Pennsylvania Health Law Project (PHLP) has a new resource for health care providers that explains how to write a strong letter of medical necessity when requesting Personal Assistance Services (PAS).

The brochure includes some sample language that may be useful in describing your medial opinion.

The guide outlines seven key steps:

Introduce Yourself and Why You're Writing
Describe Your Patient
Explain WHY the Requested PAS Hours are Medically Necessary
Expand on Your Opinion with Helpful Details
Restate Your Conclusion
Proofread
Sign, Date, & Deliver

Read PHLP's Guide for Physicians

Read PHLP's Sample Letter of Medical Necessity

Interested in advertising your event, program, research study or employment opportunities here?

Details HERE

Quarterly Newsletter advertising also available

Participants Needed

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

Questionnaire for Duquesne University Study

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

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

NEW RESEARCH STUDY: DEVELOPING A MEASURE OF ADULT FUNCTIONING IN ASD

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Department of Psychiatry are seeking volunteers aged 18 and older diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and/or caregivers of adults with ASD to participate in a study. The purpose of this study is to create a reliable and valid measure of adult functioning in adults with ASD.

Online surveys
Complete on your own time
$80 compensation provided

If you are interested, please contact 412-260-6593 or AFSstudy@upmc.edu

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Autism Connection of PA disclaims and does not endorse or support any individual or entity included in this publication, makes no representations, warranties, guarantees or promises on behalf of or for those listed, and assumes no liability nor responsibility for any service or product provided or advertised. We strongly recommend that readers of this e-blast and related publications such as newsletters, exercise their own best judgment when making the decision to use the services, products, interventions or advice from any entity listed herein.