Asperger's Association of New England, Inc.

Mission

The Asperger's Association of New England fosters awareness, respect, acceptance and support for individuals with Asperger's Syndrome (a form of autism) and their families. A group of concerned families and professionals founded AANE in 1996, following a fall 1995 conference on Asperger's Syndrome. The strong response to the conference demonstrated the need for an organization that could offer on-going support and education to affected families, train educators (and other professionals), and raise public awareness of Asperger's. Despite their normal or high IQs, people with AS show severe, sustained impairment in social interactions. They experience significant adjustment problems within the family, at school, and in later life. With proper support and education, they can learn skills to offset some of the most debilitating aspects of Asperger's.

Programs

During the 10 years since our inception, AANE has developed a wide array of services to help our constituents cope with the challenges Asperger's Syndrome poses in their lives. We have provided personal, individualized telephone support for about 10,000 families: referrals from our database; Asperger's Information Packet; Family Networking List, so parents can support each other by telephone. Parent support groups meet monthly in Massachusetts, Maine, NH, VT, and Rhode Island. Groups for adults with AS in Watertown, Western Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. Support groups for spouses/partners of adults with AS. Workshops for police, mental health workers, schools, social work students, etc. Fall conferences: keynote speaker for 2005 was Dr. Oliver Sacks, who drew 615 parents, adults with AS, educators, and other professionals. Monthly intro classes: "Understanding AS," and "Success in School." Intensive training with Elsa Abele, SLP/CCC on teaching social skills. The AANE News, distributed twice a year. Legislative Advocacy to make people with AS eligible for funds from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. A website (www.aane.org) full of useful information, news, links to other helpful sites. AANE is a member of the Massachusetts Autism Coalition. We participate in Autism Spectrum Awareness Day at the State House every April. The Edwin Phillips Foundation Family Grants Program, the Doug Flutie, Jr. Family Grants Program at AANE, and a privately funded Family Grants Program allow AANE to assist low-to-moderate income families living in New England with small cash grants. Fifty page handbook called Living, Loving, and Working: Life Issues, Solutions, and Resources for Adults with Asperger's Syndrome. Included is a "Letter to Employers," a tool to help adults with AS disclose their disability in the workplace. Activities to raise public awareness of AS, including media interviews, trainings, and presentations about AS.