Monthly Milestones | November 2021
Educate, empower and inspire as a 2022 Milestones conference speaker.

Milestones is seeking engaging, evidence-based proposals for our 20th annual autism conference, taking place virtually
June 15-16, 2022.

Accepted speakers will join an incredible summer lineup and impressive history of national experts, knowledgeable family members and insightful self-advocates.

Join us for our 20th anniversary as we reflect on the impact we've made together and look ahead to the work that is left to do.

Professionals across all disciplines, family members and individuals with autism are encouraged to submit.

Call for Proposals open Nov. 15th - Jan. 15th
More submission details coming soon to milestones.org 
Milestones Free Autism Helpdesk

Need a specific resource? Want to learn more about our services? Contact the Milestones free Helpdesk today.
Milestones Community Calendar


Visit our community calendar to connect with local event organizers to check on the status of events and supports in your area.
Milestones is seeking feedback from individuals with autism on ways to improve our annual conference.

What future session topics would excite you?
What kind of accommodations do you expect when attending a virtual event?

Let us know what's most important to you!

If you are a self-advocate and would like to help Milestones by providing your input, please take a few minutes to complete the short survey below.

If you are a family member or friend of someone who might like to participate, we would greatly appreciate if you could share this survey with them. The more feedback, the better.

As a thank-you for your time, all participants will automatically be entered into a drawing to win an Amazon gift card!
November schedule for the
Milestones Self-Advocate Social Group
an online network for individuals with a formal or self-diagnosis of ASD or other disabilities.
Ages 16+

New members always welcome!
To join the group or RSVP to an event below, please email nmorgan@milestones.org

UPCOMING EVENTS
Monthly: Magic the Gathering (in-person)
Thursday, November 18th, 6pm-8pm
Parma Public Library - Meeting Room D 
6996 Powers Boulevard
Parma, Ohio 44129
Come play with us! Join the group in-person for a night of fun, snacks and conversation. New and experienced players welcome. Don't play? Feel free to come and just hang out! The Cuyahoga County Public Library requires all visitors to wear a mask. RSVP and proof of vaccination strongly recommended.

Monthly Minecraft (virtual)
Sunday, November 21st, 4:00pm-6:00pm
Come build with us for our Monthly Minecraft Day! Each month, we meet to play Minecraft together as a group and to chat in Discord. (Individuals without a copy of the game can still participate in this social activity via Discord Voice Chat, but may miss out on certain aspects of the social experience) 
For this activity, you will need:
  • Minecraft for the Nintendo Switch, PS4, XboxOne, or PC (Bedrock Edition)
  • May also be compatible with some Android and Apple mobile devices, PS5, and Xbox Series systems
  • For information on how to setup Minecraft cross-system play, click here.

Social Roleplaying - Dungeons & Dragons (virtual)
Sunday, November 28th, 5:00pm-7:00pm
Hop online to chat and roleplay as the group works together to tackle challenges big and small. Create a character and join in on the adventure. New and experienced players welcome! For more information on this event, please click here.
Milestones joins list of ALL Means ALL Inclusive and Accessible Places
Milestones is proud to have recently been approved as an ALL Means ALL organization by the Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities.

To join this list, businesses must meet specific requirements that prove they are dedicated to providing a welcoming environment and a variety of accommodations to all people, and that they are able to support their inclusion in all activities, programs and events.

Cuyahoga DD is now listing businesses and agencies like Milestones who meet these commitments in their new Shared Virtual Community. Be on the lookout for the window/door decal above to identify any ALL Means ALL businesses in your neighborhood.

Interested in becoming an ALL Means ALL location? Please click LEARN MORE or contact Janet Keeler, Division Manager of Community Development at keeler.janet@cuyahogabdd.org or 216-736-4518.
Have a Smooth Trip with the Milestones Travel Tips
Tool Kit
Tis the season to pack up and travel. We're here to help you tackle your holiday plans with the Milestones Travel Tips Tool Kit. Learn practical ways to simplify trip prep and support your loved one in working through new experiences or changes in their routine.

También disponible en español.
Our community's generosity and display of support for the local autism community astounds us every year.

We are excited to report that this year's Annual Benefit raised more than $166,000 for the
free autism Helpdesk!
Beth Thompson (center)
with aunt Cindy Swank Cole, mother Bobbie Thompson and benefit co-chair Kim Natale
Maria Schmitt (left)
with Board member and benefit co-chair Andi Kanter Grodin
Autumn Ziemba and Mark McKenzie (left and right)
with friend Deena Nyer Mendlowitz
Milestones was proud to recognize Maria Schmitt, Beth Thompson, Mark McKenzie and Autumn Ziemba for their incredible contributions to the local autism community.

Thank you to the many family members, colleagues and friends who joined us both
in-person and virtually to support this year's honorees!
If you didn't have a chance to donate to the Benefit, stay tuned for Milestones'
2021 Impact Day on Nov. 18th! In this special 24-hour window, all gifts will be matched
dollar for dollar by a generous donor.

Stay tuned for more details.
Remember Milestones when shopping this holiday season!

Visit smile.amazon.com and select Milestones Autism Resources as your charitable organization. The Amazon Smile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the price of eligible purchases to Milestones. It costs you nothing extra to give!