For many years, AANE’s growth has been slow and steady, making sure we have a strong foundation and quality services. But this past year, thanks to your financial support and encouragement, we took a giant leap forward expanding our programming and extending our community.
As the AANE fiscal year draws to a close on June 30, I am reflecting on this exciting growth. I am especially proud of the expansion of our online webinars and support groups so people all over the world can take advantage of our educational offerings, and connect and support one another. I am proud that AANE now offers a service that is not provided elsewhere and has long been needed: our new LifeNet program, which provides ongoing, individualized, independent-living support for adults on the spectrum. I am pleased that we continue to be a leader in working with neurodiverse couples, including the Friedman Institute–a high quality training program for therapists working with neurodiverse couples.
But most of all today, I want to welcome those living in the New York City and Long Island areas into the AANE community. This month we have joined forces with AHA, one of the first organizations in the world which supported those with an Asperger profile. Their offices in New York City and Long Island will now operate under the name AANE and their members will automatically become members of AANE.
Services in this area will continue under the direction of Pat Schissel, who will serve as AANE’s New York Director, and with your support, we hope to expand those services over the next few years.
To our newest community members, we look forward to getting to know you, and continuing to provide the quality support, empathy, information, community, and connection you have known from AHA for so many years.
I hope you all have a wonderful start of the summer, and know that we are here for you!