ACTION ALERT: AUTISM ACCEPTANCE MONTH LEGISLATION INTRODUCED IN OHIO!

Autism Acceptance Month (AAM) is moving toward being official in the State of Ohio thanks to Reps. Bob Young (R-Green) and Rep. Casey Weinstein (D-Hudson) who introduced joint legislation to designate April AAM. Thank you also to Representative Tavia Galonski for early sponsorship! READ MORE HERE.

Call or email your State Representative and ask them to support HB 242! #CelebrateDifferences with ASGA!

               EARLIEST BIRD RATES ENDING APRIL 10!
      Challenge: April 24 - June 17 | Family Day: June 19 

Don't miss out on the lowest rate for Step Into Autism's 54-Day Challenge! ASGA's 11th annual walk and signature fundraiser, now Challenge, starts April 24. We challenge you to walk, run, or cycle, 1.54 miles or choose your own Challenge activity to do for 54 days! The "Earliest Bird" registration rate, $25, ends April 10, and comes with a t-shirt and magnet. Get healthy together and SUPPORT ASGA by inviting your family and friends to join your fundraising team and take the challenge with you!                                                                                                                                                                     

FAMILY FUN NIGHT
Friday, April 23 | 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm | Zoom

ASGA is throwing a FREE Family Fun Night for YOU and your loved ones in celebration of Autism Acceptance Month. Join us for a night of yummy snacks and bingo! We will send you the party supplies. All participants must register by April 13, and HURRY there is only room for 25 families!

HOW TO SURVIVE PUBERTY: THIS TIME AS A PARENT!
Monday, April 26 | 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm | Zoom Webinar

Puberty can be a difficult life stage for any teen. However, the challenges of facing puberty with developmental delays only compounds the hardship parents face when helping their child navigate adolescence. Join us to learn how to learn to prepare yourself and your child! 

NEW ACTION NEEDED FOR FOR ADULTS WITH COMPLEX SUPPORT NEEDS

The Family - Provider Collaborative for Adults with Complex Support Needs is an emerging grassroots effort in Stark and Summit Counties The purpose of this collaborative is to bring families of adults with developmental disabilities and complex support needs together with providers that serve and support these adults. The initiative is being supported by The Lifespan Transitions Center at OCALI, which has agreed to assist in the early development of this project.

If you have an adult with complex support needs, please take 10 – 12 minutes to complete a completely anonymous survey that will help this collaborative identify priority issues important to families.

 #IAMME SERIES -Throughout April, ASGA will release its “#IAmMe” series as part of Autism Acceptance Month. #IAmMe will be short videos about autism spectrum disorder featuring people who are connected to autism. The series will continue throughout the year, with different speakers and subjects, about life with autism. Want to be a part of the series? We’ll share as many as we can! You can also find other ways to participate in Autism Acceptance Month.

VIRTUAL MESSAGE BOARD - Post on our virtual message board! #IAmMe seeks to empower individuals with autism by highlighting their strengths as we celebrate differences. Share a photo of yourself or loved one doing a favorite activity or talent, and tell us about it, to show pride and promote ACCEPTANCE.

COFFEE, TEA & AUTISM 

Join our Facebook group or come to one of the online or in-person Coffee, Tea & Autism meetings!

Ravenna – 10AM with Facilitator: Trina Bullard
APR 27, MAY 25 - ZOOM - REGISTER

Kent/Stow – 7PM with Facilitator: Mary Richards - RESUMING IN-PERSON MEETINGS!
APR 16, MAY 7  - Location: Panera Bread · 4338 Kent Road, Stow OH 44224

Facebook Group - JOIN

SUMMIT METRO PARKS TRAILSIDE EYE-SPY - Check off each item as you see it along Pheasant Run Trail in Silver Creek Metro Park, 5000 Hametown Rd., Norton, OH 44203. 

RESEARCH STUDY - University of Akron Student looking for people to answer questions on their experiences before and during COVID-19. PLEASE TAKE THIS SURVEY!

PAC MEETING - Gary Tonks and The Arc of Ohio are hosting a PC meeting on April 14, 2021 from 9:30 - 11:30 AM to cover various topics surrounding disabilities. 

OCALI AUTISM RESOURCES - OCALI is featuring resources from their Lending Library on the social-emotional wellbeing of people with disabilities and those who live with, love, and care for them. 

ONLINE WAIVER DISCUSSION - DODD is partnering with advocacy and family organizations to host town hall opportunities for people with disabilities and their families, 4/5 - 4/9, to provide feedback about the improvement and simplification of the Level 1 and SELF waivers.

About the Autism Society of Greater Akron

The Autism Society of Greater Akron (ASGA) is one of more than 80 affiliates nationwide that are part of the Autism Society of America, the nation’s largest and oldest grassroots autism organization. ASGA serves Summit, Stark, Wayne, Portage, and Medina counties. ASGA works locally to achieve its mission to improve the lives of all affected by autism.

ASGA is also a proud member of the Ohio Family Network (OFN), connecting people with disabilities and their families to local information and resources within their communities. We believe OFN provides opportunities to share ideas, find solutions to common challenges and inspire and strengthen each other.