Puzzlethon™ returns for a fourth year on Saturday, March 6, 2010. This year is bigger and better as we have eight sites all around Connecticut for an afternoon of puzzling fun, food and social interaction! Locations and directions.

Start practicing now! Ask your friends and family to join your Puzzlethon™ fundraising team! Prizes for the biggest fundraisers! Think about inviting your family, friends, classroom, girl or boy scout troop, youth group or community service group to get involved. It’s a fun way to support the work of ASCONN as we help families here in Connecticut navigate the daily journey of a life with autism. Easy online fundraising at www.puzzlethon.org or click here for downloadable forms and further information. Questions? Contact Melissa Dumont, Puzzlethon™ chair at MDumont312@cox.net or e-mail us or call 888-453-4975. See you there!

Newsflash! As of January 1, 2010, ASCONN will no longer have separate membership dues. You do not have to be a member of our organization to participate in any of our programs, events, groups or activities. Add your name to our e-mail newsletter to make sure you get information on our activities and programs. Consider making a donation to support our work!

2009 ASCONN – Mini-Grant Program: ASCONN is pleased to announce the grant recipients for the 2009 ASCONN Mini-Grant Program. For the fifth year, ASCONN has been able to provide financial assistance to families to help them purchase safety and security items for their loved ones living with autism. This year we were able to help 24 families with money for fencing, window guards, child locator and ID systems, gates and locks. Read more here.

Sensory Friendly Movies: ASCONN, ASA and AMC Entertainment® have teamed up to bring families
affected by autism a special opportunity to enjoy their favorite films in a safe and accepting environment on a monthly basis. With Sensory Friendly Films, the movie auditoriums will have their lights brought up and the sound turned down. The two AMC theatres in CT are located in Plainville and Danbury. Sign up for our e-mail list in the column to the left to receive monthly information. Read more here.

Donations: We’d like to that everyone who supports us and invite you to read about the energetic and thoughtful ideas and events that support ASCONN. Read about these ingenious ideas (and maybe get inspired yourself!) All of the programs, services, events and activities of ASCONN are funded by donations. All funds stay right here in Connecticut helping our families. Learn more about how you can help us serve our Connecticut autism community.

New Resources: Looking for a good read? Looking for a particular book about autism? Look no further than the Connecticut State Library System. Read more here or find a particular book here.

ASCONN is thrilled to announce a new scholarship program just for girls on the spectrum: A fund to support the creation of social skills groups for girls and to provide scholarships for girls to attend these programs. Details

Give a Teacher a Pat on the Back: Families - are you looking for a way to say "thanks" to a teacher, therapist, respite care provider, family member or staff person? Check out ASCONN's new "Pat on the Back" program.

Volunteers: ASCONN could not provide services, programs and supports without the dedicated help of volunteers. If you have some time and the inclination we’d love to hear from you. Check out our Volunteering  page for more information or e-mail us your ideas.

AutismSource™ a 24/7 searchable database and instant resource listing is up and running. Read about AutismSource or search AutismSource™ now!

Celebrate ASCONN’s 20th ANNUAL STATEWIDE CONFERENCE ON AUTISM – Sat. April 24, 2010: Join us for a very special day as ASCONN’s conference celebrates 20 years of bringing information, education and awareness about autism to Connecticut.

Back by popular demand for 2010 is Temple Grandin, arguably the most famous person with autism in America. She will speak on growing up and living with autism, her struggles, challenges and triumphs and most particularly on how we can help our loved ones with autism to utilize their talents and strengths and lead successful, happy and productive lives. Also on the bill, Dr. Peter Gerhardt, President of the Organization for Autism Research. OAR is dedicated to the promotion of applied research and dissemination of evidenced based information. OAR’s defines applied research as research that directly impacts the day-to-day quality of life of learners with autism. It entails the systematic investigation of variables associated with positive outcomes in such areas as education, communication, self care, social skills, employment, behavior, and adult and community living. In this context, it extends to issues related to family support, the efficacy of service delivery systems, and demographic analyses of the autism community. In simplest terms, applied autism research is “practical research that examines issues and challenges that children and adults with autism and their families face everyday.”

Registration Information will be available in February, 2010. Interested in exhibiting or sponsoring opportunities? Click here, call 888-453-4975 or e-mail asconn@sbcglobal.net.
 

Special Red-Carpet Event! Mark your calendars now for Friday, April 23, 2010 as we host a gala dinner with special guest, Temple Grandin. Your opportunity to meet Dr. Grandin, mingle and connect with the Connecticut autism community. More information after January 1.

Interested in exhibiting at the conference? Click here for information