Asperger Syndrome
and
Adult Life
Navigating the Massachusetts Public and Private Supports and Services Systems 

Saturday, January 10, 2015
9:00 am - 5:30 pm
(Snow date: Sunday, January 11, 2015)

Lasell College
Winslow Academic Center
1844 Commonwealth Avenue ~ Newton, MA 

This is a full-day conference for adults with AS/related profiles and parents 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 – 9:00 AM      Check-in & Continental Breakfast
9:00 – 9:15 AM      Opening Remarks
9:15 – 10:30 AM    Session 1 -- ASD and Social Security Benefits (all attend)
10:30 – 10:45 AM  Break 
10:45 – 12:15 PM  Morning Workshops (choose 1)
12:15 – 1:15 PM    Lunch
1:15 – 2:45 PM      Session 2 -- Overview of Adult Housing (all attend)
2:45 – 3:00 PM      Break
3:00 – 4:30 PM      Afternoon Workshops (choose 1)
4:30 – 5:30 PM      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 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.

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 AS.

Workshop B    Public Vocational Supports  
Presenters: Neil Hennessey, James Fratolillo; Hermin Miranda & Betty Maher
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.  

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    Forms Clinic
Presenters: AANE Staff
Bring documentation and work one-on-one to fill out your application to SSI, MassHealth, or MRC. Limited to 6 participants.

Workshop Session Two
Overview of Adult Housing (all attend)
Presenter: Betsy Closs
 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.

Workshop E     Private Housing Options
Presenters: Michael Caballero, Margaret Wizansky, Doreen Cummings & Dafna Krouk-Gordon
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 F    Private Vocational Options  
Presenters: Nataliya Poto, Leslie O’Brien & Madeline Wenzel
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..  

Presenters: Katherine Provost & Erik 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    DDS
Presenter: Janet George
This workshop will discuss changes in eligibility and services for the Department of Disability Services for adults with Spectrum profiles as a result of the new Autism Bill’s passage.

General Conference Information

Conference Location: Lasell College, Winslow Academic Center, 1844 Commonwealth Avenue, Newton, MA

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

Registration Fees:
AANE member:               $85/person          
Nonmember*:                   $135/person
Additional person
(at the same address):    $55/person

Registration fees include morning coffee, box lunch, and parking at the venue. There is no discount if you cannot attend the entire day’s program or if you bring your own lunch.
*Note: Nonmember fees include a new one-year AANE membership/renewal. 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.

Refund Policy: Refunds, minus a $10 processing fee per person, are available until January 3, 2015. No refunds/credits after January 3rd or for no-shows. If you register under the nonmember rate, which includes a new one-year AANE membership or renewal, and you cancel your conference registration, your membership/renewal will also be canceled unless you pay the applicable membership fee.

Box Lunch: Lunch will include a sandwich, fresh fruit sald, chips, a cookie or brownie, and a bottle of water. Regular lunches will include deli meat. Vegetarian and gluten-free lunches are also available. Select your lunch on the registration form. Sorry, but we cannot accommodate additional dietary restrictions. There is no discount if you bring your own lunch.

Financial Assistance: If 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. 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.

Sensory Sensitivities: Due to sensory sensitivities among those in our ASD community, please refrain from wearing perfume/scented products at the conference.

Dogs: Only leashed service dogs permitted.

Weather or Public Emergency on January 10: When registering for this conference, please ensure that you are able to attend on both the scheduled date and the potential snow date. There are no refunds or credits if the conference is rescheduled due to snow and you are unable to attend. If we need to reschedule to the snow date, an announcement will be made by 6:00 a.m. on January 10 and you will be informed by email or by calling AANE at (617) 393-3824, ext. 25. 

Online registration is closed.
Please call 617-393-3824 x10 to register by phone.