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Camp AUsome! Camp AUsome! is a great opportunity for autistic children to connect with others and have fun in a safe and inclusive environment. Our week-long programs are affordable and specifically designed to meet the unique needs of the neurodiverse community. The experienced staff is equipped to handle a variety of needs, ensuring that every child has a fun and successful camp experience. We also offer opportunities for neurotypical siblings. Check out Camp WeGo! 02 Camp We:Code. Camp We:Code is designed to inspire middle and high school students on the autism spectrum to explore the exciting world of computer science. Partnering with Youth Code Jam, we offer a five-day program focused on getting children excited about coding and the endless possibilities it offers, including future career paths. Join us for an innovative experience which will inspire, challenge, and delight your child! But wait ... there's more! We are now partnering with Youth Code Jam to offer coding opportunities to younger autistic children. Third through fifth graders are invited to join us for an hour, once a week, for a series of 26 weeks, in the Valero Community Center annex on our campus, as a part of our new collaborative After School Coding Club. After School Coding Club. This club is a safe space where any young coder can be comfortable having fun and being creative with code. Contact adrienne@acn-sa.org for more information about Club We:Code. 01 Camp We:Play Camp We:Play is dedicated to providing a safe and fun-filled environment for children developmental ages 5-12. Our unique sensory-based activities offer a balance of exploration play and structured activities, ensuring that your child learns while having fun. Join us at our own Valero Community Center and let your child experience a summer camp they'll never forget! Contact adrienne@ 03 Camp We:Go. Camp We:Go offers a special experience for neurotypical siblings to come together and create lasting memories. Our 5-day sleep away camp, held in partnership with Camp Aranzazu in Rockport, Texas, is an opportunity for kids ages 7-10 and 11-16 to bond with each other while experiencing traditional camp activities and nature. Our experienced staff is dedicated to making this a special and memorable experience for every camper. How to start: Apply for Camp AUsome! Autism Community Network is begining to take applications for our summer program and we want you to get in because spaces will be limited. It all starts by filling out the following form... Enroll Cost of Camp Cancellation Policy In the event of a cancellation, ACN asks that you notify us at least a week in advance, so that we may offer the spot to another camper and return your investment. Failure to notify ACN will result in the forfeit of your fee for camp. Late Arrivals We understand that delays can happen however we ask that you notify us if your camper will be more than 10 minutes late to camp, so that, if necessary, we can adjust locations and activities accordingly to receive them. To find out more information about Camp AUsome pricing, please email Katie Benson at: katie@acn-sa.org

< Back Cathy Kersey Accounting Manager Catherine “Cathy” Kersey comes to Autism Community Network with over 18 years of experience in accounting. She moved to San Antonio in 2023 from Lubbock, TX where she worked as an Executive Finance and Account Manager for 13 years for a finance company. She comes to San Antonio with her husband and two dogs and is excited to explore San Antonio’s culture and restaurants. When not working, she loves to travel with her husband and experiencing new adventures. She is an avid animal lover and has been known to pick up a few strays here and there. She is also passionate about rescuing dogs and helping them find their forever homes. cathy@acn-sa.org (210) 435-1000 ext. 5009

< Back Jennifer Cleveland, PhD Licensed Psychologist Dr. Jennifer Cleveland received her degree from the University of North Texas. She has worked in various settings (and states!) throughout her career including community mental health, the pediatrics department at Bronx Lebanon Hospital, and the school health program through Montefiore Hospital. She has always loved to work with children and adolescents and has a special passion for evaluations and neuropsychological testing. In 2015 Dr. Cleveland became a faculty member at Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU) in New Jersey, where she served as the administrator for a program providing support for autistic college students. After four years at FDU, Jennifer decided it was time to get back to Texas and began working at UTSA’s former Counseling and Mental Health Services from 2019 – 2021. She left in 2021 to begin private practice full time where she particularly enjoyed evaluating and providing treatment for autistic adults. Jennifer served on the executive committee of the Bexar County Psychological Association as their Early Career Psychologist representative and wrote her first book chapter in 2022 in the book titled, Postsecondary Transition for College- or Career-bound Autistic Students. She joined ACN's clinical team in August of 2023 and is excited to contribute to the organization. In her free time, she loves going to music concerts with her husband, relaxing with her two teen children at home, reading, travelling, watching any good Netflix series (more recently The Lincoln Lawyer, Triptych, and Suits), and doing SPENGA workouts! jennifer@acn-sa.org (210) 435-1000

< Back Anna Paola Smith, LCSW Licensed Clinical Social Worker Anna Paola Smith attended The University of Texas at Austin where she received her BA in Psychology and her Masters degree in Social Work. She has had the opportunity to work with children and families in the school, hospital, and clinical settings. Anna Paola's interests lie in family system and how the development of one child may impact the entire family unit. After living in Austin for 6 years, she relocated to San Antonio with her husband, Daniel. During her free time she enjoys creating recipes for her Paleo-based Instagram account, exploring the culinary scene in San Antonio with her family and friends, and living an active, healthy lifestyle. anna.paola@acn-sa.org (210) 435-1000 ext. 2010

< Back Nicolle Reyna, MS CCC-SLP Speech Language Pathologist Nicolle Reyna holds a Master of Science degree in Communication Disorders from Texas Woman's University, a BA in Psychology from the University of the Incarnate Word, and a special education teaching certificate from Region 20. Nicolle was a special education teacher for 13 years in Edgewood ISD and San Antonio ISD where she developed a passion for helping students reach their maximum potential with the mindset that ALL children can learn. Prior to ACN, Nicolle worked in Early Childhood Intervention ( ECI) for 10 years where she enjoyed meeting and working with so many wonderful children and their families. Nicolle is passionate about empowering parents and caregivers with the tools they need to help their child learn and grow since they know them best! When Nicolle is not devoting her time to her career, she can be found cheering on the Texas Tech Red Raiders (fan by marriage) and the San Antonio Spurs with her husband, daughter, and two dog children, Theo and Bentley. Nicolle is a proud mom of a 21 year old neurodivergent daughter and loves to face time across the miles with her 5 year old neurodivergent niece. nicolle@acn-sa.org (210) 435-1000

< Back Vanessa Amaya Referral Coordinator Vanessa Amaya received a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Texas at San Antonio. She has worked with autistic individuals since 2012, first as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) to provide quality based Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to children who were diagnosed with autism. After 6 years as an RBT, while also serving in various leadership roles, Vanessa has served children and families in an administrative role. Vanessa is currently seeking credentialing as a PACT certified provider. During her free time, she enjoys making memories with her husband, three children, and extended families. vanessa@acn-sa.org (210) 435-1000 ext. 5006

:Le Brunch des Chapeaux Raffle Items Package #1 Beauty Package Parkhurst Luxe Medical Spa | Morpheus 8 Sugar & Lash | Lash Treatments HOTWORX | One Month Membership Heights IV | Treatment Skin Atelier | Laser Treatment & BBL Moxy Kelly Wade | Gift Card RFSA | Hydrafacial & Botox LOMI | Lomi Beauty Products & Bespoke Facial Jordan & Peterson | Gloz Deluxe Facial & Assorted Products Valued at $8,100 123-456-7890 info@mysite.com Package #2 Men's Package Bader Ranch | Dove Hunt for 8 People Dury's Gun Shop | Gift Card Origins Spa | $1,500 Laser Hair Removal Minx & Onyx | Vintage Whiskey Glasses & Matching Ice Bucket with Tongs New Braunfels Smoke House | Gift Card Chestnut Farms Bottled in Bond Bourbon (750mL) Valued at $5,100 123-456-7890 info@mysite.com Package #3 Staycation - San Antonio Sol Cypress Hotel | 1 Night Stay Elsewhere | Elsewhere Experience Bistr09 | Gift Card St. Bernard | Gift Card Penny Lane | Gift Card Majestic Theatre | Diana Krall Tickets Blü Prime Steakhouse | Gift Card The Alamo | Exhibit Tickets Citrine Home | Gift Card San Antonio Museum of Art | 4 Day Passes Valued at $2,800 123-456-7890 info@mysite.com Package #4 Family Package San Antonio Zoo | Tickets and Swag Alamo Heights Pool | Season Passes for up to 6 Immediate Family Members Farnsworth Orthodontics | Adolescent Orthodontic Treatment (Total Complexity) The Tobin Center for the Performing Arts | 6 Tickets to Ninja Kids, July 2025 Fiesta Texas | 4 Day Passes DoSeum | 1 Year Family Membership Valued at $7,500 123-456-7890 info@mysite.com Package #5 Andrea in Austin, Texas The Moody Center | Andrea Bocelli VIP Tickets - June 13, 2025 - Soundcheck Included! (Donated by Tobin Center for The Performing Arts) Shetler Fine Jewelers | Gift Card Ten Ten Restaurant |Gift Card Devil May Care | Gift Card J. McLaughlin | Handbag Valued at $4,000 123-456-7890 info@mysite.com Package #6 Afterparty Charlotte Dawson | Assorted Wines 2015 Moet ‘Grand Vintage’ Extra Brut Rosé Champagne NV Billecart-Salmon ‘Reserve’ Brut 2021 Alphonse Mellot ‘Le Paradis’ Sancerre 2023 Far Niente Chardonnay Napa Valley 2021 Frank Family ‘Reserve’ Chardonnay Carneros 2018 Grieve Family Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley 2017 Kistler Vineyards ‘Dutton Ranch’ Chardonnay Russian River Valley 2022 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 2022 PlumpJack Merlot Napa Valley 2022 Caymus ‘50th Anniversary’ Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2019 Conn Creek ‘Special Selection’ Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2017 Beringer ‘Steinhauer’ Carbernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain Valued at $2,000 123-456-7890 info@mysite.com Purchase your Tickets at the Event Other Day of Opportunities Join us in celebrating and supporting the important work that Autism Community Network is doing by participating in one of the other amazing "Day Of" Opportunities at Le Brunch des Chapeaux including an incredible Silent Art Auction sponsored by AnArte Gallery and Ana Montoya. See below for more information! Silent Auction Art Piece by Ana Hernandez-Burwell Ana Hernandez-Burwell holds a BFA in painting, with a minor in Art History from the University of Texas in San Antonio. She exhibits her work regionally and internationally. Ana has worked on numerous public art projects in San Antonio and Tamaulipas, Mexico. Fractured images of femininity, pop culture, and regional icons populate Ana Laura Hernández’s paintings. Born and raised on the South Texas border, Hernández-Burwell draws from her experience as a first-generation American and mother in contemporary culture. Hernandez lives and works in San Antonio, Texas. Ana will be painting an art piece on 28x48 canvas at the event that can be curated based on the winning bidder's preference. (Estimated value: $6,000+) You can see more of Ana's beautiful work here . Silent Auction Art Piece by Taylor Bohné Taylor Bohné is a mixed media, visual artist who was born and raised in San Antonio, and partially Southern Florida. He is inspired by Florida tropical landscapes, and modern Latin and Mexican American that is prevalent in the San Antonio Chicano and Modern art movement. His paintings focus on unique San Antonio architecture and iconic business storefronts to show appreciation and pride for his San Antonio roots. Follow Taylor on Instagram to see more of his incredible work. Taylor will be painting an art piece on 18x24 canvas at the event that can be curated based on the winning bidder's preference. (Estimated value: $2,500+) You can see more of Taylor's talent here . Present Pick Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry Purchase a present from Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry which is guaranteed to contain at least a $100 value! You may win one of the following: $2,000 Gift Card $500 Gift Card $100 Gift Card A Piece of Jewelry Each chance costs $100, and there is over $15,000 in prizes available. Take a look at some of their beautiful jewelry here . Plus! All proceeds benefit Autism Community Network and the amazing work they do for autistic children and the people who love them. Paddles up! Signature Raffle: A Julian Gold Experience This year, Le Brunch des Chapeaux is proud to introduce The Signature Raffle as part of our annual paddle raise in support of Camp AUsome! Guests who donate $1,000 or more will receive a signature Le Brunch des Chapeaux tote and one entry into The Signature Raffle. This exclusive prize package includes a gift card from Julian Gold, a gift card from Christine A. Moore Millinery, and select items from the Zimmermann Line. Your generous support provides neurodivergent children with access to a summer of connection, learning, and joy—while also giving you a chance to win something extraordinary.

Understanding Echolalia and Gestalt Language Development Time Second Keynote Address: 12:45 Presenter/Facilitator Barry Prizant, PhD, CCC-SLP Back to Course List < Back About the Course In this address, Dr. Prizant unpacks the complexities and brilliance of Gestalt Language Processing (GLP), a developmental language style commonly observed in autistic individuals. Often misunderstood as merely repetitive speech, echolalia can be a critical step in natural language development. Dr. Prizant will demystify the stages of GLP, explain how echolalia serves meaningful communicative and emotional functions, and share practical strategies for supporting language growth in gestalt processors. This session offers educators, clinicians, and caregivers a respectful, strengths-based approach to honoring diverse paths to communication. Objectives: Participants will define key terms related to Gestalt Language Processing, including echolalia, mitigated echolalia, and analytic language development. Participants will explain the stages of Gestalt Language Development and how echolalia fits within a typical language acquisition framework for gestalt processors. Participants will integrate at least two strategies for supporting communication development in children who are gestalt language processors, grounded in affirming and developmentally appropriate practices. Barry Prizant, PhD, CCC-SLP Barry M. Prizant, PhD, CCC-SLP is among the world’s leading authorities on autism, and is recognized as an innovator of respectful, person- and family-centered approaches for individuals with autism and neurodevelopmental conditions. With fifty years of experience as a scholar, researcher, and international consultant, he is a visiting scholar at Brown University, a certified speech-language pathologist and Director of Childhood Communication Services, a private practice. Barry is coauthor of The SCERTS Model: A Comprehensive Educational Approach, now being implemented in more than a dozen countries. He has published four books, more than 130 articles and chapters and has received many awards, including the Honors of the American-Speech-Language-Hearing Association (their highest recognition), the Princeton University Eden Foundation career award for improving quality of life for persons on the autism spectrum, and the “Divine Neurotypical Award” of GRASP, the world’s largest autistic self-advocacy organization. He has been a two-time featured presenter (2013, 2017) at the United Nations on World Autism Awareness Day. His recent best-selling book, Uniquely Human: A Different Way of Seeing Autism is now published in 22 languages, was selected as the featured book on autism by the United Nations in 2017, and was ranked by Book Authority as #1 of the “100 best books on autism of all time”. With a wealth of inspiring stories and practical advice from thousands of children and older people on the autism spectrum and their families, Uniquely Human conveys a deep respect for the qualities in people on the autism spectrum. It offers a compassionate and insightful perspective that has been called “life-changing as well as uplifting”. Barry also co-hosts a podcast, Uniquely Human: The Podcast , with his friend, Dave Finch, an autistic audio engineer and best selling author. Speaker Disclosure: Dr. Prizant received a speaking fee for this course.

< Back SAPD cadets learn how to respond to incidents involving people with autism Tiffany Huertas Apr 2, 2024 SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio nonprofits have teamed up to create a training program to help San Antonio police cadets better understand autism spectrum disorders. Any Baby Can of San Antonio, a local nonprofit serving families with children and youth facing serious health or developmental challenges, is part of the group behind the program. Robert Peaden, director of Autism Services at Any Baby Can San Antonio, said it teaches cadets how to respond to incidents involving people with autism. “What they look like when it comes to recognizing from level one to level three on that spectrum. And then after that, after about two hours of instruction there, we do about two hour instruction of the response phase,” he said. Peaden has a passion for helping parents navigate autism spectrum disorder. His son Logan was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder when he was two years old. “My son was diagnosed at two years old at Triple Army Medical Center in Hawaii when I was in the United States Air Force,” Peaden said. Peaden’s love for his son brought him to the program. “I would describe my son as the nicest person you’ve ever met in your life,” Peaden said. Any Baby Can San Antonio teamed up with the nonprofit Family ADDventures to start the program last year. “My mission is to keep children with autism out of the school to prison pipeline,” said Nicole Santiago, CEO of Family ADDventures. Santiago is passionate about this training and explains the reason it started. “One of my clients was unlawfully arrested and I filed a complaint and we had a meeting and the police were open to us coming in to train,” Santiago said. San Antonio Police Department officials say every cadet class is now taking the trainings. “We talk about different sensory needs. Different communication needs. So, for example, I have communication boards I use. So sometimes if someone becomes with their anxiety, they become non-speaking, they can use the board to point to what they want to say,” Santiago said. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports about 1 in 36 children has been identified with autism spectrum disorder. “Autism is a developmental disability or disorder that is diagnosed in childhood, and it affects communication chiefly, it also affects social skills, sensory processing,” Adrienne Gaither, director of caregiver empowerment at Autism Community Network said. The Autism Community Network also played a big role in the program and is involved in the training. “I think the most important strategy is to be open minded and also to take a step back when they encounter a person with autism and really think about what accommodations can be made. How they can read the communication of someone who might have a communication impairment. And also to draw on the training that we’ve providing and not to be scared of that call,” Gaither said. “The training is super helpful because it helps develop a level of competency in our new officers. These are cadets preparing to become officers serving the community, and it helps them to develop relationships and to learn how to interact with really all people from our community,” Jeremy Spencer, police officer at SAPD and instructor at the training academy said. April is National Autism Awareness Month and KSAT community is partnering with Any Baby Can to help raise awareness. Tune in for the KSAT Community “Town Hall: Understanding Autism”, hosted by Tiffany Huertas. You can watch live at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, April 16 through the KSAT+ streaming services. Also, Any Baby Can San Antonio is hosting its 20th Annual Walk for Autism on April 20, 2024 at Palo Alto College. Watch Autism Community Network's Director of Caregiver Empowerment, Adrienne Gaither, work with other community nonprofits to educate the SAPD about autism here: https://www.ksat.com/video/news/2024/04/02/sapd-cadets-learn-how-to-respond-to-incidents-involving-people-with-autism/ Previous Next

< Back We Should Tell Children They Are Autistic As Soon As Possible Shannon Des Roches Rosa Jun 18, 2022 Thinking Person’s Guide to Autism (TPGA): Why did you decide to do research on the “right time” for parents to tell autistic children they’re autistic? Bella Kofner : I wanted to do the research because parents may not know when is it the “right time” to tell their children that they are autistic. Parents may be struggling on how to start a conversation about how to tell their children about their autism, and when to tell. I also wanted to do the research because this reminds me of my own experiences as an autistic person. I was diagnosed at the age of three with autism, and I was first told about my autism when I was ten years old. I did not really think too much of my autism until I got older. When I got older, I reflected on my life experiences and my autism. After taking the time to reflect, I feel very comfortable with my autism to the point that I tell people about me being autistic. TPGA: Did the results of your research surprise you in any specific ways, or were the results along the lines of what you expected? (Or was it a mixture of both?) Kofner : It was a mixture of both for the results. What surprised me was that participants who learned about their autism later on in their life had more positive emotions when they first learned about their autism, which contradicts the second hypothesis about learning one’s autism at a younger age would be associated with positive emotions about autism in adulthood. One result that aligned with what I expected was that the findings supported the first hypothesis that learning one’s autism at a younger age was associated with heightened well-being and quality of life (QoL). TPGA: Why is it important for autistic kids to know that they’re autistic, according to your respondents? And in your personal opinion? Kofner : In my personal opinion, it is important for autistic kids to know that they are autistic early on because this would allow children to start developing as people while taking their time to understand who they are as a person with autism. The more that parents wait longer to tell their autistic kids about their autism, the more likely that children will have negative feelings about themselves as they get older. When children are told early on about their autism, this will lead to children gaining self-awareness and feeling confidence in themselves which can have a positive impact on their well-being and quality of life as adults. Based on the responses of participants, there are examples of why it is vital for autistic kids to know about their autism at a younger age. One participant, who first learned about their autism at the age of eight, said “I suppose it helped me better understand why I felt and acted different from everyone else.” The same participant said about their feelings about their autism now ” I am proud about my identity. As someone who also researches autism, I have a greater appreciation toward learning more about my own identity and how that differs from others.” This shows how the participants express positive emotions from when they first learned about their autism, to feelings about their autism now. TPGA: What are your primary recommendations for parents, when it comes to how and when to tell kids that they’re autistic? Kofner : When it comes to how, parents should tell their children in a comfortable and safe environment for the child to be in. Parents should tell their children by using language that the child can understand. Parents have to take into consideration the child’s developmental level and how to explain autism to their child in a way that allows the child to understand themselves. Parents should not assume that the child is going to react this way or that way, so parents have to know how to respond to the child’s reaction in ways that show that it is ok for the child to feel this reaction and know that they are there for the child to answer questions or to talk about anything. When it comes to when, it is personally up to the parents to decide about telling their children about their autism. But, parents should not delay in telling their child about their autism because the child may question who they are and what their life was like in adulthood if they do not tell their children early on. So, it is better for children to be told early on about their autism so that children can grow as individuals, and understand themselves as they go through life as autistic people. TPGA: How were your survey participants selected? Do you think the demographic profile of the participants affect the results in any ways? Kofner : Participants were recruited through social media or at universities. Participants that were interested emailed the third author and received a link to do an online survey in Qualtrics. Students that were enrolled in any institution of higher education were allowed to participate. A total of 78 autistic students were the participants in the study. The demographics did not affect the results in any way. TPGA: Most of the researchers on this study were themselves autistic. How do you think that having autistic researchers affects the direction and focus of autism research? Kofner : Having autistic researchers is very important in autism research because it is important for all voices, including autistic people , to be represented in autism research. If autism research does not incorporate autistic researchers, then people may struggle to understand autism and topics in autism research. This study was the first study that demonstrates that learning one’s autism at a younger age may have positive impacts on emotional health among autistic university students. This study is an example of how the perspectives of autistic people are vital because how can people be educated in autism and tell their children about autism if there are no autistic researchers. Over time, the knowledge of autism has grown in society and people are accepting of autism. So, it is up to us to encourage people to collaborate with people with autism in autism research. By including autistic researchers in autism research, we can bring awareness about topics in autism research and we can learn in the process on why autistic researchers play a vital role in autism research. TPGA: Did you have any self-identified autistics among your survey respondents (meaning they were never formally diagnosed, or their parents never told them but they figured it out)? If not, do you plan to do research in this area? Kofner : 14.1% of participants found out about their autism on their own. That means that they were not told by their parents about their autism and learned from other sources which include the media and autistic people. TPGA: Is this study going to lead to more research about the timing of autism diagnoses discussions between parents and autistic children, and if so, what are your goals for that research? Kofner : This study can start to address concerns that parents have reported in prior literature in terms of how to start a conversation with their child about their autism. Future research should focus on asking participants when they were diagnosed and when they learned they were autistic to examine if the timing of the diagnosis itself or potential delays between being diagnosed and learning one’s autism impact outcomes in adulthood. Previous Next