Asperger Syndrome and Adult Life
Navigating the Massachusetts Public and Private Supports and Service Systems
Saturday, January 9, 2016
Crowne Plaza Boston-Newton Hotel
320 Washington Street ~ Newton, MA
This is a full-day conference for adults with Asperger Syndrome (AS) or related profiles and family members of adults and older teens with AS/related profiles. Experts will explain the many public and private supports that may be appropriate for adults who live in Massachusetts.
Conference Schedule
8:30-9:00am Conference Check in & Breakfast
9:00-9:15am Opening Remarks
9:15-10:30am Session 1: ASD and Social Security Benefits (all)
10:30-10:45am Break
10:45am - 12:15pm Morning Workshops (choose one)
12:15-1:15pm Lunch
1:15-2:45pm Session 2: Overview of Adult Housing (all)
2:45-3:00pm Break
3:00-4:30pm Afternoon Workshops (choose one)
4:30-5:00pm Information Tables Remain Open
Conference Workshops
Workshop Session One
Asperger Syndrome Employment and Social Security Benefits (all attend)
Presenter: Kathryn Collins-Wooley
When competitive employment is not an option, most people will turn to social securityfor disability benefits, either SSI (Supplemental Security Income) orSSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance). This session will summarize these benefits and cover the adult social security application process.
Morning Workshops (select one)
Workshop A: Legal Planning and Alternatives to Guardianship
Presenters: Ken Shulman & Barbara Jackins
This workshop will focus on estate planning, which is important to assure an adult child of long term financial security and also to make sure that financial systems are in place to protect both assets and any benefits your child may be receiving. The workshop will also discuss alternatives to guardianship that are appropriate for adults with Asperger profiles.
Workshop B: Public Vocational Supports
Presenters: Kristen Hayden, James Fratolillo & Ann Shor
This workshop will focus on the variety of services and supports that the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC) can provide to adults with Asperger Syndrome, including Vocational Assessment, Career Counseling, Interviewing Skills, and more. The workshop will also include a discussion of balancing work with benefits.
Workshop C: Healthcare
Presenters: Amy Weinstock & Jo Anne Bayliss
Focusing on health care coverage for adults with AS, this workshop will include information about Medicare, MassHealth, Commonwealth Care, One Care, and the impact of the Affordable Care Act on insurance coverage.
Workshop D: DDS
Presenter: Janet GeorgeThis workshop will discuss changes in the Department of Disability Services eligibility and services for adults with autism spectrum profiles as a result of the passage of the Omnibus Autism Bill.
Workshop Session Two
Overview of Adult Housing (all attend)
Presenter: Dafna Krouk-Gordon
Adults with AS can live independently and there are a wide variety of housing options available to them, including supported housing (some with Adult Foster Care), supervised housing, public housing, (subsidized and Section 8), and public/private partnership models.This workshop provides an overview of housing options.
Afternoon Workshops (select one)
Workshop E: Private Housing Options
Presenters: Michael Caballero, Doreen Cummings & Beth Gutierrez
This panel of experts have developed interesting and creative housing models for adults with Asperger profiles. They will discuss these new models and answer your questions.
Workshop F: Private Vocational Options
Presenters: Barbara Bissonnette, Nataliya Poto, Leslie O’Brien & Meagan Hanley This panel of experts will review their innovative and successful programs for helping adults with AS obtain and sustain employment. They will discuss their programs and answer your questions.
Workshop G: Public Housing
Presenters: Katherine Provost & Eric Shupin
Attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about public housing options that may be available for adults with AS, including both subsidized housing and Section 8.
Workshop H: Moving Out
Presenters: Alexandria Nadworny and Susan Nadworny
This mother and sibling duo will help attendees think about “getting ready to move out” in a practical way. How would you assess readiness to move out? How do you learn what you need to know? What can families do?
General Conference Information
Conference Location: Crowne Plaza Boston-Newton Hotel, 320 Washington Street, Newton, MA.
Registration Fees:
AANE members: $85/person
Nonmembers: $120/person
Additional family members (at the same address): $55/person
Registration fees include morning coffee and lunch. There is no discount if you cannot attend the entire day’s program or if you bring your own lunch. If you are unsure of your membership status, please call AANE at 617-393-3824, ext. 10 to check; you will not be registered for the conference if the correct fees are not enclosed.
Financial Assistance: Thanks to a generous grant from the John W. Alden Trust, AANE is able to offer scholarships to families in need. If your adult child is under 24 years of age and you live inside Route 495 in Massachusetts call Karen at 617-393-3824 ext. 10 for more information. If you are not eligible for an Alden scholarship and you are a parent or an adult with AS/related profile who needs financial assistance to attend this conference, funding may be available through your state’s Developmental Disabilities Council (DDC). In MA, call 617-770-7676, ext. 115. (Residents in other states should check www.nacdd.org for financial aid.) MDDC funds are limited and applications must be received by December 1st to be eligible. Call Karen at 617-393-3824 ext. 10 to discuss financial aid opportunities.
Refund Policy: Refunds, minus a $10 processing fee per person, are available until the end of our business day on January 4, 2016. No refunds/credits after January 4th or for no-shows.
Lunch and Special Diets: Lunch includes a variety of sandwiches, wraps, and salads (including vegetarian and gluten-free options), chips, cookies and brownies, and a beverage. We cannot accommodate any other dietary restrictions and there is no discount if you bring your own lunch.
Directions & Parking: Log on to www.crowneplazanewton.com/about/directions.htm. If you are using GPS input the address 317 Washington Street or Buff's Pub to get the most accurate driving directions. Parking is free in the attached garage. If you are taking public transportation the hotel is near several bus routes and a short ride from the Newton Centre (Green Line) MBTA station.
Lodging: A limited number of Crowne Plaza rooms are available at a preferred group rate on Friday (January 8) and Saturday (January 9) nights. You must book your own reservations directly with the hotel no later than December 18th by calling 617-969-3010 or online at Asperger Autism Booking Link. Mention the “Asperger/Autism Network” when making your reservation.
Dogs: Only leashed service dogs permitted.
Chemical Sensitivities: Due to chemical sensitivities among those in our community, please refrain from wearing perfume or scented products at the conference.
Inclement Weather on January 9: If we need to reschedule the conference due to snow, an announcement will be made by 6:00 a.m. on January 9—call AANE at 617-393-3824, ext. 25. We will also send an email to the address you used when registering. If we must cancel, we will make every effort to reschedule the conference. If you are not able to attend on the new date we will refund your registration fee.
Accommodations: If you require an ADA and/or a communication access accommodation, please contact Michelle at 617-393-3824 ext. 25 or Michelle.Alkon@aane.org. Requests must be received by December 18, 2015. For those who make requests after this date every effort will be made to provide a reasonable accommodation, however we might not be able to do so given the time constrains.