September 2026 WAuTD Newsletter

Wisconsin Autism Transition Demonstration (WAuTD) Project & the Community of Practice on Autism Spectrum Disorder and other Developmental Disabilities (CoP ASD/DD)

Joint Meeting – Sept 22, 2026, 9:00 am-11:00 am, via Zoom

Join the Community of Practice on Autism Spectrum Disorder and other Developmental Disabilities in partnership with the WAuTD Project on Tuesday Sept 22, 2026, 9:00am-11:00am, via Zoom. This meeting will be focused on Building & Supporting Relationships. Speakers include Madeline Barger MS, LMFT, BCBA, AASECT-CST and leader of the WI Adult Autism Program at the Waisman Center with additional autistic self-advocate perspectives.

More information: Connections – Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin–Madison – UW–Madison

To register: https://uwmadison.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cO0mSXNsRDCw8rY

WAuTD’s Together Through Transition to Adulthood caregiver connection series: Round 2

Join WAuTD’s Together Through Transition to Adulthood caregiver connection series starting September 26. Designed for Rock County area caregivers of autistic youth and young adults (ages 13–26) with

higher support needs, this 6-session series offers opportunities to connect with other families, learn about resources, and share experiences. Sessions include two in-person meetings and four Zoom discussions. Space is limited. Registration ends Sept 23rd.

For more information and to register: https://uwmadison.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5tB40XeVyFODeM6

WAuTD’s September Social Gathering

–September 26, 2026 (rescheduled from Sept 19 due to expected weather)

Rock County area parents, caregivers, family members, and autistic young adults, whether attending on their own or with family, are invited to join WAuTD at the Flying Circus RC Fun Fly, presented by the Rock

River Aero Modelers Society. We’ll be there from 12:00 to 4:00 pm. Please RSVP so we can get a count for food.

For more information and to register: https://uwmadison.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0SMkOfPIMc3UkTk

WAuTD’s October Social Gathering

Join the WAuTD Walkers Team as we take on the Ice Age Trail Mammoth Challenge during the month of October! Participants can earn miles by joining our Rock County group walks or exploring the trail on their own. The trail covers 30 WI counties. We’ll kick it off on Oct 3rd in Milton from 10 a.m. to noon.

Here’s a video from one of our self-advocates on what to expect: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Pac4jPIi2Ls

To be included on the WAuTD team and earn a patch with us, please complete our registration form for the WAuTD Walkers Team: https://uwmadison.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9BrmWCBeLsmXmPI

Please do not register directly through the Ice Age Trail Mammoth Challenge website, as we will handle team registration for our WAuTD Walkers team participants.

Caregiver Navigation Series

WAuTD hosted round 1 of a caregiver connection series called Together Through Transition to Adulthood from May – August. It was for caregivers of autistic individuals ages 13-26 with higher support needs living in the Rock County area. Topics were chosen by the 8 families that attended and included housing, employment, financial planning, decision-making models, mental health, relationships and safety in the community. Each session included a fabulous Lived Experience Guest who described their experience and answered caregiver questions.

Participants said:

“I knew nothing about services available to my son before being introduced to this program. I am so grateful for this program and hope it continues”

“[This was] collective minds navigating the autism journey together, and the more support, the better”

Aug 7 Endless Possibilities Conference Keynote

Two of our self-advocate partners presented the keynote on “Advocating into Adulthood” at the Endless Possibilities Conference on August 7 at the Waukesha Technical College in Pewaukee. Clyde Fruits and Hunter Markle shared what advocacy is and why it matters, what it means to become an adult from a youth/young adult perspective, and examples of how to speak up around mental health concerns.

Photo credit: Mary Fruits

Aug 8 Splash Pad

WAuTD partnered with SPACE Autastic in hosting a sensory supported pool party on the morning of August 8th at the Palmer Pool in Janesville. After swimming we played lawn games, ate ice cream, and had a great time getting to know each other. Here’s a picture of some of the crew!

Aug 22 Guided Hike

WAuTD partnered with the Autism Society of WI, SPACE Autastic and the Ice Age Trail Rock County Chapter for a guided hike in Janesville. Attendees hiked 3-4 miles and explored several unique areas of the Ice Age Trail, including Deep Ravine, Marsh Creek, Arbor Ridge Woodlands, and Devil’s Staircase (which is much less intimidating than it sounds). Afterwards, we enjoyed some snacks and great conversations!

Aug 27 What’s After High School

WAuTD partnered with Family Voices of WI to host 2 virtual What’s After High School sessions on Aug 27th. More than 25 individuals joined to get a high-level overview of the transition to adult life. Amazingly, the 8-9pm session nearly doubled the number of attendees in the 12-1pm session! If you missed it, you can find another session at the calendar here: https://familyvoiceswi.org/events-calendar/

The Community Connection: A Path to Community Leadership Webinar Series

This series explores ways to get involved and make a difference, from person-centered planning to community leadership and systems advocacy. Presented by BPDD and Wisconsin Managed Care Organization partners, the three free webinars are held September 15 (recorded), 22, and 29 from 12:00–1:00 p.m.

To register and learn more: https://wi-bpdd.org/index.php/2026/09/01/community-connection-a-path-to-community-leadership-webinar-series/

Join the UW–Madison Autism Data Science Initiative’s Virtual Open Forum To Help Shape Autism Research Through Community Stories

-September 21 @ 6:00 – 7:30 pm.

Inviting members of the autism community to join and share perspectives that can help inform and strengthen our research on early life factors in autism. We welcome autistic adults, family members, and professionals in clinical, educational, and other disability services. From University of Wisconsin–Madison Autism Data Science Initiative (ADSI).

For more information and to register: https://uwmadison.zoom.us/meeting/register/qauxJ7HBQMi4IiWR9QbYEg#/registration

Love, Rights, and Respect: Navigating Relationships and Safety – In Person Training

-September 21, 2026 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm.

Love, Rights, and Respect focuses on helping those who support individuals with IDD understand relationships, dating, and personal rights. This presentation encourages open conversation about respect, consent, boundaries, and safety. Participants will learn how support individuals with IDD in learning how to have healthy relationships, communicate their needs, and recognize situations that may be unsafe. There is a cost.

For more information and to register: https://cow.waisman.wisc.edu/event/love-rights-and-respect-navigating-relationships-and-safety-in-person-training-2/

Future Ready: Planning for Adulthood hosted by Family Voices of Wisconsin

Future Ready is an engaging and structured program to equip teens and young adults with disabilities, ages 14 to 21, and their families, with the tools and a plan for the transition to adult life. Teens build confidence, self-advocacy skills, and create a clear vision for their future. Parents, gain practical guidance on adult systems, decision-making options, and learn how you can support their increasing independence. Through expert-led sessions, peer learning, and planning activities, participants explore healthcare, education, employment, adult long-term care, community life, financial tools and skills needed for the real world. It will be held In-Person on October 3-4 in Green Bay or Nov 14-15 in Madison, WI.

For more information and to register: https://familyvoiceswi.org/transition-workshop/

Managing Threatening Confrontations

This in-person training will be held on October 14, 2026 @ 9:00 am – 3:00 pm in Madison.

Managing Threatening Confrontations is designed to assist you in learning how to effectively support individuals who could experience the full range of behavioral escalation. These moments often appear chaotic – when to step back, who to call for back up, and “when to duck.” This seminar is designed to put order to the chaos. Stages of escalation are described and each stage is paired with a positive action plan for caregivers as well as teams. The content places strong emphasis on proactive supports. The principles taught in a straightforward manner so as to provide a framework for conceptualizing behavior escalation that can readily translate into positive plans of action. The learning is brought to life using a video of a dramatic, real-life enactment of threatening confrontations by professional actors. There is a cost.

For more information and to register: https://cow.waisman.wisc.edu/event/managing-threatening-confrontations-in-person-training-11/

Partners in Policymaking, from BPDD

A six-session advocacy training to prepare future leaders around the state who can work with lawmakers and communities to support the inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in all aspects of life. Applications due October 23rd.

Learn more and apply/just click here!