If you would like to be kept informed of our efforts, news, and events, please take a moment to sign up to receive our Newsletter.
Rany Thommen Moser, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA, has been an active volunteer, professional advisor, or sponsor of the Autism Society of Texas (AST) for as long as she can remember and is currently serving as President of the AST board. “As both a professional that has served the Autism community for years and also as a board member now serving the organization, I have seen firsthand the tireless work that AST puts into helping families, “ she says. “The support groups, training, referral line, and advocacy work done by AST create meaningful change in the lives of Texans with Autism.”
Rany has run in the annual Austin Marathon four times to raise funds for AST’s programs. This year, Rany will be supporting AST by riding during the Texas Bike to the Beach event on October 26th. Despite the event name, organizers canceled the beach ride, and our riders are participating in their own communities! Rany will be cycling 36 miles at Terry Hershey Park in Houston to represent the 1 in 36 children with Autism. “I am not a professional rider,” Rany shares. “I have never completed a long ride on a bike aside from a few miles during travel adventures. This will be the longest ride I’ve ever done, but I am happy to do it for such an important cause!”
We are so grateful to Rany and all the 2024 Texas Bike to the Beach riders and donors. Their support means that more individuals with Autism will receive the information and connection to resources they need to thrive. As Rany says, “Riding for Bike to the Beach is such a fun way to support AST and bring awareness about ways the organization helps the Autism community and to educate people on ways to get involved.”
To show support for Rany and help her raise money that directly benefits individuals with Autism throughout Texas, visit https://biketothebeach.org/b2b-houston-ride/support/#rany.
Dr. Jennifer Hamrick has come up with a fun and unique way to get others engaged in her Texas Bike to the Beach ride to raise money for the Autism Society of Texas. She is hosting an “Onion Ring Tour” in Lubbock on Sunday, October 20th where friends can follow along on her ride by car, bike, or Lime scooter, stopping for onion ring tastings at restaurants along the way to see who has the best. This will be Jennifer’s second year to participate in Bike to the Beach and serve as the AST Team Captain.
Jennifer is the Director at the Burkhart Center for Autism Education & Research and an Assistant Professor at Texas Tech University. She joined the AST Board of Directors in 2022 and quickly hit the ground running, providing support to our staff and individuals in the Autism community. “I have worked in public education for over 20 years,” says Jennifer. “As an educator, AST has always been an organization I have shared with families looking for resources and needing help navigating services in Texas. When asked to be part of the board, I jumped on the chance to be more involved and to better understand how we can help.”
Jennifer has already logged almost 400 miles of her 500 mile goal for the Bike to the Beach fundraiser. Anyone in the Lubbock area on October 20th is invited to join Jennifer’s ride or just come to cheer her on at any of the four restaurants along the way.
• 1:20 pm – approximate arrival at Spanky’s, 811 University Ave.
• 1:50 pm – approximate arrival at Whataburger (across from Spanky’s)
• 2:40 pm – approximate arrival at Jazz a Louisiana Kitchen, 3702 19th St.
• 3:30 pm – approximate arrival at Caprock Café, 3405 34th St.
Participants are asked to donate $10 to help Jennifer raise funds for the Autism Society of Texas, donations can be made here!
As a lifelong, cyclist, Marc van Bree logs 100 miles or more on his bike each week, either by himself or with a group. But it is his rides with his son, Willem, that he enjoys the most.
Willem is 11 years old and has Autism. While he is nonspeaking and has difficulty with motor skills, he can use a device to communicate and loves to be on the move, even if it is just riding in the car. Marc and his wife, Tania, have always taken Willem to stores and restaurants to get him comfortable in the community. That became impossible, though, during COVID, so they came up other ways to get Willem out and keep him moving. Hiking became a favorite weekend activity for Marc, Tania, Willem, and his older sister, Elli. During the week, Marc began taking Willem for bike rides around their neighborhood using a bike seat at first, then a bike trailer, and eventually an adaptive tricycle hitched to his bike that allows Willem to enjoy a more authentic biking experience.
Marc and Willem’s rides have become a daily activity. “Rain or shine, hot or cold, we will ride,” Marc shares. “Willem will push the ‘bike’ button on his AAC device and I’ll know it’s time to go!” Together, they have done more than 1,000 rides and 5,000 miles. “But, the most valuable metric of them all, “says Marc, “is the hundreds of hours we’ve spent together outside.”
On October 26, Marc and Willem had planned to ride a 25-mile route at Bike to the Beach’s Texas Ride for Autism near Surfside, to raise funds for the Autism Society of Texas, a nonprofit that has been an invaluable source of information and connections for their family. Due to a cancellation by the organizers and a move to virtual, Willem & Marc will now be taking a few laps around the Austin Veloway! This may be the longest ride the pair has done together so far, but Marc believes his son is up to the challenge. “With the right support and adaptations, we can make the world a little more welcoming for our neurodiverse friends,” Marc concludes. “When we listen and adapt, kids like Willem show the world how they shine.”
To support Team Willem, visit their Bike to the Beach page here!
Photo: 12/19/23, Livingston, Texas: Robert Roberson photographed through plexiglass at TDCJ Polunsky Unit. Ilana Panich-Linsman for The Innocence Project.
The Autism Society of Texas and Autism Society of America support clemency for Robert Roberson, wrongfully convicted of a crime he did not commit, with an execution date set for October 17, 2024. Compiled below are videos and articles about the case, the Innocence Project’s petition link, and the Autism Society’s Clemency Letter and Action Alert.
We ask that you consider completing the Innocence Project’s petition supporting Roberson’s clemency, and/or the Autism Society’s Action Alert to draw attention to the case and request that Governor Abbott consider clemency, which may provide a reprieve of execution or other options that would stop or delay his October 17th execution. Read more about clemency.
“The prosecution’s reliance on misjudgment and bias against Mr. Roberson’s Autistic behavior, suggests a rush to judgment substantially influenced by criminalizing disability.”
Christopher Banks, President and CEO of the Autism Society of America, in a letter to Governor Abbott and the Board of Pardons and Paroles.
TAKE ACTION!
Sign the Innocence Project’s Petition Here
Complete Autism Society Action Alert Here
Media Coverage and Autism Society’s Clemency Letter
NBC News “Texas man could be first to be executed in case of ‘shaken baby’ death”
KXAN -NBC Austin “Texas lawmakers urge mercy for autistic man set to be executed in child’s death” Video-view it here.
KVUE- ABC Austin “Attorneys for Texas death row inmate take new step in quest for clemency” Video-view it here.
Innocence Project “An Autistic Man Faces Execution: Misdiagnosis, Misjudgment, and a Life on the Line” Read it here.
We had a great time this September, connecting with families at our End of Summer Pool Party at the Volente Beach Waterpark! Autism Society of Texas families and attendees had a chance to enjoy the park with modified rules, discounted entry fees, and reserved use before the park opened to the general public. Thank you so much to the amazing Volente Beach team for all of your support to make this event so special.
We also had the opportunity to connect with families and individuals at the Navigation Special Education Symposium and Disability Fair in Austin.
We provided a free online education event on “Transition to Adulthood”, presented by Veronica Alvarez from Partners Resource Network. This workshop provided parents with IDEA transition requirements for a student with a disability as well as tools and resources. It can be viewed on our Facebook here.
We rounded out the month at the Houston Museum of Natural Science Sensory Friendly Event where we got to meet with other organizations as well as families and share resources while enjoying the sensory sensitive environment.
Dr. Berenice de la Cruz, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LBA has worked with people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other developmental disabilities since 2001 in school, home, clinic, and community settings as a teacher, therapist, supervisor, director, and professor. Dr. de la Cruz is an Assistant Professor and the inaugural Program Coordinator of the Applied Behavior Analysis Program at Texas A&M-San Antonio at the College of Education and Human Development.
Read our interview with Dr. Berenice below!
What is your connection to Autism and/or the Autism community?
As an undergraduate student studying psychology at the University of Texas at El Paso, I responded to an add looking for students to provide ABA services to a four-year-old child with Autism. I was drawn to his parents’ determination to teach him to talk, play, and interact. The joy I shared with him and his family when he learned new skills was unlike any other I had experienced. That is when I knew what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I am blessed to work with individuals with Autism and their families since 2001.
Why did you decide to join the AST Board?
I became a part of the AST Board because the mission and vision of AST aligns with my values. Autism Society of Texas has done so much good for our Texas community, and I wanted to be involved with furthering AST’s mission especially as it relates to supporting Spanish-speaking families and supporting public policy efforts that benefit Texans with Autism and their families.
What do you like most about AST or serving on the Board?
What I like most about serving on the AST Board is working with like-minded professionals to bring resources across the state. As a professor, I enjoy encouraging my students to get involved in their community and inviting them to participate with me in AST events.
We had our AUTonomy Panel “Voting 101” education event which provided info on how to register, vote, and what individuals voting for the first time need to know to be fully prepared for Election Day. “Voting 101” can be viewed here! Resources from this event, including our Voting 101 social narrative, can be viewed here.
We also had our Spanish education event on transitioning to adulthood, “Transición a la Vida Adulta”, which can be viewed here.
We presented at the Texas Parent to Parent conference in San Marcos and got to connect with families and share our resources.
Our Hunter Hinze Fund opened for applications on August 15th. The application process is still open thru September 15th at noon. To learn more and apply, visit the HHF page here.
On Thursday, August 15th at 12 Noon CST, join us for our AUTonomy Facebook Live panel discussion on voting rights for people with Autism and related disabilities! This informative event will go over how to register, vote, and lower anxiety to be fully prepared for Election Day. “Voting 101” is presented in partnership with Autism Society of America, Disability Rights Texas, Coalition for Texans with Disabilities, and RevUp Texas.
RSVP on Facebook to be notified when we go live: https://bit.ly/AST-Voting101
If you are unable to watch during our live, the recording can be viewed immediately on Facebook after our discussion concludes as well as will be on our Youtube later this month.
Voting 101 Resources
We had so much fun connecting with families at the third annual Sensory Sensitive Fourth of July Celebration at The Sound at Cypress Waters with their amazing LED light experience in lieu of fireworks. A big thank you to our Board Member, Cescilly for attending!
Our Camp Kayak in partnership with Texas Rowing for All was July 22-28, and it went swimmingly.
Our Autism Art Show moved to the Manchaca Branch of the Austin Library. Next, it will be moving to the Windsor Park Branch!
We met with other member organizations of the Joyful Learning Collaborative to plan for next years JLC event. This year we had an amazing time coming together to share the joy of the eclipse with our community and we can’t wait to share about the next JLC project in the months to come.
On the advocacy front, we were also hard at work alongside other disability and education organizations to consider solutions to end abusive and dangerous uses of restraint in school and care settings.
Autism Society of Texas took part in two first responder events in Cedar Park and Austin alongside ACES ABA. It was great getting to connect with our community!
Adriana Crostley, AST’s Director of Statewide Education & Outreach, presented at the TSLAT Texas Autism Conference at the end of June in Austin. The TSLAT conference provides educators, campus leadership, and families with strategies, resources, and evidence-based practices in the education of Autistic students.
Adriana also presented on our services and supports to MAC at Morgan’s Wonderland! MAC is a collaborative care community center for individuals with disabilities. Learn more about MAC here.
Our Executive Director, Jacquie was interviewed about the Sensory Sensitive Fourth of July Celebration at the Sound in Dallas!