GOLF TOURNAMENT FUNDRAISER

Our first annual golf fundraiser will be Friday, Aug 5th at Robert Trent Jones Golf Course in Hampton Cove in Huntsville.  We have some wonderful prizes lined up like a hole in one automobile from Bentley Auto; a weekend getaway package, Wine and Dine package and a host of other great prizes.  You can download the tournament brochure at our website: http://www.aspergerconnection.org/.  If you would like an electronic version or have questions, please shoot us an email at aspergerservices@gmail.com.  Thanks for your support!

WRETCHES & JABBERERS Coming to Huntsville May 12th @7:30 pm

To purchase tickets in advance for this ONE TIME ONLY showing of this awesome movie, please follow this link: http://www.movietickets.com/house_detail.asp?exid=rmp&house_id=9994&rdate=5/12/2011

Asperger's Syndrome Workplace Survival Guide: A Neurotypical's Secrets For Success

Barbara Bissonnette, Principal of Forward Motion Coaching, has successfully crafted a guide that makes "sense" when working with adults who are entering the workforce or who already have jobs in the workplace.  It is very hard for most of them to survive and most of the time, statistics have shown that even if a person with AS is fortunate to find themselves employed in today's economy, it is just as hard to remain employed due to miscommunication, missing social cues and simply not having a good grasp of the Neurotypical workplace. 

As a NT who is in middle management in the workforce, I see much of what Barbara talks about in her book almost everyday. There are hidden messages and people talk "code" all around me everyday.  It is up to me to actually figure out what people are truly saying to me and what they truly mean.  I receive communication from my peers, co-workers and customers as quickly as the wingspeed of a hummingbird daily from many different sources, usually all at the same time: in person, by phone, by email, by blackberry and by intercom.  It is a lot to deal with even for the most outgoing and social employee so imagine how it must feel to someone with AS.  While there are many wonderful suggestions, examples and advice in this book that I feel is a "must read", I think Barbara's goal of this book is well spoken from this excerpt from her book:

"Every job  requires some form of communication with other people..........The expression that you only get one chance to make a first impression is true.  Research has shown that most people begin forming opinions about others within the first 30 seconds of meeting. Once an opinion is formed, it is usually hard to change.  The impression that you make during the first days and weeks in a new job will be lasting.  In addition to being evaluated on your ability to perform the job, you are being evaluated on whether you "fit in" to the organization."

If you or someone you love has AS and they are looking for assistance in how to navigate the NT employment world, this is an excellent resource.  You can read more about Barbara and this book at her website: http://www.forwardmotion.info/book2.html

************* Spring FundRaiser *****************

 

Support those in your community who need assistance by purchasing a yummy Papa Murphys pizza in the Decatur, Madison or Huntsville locations.  Thank you for helping make our fundraiser a success!

2010 Teacher of the Year

Gail Seemann, MS, LPC is motivated to serve those on the Autism Spectrum because she has a daughter who has a diagnosis of PDD NOS/Aspergers.  In July 2009, Gail assumed the role of Disabilities Services Coordinator at UAHuntsville and there, she began a social group for students with AS.  Currently, Gail has left UAH to focus on her new private practice, LifeStream Famly Counseling where she will be specializing in working with clients with AS of all ages.  Gail is presented her plaque by Glenn Siegel, Asperger Connection Junior Board Member.

2010 Service Provider of the Year



Congratulations to Marla Aldrich, the Asperger Connection Service Provider of the Year for 2010. Marla is the Special Education Coordinator for Shelby County Schools in Central Alabama. She has been an advocate for all the special children in the Shelby County system including those on the Autism Spectrum. Marla is presented a plaque by Kerry Mataya, Asperger Connection President.

2010 Volunteer of the Year

Jason Elmer was nominated for the Asperger Connection Volunteer of the Year for 2010. He is presented the award by Aaron Tanner, Junior Asperger Connection Board Member.  Jason is a valuable member of our volunteer force and a leader not only for the AS individuals that he serves but for other volunteers as well.  Currently he is a Social Skills Counselor for AASCG here in Huntsville.

UPDATE: This conference was wonderful! If you had the opportunity to attend, you hopefully came away with some very practical information and ideas of what the future can bring in the way of diagnosing AS and the new DSM-IV changes. This was a good session for both parents, those on the spectrum and teachers/nurses/psychologists/doctors/etc who work with those with AS. Thank you so much for attending and making the Conference such a success!
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Conference Supporting Asperger Connection Non-Profit

Please share the good news! Dr. Brenda Smith Myles will be presenting in Birmingham on Tuesday, March 8 from 8:45 am - 2:00 pm. The workshop brochure is attached in pdf format and is intended for parents, teachers, and professionals that want to gain more knowledge about Behavior Interventions & Transition Strategies for individuals with High Functioning Autism (HFA) and Asperger Syndrome (AS). Early registration fee is through March 1, so families and teachers will want to go ahead and register.

Brenda Smith Myles Ph.D., a consultant with the Ziggurat Group, is the recipient of the 2004 Autism Society of America’s Outstanding Professional Award and the 2006 Princeton Fellowship Award. Dr. Myles has made over 500 presentations all over the world, and she has written more than 150 articles and books on Asperger Syndrome and Autism including Asperger Syndrome and Difficult Moments: Practical Solutions for Tantrums, Rage, and Meltdowns (with South- wick) and Asperger Syndrome and Adolescence: Practical Solutions for School Success (with Adreon). The latter is the winner of the Autism Society of America’s Outstanding Literary Work.

She is the co-chair of the National ASD Teacher Standards Committee. She also serves on the National Institute of Mental Health’s Inter- Agency Autism Coordinating Committee’s Strategic Planning Consortium and the Autism Society of America’s Panel of Professional Advisors. Dr. Myles is also on the executive boards of several organizations, including the Organization for Autism Research and MAAP Services, Inc. In addition, she was recently acknowledged as the second most productive applied researcher in ASD in the world from 1997 to 2004.

2nd Annual Flower Power Fund Raiser 2011

Our second Annual Spring Fund Raiser has begun and we would like to share it with you! Our Flower Power Asperger Connection website can be found at: http://www.flowerpowerfundraising.com/campaign?campaign_id=4402 .If you see something that you like, please place an order. Remember that half of the money that is made through Flower Power for our campaign, comes back to Asperger Connection. You will be helping to provide scholarships for services for those with Aspergers in the North Alabama and Central Alabama area.

Please pass the above weblink to your family and friends. Post a notice at work in your common areas asking those that you work with to please checkout the website and place an order if interested. The key to our fund raiser being a great success is Y O U!

The shipping rate to anywhere in the United States is a flat rate of $5, regardless of how much you order. We the Board of Directors appreciate your taking the time to check out the website and for passing this info onto your family and friends. If you have any questions, please email us at aspergerservices@gmail.com and we will be happy to answer your questions about our fund raiser.
Happy Planting and here's looking forward to another beautiful

S P R I N G !!

AC Booth at the Madison Street Festival

Wonderful weather and lots of folks visited with us on Saturday at our booth at the Street Festival in Madison, Alabama. We would like to thank our volunteers who donated their time on Saturday and their talents to make our first effort with the MSF a success. Thank you!