The Autism Society Event and Education Recordings Archive

This session will address how one Mom’s passion to provide social opportunities for her son have transitioned into a very successful Self-Advocacy Strand as part of the Autism Society of Wisconsin’s Statewide Annual Conference, beginning with the history of the Autism Society of Greater Madison’s AUsome Social Group, which led to the Autism Society of Wisconsin’s Annual Autism Strand, and now progressing to the Autism Society of Wisconsin’s Self-Advocacy Strand, a part of the Annual Statewide Conference. This session will address how one mom’s (Nancy) idea of beginning what is called the AUsome Social Group has led to a very successful Self-Advocacy Strand at the Autism Society of Wisconsin (ASW) Statewide Annual Conference.  We will use the history of the AUsome Social Group to illustrate how to provide social opportunities for those on the autism spectrum and how providing such activities can have far-reaching effects.  The Ausome Social Group was started by Nancy Alar, because of her desire to provide her son, Matt, with social opportunities.  AUsome started with 4 members in 1997 and has now grown to over 150 members.  From there, we will describe how Nancy’s work with the AUsome group led to a (19 page!) proposal to ASW to start the annual Autism Society of Wisconsin Autism Strand in 2001, including some of the challenges and triumphs involved with both endeavors.  Nancy’s plan was implemented at the 2001 Statewide Conference of the Autism Society of Wisconsin, with 12 participants attending.  Within the past 6 years, the Autism Strand of ASW’s Annual Conference has grown to 125 attendees.  The name of the Autism Strand has since changed to the Self-Advocacy Strand, and now includes two separate breakout tracks strictly for individuals on the spectrum, one for adults, and one for youth and adolescents.  It also includes an activity room, a quiet room, and several individuals with ASD’s as presenters, and a pizza supper for individuals on the spectrum, their families and friends, which provides an opportunity for those attending alone to meet other individuals in a more relaxed setting.  One evening during the conference we hold a reception, at which participants of the Self-Advocacy Strand provide a talent show, along with ASW providing entertainment (music, band, etc.), refreshments and hors d ‘oeuvres.  All of this from one mom’s dream to provide a social network for her son.

What we hope for the audience to walk away with are ideas for them to take back to their local areas, or states, on how to begin providing social networks for individuals, including adults, on the autism spectrum.  One of the goals in ASW’s Strategic Plan is to continue the development of Self-Advocates as active participants and leaders of ASW.  Judy Endow is currently on the ASW Board of Directors and the Chairperson of our Self-Advocacy Committee.  Through this committee, which includes several adults on the autism spectrum, we are learning how to be more inclusive of individuals with ASD’s when planning for conferences or other activities, and how to treat adults on the spectrum like adults.  In the past, conferences and other events have always been geared towards parents, caregivers, educators, etc., and not the actual individuals themselves.  This session will stress the importance of including individuals on the autism spectrum in planning for such events, and how this encourages social networks.

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