AFSS Quarterly / May 1, 2017 / http://nyautismcommunity.org
PREMIER ISSUE
Welcome to the first quarterly newsletter of Aspies For Social Success, AFSS. We look forward to sharing all sorts of news and information about AFSS, our team, members and the Autism community.
Sincerely,
Steve K.
Stephen Katz
Executive Director
Our mission
Headquartered in New York City, Aspies For Social Success (AFSS) is a peer-run organization that provides support and social groups, as well as cultural events, to adults 18 and over who have either been diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome or an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), believe they might be on the Autism Spectrum, or who for other reasons have difficulty with social communication, sensory processing, or executive functioning. AFSS is working to build a more inclusive community for individuals who otherwise may not have many opportunities or be able to find others with whom to socialize. We do not charge our members any fees, and our income comes exclusively from fundraising.
(((ASPIE AWARDS)))
Aspies for Social Success would like to acknowledge the following for their participation in helping us get off the ground and find early success within our organization.
We must first acknowledge the AFSS Advisory Board
Jonas Arnaldo, Founder
Dr. Irma Ozer, Ph.D. / J.D., Co-Founder
Karl Wittig, P. E., Chair
Brian R. C. Kinghorn, M. Phil.
Kelly Dee Barndt, MFA
Platinum Award for continued excellence in support
Dr. Irma Ozer, Ph.D. / J.D.
Dr. Ozer has supported AFSS with her sage advice and continued financial participation from day one.
GOLD
For donations of $1,000 and up
Dr. Irma Ozer, Ph.D. / J.D.
Karl Wittig, P. E.
SILVER
For donations of $50 and up
Carole Katz
Kathy Stillson
David and Shane Holmes
BRONZE
For donations of $10 and up
Kelly Dee Barndt
Henry (Jake) Gibson
Timothy Itschner
Della Herden
Herbert, Mildred, and Debbie Lechner
Lifetime achievement award
Founder of GRASP, Author, Public speaker and Advocate
AFSS is pleased to acknowledge Michael John Carley for his hard work building the Aspie/ Autism community here in New York and across the country as well as community education, outreach, advocacy and effecting change that helps us all.
In-Kind Award
For donating time, venues, and tickets
MoMa (Museum of Modern Art), the Met Museum, Shane Hudson and Amy Harris Primary Stages, ReelAbilities Film Festival and the Manhattan JCC, the Amateur Astronomers Association of NY, Brian R. C. Kinghorn and the NeurodiversiTC initiative at Teachers College, Columbia University.
Shoutout Award
For offering special discounts
The Barrymore Theatre, Shubert Organization, Kelly D. Barndt, and the entire production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time; The New York Historical Society; and The American Museum of Natural History.
Special Thanks To:
Anke Wessels, Lisa Ann Marsella and the whole team at CTA, Harry Precourt and Maurice Bretzfield at SCORE Inc, Pat Schissel, LMSW at AHA, Katherine Cody, PsyD, PLLC at Spectrum Services, Carole Katz, and Kathy Stillson for their continued support.
TAX DEDUCTIBLE DONATIONS
Your tax deductible donation is essential to our programming efforts and will help us offer ongoing support and social groups, allow all participants access to great cultural events, and reach out to others who will benefit, among other AFSS goals.
Cultural events have included: attending the Broadway show The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, trips to The Metropolitan Museum of Art (with a private tour and an art project for our group), the Museum of Modern Art, The New York Historical Society, and many other events in and around New York City.
We are proud to participate with the GiveGab donation platform. When clicking on the “DONATE NOW” button, GiveGab offers a secure, fast and easy way to make a donation
For additional ways of participating
Aspies For Social Success (AFSS) is a fiscally sponsored project of the Center for Transformative Action (CTA). CTA, a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization is legally and financially responsible for all of our program activities.
ARTICLES
Support and Social Groups: An Essential and Vital Need of the Autistic Community
An Essential and Vital Need of the Autistic Community
By Karl Wittig, PE
Advisory Board Chair
Aspies for Social Success
www.mhnews-autism.org AUTISM SPECTRUM NEWS ~ WINTER 2017
During all of the years since I was first diagnosed on the autism spectrum, support groups have been a constant part of my life in a variety of ways. Having attended, facilitated, and served in organizations that sponsored such groups, I came to appreciate their importance to those on the spectrum and to the autistic community as a whole. Read More
Asperger’s Syndrome and the Public Consciousness.
By Dr. Irma Jacqueline Ozer (Ph.D./J.D.)
CO-Founder and Advisory Board member
Aspies for Social Success
Dr. Ozer has several sections in her book. The Psychology section provides the reader with a scholarly review of past and present works on Asperger’s and Autism Spectrum Disorders. I highly recommend this as required reading for anyone who works with people on the spectrum, as well those who are on the spectrum themselves, families and friends. Read More
Educating a Neurodiverse World
Brian R. C. Kinghorn, M. Phil TEDx Teachers College, Published on July 23 2014
Advisory Board member
Aspies for Social Success
This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. What kind of world would we have if we all realized what kind of mind we had and began appreciating it? What if we did the same for others? In this talk, Brian Kinghorn champions the cause of Neurodiversity, arguing that there is not just one “standard-issue” brain.
SAVE THE DATE; Sunday June 4
AFSS Improv theatre workshop: In collaboration with Primary Stages and CO-LAB, this workshop will be using improvisational theatre to improve social cognition, communication skills and will be a whole lot of fun.