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Spectrum Events

Spectrum Events: Connecting, Educating, and Celebrating Diversity

The Role of American Job Centers (AJCs) in Promoting Access to Good Jobs for All

People with disabilities play a crucial role in strengthening America’s economy. To support this year’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) theme, Access to Good Jobs for All, we recognize the role of the American Job Center (AJC) Network. Under the vision of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), AJCs and their partners provide access and opportunities to all job seekers, including individuals with barriers to employment that is inclusive of individuals with disabilities, to prepare for, obtain, retain, and advance in high-quality jobs. This webinar will spotlight four AJCs located in communities within the states of New York and Colorado. Panel presenters will provide insights on the services the AJCs provide, share a roadmap for accessing AJC services, discuss the critical role of partnerships in service delivery, and highlight the creative integration of universal design principles to ensure meaningful access to all customers using AJC services.

Free

Online “Open” AANE Book Club for Adults

The group meets online every month to discuss a specific book (fiction or nonfiction). Post-high school Autistic adults are welcome to attend the meetings, whether or not they have finished the book selected for the meeting. Books for the currently planned meetings are:

*October 8: 2019 movie version of Little Women
November 12: The Year I Stopped Trying by Katie Heaney
December 10: The Speed of Dark by Elizabeth Moon

*Please note that the October meeting will be discussing the 2019 movie version of Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. We will also be analyzing the differences between the book and the movie.

Advanced registration is required.

$10

Online “Open” Support Group for Gay Men

Are you a gay man in the AANE community? Have you ever wanted to share your thoughts and experiences with other Autistic gay men? Join us!

Advanced registration is required.

$10
Recurring

Online “Closed” Support Group – Intimacy for Men

This is a new intimacy support group designed for Autistic men in relationships to discuss physical intimacy in a safe, non-judgmental space. Through open dialogue, discussions will include demystifying what a partner might be looking for in a sexual relationship and strategies to grow intimacy. Group members will be free to ask questions and speak candidly about a range of issues, including performance anxiety, sensory sensitivities, and the impact of media culture on sexual intimacy.

$100
Recurring

Healthy Relationships on The Autism Spectrum (HEARTS)

Healthy Relationships on the Autism Spectrum (HEARTS) is a 8 session workshop for Autistic adults who would like to learn about, and talk about, healthy friendship and dating relationships. The workshop does not teach how to find new dating partners or friends. Rather, it provides education about what a healthy vs. unhealthy relationship feels like, how to notice warning signs that a relationship is becoming unhealthy, how to cope with a breakup or end of a friendship how to restart friendships with people when you have fallen out of touch, and how to stay motivated to meet new people.

Advanced registration is required.

$150

Music Therapy – F.A.S.T.

Our Music Therapy will now be led by Shanice Richards from Healing Hearts Music Therapy! Based on her schedule & travel from Tallahassee, FL to serve us, sessions will be on Thursday afternoons at this time. Session times vary between 3:30 - 6:15 PM. Pre-Registration is required (Link Provided Below). Space is very limited so please only sign up if you plan to attend! Location info & your child's time will be sent via email closer to date.

This event is sponsored by FAST so there is no charge to FAST members. The charge for non-members is $10.

Check out this video below to see photos from our previous Music Therapies, led by Wimberly Giardina, MT-BC of Southwest Georgia Music Therapy. Unfortunately, she moved away but we have been making new music memories with our families with Healing Hearts Music Therapy!

$10

Online “Open” Social Group for Queer Adults

This is an hour-long social group for Neurodivergent queer folks. This is a safe space to socialize, share stories with, or gather support if needed from others with similar experiences. This group hopes to provide community, comfort, and fun. The group is facilitated by a Trans person on the spectrum. No autism (or related) diagnoses are required, nor is certainty about your queer identity. This is a safe space to explore all those things.

Advanced registration is required.

$10
Recurring

Online “Closed” Support Group for Men (18-30)

A closed support group has the same group members (up to 12) for a set number of sessions (8). Closed support groups are ideal for adults who are looking for deeper connections and more extensive peer support from group members. For the best support group experience, closed group members should plan on attending all 8 meetings in the series. This group offers a safe environment where Autistic men can talk with like-minded people, share issues and concerns, and celebrate successes. Common topics include: disclosure, self-advocacy, and relationships.

Advanced registration is required.

$100

Online “Open” Support Group – Employment for Adults

This support group is for Autistic adults (18+) who are post k-12. Through this support group, members can connect with a variety of participants on the topic of employment. Whether you’re currently working, looking for a job or recuperating from burn out, this group is a chance to receive support, share what works for you and learn from each other, on all things related to employment.

Advanced registration is required.

$10
Recurring

Online “Closed” Support Group for Parents of Transition Age Youth

This 8-week AANE support group is for parents and caregivers of Autistic or similarly neurodivergent young adult children ages 18-22. This small group setting allows parents and caregivers to connect with each other, share experiences, celebrations and delivers a wealth of information.

Advanced registration is required. Financial assistance available.

$180

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