SFASA is Partnering with the National Parks Service to Help Autism Families!

SFASA is Partnering with the National Parks Service to Help Autism Families!

We’re thrilled to announce that we’re making it easier than ever for our families to receive a lifetime America the Beautiful National Parks and Recreation Pass! A representative of the National Park Service will be present at our May 31, 2025 Spring Spectacular fundraiser to sign autism families up for a free, lifetime National Parks pass! Other passes require…

What the New CDC Autism Numbers Actually Tell You

What the New CDC Autism Numbers Actually Tell You

This post is adapted from an article I wrote before the CDC published their new autism report on April 15:  https://autismloveandscience.substack.com/publish/post/161442763 On April 15, 2025, the CDC issued a new report on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) among children born in two different years — 2014 and 2018. They report the prevalence for each of those…

California Autism & Medicaid/MediCal Cuts: Critical – Facts & Consequences

California Autism & Medicaid/MediCal Cuts: Critical – Facts & Consequences

Submitted by Ashwin Krishnan Statewide Autism and Medi-Cal/Medicaid Data Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Prevalence in California ○ 4.5% of 8-year-old children in California were identified with ASD in 2020, significantly higher than the 2.8% national average (https://www.kidsdata.org/). ○ 1 in 22 four-year-old children in California are on the autism spectrum (https://www.cdc.gov/autism/data-research/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.go v/ncbddd/autism/data.html). ● Rising Demand…

Advocacy Update

Advocacy Update

Medicaid/ Medi-Cal budget cuts are likely real! Your action needed NOW Feb. 25, the U.S. House of Representatives passed by 1 vote a $880 billion budget cut, which may be taken from Medicaid. Medicaid funds half of Medi-Cal programs including your regional centers services. This proposal, which is fast tracked, now goes to the US…

SFASA Membership Program Launch!

SFASA Membership Program Launch!

Introducing SFASA Memberships! We’re excited to introduce SFASA annual memberships! Memberships are a great way to get more involved and to support the work we do making events, resources, and advocacy available for the entire Bay Area autism community! Memberships help us: Plan for the future Connect with our community and know how we’re doing…

SFO Opens First Sensory Room

SFO Opens First Sensory Room

(Article from flysfo.com.) SFO Opens First Sensory Room for Neurodivergent Travelers and Families Interactive space includes full-scale aircraft interior mock-up for pre-flight acclimation SAN FRANCISCO – December 16, 2024 – The San Francisco International Airport (SFO) announced the opening of its newest amenity: a Sensory Room specifically designed for Neurodiverse travelers and their families. This interactive room…

Autism in the News

Autism in the News

The following piece written by Jill Escher appeared in the Free Press on November 15, 2024: Trump, RFK, and the Autism Dilemma Kennedy and the president-elect are asking why more kids like mine are disabled by autism. They have the power to find real answers—and it’s not due to vaccines. Whatever you may think of…

Self-Determination Programs 101

Self-Determination Programs 101

In the coming weeks, SFASA will be providing informational workshops about Self-Determination Programs in California.  Below is a primer to get you started. In California, the Self-Determination Program (SDP) offers intellectually disabled adults more control over their services and supports. This program allows participants to choose their service providers and develop personalized service plans to…

Video: Navigating the Spectrum: Arav Sharma in Conversation with Gregory Nemitz
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Video: Navigating the Spectrum: Arav Sharma in Conversation with Gregory Nemitz

In this episode of Spectrum Stories, host Aarav Sharma, founder of Allyhq.ai and autism advocate, sits down with Gregory Nemitz, Vice President of the Autism Society of San Francisco. Aarav and Gregory share a personal and heartfelt discussion about Gregory’s journey raising his severely autistic son, Dylan, and the challenges and triumphs they have faced….

PUBLIC NOTICE: Disability Advocates Encouraged to Attend Upcoming Budget Hearings
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PUBLIC NOTICE: Disability Advocates Encouraged to Attend Upcoming Budget Hearings

Reposted from: Jim Frazier, Director of Public Policy, The Arc & UCP California Collaboration Last week, Governor Newsom released his May Revise 2024-25 budget plan that maintained his January proposal to balance his budget with a $1 billion cut to funding vital disability services and supports, including an additional $25 million in cuts. This devastating…