Train. Work. Live.

Using technology to provide a lifetime answer for those affected by autism

Autism Spectrum Disorder affects 1 in 68 children and occurs in all racial, ethnic and socioeconomic groups. While many services and programs exist for children on the spectrum, there remains a dearth of programs that attempt to solve the lifetime needs of these individuals after age 18.

nonPareil Institute provides technical training to adults on the autism spectrum, with a goal of growing them into productive members of their development teams, and building products that can compete in the marketplace (iTunes/Google Play/etc). Since the vast majority of the ASD population does not drive, nP has a living-campus vision so that their Crew may train, work, and live at consolidated facilities, much like the University campus environment. The difference being; nP Crew members will remain throughout their lifetime, contributing to the company that provides for their on-going training, work and living requirements.

The nonPareil program has grown over the last 4 years from 9, to 150 individuals; all on the autism spectrum. With over 800+ on the waiting list, and requests to open in over 40 cities, nP is positioned for rapid growth over the years to come. nonPareil Founder and CEO Dan Selec will be speaking at this session.

› Doors will open at 5:30p for a special networking happy hour! The food and drinks are provided by Bellagios and New Relic. The presentation will begin right at 6:30p.

› Please RSVP via Eventbrite HERE

Dan Selec is the creative innovator behind nonPareil Institute, including the construction of the business model and all software systems, including hardware and cloud infrastructure that currently run the nonPareil training and work platforms. He has been in the technology business for over 20 years as a business owner, developer of software and a systems architect. Dan's youngest son was diagnosed with autism at 18 months of age.

› FutureTalk is brought to you by New Relic in collaboration with TAO

For our April meetup, speaker Lily Pacheko, the coordinator of SPARK at OHSU, a landmark autism research project across 21 clinical sites, will present a brief history of autism, autism research, and talk about the SPARK study.

SPARK stands for 'Simons Foundation Powering Autism Research for Knowledge,' and the mission is simple: to speed up research and advance our understanding of autism to help improve lives.

Autism, or autism spectrum disorder, refers to a range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication, as well as by unique strengths and differences. (read more).

Understanding autism gives us a greater understanding of the brain and how epigenetic factors like hormones in the womb affect our brains' development.

Lily Pacheco, MA. is the SPARK study coordinator at OHSU. For the past few years Lily has worked in diverse communities to recruit and collect data for numerous research studies. If you are interested in volunteering with SPARK through OHSU, contact Lily at (503) 949-6478 or email her at [email protected] to ask about volunteer opportunities.

Join and RSVP here: https://www.meetup.com/NeuroGeeks-Neuroscience-Meetup-Group/events/238447403/

Visual-Spatial Processing is one of the most misunderstood learning styles in today’s educational landscape. At one time, Visual Spatial Learning was defined as a deficiency in brain function – a disability. We now know, however, that Visual Spatial Learning is not a result of a genetic flaw – or brain, eye, or ear malfunction – it is a difference in thinking and learning style that can cause confusion when dealing with symbols or understanding of social norms. In fact, some of our culture’s most talented people are Visual-Spatial Learners – as is true for many of the pioneers in technology, physics, and art.

Many individuals who exhibit learning disability symptoms and anxiety in social settings have a natural and innate ability to shift or alter their mental and physical perceptions. They can use this perceptual ability to facilitate creativity, improve physical performance, enhance thinking, or resolve confusions. However, when they use this same ability to resolve confusions with language or math symbols, or in interpreting social clues, it causes unwanted perceptual distortions and noticeable disorientation that affect vision, hearing, balance, energy levels, focus, motor skill, time sense and/or speech.

Individuals who process and use this thinking style can be shown how to control their perceptions so disorientation no longer interferes with their ability to learn and socialize successfully. They minimize their challenges while maximizing their brilliance.

ALL WELCOME

If you cannot join in person, join us with mobile or desktop with Zoom https://zoom.us/j/7891236789.

The first half of the Meetup is a "Show'N'Tell". The second half of the meeting we'll share ideas for upcoming "Show'N'Tell". Anyone is welcome to volunteer to share with the local community. You may also volunteer to record with Zoom and share on social media.

Be Inspired! Knowledge Mavens