“Who We Are” is guided by the more important answer to the question “Why We Are.”

Lived experience has revealed inequities even within the disability community. While there are programs and opportunities for individuals with disabilities, often those opportunities are not a fit for many individuals on the Autism Spectrum, including those who have higher support needs.

Oftentimes, the venues and events are loud and overstimulating; small spaces are crammed with many, many people; and/or activities are often things individuals have no interest in doing. In asking families of individuals on the Spectrum who have higher support needs why they don’t attend various events and activities– the common theme repeated: it was not a fit for the individual who has higher support needs - so families just quit trying. But it is clear that families are still looking for social connection. (See the graphic below). Additionally, many of the programs target much younger individuals on the Spectrum. Activities and events for individuals to attend as a teenager, young adult, and beyond are hard to find.

So – in an attempt to create these opportunities and a sense of connection and community for this population, across the lifespan, the Autism Society Greater Pittsburgh was created. Our goal is to create social connections and community for everyone on the Autism Spectrum and their families. When we say “everyone,” we mean EVERYONE. Our events and programs will be open to all Individuals on the Spectrum and their families, and focus will be on ensuring those with higher support needs and their families are included. This means considering things that impact the Individual and their experience: the environment, the stimuli, and spaces available for down time, to name a few. We will be looking to this community for suggestions on how to make programs and events successful for Everyone.

To those families who have tried and have not had successful experiences, we encourage you to give it another chance. To those who have felt defeated before even trying, we enthusiastically suggest that you try. We believe that a supportive community can embolden Individuals and their families to make those connections.

That is “Why We Are” the Autism Society Greater Pittsburgh. We hope you will join us on this journey to develop social connections and community for Everyone on the Spectrum, and their families. We hope that the community we are striving to create can support you, empower you, and encourage you – and provide you and your family a sense of belonging. Please join us.


Sincerely,


Amy Anderson
President
Autism Society Greater Pittsburgh