Asperger's Association of New England
presents:

Asperger Syndrome and Adult Life:
Navigating the Massachusetts Public and Private
Supports and Service Systems
January 11, 2014
Snow date: January 12, 2014
Lasell College ~ Newton, MA 

A full-day conference for adults with AS/related conditions and parents of adults and older teens with AS/related conditions. Experts will explain the many public and private supports that may be appropriate for adults with Asperger Syndrome and related conditions living in Massachusetts. Topics include:

Federal Income Subsidy Program  ~  Public Housing Options    
Public Vocational Supports  ~  Healthcare  ~  Legal and Financial Planning
Private Housing Options  ~  Private Vocational Supports  ~  Guardianship

CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

8:30 - 9:00 a.m.               Conference Check-In & Continental Breakfast
9:00 - 9:15 a.m.                Welcome
9:15 - 10:30 a.m.               Session 1 - Asperger Syndrome Employment and Social Security Benefits (all attend)
10:30 - 10:45 a.m.            Break
10:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.    Morning Workshops (choose one from list below)**
12:15 - 1:15 p.m.                 Lunch (box lunch included in registration fee or bring your own)
1:15 - 2:45 p.m.                 Session 2 - Overview of Adult Housing (all attend)
2:45 - 3:00 p.m.               Break
3:00 - 4:30 p.m.               Afternoon Workshops (choose one from list below)**
4:30 - 5:30 p.m.               Information Tables Remain Open

**Please note that materials from all workshops will be included in your conference packet, even for the workshops you cannot attend.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Conference Fees, per person:  AANE member  $80     Non-member $130 (includes new 1-year AANE membership or renewal)          Additional family member  $50        No group discounts for professionals.
Fees include morning/afternoon refreshments and box lunch.

Registration Deadline: Advance registration with payment is required by January 3, 2014. 

Refunds: Refunds, minus a $10 processing fee per person, are available until January 3, 2014 . No refunds after January 3rd or for no-shows. There is no discount if you cannot attend the entire day or if you bring your own food.

Snow date: When registering for this conference, please ensure you are able to attend both the scheduled date and the potential snow date. There are no refunds or credits if the conference is re-scheduled to the snow date and you are unable to attend. If we need to re-schedule to the snow date, an announcement will be made by 6:00 a.m. on January 11 and you will be informed
by email or by calling AANE at (617) 393-3824, ext. 25.

Financial Aid: If you are a parent or an adult with AS/related condition 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. Apply for funding as soon as  possible as funds are limited. You must pay your conference registration fee up front to AANE. If approved, the Council will reimburse you. If you are unable to access money through the DDC, please call AANE at (617) 393-3824, ext. 10, to discuss financial aid options.

Lunch and Special Diets: The box lunch will include a choice of deli sandwich (turkey, roast beef, tuna, etc.), fresh fruit salad, chips, cookie or brownie, and a bottle of water. Vegetarian and gluten-free box lunches are also available; please indicate your lunch choice on the registration form. We’re sorry, but we cannot accommodate any other dietary restrictions. No discount if you bring your own lunch.

Chemical Sensitivities: Due to chemical sensitivities among those in our Asperger’s community, please refrain from wearing perfume/scented products at the conference.

Dogs: Only leashed service dogs allowed.

Directions, Parking & Public Transportation: For driving directions from the north, south, east or west, click here. Park in Lot P1 (free). The College is approximately a 15-minute walk from Riverside Station (Green Line-D Train).

SESSION 1 - ASPERGER SYNDROME EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS
Presenter: Kathryn Collins-Wooley, Ph.D.
(All attend this session)

When competitive employment is not an option, most people will turn to social security for disability benefits, either SSI (Supplemental Security Income) or SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance). This session will summarize these benefits and cover the adult social security application process.

MORNING WORKSHOPS
(Please select one on the registration form.)

Workshop A    Legal Planning and Alternatives to Guardianship
Presenters: Ken Shulman, J.D. and Barbara Jackins, J.D.
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 AS

Workshop B    Public Vocational Supports            
Presenters: James Fratolillo; Marilyn Reale; Betty Maher; and Carreen Reinhold
This workshop will focus on the variety of services and supports that can be provided by the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC) 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: TBD
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.

SESSION 2 - OVERVIEW OF ADULT HOUSING
Presenter: Betsy Closs, MSW
(All attend this session)

Adults with AS can live independently and there is 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
(Please select one on the registration form.)

Workshop D    Private Housing Options
Presenters: David Wizansky, LICSW; Keith Duclos, MS; and Doreen Cummings, MSW
This panel of experts have developed interesting and creative models for housing for adults with AS.  They will discuss these new models and answer your questions.

Workshop E    Private Vocational Options                
Presenters: Barbara Bissonnette; Nataliya Poto, MS; Marci Shaffer; Madeline Wenzel
This panel of experts will review their innovative and successful programs for helping adults with AS obtain and sustain employments.  They will discuss their programs and answer your questions.

Workshop F    Public Housing
Presenter: Kathryn Provost, MBA
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.  Ms. Provost will present options for public housing and answer your questions.

Register Now! Please note you do not need a PayPal Account to register. When you get to the registration page, complete the registrant information and then click the "Check Out with PayPal" link at the bottom. This will take you to another page where you can enter your credit card information.