Author: Brandon Fredricks
-
Adult Panel: Surviving Daily Life
Adult Panel: Surviving Daily Life Our Treasures and Wisconsin Autism Empowerment held a panel on July 12, 2025, where three autistic adults came together to share the methods they’ve developed for managing everyday challenges. Their wisdom—hard-earned through experience—offered practical insights and validating reminders for anyone feeling overwhelmed by the demands of adulthood. Below is a…
-
Employment Panel Insights
Employment Panel Insights By Sandy Krause Thank you to the panelists on our employment panel on Saturday, May 10th. Benjamin King brought the perspective of an HR recruiter. Millie Rodriguez brought the college neurodivergent placement expertise to represent MATC. Mark Poffinbarger came from the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation with resources and guidance. It was a great sharing of knowledge. …
-
Black, White, Grey
Black, White, Grey By Sandy Krause October 31, 2024 I attended a meeting for parents of ND ‘kids’ a few weeks ago through the Islands of Brilliance Brilliant Mornings group. The topic was keeping our ND family safe while out in the world when the unexpected happens. Moreover, as an ‘older’ adult, I can tell…
-
Wisconsin Disability Rights Need You
Wisconsin Disability Rights Need You Hello Wisconsin friends of ASAN, My name is Jules Good and I am the Programs Coordinator at ASAN. I’m also looping in my colleague Nina Stoller (they/them), one of our Policy Coordinators. We are working with a coalition of other disability rights orgs to find folks to meet with key Congresspeople…
-
A Message from ASAN
A Message from ASAN Hello, For those of you I haven’t met, my name is Jules Good (they/them) and I’m the Programs Coordinator at the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN). A bit of background information: We’ve been working to end subminimum wage and improve conditions for disabled workers. Right now, there are two ways to…
-
Fostering Inclusion
Fostering Inclusion By Brandon Fredricks September 22, 2024 Years ago, I believed that those who opposed inclusion did so deliberately, perpetuating division. This perspective shaped my thinking for a long time, leading me to attribute cultural division solely to those who may not prioritize the dignity of others. However, my understanding of why ideological divides…
-
Different is not Damaged
Different is not Damaged By Sandy Krause Sunday, I heard a message that had me crying in the pew, not from the preacher but from a church member sharing their story. This young person told of their family messages, leading them to internal devaluation to the point of suicidal thoughts. They were told they needed…
-
Stimming: A Poem By Miranda Fischer
Stimming: A Poem By Miranda Fischer A great poem on stimming written by Miranda Fischer. They are autistic but let us not forget that NT’s stim too. Stimming provides self soothing, anxiety reduction, boredom relief, centering through movement. We stim to meet a need. If the stim is not causing harm let it be, respect…
-
Autism Symbols and Their Meanings
Autism Symbols and Their Meanings Brandon Fredricks August 29, 2023 Symbols are an easy way to represent ideas and concepts. Regarding autism, there have been many different symbols used. The puzzle piece, the puzzle piece ribbon, the butterfly, the color blue, and the rainbow infinity symbol all represented autism awareness. But how did these symbols…
-
My First Job
My First Job By Brandon Fredricks August 14, 2023 Our identities control our lives. But do we control our identity? In some aspects, yes. Others are assigned to us at birth or by society later in life. In my youth, Asperger’s Syndrome had been assigned as part of my identity.The umbrella of autism spectrum disorder…
Wisconsin Autism Empowerment 