May Newsletter
Advocates Announcement! We are pleased to announce that Advocates will be entering into an affiliation with HMEA, a well-known and widely respected human service agency based in Franklin, Massachusetts. We believe this partnership will strengthen our mission, create more opportunities for employees, and provide more options for you and your loved ones.
What does this mean for the Autism Alliance? There will be no changes to the Autism Alliance and the supports and services you receive from us will remain the same.
We are excited about Advocates future! Read the official announcement from Advocates' President and CEO, Diane Gould, and stay tuned for more details. 
FEATURED Spring Virtual Parent Workshops Autism Alliance workshops can be a fantastic opportunity to meet people and learn invaluable ways to help your child 
Guest Speaker: Alex Nadworney Planning for Two Generations Wednesday May 12th 6:30-7:30 p.m. Please join us as we welcome Alex Nadworney of Special Needs Financial Planning, a specialty practice to Affinia Financial Group. Planning for Two Generations centers upon their Special Needs Planning Timeline™. The timeline highlights the various planning pressure points where parents should be aware of changes relating to their child's benefits, legal and financial issues. In addition, Alex will also discuss the new ABLE account and its potential role in planning for your child. 
Guest Speaker: Beth Gutierrez LICSW, Adult Family Care Program Wednesday June 16th 6:30-7:30 p.m. Come and learn about the Adult Family Care Program. If you have a loved one age 16 or older who has MassHealth, you may be eligible to receive funds and support through the Adult Family Care Program. Beth Gutierrez LICSW, Program Director for the Advocates AFC Program, will walk us through eligibility requirements and what this program could provide for your family. Come join us on zoom to learn more about this program.
Recreation Programs Sponsored by the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism Home or School Classrooms that support students with Autism are welcome to join Autism Alliance EXCLUSIVE PROGRAMMING! Be sure to share with your teachers!! 
Music Time Tuesday May 18th 9:30-10:00 a.m. Come sing and dance with us as we enjoy music with our friends from Roman Music Therapy. Home and school classrooms that support students with autism are welcome to drop-in and join the fun. Click on the link to join. 
Southwick Zoo Club Thursday May 20th 9:30-10:00 a.m. Southwick Zoo Club will give you an up close and personal look at some fun and interesting animals that live at the zoo. No registration necessary just click on the zoom link.
You are NOT alone. The emotional support derived from support group participation can help reduce stress, which can have a positive impact on health. Further, people may greatly benefit from the information sharing that takes place in a support group. All our welcome to attend our virtual support groups. If you have any questions please just let us know, we are happy to help you find the best support for you and your loved ones. Click on the program for zoom link.
4 Types of Autism Alliance Support Groups
Peer-Led Autism Support Groups These autism support groups are led by parents who have children with autism. Many parents with children who have autism form these groups to give and receive advice and get emotional support from other parents who have children with autism.
Educational Autism Support Groups Educational autism support groups provide the latest autism information, including new techniques, methods, and other useful information. Portuguese Speaking Support Group Professionally led Autism Support Groups Professionally led autism support groups are often led and funded by organizations that are run by psychologists, school personnel, and social workers. Family Autism Support Groups Family support groups for autism are ones that focus on the diagnosis of autism, and the steps families take after receiving a diagnosis, and the daily challenges of having a loved one with autism. These support groups often provide information for autism resources and other forms of support.
Just for Dads Wednesday May 5th 6:30-7:30 p.m. All dads are invited to join us on zoom for our monthly support group facilitated by Rob Sutherland, dad of two boys on the spectrum. Drop-in's are welcome.
Grief and Loss Group Thursday May 6th and 20th 12:00 noon-1:00 p.m. This is a group for family members raising a loved one on the Spectrum. In this group, we will discuss caregiving through the lifespan and through the lens of loss and grief, and we will discover ways to take care of our emotional and physical health in the process. Facilitated by Jennifer Wiles, LMHC, BC-DMT, Beth Israel Lahey Health at Home.
Parent Support Group Friday May 14th 12:00-1:00 p.m. This support group is open to family members who are worried about their loved one with autism, who need support themselves, and who want to be a better resource for their child or grandchild. You are invited to join us as we meet virtually to share joys and concerns of raising loved ones on the autism spectrum. This group is led by the Autism Alliance Parent/Professional team members.
SibShop Saturday May 8th
Portuguese Support Group Monday May 24th 6:30-8:30 p.m. Portuguese Speaking Families are invited to join our monthly virtual support group to meet new families and share the joys and challenging of raising a child on the autism and learn about the latest autism information and resources. This group is led by the Autism Alliance Parent/Professional team members and guests.
Fun, Friends, and Family Weekend Recreation Programs for Ages 16+ 
Outdoor Mini-Golf Sunday May 9th 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Putts & More in Holliston Advocates is partnering with Putts & More to provide outdoor mini golf. Golf equipment will be provided. All attendees must have a chaperone. Cost: FREE (You can bring money for snack shack and other activities.) Space is limited to 20 people. The first 20 registrants will receive a email confirmation after the RSVP date and before the event. You must RSVP by Sunday May 2, 2021 
Zumba Dance Party Sunday May 23rd 12:00 noon -1:00 p.m. Licensed Zumba® Fitness instructor Andria Desimone will lead a 45 minute Zoom class and ten minutes social to follow. Be sure to bring your family and friends! Advocates Fun, Friends, & Family events are open to individuals with disabilities who are 16 and older, staff who support them, their families, and friends. 
Bingo Sunday May 30th 12 noon -1:30 p.m. Join us for an afternoon of Bingo on Zoom. Once you are registered, you will receive a link to print out your bingo cards. Prizes will be mailed to the lucky winners! Previous Bingo prizes have included, but are not limited to: Dollar Store, Dunkin Donuts, and Walgreens gift cards!
In case you missed one, or want to check back in, our Healthy Heroes Emails are published weekly for up-to-date resources and information. You can find these archived on our website along with our current and past monthly newsletters.
Connect With Us
www.AutismAlliance.org | (508) 652-9900 | AutismAlliance@Advocates.org Our Contact Information 
|
