May Newsletter 
Autism Alliance Sunset at Southwick's Zoo June 21, 2022 - 6:00pm to 8:00pm Southwick's Zoo 2 Southwick Street |Mendon, MA 01756
TICKETS NOW ON SALE Join us for our Sensory-Friendly Evening at Southwick’s Zoo. This special event is designed for individuals with autism, their families, and others who may benefit from a sensory friendly experience. We'll have the zoo all to ourselves! Families will have the opportunity to spend two hours exploring the zoo and visiting animals in an intimate, quiet environment with no bright lights, rides, or gift store. Social Stories available HERE and onsite the night of the event. Tickets are specially priced at $12.00. There will be complimentary snacks provided by our friends at the Flutie Foundation. We encourage families to bring a picnic dinner to enjoy, as there are many picnic tables located throughout the zoo. There is also a wonderful restaurant on the zoo property, called Galliford's Restaurant & Tavern, should families choose to dine there. Please note: this event is rain or shine. Thanks to the generosity of our friends at ABS Behavioral Health Services LLC, we will have limited scholarships available for those in need. Please contact Allison Daigle or call 508-652-9900 NEW Family Event: Magic By George 
Virtual Family Event: Magic By George Friday May 13th 6:00 p.m. George’s “Virtual Magic Show” is more than just magic tricks performed in front of a webcam. It’s an interactive, multimedia show crafted specifically for US!! By combining live-streaming video with magic, music, warm hearted comedy, and computer graphics George brings a memorable, live experience straight to your computer screen. Viewers will actively participate in the program to help create a unique event! George will feature live doves, teach tricks and answer questions at the end the performance. May Guest Speaker and Author 
Author Nadine Briggs of the book How to Make & Keep Friends: Tips for Kids to Overcome 50 Common Social Challenges Thursday May 19th 6:30 p.m.
Please join Nadine Briggs, CEO of Simply Social Kids for a workshop based on her bestselling book, How to Make and Keep Friends: Tips for Kids to Overcome 50 Common Social Challenges. Parents will be able to identify the barriers that may be preventing their child from having positive peer relationships. Nadine will provide strategies for how to overcome these barriers. Parents will learn how to social coach for their children and teach them social independence. FREE Webinar : Yet Another Transition?!!! 
Autism Alliance Co-Sponsoring with Advocates for Autism Massachusetts YET ANOTHER TRANSITION?!!! Tuesday May 10th 6:30 p.m.
JOIN US FOR AN ONLINE WEBINAR focused on the transition for families that occurs when a parent retires, begins receiving Social Security retirement benefits, ends employer-based commercial health insurance, and enrolls in Medicare. We are pleased to have Attorney Svetlana Uimenkova of the Disability Law Center present about this transition and its impact on the adult disabled family member’s social security and health insurance status. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar, a fact sheet, and also an AFAM email address where registrants can send questions in advance of the webinar. This Webinar is being co-sponsored by Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts (AFAM) and the Autism Alliance. We also thank The Insurance Resource Center for Autism and Behavioral Health for its assistance. Adult Recreation Programs* 
Glee Club Saturday May 14th 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Virtual Glee Club is one of our most popular programs. Glee club is facilitated by music teacher, Mr. William Lynch, and co-lead by Sophie McLaughlin, expressive movement therapist. The group meets monthly and is for ages 18+. The program is a mixture of singing songs, and dance. Click on the link register. 
Zoom Zumba Saturday May 14th 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Licensed Zumba® Fitness instructor, Andria DeSimone will lead an hour-long Zumba class. Advocates Fun, Friends, & Family events are open to individuals with disabilities who are 16 and older, staff who support them, their families, and friends. We welcome members of the Advocates community, as well as those interested in learning more about us. Autism Alliance MONTHLY Support Groups* Support Program for SIBLINGS Sibshop Support Group Saturday May 14th 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Our Autism Alliance Sibshop is a program for typically developing brothers and sisters, ages 7-12, who have a sibling with autism. It is a relaxed environment that gives the siblings a place to meet other sibs (usually for the first time); Have fun; Talk about the good and not-so-good parts of having a sib with special needs with others who “get it”; Play some great games; Explore how other brother and sisters handle sticky situations sometimes faced by brothers and sisters; Laugh; Learn about the services their brothers and sister receive; Have some more fun!
Sensory Friendly Events Sensory Friendly Afternoon Tuesday, May 3, 2022 1:30pm to 4:30pm Free with pre-registration Registration Required: Register Now Come explore the accessible Discovery Museum, Discovery Woods, and our giant treehouse! Sensory-Friendly Afternoons are all about inclusion. During these events, the Museum is open to the general public, but group visits and birthday parties are not scheduled, to avoid crowding and support access to exhibits. 
Autism-Friendly Evening Saturday, May 21, 2022 Registration Required: Register Now Join us for this special evening event for families with members on the autism spectrum. Play, explore, experiment, and imagine together, while we are closed to the general public and headcount is limited. ASL interpretation may be available upon request. Dinner, including a gluten-free option, will be provided. Healthy Happenings Emails 
In case you missed one, or want to check back in, our Healthy Heroes is now Healthy Happenings emails which are published weekly for up-to-date Autism Alliance programming and community resources designed to keep you connected and supported. You can find these archived on our website along with our current and past monthly newsletters. Disability Benefits & Transition Age Youth Webinar Tuesday May 10th, 2022 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Employment First / Institute for Community Inclusion with UMass Boston This training provides information related to the significant benefit changes that young adults with disabilities need to understand as they approach adulthood, including: The mandatory Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Age 18 redetermination process. How adult benefits differ from childhood-related benefits under both Social Security programs. SSI and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).How changes to public health insurance can occur. Section 301 (Continued Payment under a Vocational Rehabilitation Program or Similar Program) The Student Earned Income Exclusion (SEIE) for individuals 21 and younger on SSI. How a PASS Plan can help young adults leverage financial resources to fund education that may give them a head start on their career goals. ASL and CART have been requested. Requests must be made when you register. The deadline to request ASL is May 5 for the May session.
*Please submit requests for accommodations, including ASL interpreters, at least Connect With Us
www.AutismAlliance.org | (508) 652-9900 | AutismAlliance@Advocates.org Our Contact Information 
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