Autism Society - The Heartland

06/14/2026

SOLD OUT! Thank you to everyone for making our 3rd ticket drop sold out in minutes. If you weren't able to get tickets this time, we will continue to host more games this year! Stay tuned.

You can still click on the link and head to the auction tab to bid on the Jac Caglianone autographed baseball.

-Autism Society of the Heartland
www.asaheartland.org

We are happy to announce that ticket registration is now open for the Kansas City Royals vs. St Louis Cardinals game on Thursday, June 18th at 6:40pm. Tickets are limited (100 in total will be made available).

Sign up at this link:

https://givebutter.com/c/royals-game-june-18-sosned

Tickets will be sent through MLB app so please register with the same email for a smooth transaction.

If you appreciate everything Autism Society does for the community and wish to see our organization grow, please consider making an OPTIONAL donation as well. Every dollar makes a difference, and no amount is too small.

Also, please check out the auction for an autographed baseball signed by Royals star player Jac Caglianone! Starting bid is only $150. The auction will run through June 17th.

Support Autism Society of the Heartland. Bid on Jacglianone autographed baseball. Kansas City Royals ticket giveaway

06/13/2026

06/13/2026

Save the date Kansas residents

Save the Date!

Join us for our KCDD Day at the Capitol on Wednesday, February 10, 2027!

This is a chance for self-advocates, parents, family members, caregivers, and professionals to come together, learn about important issues, and make their voices heard with lawmakers.

What can you expect?
✅ Advocacy 101 Training to help you prepare for the day
✅ Meetings with your State Legislators
✅ Opportunities to connect with other advocates from across Kansas
✅ Breakfast and lunch provided

Register by January 6th (every participant must be registered to attend) at https://form.jotform.com/261584942701056

Travel Assistance & Scholarships: We want this event to be accessible to everyone. Travel assistance and scholarship opportunities will be available to help make attendance possible. If you require assistance, please fill out this form at https://form.jotform.com/261594318063055

We can't wait to come together, share our stories, and advocate for positive change!



[Image description: Text information on a blue background with a black and white image of the Kansas Capitol at the bottom:
KCDD Day AT THE KANSAS CAPITOL
Make YOUR Voice Heard at KCDD’s 3rd Annual Day at the Capitol!
This event is dedicated to advocacy, fostering connections, and raising awareness about issues that impact people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD).
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Find out more and register at kcdd.org]

06/12/2026

Our friends at Kansas Center for Autism Research and Training asked if we could assist in recruiting volunteers to participate in a valuable study. Please consider signing up and helping researchers better understand brain development in ASD.

P A R T I C I P A T E I N
AUTISM RESEARCH

We are looking for autistic individuals 8-35 years old.

We welcome people with:
Intellectual disability
Profound autism
Behaviors that others find challenging
Different styles of communication (including minimally verbal or non-verbal individuals).

Participants will be compensated for their time.

Contact us at:
https://redcap.kumc.edu/surveys/?s=JATAPCALRN
Phone: 785-864-4461
Email: [email protected]
Website: BRAINlab.ku.edu

Who we are
The Biobehavioral Research on Autism, Intellectual and Neurodevelopmental disabilities (BRAIN) Laboratory is interested in understanding brain development and how it relates to the variety of different symptoms, behaviors, and abilities that are present in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

06/11/2026

Our monthly A.W.A.R.E Events are designed to provide a welcoming low-pressure environment where adults with autism can socialize, build friendships, and enjoy time together in the community.

This year we have hosted events at Craft Putt (sorry to see them go!), Chicken N Pickle, and The Brew Top. Next week, on Wednesday, June 17th, we will be hosting bowling night at Advent Sports Park at Blu Hawk from 6-8pm! Bowling will be from 7-8 and paid for by ASH.

There is still time to register at https://givebutter.com/AWAREJune26

If you have any questions regarding this event, please email our team at [email protected].

Financial support from the community helps us fund and host events like this. Please consider contributing at asaheartland.org, click on 'Donate' at the top right of the page.

Thank you everyone for your continued love and support!
-Autism Society of the Heartland

06/08/2026

You are invited to June's A.W.A.R.E Social Outing on June 17th. This is a great event for the Autism Society to make new friends and have a fun night together. RSVP: https://givebutter.com/AWAREJune26

06/04/2026

We get this request a lot from people looking for group support system. Please consider joining this program tomorrow and check it out!

Tomorrow is We All Matter!

If you've been looking for a place where your voice is heard and your story matters, we hope you'll join us!

We All Matter is a safe, supportive space for people with I/DD to come together, connect, and grow.

We meet monthly to talk about what’s on our hearts and minds. We all deserve to feel seen and supported!

Get the Zoom link at https://bit.ly/kcddWAM

[Image description: White banner with various colored icons at the right + text on the left: WE ALL MATTER
a mental health support group for people with IDD
First Friday of each month, from 4:30-5:30pm via Zoom]

05/30/2026

Storage locker clean out time!

We have a few items in our storage unit that we no longer need and want to put it out to community to see if anyone can use some of it before we donate them.

We have:
3 orange water coolers
2 file cabinets
Brochure stand
Vacuum
Roaster Oven

Email [email protected] if interested in anything. All items will be donated on 6/8. No cost expected (any donation appreciated). If it is listed it is still available.

Thank you!

05/27/2026

Join our national organization for a water safety seminar. RSVP link is below

Join us TOMORROW for a vital conversation on Water Safety and Autism.

We are hosting an open town hall with National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA) and we want to hear from you. This forum is a unique opportunity to gather as a community, ask your questions, and share insights on how we can better protect and empower individuals with autism around water.

Whether you are a parent, advocate, or community member, your voice and perspective are essential to this work.

➡️Secure your spot now: https://bit.ly/4nZTN73

05/26/2026

Kansas is breaking the law — and our kids are paying the price.

Kansas law requires the state to reimburse school districts for 92% of excess special education costs. The last time that actually happened? The 2010–2011 school year. Today, the state pays roughly 67 cents of every dollar it legally owes.

Here's what that looks like on the ground:
📍 Blue Valley pulled $18 million from its general fund this year to cover what the state refused to pay
📍 Across Johnson County's six school districts, $132 million was redirected away from general education
📍 Olathe eliminated 27 positions and is considering school consolidations
📍 In Kansas City, KS, students missed services mid-year due to chronic paraprofessional vacancies
📍 In rural Kansas, when the only qualified paraprofessional leaves, there may be no replacement within driving distance

Paraprofessionals aren't optional. For many of our children, they are how learning happens. Cutting them isn't a budget decision — it's a civil rights violation.

In 2017, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled unanimously that an IEP must enable real educational growth. A state that refuses to fund special education creates the exact conditions where that standard cannot be met.

Now it's our turn to take action.

📣 EVERY Kansas House seat is on the ballot in August 2026. Ask every candidate: Will you fund special education at the 92% the law requires?

🔎 Find your legislators and their votes: kslegislature.gov/li — search HB 2513
🔎 Blue Valley residents: standupbluevalley.org
🔎 Know your rights: Disability Rights Center of Kansas at drckansas.org or 785-273-9661

Learn more and get involved with our community: www.asaheartland.org

Share this. Tag a parent, educator, or neighbor. Our children cannot wait. Link to full article on KCStar.com

https://www.kansascity.com/opinion/readers-opinion/guest-commentary/article315829190.html