Regions where HFA Awareness is "ahead of the curve."

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Any experiences with High Functioning Autism (HFA) friendships with NTs (NTs who are receptive to further understanding HFA)?

From my own personal experiences, the potential of such friendships offers encouragement regarding HFA.

Anybody familiar with HFA awareness/experiences in parts of the SF Bay Area, the Portland OR, and Seattle Regions? The Boston Region? Can these regions provide examples of successful HFA/NT integration?

In regards to the more, or less formal resources, even West-Coast regions "ahead of the curve" so to speak on HFA awareness must look to AANE - the Asperger/Autism Network (in the Boston area) regarding best-practices on specific resources serving people with HFA. By signing-up for the AANE mailing-list, AANE will send info. on what seems like well thought-out support resources.

I sense that impartial feedback (from thoughtful NTs) might just offer that boost (nudge) to encourage people on the Autism Spectrum to "step out of their comfort zones" so to speak!

Whatever shapes awareness, resources, experiences, friendships, formal or informal helpful with HFA, let's remember that awesome, and thoughtful NTs are involved side-by-side with people experienced with HFA.

Any advice on how to encourage successful HFA/NT relations in regions where HFA awareness is .....just okay?

Here in New York City there's the Aspergers and High Functioning Autism (AHA), a mostly NT-led organization, now in process of merging with AANE. AHA has monthly support groups including a support group for adults on the spectrum.

Here in New York City there's the Aspergers and High Functioning Autism (AHA), a mostly NT-led organization, now in process of merging with AANE. AHA has monthly support groups including a support group for adults on the spectrum.

AHA is delighted to announce that we are joining forces with the Asperger/Autism Network (“AANE”), another non-profit organization, based in Greater Boston, that is an important resource and thought leader in the Asperger/autism community, subject to approval of AHA’s members. We have known, collaborated with, and respected AANE for years and are thrilled to join forces with this highly-regarded and like-minded organization. We anticipate that we will be operating under the name AANE beginning early in spring 2019.

AHA and AANE have compatible missions, values, and programs. Since 1996, AANE has worked with well over 40,000 individuals, families, and professionals to help people with Asperger Syndrome and similar autism spectrum profiles build meaningful, connected lives. (Read more at AANE’s website: aane.org).

This opportunity to join AANE enables us to keep our existing programs intact as well as continue to innovate and expand. We want to assure you that after the combination of the two organizations is finalized we will be here to support you in the same ways we always have. The AHA programs and services you rely on will continue uninterrupted, and the same staff and volunteers you’ve come to know and trust will remain available to you after the combination of our two organizations. Our high quality phone and email consultations, support groups, community activities, and conferences all will continue under the name AANE. We also anticipate that AANE’s broad infrastructure and resources will allow us to gradually expand to enhance existing services in New York to fill gaps and provide vital services for those who currently lack them.

We appreciate that so many of you have supported us by investing in a membership in AHA. All of our current members will automatically become members in AANE at the time of the combination of our two organizations. If you currently hold a one-year, two-year, or lifetime membership in AHA, your membership will convert to a corresponding membership in AANE without taking further action.

We’re already exploring how to make the most of this opportunity to expand our footprint and provide additional essential services in New York. We look forward to building partnerships and collaborating with individuals, organizations, and agencies that share our values. If you have suggestions or can make introductions that might be helpful, please contact me at [email protected] or 888-918-9198. If you have ideas around individuals, foundations, or companies who may be interested in financially supporting this effort, please contact AANE’s Director of Development Erica Remi at [email protected] or 617-393-3824, extension 47.

AANE is delighted to announce that we plan to expand by joining forces with Asperger Syndrome & High Functioning Autism Association (AHA), subject to the approval of AHA members. For over 30 years, this non-profit organization with offices in Manhattan and Long Island has been an important resource and thought leader in the Asperger/autism community. We have known, collaborated with, and respected AHA for years and are thrilled to join forces with this smaller but highly regarded and like-minded organization. We anticipate that AHA will become part of AANE early in the new year.

AHA and AANE have compatible missions, values, and programs. Like AANE, AHA offers phone and email consultation, support groups, and conferences. (Read more at AHA’s website: ahany.org). This programming will continue under the AANE name after the combination of the two organizations is finalized. After carefully analyzing the market, we plan to gradually expand the services available in New York to fill gaps and provide vital services for those who currently lack them.

We want to assure you that AANE will continue to be here for you. All AANE services and programs currently offered in New England and on-line will remain in place, and we will continue to develop and implement additional programming in response to evolving community needs. Our mission — to work with individuals, families and professionals to help people with Asperger Syndrome and other autism profiles build meaningful, connected lives — will not change. We anticipate this broader platform and increased visibility in the New York community will strengthen AANE by enabling us to grow and innovate.

We are busy planning and strategizing about how to make the most of this opportunity to expand AANE’s footprint and provide essential services in New York. We look forward to building partnerships and collaborating with individuals, organizations, and agencies that share our values. If you have suggestions or can make introductions that might be beneficial, please contact Carla Brigham, who has been hired to help facilitate this transition, at [email protected] or 617-393-3824, extension 36. If you have ideas around individuals, foundations, or companies in the New York area who may be interested in financially supporting this effort, please contact AANE’s Director of Development Erica Remi at [email protected] or 617-393-3824, extension 47.

We’ll keep the entire AANE community updated throughout this time of growth and anticipate having more news to share early in the new year. In the meantime, we hope you and yours have a happy holiday season.

Thank-you for posting detailed information on the AANE / AHA partnership in NYC. Any advice on best practices for boosting formal HFA resources elsewhere?

The ARC of San Francisco is an active formal Bay-area agency.

Other Bay-Area resources (more or less formal):

* AUTASTICS http://www.autastics.org

* AASCEND http://www.aascend.org

The AANE / AHA partnership blends formal resources with more or less informal HFA experiences e.g., NT/HFA relationships, experiences, etc.

I sense resources (or yet to be resources) in the SF Bay Area would be receptive to experiences from an AHA / AANE partnership.