The Autism Society of Minnesota

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The Autism Society of Minnesota

AuSM is the local organization serving individuals with autism and those who care for them.
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08/26/2026

Meaningful employment matters, especially for disabled people. When you have systemic barriers in place that prevent you from gaining and/or maintaining said meaningful employment such as struggles to request and receive reasonable accommodations, struggling with transportation to and from work, or for some of the disability community, struggles with making more than the minimum wage; it can feel incredibly overwhelming.

Our September workshop is here to have an honest conversation not only about these barriers, but to offer you real supports you can use right away! Whether you're an autistic adult who is struggling to request and receive accommodations, a caretaker who wants to provide better support for an autistic family member, or an educator and/or a professional who wants to be better equipped with the knowledge and best practices to help autistic adults meaningful gain and maintain employment, this workshop is for you!

Our workshop is only a few short weeks away on Thursday, September 10. Join the conversation using the link below: https://ausm.org/education/workshops/ausm-workshop-a-realists-guide-to-employment-supports/

08/25/2026

We're hosting Minnesota's largest autism-centered conference, and we want YOU to come speak for us!

We're continuing to take applications for our 2027 Minnesota Autism Conference for speakers, and we believe you're someone out there who has something meaningful to contribute to the conversation. Whether you're an autistic adult, a caretaker, an educator, a professional in the field who works with autistic people, you're all of the above, you're somewhere in between and you speak about your lived experiences, etc. we want to hear from you! We're looking for a variety of topics so don't feel limited to the topics listed, all are welcome. Applications are due Friday, November 6th.

Bring your knowledge. Share your perspective. Help shape the conversation:

https://ausm.org/events/minnesota-autism-conference/apply-to-present-at-2027-minnesota-autism-conference/

08/22/2026

Our four-person division is officially SOLD OUT!

All the pieces are in place for our four-person division. Thank you to everyone who signed up. We are excited to bring you an exciting, fast paced, and fun puzzling event no matter if you are a beginner or an advanced competitor.

Missed out on the four-person division? Don't completely miss out on all of the fun! We still have 23 spots remaining in our two-person division and 21 spots remaining in our free-for-all division. We also have unlimited spots available in our virtual division, with spots available until September 11th to guarantee you'll receive your puzzle shipped to your house before the event.

Come place your puzzle pieces in at our 9th annual Jigsaw Puzzle Competition! Sign up using the link below: ausm.org/puzzle2026

08/20/2026

🏒A Celly to remember!

We're so grateful to Wild Gives Back for their generosity towards our mission to enhance the lives of all who are part of the autism community, with a fundamental commitment to advocacy, education, support, collaboration, and community building. Thanks to their incredible gift of $15,000, we will be able to continue to give our autistic campers an inclusive, welcoming, and affirming camp experience. Additionally, we also received $16,789 through the Split the Pot program to go towards our broader mission of continuing to provide resources, support, events, and therapy to our autistic community.

Our mission can't move forward without the kindness and generosity of our partners and donors. Thank you for allowing us to continue to be a trusted resource for our community through your belief in our work.

08/18/2026

Introducing our newest workshop series: ROOTED: Courageous Conversations for Black Parents Raising Autistic Children!

ROOTED is a four part workshop series designed to create a welcoming space where Black parents and caregivers of autistic children can connect, learn, and grow together. Through meaningful conversations led by Black parents, professionals, and community leaders, the series explores the unique experiences of raising an autistic child while navigating the intersection of race, culture, and disability.

Each workshop centers the voices and lived experiences of Black families while providing practical information, strategies, and resources to support everyday life. Topics will vary throughout the series and may include advocacy, education, navigating schools and healthcare, family well being, identity, building community, and other priorities identified by participants.

Workshop dates:
September 23, 2026
November 18, 2026
February 24, 2027
April 28, 2027

All Workshops are from 6-7:30 p.m. and are free to attend!

ROOTED is more than a workshop series. It is an opportunity to build lasting connections with families who understand your journey. Participants are encouraged to share experiences, ask questions, exchange ideas, and learn from one another in a supportive, respectful, and culturally affirming environment.

Whether you are new to your autism journey or have years of experience, ROOTED offers a space to strengthen your confidence, expand your support network, and celebrate the resilience, wisdom, and strengths within our community.

We believe every family's story matters. By sharing our stories, we build understanding. By supporting one another, we grow stronger together. Sign up to join the conversation using the link below: ausm.org/rooted

08/14/2026

After 10 years of incredible advocacy, and service, our long time Policy Director Jillian Nelson has informed AuSM of her decision to depart the organization effective Friday, August 14th.

Reflecting on their tenure with AuSM she says: "It's hard to put into words what AuSM has meant to me. It has been a place where I've had the privilege to work alongside an incredible community of autistic people, families, colleagues, partners, and advocates who are committed to making Minnesota more welcoming and accessible for everyone."

We are incredibly grateful for Jillian’s contributions over their tenure with our organization. The passion, determination, and commitment she brought to her advocacy and policy work set the precedent for AuSM to continue forward in our unwavering efforts to support our autistic community. We wish them well in their future endeavors!

08/13/2026

🏕️We're in the final stretch of camp season and we're so grateful for the memories we've made with all of our campers!

Every laugh on the boat, every fish caught, every piece of art made, we've had the most incredible summer with our campers. That's why we want to keep the campfire going for everyone!

Camp is our love letter to the autistic community. To provide a safe space for autistic people to have access to a camping experience, to make memories they will cherish for a lifetime with others just like them, and to remove the barriers that make camping difficult. Our Scholarship campaign is still running through the end of August, help us continue to provide the gift of an accessible camping experience:

🍦A $20 gift will help provide ice cream for campers to share around the campfire
🛥️A $50 gift helps keep our boats afloat
🏇A $250 gift supports horseback riding therapy
🧑‍⚕️A $500 gift provides one-to-one care for a camper
🏕️A $2000 gift provides a full scholarship for a camper

You are a vital part in our campers making meaningful memories, help us keep the campfire going now: https://givebutter.com/summer-camp-fund

08/12/2026

🧩We're slowly putting the pieces together, all that's missing is YOU!

There's still time to join us for our 9th annual Jigsaw Puzzle Competition on Saturday, October 3 at the Huntington Bank Rotunda at the Mall of America. Whether you're a beginner or advanced, there is a place for you at the largest autism-centered puzzling competition. We honor all abilities, all paces, in all places!

If you're able to join us in person, here is the line-up of divisions on hand:
🧩 4-Person Division (Beginner or Advanced)
8:30–10:30 a.m. | $60 per team
Featuring a brand new, unreleased PuzzleTwist puzzle
🧩 2-Person Division
11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. | $60 per team
Featuring a classic, previously released puzzle
🧩 Free-For-All Division
1:30–3:30 p.m. | $60 per team
Any number of puzzlers—compete solo or as a team of 2, 3, or 4!
Featuring a classic, previously released puzzle

If you're joining us virtually, be sure to register by September 11 to have your puzzle shipped to you or to the AuSM office for you to pick up no later than October 1.

Slots are filling fast, so come be part of a puzzling event that's only complete when you're part of it: ausm.org/puzzle2026

08/10/2026

Are you someone who has in depth knowledge about autism and something meaningful to share? We're inviting researchers, professionals, educators, advocates, autistic people, family members, and others with expertise in the autism community to submit proposals for the Minnesota Autism Conference.

The presentations we are looking for must be one hour in length, in person at the DoubleTree by Hilton Minneapolis Airport Hotel, and will fall on the dates of April 14-16th. Applications are due Friday, November 6!

Bring your knowledge. Share your perspective. Help shape the conversation: ausm.org/2027speakers

08/08/2026

🚨New workshop alert!

Introducing the topic of our September Workshop: A Realist's Guide to Employment Supports

Disabled adults still face barriers in seeking and maintaining employment, but those barriers won't stop disabled adults from seeking the security, opportunity, and purpose that meaningful employment provides. This workshop will discuss the state of employment in 2026, provide clarification and clear up misinformation, talk about strategies for attaining reasonable accommodations at work, and offer a balanced approach to self-advocacy within employer policy and culture.

Want to take your employment to the next level that will lead to long-term success? Sign up to attend our September workshop on September 10, from 9-11:30 a.m. using the link below:
https://ausm.org/education/workshops/ausm-workshop-a-realists-guide-to-employment-supports/

Address

2380 Wycliff Street, Ste 102
Saint Paul, MN
55114

Telephone

+16516471083

Website

http://www.ausm.org/

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