My new nonprofit for AS/ASD/LD adults

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I'm a journalist; could help with any generic content that needs writing etc.

I'm a journalist; could help with any generic content that needs writing etc.

I've just incorporated, and am in the beginning stages of establishing, a nonprofit organization for adults with AS/ASD and learning disabilities. I have a NV learning disability with overlapping autistic tendencies, my teenage son has AS and my husband a mild form of AS.

I've actually had the idea for quite some time, but have never really been in the position to focus on it, financially and time-wise. Now that I am, I'm anxious to really get rolling with it. I've always had a great deal of difficulty with all jobs I've ever had, despite my best efforts and despite my high verbal IQ (the five words I fear the most are "we need to discuss some "issues"). Here are my ideas for the organization and what I'd like it to focus on:

Support and advocacy for adults with these conditions, especially in the areas of employment, education, and discrimination; career counseling to determine the best fits for not just the particular condition, but the specific individual with that condition, since no two people with ANY condition are alike; peer support; employer awareness and education programs; college awareness and education programs; public awareness and education campaigns; legal assistance for such adults, primarily in employment matters but also to include social, housing and education discrimination. And, in the future once things get established, I'd also like to set up a separate branch of the organization that would be responsible for legislative and political advocacy.

There's much more that could be done as well, once it gets going. Since my state, SD, is one of the seven states that is not a member of the National Council of Nonprofits, and there's little state info or support, I will have to rely on both my own abilities and on the national nonprofit association and North Dakota's branch, which is very established and active and which includes many SD nonprofits in its programs and activities; I'm only ten miles or so from the ND border and my husband actually works in North Dakota. While it is, in a way, frightening to have to be thrown out into the ocean on my own in this, it's also kind of exciting. I get to establish and develop it from the ground up, without the encumbrance of having to ask permission to do or begin a certain program, etc.

I'm a paralegal who knows nonprofit and business law, I'm an excellent writer and communicator with some public speaking and presentation experience and I'm also well-versed in grant research and writing. There are several foundations that provide grants for start-up nonprofits, especially those planning on going national, which is what I'm doing. I will also rely on membership fees, donations, future fundraising campaigns and presentation admission fees. I have just incorporated it and am in the process of applying for a federal tax identification number and for nonprofit tax exemption with the IRS. Once I get the EIN, I will obtain a separate phone number for the organization. I will also be sending out a press release to the nearest city (I live in a very rural area), and will attempt to set up a first meeting of those interested in joining and forming the first group.

As much as I absolutely hate FAAAS, I have to give them at least some credit. I'd had the idea for so long and was always kicking it around in the back of my mind. But when I read about that hate group and the damage they're doing against adults with AS, and the fact that so many so-called "professionals" were onboard with them doing their dirty work for them, and when my husband's ex-wife kept trying to send me their BS, particularly their "Cassandra Affective Disorder" nonsense, and when I saw how they perpetuated the negative stigma and discrimination and when I saw that they actually gave information on how to use a spouse's AS against them in divorce and custody cases, THAT was the final straw that really motivated me to get off my duff and do this and be serious about it.

I know, personally, the desperate need for this and I've also been reading so many posts here these past several months that confirm it. There are very, very few groups for us adults with these conditions, and most of those that do exist are for parents and families and not the people themselves. It's as if we don't even matter, as if what we deal with every single day of our lives doesn't count, that the only thing that does count is how it affects those around us. Well, it's time to change that, isn't it? Time to quit complaining about Autism Speaks and FAAAS and Generation "Rescue" and their ilk and DO SOMETHING OURSELVES. I invite you all to join me. I invite your feedback and what you'd like the group to do. Here, so far, is the contact information:

Learning Enabled, Inc.
P.O. Box 655
McLaughlin SD 57642
[email protected]

As I said, I don't yet have a separate phone number, but I will, soon. Please let me hear from you. Let's get going!! !

Holy crap, I live in Fargo, and I'm debating on whether to get a job or just up and go for SSI, I closed my case with Southeast Human Services a few years ago but I haven't been successful looking for a job - I could use these services real badly... You have my support but I wouldn't know how to help o_o;

-Kir

Who do you write for?

what I'd like it to focus on:

Support and advocacy for adults with these conditions, especially in the areas of employment, education, and discrimination; career counseling to determine the best fits for not just the particular condition, but the specific individual with that condition, since no two people with ANY condition are alike; peer support; employer awareness and education programs; college awareness and education programs; public awareness and education campaigns; legal assistance for such adults, primarily in employment matters but also to include social, housing and education discrimination. And, in the future once things get established, I'd also like to set up a separate branch of the organization that would be responsible for legislative and political advocacy.


Wow First of All I have to say WELL done...! !! !! !! !! !! !! !
Its Something I have thought about and strongly want to pursue here in New Zealand.....
But as of Late Ive been reconsidering due to basicly putting myself first.... (im in my final year of my degree and would like to get in the industry/work market very soon otherwise I may never quite get there../well thats a fear)

I was thinking I would only pursue If I had other people to work with me... Although I would like the credit of setting it up by myself... hmmm Its something I have to think about....

Have you got many supporters helping you...

DO you have a good timeline.... goals etc... contacts...

I highlighted a few points above which were of interest

Awareness would be a key one for me..

and support...

ALso you say carrer counselling.... to see which job best suits...
I Would think Like to have / Look at it as.... Screening of Skills... (I know personally music etc i was advanced when a child it makes you think eh.... So many asperger people are advantaged... sometimes its a matter of getting these kids to the piano tutor etc eh paying the bux...

SO... you are focusing on adults thats... great...

There seems to be a huge lack of support there eh....

I dont know if I like the word support exactly... Because I know I dont want to be supported I want to be my own person... Supporting myself..
Does anyone else follow this belief....?

Perhaps replacing with networking and workshops, forums. society.. etc.... ???????????????????
mm.... well thats my view on that word...

I guess I have mild AS... and dont always understand, what those might be going through on other areas of the spectrum

I would love to gice you some critical feedback If wanted... and also learn from you see what you are doing and how...

hmmm.. I wonder when I should set it up there is a need... Is it a matter of very good time management... or.. doing one thing at a time....
I want to do a thousand things.... anyone else wanting / dreaming a thousand goals in their minds..... well Yea hopefully I'll get my non profit.. set up...

Have you alligned yourself with mental health organisations.. I was wondering where you could get benefits.. eg $$

Who have you got money from what organisations..?

"While it is, in a way, frightening to have to be thrown out into the ocean on my own in this, it's also kind of exciting. I get to establish and develop it from the ground up, without the encumbrance of having to ask permission to do or begin a certain program, etc. "
CONTROL eh

I'm a paralegal who knows nonprofit and business law, I'm an excellent writer and communicator with some public speaking and presentation experience and I'm also well-versed in grant research and writing. There are several foundations that provide grants for start-up nonprofits, especially those planning on going national, which is what I'm doing.

GREAT!! !!

Wow so you know your stuff! awesome...


"As much as I absolutely hate FAAAS, I have to give them at least some credit. I'd had the idea for so long and was always kicking it around in the back of my mind. But when I read about that hate group and the damage they're doing against adults with AS, and the fact that so many so-called "professionals" were onboard with them doing their dirty work for them, and when my husband's ex-wife kept trying to send me their BS, particularly their "Cassandra Affective Disorder" nonsense, and when I saw how they perpetuated the negative stigma and discrimination and when I saw that they actually gave information on how to use a spouse's AS against them in divorce and custody cases, THAT was the final straw that really motivated me to get off my duff and do this and be serious about it. "

I have not heard of this hatred... What are the links... Or do refuse to give.. out....
Thats terrible... but Great things Great art.. You either love it or hate it ... no..? hahaha

"I know, personally, the desperate need for this and I've also been reading so many posts here these past several months that confirm it. There are very, very few groups for us adults with these conditions, and most of those that do exist are for parents and families and not the people themselves.(I would think that many of those parents with AS kids might also have AS or definitely somwhere in there family brothers cousins etc.. COuld be a source for members.. SAYING yes it is Heriditory!! !! !! "It's as if we don't even matter, as if what we deal with every single day of our lives doesn't count, that the only thing that does count is how it affects those around us. Well, it's time to change that, isn't it? Time to quit complaining about Autism Speaks and FAAAS and Generation "Rescue" and their ilk and DO SOMETHING OURSELVES. I invite you all to join me. I invite your feedback and what you'd like the group to do. Here, so far, is the contact information:

Learning Enabled, Inc.
P.O. Box 655
McLaughlin SD 57642
[email protected]

As I said, I don't yet have a separate phone number, but I will, soon. Please let me hear from you. Let's get going!! !

I'm a journalist; could help with any generic content that needs writing etc.

Can you write, print and stuff envelopes, make phone calls? Can you make video clips such as anbuend makes for youtube?

You'll be surprised what you can do even if you don't have money to contribute.

http://www.youtube.com/nonprofits

It would be nice if we could get it onto youtube non profits too

http://www.youtube.com/nonprofits

Well, do we actually have any content to give to these people? For example, how to deal with sensory issues/the like?

(Heading into Film and Neuroanthropology, college student at BYU)