First annual AuSM Self-Advocacy Summit a success
More than 150 adults with autism registered for the AuSM Self-Advocacy Summit, and all contributed to the amazing event held yesterday at the University of St. Thomas. The Summit featured a keynote presentation, nine educational breakout sessions, 13 speakers, and a networking happy hour at The News Room. Sessions covered how to access benefits and support, managing negativity and finding pride in the face of stigma, anxiety and autism, achieving success in college and at work, finding and keeping friends as adults, and advocacy in action. In addition to gathering wisdom from speakers on the spectrum, participants collected resources from the AuSM Bookstore, networked with peers, and visited with vendors who support adults on the spectrum. Thank you to presenting sponsor, Anime Twin Cities, and our additional sponsors: Minnesota Independence College and Community, FIND Network - Autism Research Connections, Autism Advocacy & Law Center, LLC, and xStellar Corp. AuSM appreciates our speakers, volunteers, organizing committee, and participants, and we look forward to planning the 2nd Annual AuSM Self-Advocacy Summit for 2019!
Join us for Autism Awareness Night at Minnesota United FC's final home match of the season as they take on LA Galaxy at 4 p.m. on Oct. 21 at TCF Bank Stadium. Tickets are $15 each. Select the Autism Society of Minnesota as your organization of choice at check out, and AuSM will receive $5 from each ticket you purchase. 
Part of AuSM’s mission is ensuring that our laws and public policies support individuals and families living with autism. AuSM is committed to having a voice at the Minnesota legislature as well as creating public policy by maintaining a presence on key committees, task forces, and organizations. AuSM is mobilizing the autism community to help recommend policy priorities for the 2019 legislative session. Your perspective counts! If you would like to be a voice on AuSM’s Advocacy Committee, join us for one of two information sessions held at AuSM this month. The first will be on Tuesday, Sept. 18 from 5-7 p.m. and the second on Thursday, Sept. 27 from 1-3 p.m. Please RSVP to 
AuSM is pleased to announce its newest project, AuSM’s Guide to Sensory-Friendly Minnesota. This reference tool and planning guide for families and individuals with autism and other sensory sensitivities will contain information about why sensory-friendly events and activities are important for our community, how to make an event or activity sensory-friendly, personal stories, and a calendar guide of sensory-friendly offerings throughout Minnesota. AuSM’s Guide to Sensory-Friendly Minnesota will be distributed in January 2019.
Join the Autism Society of Minnesota, Arc Midstate, Opportunity Matters, and WACOSA for an informative autism information share during the Autism Supports, Strategies, and Resources Workshop to be held at the Sartell Community Center from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. on Oct. 26, 2018. Parents, caregivers, educators, support professionals, and individuals with autism will learn from session topics including autism 101, executive function, mental illness, positive supports, behavior strategies, and life planning. During the lunch session, get tips and strategies from a panel of caregivers and adults with autism. 
AuSM invites individuals and families affected by autism to experience the thrill of riding a trolley, spend some time with Minnesota autism community friends, pick a perfect pumpkin, and participate in fun activities during the AuSM Pumpkin Trolley 2018 event from 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. on Oct. 13. The event, sponsored by Anime Twin Cities and FIND Network, will take place at the Minnesota Streetcar Museum's Linden Hill Station in Minneapolis and is $10 for AuSM member families and $15 for non-members. 
