Next Steps Toward Adulthood JOIN XMINDS MAY 31 AT TRANSITION EVENT CO-HOSTED WITH AUSOM |
|
|
The
focus of this clinic will be helping you and your young adult
understand and apply for appropriate state and federal disability
benefits such as DORS, DDA, and SSI. Our keynote speaker will be Eric Jorgensen, Director of Special Projects at First Maryland Disability Trust, who
will share tips and strategies in his presentation "Navigating Transition: Autism & Adulthood" at 10:15 and 11:45 a.m. In
addition, you can take this opportunity to get free, individual
professional guidance on your transition-to-adulthood questions from our
trusted experts (see list below). To schedule a free individual 25-minute consult appointment, you MUST register for a ticket with your preferred time slot. If you would like to attend but do not want a private consultation, select the General Admission ticket. Community
organizations and professional partners will display their resources,
and AUSOM and xMinds staff will be available if you would like
additional assistance filling out applications. No matter where you are
in the process — wondering if you should apply, completing the
paperwork, or filing an appeal – this clinic will have something for
everyone. CONSULTANTS:
Beth Benevides (Hussman Institute), Beth Ann Hancock (Charting the Course), Meghan Smallwood (HCPSS), David Mervis, Esq. (Kennedy Krieger, Project HEAL), Nick
Burton, (N. Burton Consulting), Rachel Greenberg (Life Unlimited), Arnikka Robinson (TLC), Lisa Lorraine (Jubilee), Rose Ansara (SEEC),
Veronica Lawrence (SEEC) and Meghan Lebow (SEEC) |
|
|
Who Needs Screen Time When You Can Chill & Play with xMinds? ENJOY A HANGOUT JUST FOR AUTISTIC TEENS |
|
|
|
|
Is your teen looking to make friends but doesn’t know where to start? Do they love board games and are tired of playing with Mom and Dad? Come join xMinds and Slush & Krust Productions for Chill & Play: A Board Game Hangout for Autistic Teens at the Bender JCC in Rockville. Saturday, May 17th, 4-6 p.m.
Whether you’re into old-fashioned strategy games like chess, checkers, Uno, or Connect 4, or a retro fan who’d rather play Monopoly, Yahtzee, Trivial Pursuit, Clue, Scrabble, Operation, or Candyland, this is the laid-back atmosphere for you. Does your child love Dungeons & Dragons? Jump into one of two campaigns led by a professional Dungeon Master! All experience levels are welcome, from first-timers to seasoned adventurers. We’ll provide the dice, or use yours if they bring you luck.
When you register for this event, just tell us your favorite game, and we'll do our best to have it up and ready! We’ll even provide snacks and drinks to keep you nourished and hydrated. |
|
|
Lunchtime Reboot with Magüi Moreno RELAX AT OUR MONTHLY MINDFULNESS SESSIONS |
|
|
Need to take a break in the middle of the day? Join xMinds for a Lunchtime Reboot at our next monthly session on May 19 at noon. In this 45-minute online discussion, certified mindfulness teacher and parent coach Magüi Moreno will share simple and realistic self-care practices around this month’s theme: Connecting with our autistic kids as mindfulness. Relax, unwind and learn some methods to beat the stress. Did you miss the April 28 session with daily mindfulness practices in 10 minutes or less? Watch the replay here or on our YouTube channel. Mark your calendars for next month's session on June 30, You are not alone.
Note: If you’ve already registered for any of the previous sessions, you’re set for the series. No need to re-register. |
|
|
Special Sundays at xMinds Playground Meetup ENJOY THE SUNSHINE AND PLAY OUTDOORS |
|
|
Join us for our first Special Sunday afternoon outdoor playground meetup of the year on May 18, 2-3:30 p.m. at the enclosed playground behind Ivymount School, 11614 Seven Locks Rd., Rockville, MD. |
|
|
These playground meetups are not just for the little ones – older siblings are welcome and parents can meet other families with autistic elementary and preschool students, swap stories, and exchange numbers. We will provide snacks, and volunteers will be on hand to answer any questions. Registration is not required, so feel free to just show up. If you would like to receive event reminders and an e-mail if we need to postpone due to inclement weather, sign up here. Mark your calendars for the spring/summer playground meetups:
|
|
|
Join Team xMinds for Bike to the Beach 2025 MEET OTHER RIDERS FOR THE CAUSE |
|
|
Whether you ride a bike or simply want to help autistic children, we all have our reasons for supporting xMinds’s team for Bike to the Beach. Jason Berlow explained his inspiration, his young daughter Ella, who was diagnosed last summer.
|
|
|
With just a few weeks to go until the big ride, xMinds team members like Jason are actively training (and raising money) for this summer's DC Bike to the Beach event. The big ride will be held on Friday, June 20. The final destination is Dewey Beach, Del., but you can pick legs of 25-, 50-, 70- or the whole 100-mile route. The 100-mile ride starts at Union Station, D.C. If you’re so inclined, lace up your cycling shoes and join the team in our next training ride.
To help you prepare, join other team members for our optional training rides throughout the spring. Our next training ride is Saturday, May 10 @ 8:00 a.m. Mt. Vernon to National Harbor & back, total distance 30 miles. (Please note this is the rescheduled 5/4 ride which was rained out). Drop in and give it a whirl; no commitment required. If you have any questions, please email our Team Captain Patrick Quigley. Many of our cyclists find training together offers a fun way to meet other xMinds families.
Next rides:
-
Sunday, May 18 at 9 a.m. Gravelly Point through Arlington to Bethesda Metro & back
-
Sunday, June 1 @ 9 a.m. Shirlington to Herndon & back on W&OD Trail
-
Sunday, June 15 @ 9 a.m. Hains Point/East Potomac Park (taper ride)
-
Friday, June 20 Bike to the Beach
If you want to “bike to the beach," sign up here to join Team xMinds and ride with us on June 20. You can invite friends and family to support you with a donation. The $150 formal registration fee includes a minimum fundraising amount of $250. Find out more at the B2B website.
If you’d rather stay on solid ground and want to ensure that xMinds can continue to host free speaker events, online resources, volunteer advocacy services, playground meetups and more, there are many more ways to support this critical xMinds fundraiser.
You could register as a virtual bike rider with Team xMinds, and encourage your family and friends to support you in your fundraising efforts.
If you simply want to support xMinds by making a donation, please show your support by donating here. Your contributions mean a lot to us and help fund all of xMinds’ important work to improve education for autistic children in Montgomery County.
Find out more about this fundraiser on the xMinds website, where we spell out all the details about this fun and important event. |
|
|
May is National Water Safety Month
KEEP YOUR CHILD SAFE THIS SUMMER |
|
|
It’s almost time to get out those bathing suits and fire up the grill for Memorial Day barbecues. But if you have autistic little ones, you should make sure you know how to keep them safe, especially around pools and ponds. Last month, the Maryland General Assembly passed HB 1204: Public and Nonpublic Schools—Student Elopement—Notice and Reporting Requirements (Ace’s Law), which will go into effect on July 1, 2025. The law is named after a young autistic boy who drowned in July 2024. The law will require schools to notify a parent or guardian if a student attempts or accomplishes an elopement, which means leaving the school campus without permission; and require certain schools and IEP teams to review and address elopement in updating a student's IEP or behavior intervention plan. Last summer, xMinds joined with fifteen other autism organizations to form the Maryland Autism Coalition. The group launched a statewide public service campaign to educate families with autistic loved ones about the dangers of elopement or wandering and additionally, water safety. Some experts theorize that autistic children are drawn to water because they crave the pressure on their bodies that water creates. See all our elopement and water safety resources here. Watch the new 30-second PSA here, featuring Brittany Bledsoe talking about her beloved son, Ace:
Maryland Autism Coalition PSA on Drowning Risks and Water Safety |
|
|
Monthly Series: Autistic Voices AN AUTISTIC ADULT USES JOURNALISTIC CHOPS TO TELL STORIES |
|
|
“This book is a message from autistic people to their parents, friends, teachers, coworkers and doctors showing what life is like on the spectrum. It’s also my love letter to autistic people. For too long, we have been forced to navigate a world where all the road signs are written in another language.”
In the book, Garcia dispels myths around disabled people to advocate for a successful future. “Because for all people, success rests on a lot of failed attempts. And because disability typically involves uncertain abilities, we usually need to make a lot more failed attempts than nondisabled people as we figure it out.” |
|
|
He takes on the dangerous perception that mass shooters and other villains in our society “must be” autistic. “In reality, there is no evidence to indicate a connection between autism and violent behavior. This harmful stereotype is fueled solely by speculation and misunderstanding. Though we may never fully comprehend the twisted motivations behind mass shooters, autism alone is never the cause.”
Instead, he argues that the government should be spending more money on services and support, rather than researching a cure. A 2019 report from the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee “showed that the U.S. government spent only 6 percent of its budget on “research to improve services and supports for people with [autism spectrum disorder].” This contrast in spending reflects this country’s backward values; rather than learning how to best assist autistic people as they navigate the world, researchers focus on mitigating symptoms and finding a cure.”
These supports include “focus on what autistic people really need: to get a job if they are able and not to live in poverty if they can’t find one; to avoid discrimination; to receive an adequate education; to live within the community they choose; to have access to adequate health care; and, finally, to be free to pursue fulfilling personal lives.”
To sum it up, Garcia recounts the words of Keivan Stassun, the parent of an autistic son and the director of the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation at Vanderbilt University: “I would not change my son for the world, so I will change the world for my son.”
|
|
|
CDC Prevalence Report Draws Controversy XMINDS RESPONDS TO NEW NUMBERS |
|
|
You’ve probably seen this headline in your news feed. In its latest report, the CDC now estimates that 1 in 31 children are autistic—up from 1 in 36 in 2020. As most of us in the autism community know, this increase reflects improved screening and greater understanding, not a sudden rise in cases. However, in a nod to past, dangerous thinking, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy recently launched an effort to find the “root causes” of autism. “President Trump has tasked me with identifying the root causes of the childhood chronic disease epidemic -- including autism,” Kennedy said. “We are assembling teams of world-class scientists to focus research on the origins of the epidemic, and we expect to begin to have answers by September.” Unfortunately, recent remarks calling autism an “epidemic” and a “cataclysm,” dangerously misrepresent the facts. The CDC report makes clear: better access to evaluation—not a crisis—is behind the numbers. At xMinds, we recognize that each diagnosis represents a child and a family who deserve support and meaningful opportunities. We're committed to ensuring autistic students in Montgomery County receive just that. We have endorsed a statement of leading autism organizations that says, in part, that we stand “united in our call for science-based decision-making and increased investment in the research, programs and services the Autism community needs to live fully.” |
|
|
Last Call: xMinds 2025 Summer Camp Guide SOME MIGHT STILL HAVE OPENINGS |
|
|
Summer starts next month, and the season snuck up on you. Again. Turn the calendar to May, breathe, and look up some last-minute summer camp openings. Never fear: We’ve been updating the xMinds Summer 2025 Camp Guide. Our guide features an extensive list of camps and programs that autistic kids and teens have enjoyed in past years – including day and overnight programs.
|
|
|
For example, at press time, the
Montgomery County therapeutic programs for older kids later in the
summer still have openings. Some of the deadlines have already passed, so please contact the individual program to find out how to register. |
|
|
Bridging the Divide: Autism Conversations SPEAKERS SHARED REAL TALK ABOUT ADVOCACY |
|
|
In a virtual event April 30, Meghan Ashburn, a mother of two autistic boys, and Jules Edwards, an autistic parent, put away the traditional webinar slides and talked to xMinds from their hearts.
|
|
|
Professional Member Spotlight
As a benefit to both our families and professional members, xMinds publishes information about our professional members here in the xMindsWire as well as on our website. Inclusion does not constitute our endorsement. This month, xMinds would like to highlight the following new and renewing professional members:
Amy Mounce Educational Consulting
https://amyeducationalconsulting.com/
Contact: abmounce@msn.com; 301-357-0498
Services: Educational consulting; Educational testing; special education grades K-5; special education Grades 9-12; Special education Pre–K; Grades K–5; Grades 6–8; Grades 9–12
Amy Mounce is an experienced special educator, university instructor and teacher supervisor, educational diagnostician, advocate, and trainer with over 25 years in the field of special education. She is dedicated to empowering students, families, and educators to improve student success across all educational settings. Amy provides expert recommendations, guidance, and advocacy throughout every stage of the special education process—including identification, eligibility, IEP/504 plan development, implementation, instruction, and annual reviews. She values proactive and collaborative partnerships with all stakeholders to build effective, sustainable supports that address both academic and social-emotional needs of students.
Raising Orchid Kids
Washington, DC
http://www.raisingorchidkids.com
Contact: Jen Dryer and Gabriele Nicolet; raisingorchidkids@gmail.com; 917-696-1155
Services: Educational consulting, Behavioral support coaching
Raising Orchid Kids is a parent education and coaching practice dedicated to helping parents find practical strategies that actually work with neurodivergent kids/teens and fostering community among other parents navigating similar challenges. |
|
|
Upcoming xMinds Events
XMINDS EVENTS, RESOURCES, & SERVICES ARE ALWAYS FREE
Saturday, May 10, 8 a.m. Bike to the Beach Training Ride Join the xMinds team for a 30-mile ride. Mt. Vernon to National Harbor & back. Register here. Future rides: May 18, June 1 and 15
Saturday, May 17, 4-6 p.m.
Chill & Play: A Board Game Hangout for Autistic Teens
Join xMinds for a low-key afternoon of board games at Bender JCC in Rockville. Register here.
Sunday, May 18, 2-3:30 p.m.
Elementary and Preschool Playground Meetup
Meet other elementary and preschool families with autistic children. Join us for outdoor play at Ivymount School in Rockville, MD. Register here.
Monday, May 19, 12-12:45 p.m.
Lunchtime Reboot
Relax, unwind and learn some methods to beat the stress of parenting. Register here.
Monday, May 19, 7-7:45 p.m.
Small Steps Together — Parent Discussion Group
Online discussion group for MoCo parents/guardians of autistic elementary or preschool children. Register here.
Wednesday, May 28, 7-7:45 p.m.
Let's Talk Transitions — Parent Discussion Group
Online discussion group for MoCo parents of autistic students in middle or high school. Register here.
|
|
Saturday, May 31, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Transition to Adulthood Clinic
xMinds and AUSOM event offering free professional guidance on applying for disability benefits for your autistic teen or young adult. Register here.
Monday, June 2, 7-7:45 p.m.
People of the Global Majority — Parent Discussion Group
Online discussion group for MoCo parents/guardians of autistic children who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). Register here.
Wednesday, June 4, 7-7:45 p.m.
Hablemos Educación Especial — Grupo de Discusión de Padres
El comité de xMinds sobre el alcance del idioma español está organizando un grupo de discusión en línea mensual en español para los padres de un estudiante autista del condado de Montgomery. Regístrese aquí.
Community Calendar
Our community calendar is FULL of great offerings not only from xMinds, but from professional service providers located in Montgomery County. Check out the programs and events posted on our Events Calendar.
Note: Our Events Calendar shows events on their start date, but some community programs require you to apply before the start date, so please look ahead!
|
|
|
|
|
Please consider donating to xMinds. We offer all our resources to families and educators at no cost to ensure they are accessible to everyone who needs them. Your support is essential in helping us continue this work. Every contribution makes a difference!
|
|
|
|
.png)
.png)
.jpg)
