Program areas at ASM
Autism counseling and consulting services: the ausm counseling and consulting services team in the twin cities and rochester continued to serve clients both remotely and in person in 2022. We provided 3500 billed visits, 450 clients, about 30% in person-not because of covid necessarily, but because people are choosing telehealth. About 75 individuals participated each month in our support groups.
Camp: in 2022, the Autism Society of Minnesota (ausm) offered 6 sessions of overnight summer camp. This included two sessions of camp discovery and four sessions of camp hand in hand. Due to pandemic-related programming restrictions at camp butwin, ausm's day camp was not held in 2022. Ausm camps are for youth and young adults with Autism spectrum disorder (asd). Parents and caregivers rest assured knowing that their campers are cared for by trained, experienced staff, while campers make memories that last a lifetime. Camp hand in hand was held at camp knutson, in crosslake, Minnesota, which is owned and operated by lutheran social service of Minnesota. This serene camp location features beautiful woodland settings with modern air- conditioned cabins and bathrooms. Camp hand in hand was available to youth and young adults of all genders and abilities. Activities included swimming, boating, tubing, horseback riding, fishing, crafts, archery, nature exploration, biking, and music groups led by a board-certified music therapist. Activities focused on social interaction and communication. The camp also offers a small ropes course, paddleboats, canoes, and other fun activities. Ausm-trained camp counselors and experienced program staff carefully plan and maintain a well-run, relaxed, and rewarding camp experience with a staff-to-camper ratio of 1:1. Camp discovery was also available to youth and young adults of all genders and is ideal for autistic campers who enjoy a summer camp experience with a high degree of structure and small group activities, as this camp provided a staff-to-camper ratio of 1:4. Camp discovery was held at courage south in maple lake, Minnesota, which is owned and operated by true friends. Campers stayed in cabins according to age, gender, and interests. The modern cabins at courage south have restrooms and electricity and the campers enjoyed high-quality meals in a dining hall and on an outdoor deck. Camp discovery activities included swimming, canoeing, arts and crafts, nature experiences, recreational games, live-action role-playing games, and more. Campers participated in small group discussions and activities that focused on special interests and making connections with others. Adults with asd served as mentors, providing empathetic, positive role modeling throughout the week. Ausm received more than 300 applications for camp. Campers were selected through a lottery and a total of 208 individuals were served: 84 at camp discovery and 124 at camp hand in hand.
Education events, programs, and training: our 27th annual Minnesota conference was in person and hybrid this year we served 352 individuals. In 2022 our autistic community summit served 85 in person individuals and 52 virtual individuals with a total of 137 participants. We had two workshops in 2022: one hosted with austin, MN that had 35 participants and a kinder approach to Autism where we had 111 participants. In 2022, our education programs included twenty social recreation programs for youth and young adults. We held five in-depth direct support certification courses, and provided customized virtual and on site Autism training programs for more than 20 organizations, including medical facilities, service providers, government entities, schools, entertainment venues and community organizations. Our Autism training program for law enforcement continued with the Minnesota bca and several municipal departments.
Other program services included community supports and advocacy, information and resources, and the ausm shop.