National Survey: ASD Employment Survey

We received the following information to share with our community.

Adults with Asperger’s syndrome (AS) and high functioning autism (HFA) often experience difficulties obtaining and keeping gainful employment despite their potential for work.   Moreover, unemployment rates for adults with Autism have been estimated to be as high as 80%.

Because work is often a gateway to independence and there are numerous negative health consequences attributed to unemployment (e.g., depression, anxiety, and chronic illnesses), employment among adults with AS and HFA is of particular concern from both an occupational therapy and public health standpoint.

To gather useful information on the employment experiences of adults with AS and HFA, we have developed an online survey.  The survey is anonymous, takes less than 15 minutes to complete, and has SUNY Downstate institutional IRB approval (Reference #363846-1).

We are asking the following individuals to participate in this survey:

Adults with AS or HFA, who are also 18 years or older, and have held at least one paid job.

If you know anyone who meets the above criteria, we are asking that you forward this information.   The link to the survey is below.  The information received from the survey will be used to provide a better understanding of the current employment experiences of adults with AS and HFA.  Thank you for your time.  If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact Professor Alisha Ohl, PhD, at 718-270-7737 or Alisha.Ohl@downstate.edu.

The survey can be found at:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ASEmploymentSurvey

Sincerely,

Professor Alisha Ohl, Ph.D., MS, OTR/L & Mira Grice-Sheff, Ph.D., MS
Occupational Therapy Graduate Students: Jamie Nguyen, Kelly Paskor, Aliza Pelzner, Sarah Schwartz
SUNY Downstate Medical Center Occupational Therapy Program
450 Clarkson Avenue

Brooklyn, New York 11203


OMAHA: PTC’s Food Friendzy Group

Food Friendzy is a feeding group for children who are picky eaters and problem feeders.  It addresses the unique feeding needs of each child in a fun and supportive setting.  Each group is directed by two or more occupational therapists with extensive training in a wide variety of feeding based therapy techniques.

Download a flyer HERE.


SE ASD Fall Symposium

October 29, 2012

Navigating High School: Supports and Strategies for Students with High Functioning Autism and Asper-ger Syndrome

Presenter: Elisa Gagnon, Ms.Ed
author of Power Cards: Using Special Interests to Motivate Children and Youth with Autism and Asperger Syndrome and co-author of This is Asperger Syndrome.

Location: St. Mark’s United Methodist Church
Upper Fellowship Hall
8550 Pioneers Blvd
Lincoln, NE

Time: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
(registration opens at 8:00 a.m.)

Download a flyer HERE.


KEARNEY: Shepherds College

The Arc of Buffalo County will be presenting a workshop to introduce Shepherds College, an accredited post-secondary school for young adults with intellectual disabilities, on September 20, 2012 from 7:00pm to 9:00pm at the First Presbyterian Church Family Life Center.

The workshop will cover academics, vocational training with a focus on the specialty majors of Horticulture and Culinary Arts, life skills, activities and community, residential life, transitioning from high school and home to Appropriate Independence™, and financial aid. As Shepherds College is a Christ-centered school, spiritual life lessons are included in the program and will be discussed during the workshop.

The Arc of Buffalo County is a non-profit organization for people with cognitive and developmental disabilities and their families. The Arc’s mission is to advocate for the rights of citizens with developmental disabilities and their families. The Arc is committed to helping people they serve to choose and realize their goals of where and how they live, learn, work, and play. The Arc of Buffalo County provides developmental disability information, advocacy, networking, and respite.

Please contact Kristen Larsen at 308-237-4343or larsenkl@charter.net to register for the Shepherds College workshop, or to obtain more information on other Arc programs and services.

Download a flyer HERE.

For detailed information about Shepherd’s College, contact Susan Griffis, Director of Marketing, Shepherds Ministries, sgriffis@shepherdsministries.org, 1805 15th Ave, Union Grove, WI 53182, 262-878-5620 ext. 2303


OMAHA: PRISM – Smooth and Steady Transitions

Information and tips for:

Children who will soon transition to Kindergarten

Pre-teens and teens who will soon transition to Middle School or High School

Young Adults soon to be aging out of the school system

Thursday, October 25, 2012

6:30pm – 8:00 pm

St. Timothy’s Lutheran Church

RSVP to Denise Gehringer at dgehringer@olliewebbinc.org or 402-346-5220 ext 33

Download a flyer HERE.


NEBRASKA CITY: Autism Awareness Float wins Most Original Entry

Thank you to everyone who joined us this past weekend in Nebraska City.  The Autism Society of Nebraska and Autism Family Network came together to create an Autism Awareness float for the 44th annual Apple Jack Festival.

The theme of the parade was “As American As Apple Pie”.   Our float had a recipe plan for “The Perfect Autism American Apple Pie”.   The kids had chef hats, spoons, measuring cups and aprons…and a great time!

We even won an award for the most original float!


St Auggies HETRA Ranch Run

October 13, 2012

1 mile / 5K / 10K Runs

Overall Awards for the top 3 male and female finishers in each distance.  Age category awards for the three fastest in each age group/gender & distance.

All proceeds raised from this run will be shared with HETRA.  For more information visit www.hetra.org or download a flyer HERE.


HETRA’s Hay Rack Ride

October 13, 2012

4pm – 8pm

Wenninghoff’s Farm – 6707 Wenninghoff Road – Omaha

Dinner / Hay Rack Ride / S’mores / Fun & Games for the whole family

$15 person,  $10 child

Visit www.hetra.org or call 402-359-8830 to purchase tickets or for more information.

Download a flyer HERE.


NORTH PLATTE: Autism Awareness Group Planning Meeting

Sunday, September 23

2:00pm

VFW Hall – 2100 E 4th St

Topics for discussion:

Events
Events with other communities / organizations
Speakers
2013 Autism Puzzle Walk

Questions: Becky or Shawn Rossell 308-532-3132

Download a flyer HERE and please help spread the word!


Want to join the parade?

The Autism Society and Autism Family Network would like to invite you to come walk with us in the Nebraska City Apple Jack parade this Saturday!

Saturday, September 15

This year’s parade theme is “As American as Apple Pie”.  So our float will include a recipe!

We are float #27 so out of 91.  We will meet at the intersection of 17th Street and Central Avenue in Nebraska City.  Our float is the first one in line on 17th Street and the parade officially starts at 16th Street & Central Avenue.

The theme this year is “As American As Apple Pie”.  Our float will have a 2 foot by 6 foot recipe card for the Perfect Autism American Apple Pie.   We have chef hats for some of the kids, aprons, and some mixing bowls and measuring cups for them to put candy in to throw to the kids in the crowd.  Be sure and wear an autism shirt if you have one!

If you want to join us you’ll need to be on the float at noon!