Members: To register for this event and see the address, view on Circle.

Non-Members: Like to join us at this event? Sign up to be a member here!

LOCATION: Midtown. RSVP for specific location. 2nd floor, room 2-2.

DESCRIPTION:
On Sunday, December 15th at 2pm, Join us for a cozy puzzle afternoon! This is a great way to relax before the holiday’s start, and do some jigsaw puzzles, brainteasers, and other games with fellow group members. We’ll provide a variety of puzzles and games to do together in small groups, but feel free to bring along your own games to share! After doing a round of intros, we’ll get right into it.

Members: To register for this event and see the address, view on Circle.

Non-Members: Like to join us at this event? Sign up to be a member here!

LOCATION: Chelsea

DESCRIPTION:

On December 14th, join fellow member and guest speaker Heidi for an experiential workshop where we'll explore and discuss Interoception, how it relates to Autism, and use a brief guided TCTSY yoga practice to deepen our interoceptive awareness.

Interoception is the ability to sense and feel what is happening inside of our bodies. TCTSY (Trauma Center's Trauma Sensitive Yoga) is a specific style of yoga that was developed to treat complex trauma; it also has useful applications for neurodivergent individuals who might struggle with interoception.

After a brief power-point about Interoception, Autism and TCTSY, participants will discuss their experiences with Interoception in small groups, and then will have the option to explore their interoceptive awareness in action during a brief guided TCTSY yoga practice.

This yoga practice is open to all levels- including first-timers to yoga!- and can be done from a seated position in the chairs provided at the venue, or on a yoga mat, if you choose to bring one. Please wear comfortable clothing that will allow you to move freely. Yoga mats and/or props are optional but advised if you have them. (We will have a couple extra yoga mats for members who's like to borrow them on a first come first serve basis!)

After the workshop, attendees are welcome to grab lunch from the Market in our events space and bring it back to the classroom to eat. (And please feel free to bring a bagged lunch instead if you prefer.)

Members: To register for this event and see the address, view on Circle.

Non-Members: Like to join us at this event? Sign up to be a member here!

LOCATION: Dyker Heights

In lieu of the monthly Plant ID Walks, we will be having a holiday themed walk to end off the year of 2024! We will be hosting 3 this month to accommodate as many members as we can! Please only register for one of the walk dates: Dec 9th, Dec 20th, Dec 29th.

This will be an early winter walk after sunset. In addition, bright lights will be in the area. Please be prepared for cold weather, and bring necessary items to help with potential sensory issues such as but not limited to sunglasses and earplugs.

Dyker Heights is a residential neighborhood in the southwest area of the Brooklyn borough. Since its development, headed by Walter Loverridge Johnson in 1895, it has maintained its status as one of Brooklyn's wealthy neighborhoods. For roughly 20 years, the residents of Dyker Heights have traditionally decorated their properties elaborately during the month of December for the holiday season.

At the end of the event, everyone will have the chance to visit the local bakeries or local diners. We will be doing a lot of walking, so please wear comfortable shoes, bring snacks and water, and a camera for those who would like to take pictures.

Members: To register for this event and see the address, view on Circle.

Non-Members: Like to join us at this event? Sign up to be a member here!

On December 11th, 7:00-8:00 pm, join us for our 2nd Online Crafting Meeting for autistic crafters. Whether you knit, crochet, spin, weave, felt, rug hook, dye, embroider, needlepoint, sew, or any other kind of crafter, Emma is hosting a monthly Crafting Meeting on 2nd Wednesday evenings. Whatever kind of crafting you do, if you love it and you’re doing it, come and share your project with us! 

If you are crafting-curious and want to see if you’d like to start crafting, come see what we’re doing. If you want, you could use your “bring and brag” time to identify what you might want to do, and we will give you pointers about getting started. 

Craft online while checking out other people’s projects and sharing your own. You don’t have to share if you don’t want to. You can come and practice your craft. 

If you are having a problem with your craft, I hope we’ll connect with each other - Crafters Unite! - and help each other problem-solve any crafting issues that come up. And we’ll get to share our current project and discuss our next project and why we love crafting. 

Members: To register for this event and see the address, view on Circle.

Non-Members: Like to join us at this event? Sign up to be a member here!

Join us on Sunday, December 8th at 5:00PM for our second Community Forum! We will have these forums 4 times a year. This event is open to everyone in our group and those interested in joining us.

During the event, I will go over new developments and group happenings, including some behind-the-scenes stuff, upcoming big events, and our plans for the future!

I will also give some information about our group for new members, and receive feedback from current members on stuff you’d like to see happen in our community.

This is an opportunity for new members to ask questions and learn about the group, and also an opportunity for current members to give event suggestions, suggestions for our discord/website, feedback and new ideas!

Members: To register for this event and see the address, view on Circle.

Non-Members: Like to join us at this event? Sign up to be a member here!

LOCATION: Upper East Side

Join us on December 7th at 12:30pm for our winter holiday party!

Our main activity will be creating DIY Snow Globes! All materials will be provided and you’ll get to take your snow globe home. We will have tons of different trinkets and craft items to customize your snow globes how you'd like!

There will also be holiday themed games, pizza and other snacks for attendees. This is a secular event, we welcome individuals from various religious backgrounds, traditions, and non-religious folks alike.

This is a wheelchair accessible building, the front entrance is on 2nd Ave. There will be security at the door as you arrive. They will check your bags as you enter. The space will be in the basement, please take the stairs or elevator down.

Members: To register for this event and see the address, view on Circle.

Non-Members: Like to join us at this event? Sign up to be a member here!

On Monday December 2nd, join us for an online discussion in our series about autistic self-care. This discussion will focus on emotional self-care, which Dr. Megan Anna Neff describes as "anything you do that helps develop emotional awareness and strengthen your resilience." Topics will include managing autistic burnout; setting boundaries and self-advocacy; cultivating emotional awareness, literacy and resilience; and regulating emotions.

Our discussion series is guided by the book Self-Care for Autistic People by Dr. Neff, an AuDHD clinician and advocate. This discussion will specifically focus on Chapter 3, "Emotional Self-Care". Reading the chapter beforehand is suggested but optional; anyone will be able to follow along and contribute! We will be reviewing tips from the book and sharing our own autistic experiences and strategies.

Members: To register for this event and see the address, view on Circle.

Non-Members: Like to join us at this event? Sign up to be a member here!

Join us for a Friendsgiving Movie Night! NOTE: This event is split between 2 nights to accommodate as many folks as we can but have a manageable event size! Please only RSVP to ONE event - double RSVP’s will be removed.

We will spend some time minging before the movie begins, our host will give some intros and announcements, and we’ll start the film! There will be popcorn and other movie snacks available as well. In the spirit of friendsgiving, please feel free to bring store-bought snacks/treats to share with other group members. (Please nothing potentially messy, and no fragrant foods that might cause sensory issues for others!).

On November 30th from 12:00-2:00, join us for a community swap meet and free market. Members are strongly encouraged to bring at least one item to trade or give away. We’ll start with intros, where members will have a chance to share the items they’ve brought, before moving into open social/giveaway/swap time. A great way for our community to celebrate the holiday weekend!

For full details, including the address, and to RSVP see: https://www.meetup.com/autistic-adults-nyc/events/304379920/

On November 26th, join us for an online discussion exploring the diverse experiences autistic people have with the internet. This conversation aims to share insights into how the internet shapes our lives as autistic individuals.

Topics will include the different aspects of online spaces and how these experiences intersect with autistic identity and expression. We’ll examine personal strategies and accommodations participants use online to support their autism and mental health. We’ll also discuss online autism advocacy, how it has been helpful, and how it might improve.

For full details, including the address, and to RSVP see: https://www.meetup.com/autistic-adults-nyc/events/304379853/

Members: To register for this event and see the address, view on Circle.

Non-Members: Like to join us at this event? Sign up to be a member here!

Join us for a Friendsgiving Movie Night! NOTE: This event is split between 2 nights to accommodate as many folks as we can but have a manageable event size! Please only RSVP to ONE event - double RSVP’s will be removed.

We will spend some time minging before the movie begins, our host will give some intros and announcements, and we’ll start the film! There will be popcorn and other movie snacks available as well. In the spirit of friendsgiving, please feel free to bring store-bought snacks/treats to share with other group members. (Please nothing potentially messy, and no fragrant foods that might cause sensory issues for others!).

Let’s explore one of the nation’s largest bird habitats! More than 300 species of birds have been observed here over the last 25 years. The refuge covers 9,000 acres of open bay, saltmarsh, mudflats, upland field and woods, as well as two man-made brackish ponds. There will be plenty to see, even in the fall and winter! We will conclude the trip by going to the Howard Beach area for slice pizza.

Admission is free, no tickets are required!

For full details, including the address, and to RSVP see: https://www.meetup.com/autistic-adults-nyc/events/304379245/

Members: To register for this event and see the address, view on Circle.

Non-Members: Like to join us at this event? Sign up to be a member here!

PAUSE Events are for non-speaking, intellectually disabled, and/or high-support needs Autistic adults.

For this event, we will be making homemade instruments! We will be making instruments out of materials such as cardboard rolls, rubber bands, tape, and large, colorful beads.

The goal of this event is to make instruments that represent us and our personality. We'll provide a variety of supplies to help you create your own unique instrument. Like all PAUSE events, this is a relaxed activity. Attendees are not expected to follow any specific instructions and encouraged to create something that represents themself. All materials will be provided for this event!

On November 20th at 7:00pm, join me, Melly, in the third of a four part discussion series: Autism and your Culture~ In this discussion series, we will be discussing how being Autistic impacts your experience within your own cultural group. The focus will be on ethnic cultural groups, but subculture and counterculture groups that you belong in are also welcome for discussion.

Music will be the focus of this third discussion. We will be discussing traditional music (and/or important music genres in regards to subcultures/countercultures) within our cultural groups, music that we like or dislike within our cultural groups, the cultural/societal pressures of liking certain types of music, and more. We will start our introductions at 7:05pm on the meetup stage on discord. I hope to hear/read from you there~

This event will be in our "Meetup Stage" Channel on Discord.

Join us on Saturday, November 16th at 11:30AM for a beginner American Sign Language (ASL) Workshop! No experience is necessary. We will have a guest instructor from Teachers College, Columbia University!

American Sign Language (ASL) is a visual-gestural language used primarily by the Deaf and hard-of-hearing communities in the United States and parts of Canada. It has unique rules and grammar, totally different from English. It’s also used in many parts of the disability community, including by Autistics!

We will start with a 2-hour interactive presentation, learning basic greetings, the alphabet, and basic New York City-related signs ("New York City", "subway", etc.). After the workshop, attendees are welcome to grab lunch from the Pier 57 Market and bring it back to the classroom to eat. (And please feel free to bring a bagged lunch instead if you prefer.)

All materials will be provided. This is a casual, low stress event, no experience necessary!

For full details, including the address, and to RSVP see: https://www.meetup.com/autistic-adults-nyc/events/304378428/

On November 13th, 7:00-8:30 pm, join us for our very first online Crafting Meeting for autistic crafters. Whether you knit, crochet, spin, weave, felt, rug hook, dye, embroider, needlepoint, sew, or any other kind of crafter, Emma is hosting a monthly Crafting Meeting on 2nd Wednesday evenings. Whatever kind of crafting you do, if you love it and you’re doing it, come and share your project with us!

If you are crafting-curious and want to see if you’d like to start crafting, come see what we’re doing. If you want, you could use your “bring and brag” time to identify what you might want to do, and we will give you pointers about getting started.

Craft online while checking out other people’s projects and sharing your own. You don’t have to share if you don’t want to. You can come and practice your craft.

If you are having a problem with your craft, I hope we’ll connect with each other - Crafters Unite! - and help each other problem-solve any crafting issues that come up. And we’ll get to share our current project and discuss our next project.

For full details, including the address, and to RSVP see: https://www.meetup.com/autistic-adults-nyc/events/304378310/

On November 4th, join us for an online discussion of autistic self-care. This discussion will focus on ways to practice physical self-care, which can be categorized into Movement and Regulation, Sleep, and Body Care and Hygiene.

Our discussion is part of a series guided by the book Self-Care for Autistic People by AuDHD clinician Megan Anna Neff, and in particular on Chapter 2: Physical Self-Care. Reading is suggested but optional; anyone will be able to follow along and contribute! We will be discussing tips from the book as well as sharing our own autistic experiences and strategies.

This event will be in our "Meetup Stage" Channel on Discord.

For full details, including the address, and to RSVP see: https://www.meetup.com/autistic-adults-nyc/events/304378257/?isFirstPublish=true

Relax and reset for the week ahead with a group meditation! Chill out as you are guided through a calming journey of breathing and introspective thought. Everyone is welcome to bring a quiet fidget or activity (e.g. coloring book, drawing) if that helps your mind relax!

For full details, including the address, and to RSVP see: https://www.meetup.com/autistic-adults-nyc/events/304378223/

Join us on Tuesday, October 29th at 7:00PM for the FINAL session of our employment series!

During this event, those who are interested in practicing their interviewing skills will be provided a list of interview questions, and step out of the main call and do a short mock interview 1-on-1 with another attendee. Additionally, in the main discord room, we will be body doubling, working on job hunting and filling out any job applications you need to work on.

At 7 we’ll start with our intros, and then get right into it. After, we’ll also have a short discussion to wrap up the series and talk about future topics/discussions for next year!

For full details, including the address, and to RSVP see: https://www.meetup.com/autistic-adults-nyc/events/303621820

Our 3rd Annual Autistic Adults NYC Halloween Party will be on Sunday, October 27th at 6:00PM. Suggested Donation is $15, please donate if you are able!

Please join us for some food, candy, halloween crafts & games. Costumes are very much welcome, but please come dressed in whatever is most comfortable to you - from a t-shirt and jeans to your most extravagant halloween costume. Towards the end of the event, we’ll vote on the best costumes, so feel free to go all out!

We will have a main large room for the halloween festivities, and a small separate room for halloween themed arts & crafts. This is a party event - You are welcome to show up whenever/stay for as long as you like during our event time. It is suggested to buddy up with another member if you tend to feel uncomfortable at large gatherings. Reach out in our Discord in the community-hub channel!

Suggested Donation for this event is $15. Money will be going towards the space rental, food, and halloween decor/crafts.

For full details, including the address, and to RSVP see: https://www.meetup.com/autistic-adults-nyc/events/303621611

Our second Plant ID walk for October will be located at Governors Island!

We are hosting 2 plant walks this month to accommodate as many members as we can! Please only register for either the Oct 6th walk or the Oct 26th walk.

This will be an early fall walk, please be prepared for fluctuating weather and late season insects or allergens.

Governors Island is a very popular attraction, residing roughly 800 yards from the southern Manhattan tip. It stands at 172 acres, once served the US military between 1776-1966, and currently repurposed as a public green space. Prior to European colonization, the island was called Paggank by the native Lepane (translated to Nut Island), the area once had a rich collection of hardwood trees, such as Oaks, Chestnuts, and Hickorys that served as a foraging and hunting grounds for Lepane people.

For full details, including the address, and to RSVP see: https://www.meetup.com/autistic-adults-nyc/events/303621440

Members: To register for this event and see the address, view on Circle.
Non-Members: Like to join us at this event? Sign up to be a member here!

P.A.U.S.E is a social club for non/minimally-speaking and/or intellectually disabled Autistic adults in the NYC area. Learn more about PAUSE here!

For this event, we will be making autumn-themed collages! 🍁🎃 A collage is a piece of artwork created by gluing different materials such as construction paper, newspaper, and photographs, to a larger sheet of paper.

The goal of this event is to make collage portraits that represent us and our personality. We'll provide a variety of colorful leaves, paper, and other supplies to help you create your own unique collage. Like all PAUSE events, this is a relaxed activity. Attendees are not expected to follow any specific instructions and encouraged to create something that represents themself. All materials will be provided for this event!'

Join us on Tuesday, October 22nd at 7:00 for an open discussion/peer support group on autism and addiction, including but not limited to substance use disorders. Autistics are often at higher risk for addiction, but many recovery spaces are not designed to meet our needs or prioritize our comfort. This event will give members a safe, non-judgmental space to reflect on their experiences with these diagnoses and their interplay with one another.

This event will be in our "Meetup Stage" Channel on Discord.

For full details, including the address, and to RSVP see: https://www.meetup.com/autistic-adults-nyc/events/303621434

Sunday, Oct 20th is the 2024 Disability Pride NYC Parade, organized by Disability Pride NYC. Join us as we walk together as a group to celebrate disability pride and represent Autistic Adults NYC!

From the Disability Pride NYC Organizers:
This year’s parade theme is "New York City, celebrating disability swag!" Since 2015, the parade has been a hallmark event of New York City’s disability community. New York’s vibrant disability community comes together to celebrate the disability experience with enthusiastic and creative contributions playing a significant role in creating a truly entertaining, empowering, and inclusive experience as we all come together in a spirit of camaraderie and creative celebration.

For full details, including the address, and to RSVP see: https://www.meetup.com/autistic-adults-nyc/events/303621412

Struggling with a workplace that doesn’t feel “Autism-friendly”? Unsure about how or if to unmask at work? Wondering how to ask for accommodations like remote work, a quieter environment, or written instructions?

Join us on Saturday, October 19th for our Career Advocacy Workshop!

This event is part of our “Employment and Autism” series. Career advocacy focuses on ensuring equal access to employment opportunities, necessary workplace accommodations, and protections against discrimination.

We’ll cover your workplace rights, explore the pros and cons of disclosing your autism, and dive into possible accommodations that can help make your job more accessible. This workshop also offers a space to share personal experiences, ask specific questions, and brainstorm solutions together!

In-Person Link: https://www.meetup.com/autistic-adults-nyc/events/303621328
Online Link: https://www.meetup.com/autistic-adults-nyc/events/303621349

On October 16th at 7:00pm, join me, Melly, in the second of a four part discussion series: Autism and your Culture~ In this discussion series, we will be discussing how being Autistic impacts your experience within your own cultural group. The focus will be on ethnic cultural groups, but subculture and counterculture groups that you belong in are also welcome for discussion.

Clothing will be the focus of this second discussion. We will be discussing traditional garments (and/or important clothing pieces/accessories in regards to subcultures/countercultures) within our cultural groups, sensory issues and pleasures when wearing/seeing these garments, the societal pressures or implications of these garments, and more. We will start our introductions at 7:05pm on the meetup stage on discord. I hope to hear/read from you there~

This event will be in our "Meetup Stage" Channel on Discord.

For full details, including the address, and to RSVP see: https://www.meetup.com/autistic-adults-nyc/events/303621301

Join us for a creative afternoon of autumn-themed crafting! We'll provide a variety of colorful leaves, paper, and other supplies to help you create your own unique collage. Let's embrace the beauty of fall together!

For full details, including the address, and to RSVP see: https://www.meetup.com/autistic-adults-nyc/events/303621290

Everyone enjoys music in some form and moving our bodies is a great way to reconnect our mind and bodies together. What better way to tune into our bodies and regulate our nervous systems than to have fun and dance together! In this 90 minute class you will be guided to learn a short choreography piece in the style of Street Jazz. The music chosen will be somewhere in the modern genre of pop and r&b music.

Class will begin with a nice warmup so we can not only stretch our muscles, but tune into our breathe as we move. Choreography will be taught in a slow to moderate paced manner, similar to a ‘Beginner’ class at any professional city dance studio.

The purpose of this class is to come together in community to share the love of dance. It’ll be a great workout and way to push ourselves to learn something new. Let’s have fun together in this safe space to explore movement!

For full details, including the address, and to RSVP see: https://www.meetup.com/autistic-adults-nyc/events/303621227

On October 8th, join us for an online discussion of autistic self-care, particularly defining self-care and how to cultivate sensory safety.

We will hold a discussion guided by the book Self-Care for Autistic People by AuDHD clinician Megan Anna Neff, focusing on the introduction and chapter 1. Reading is suggested but optional; anyone will be able to follow along and contribute! We will be discussing tips from the book as well as sharing our own autistic experiences and strategies.

The introduction and Chapter 1 is available online as a free sample via Libby or Amazon.

This event will be in our "Meetup Stage" Channel on Discord.

For full details, including the address, and to RSVP see: https://www.meetup.com/autistic-adults-nyc/events/303620992

Our first Plant ID walk for October will be located at Governors Island!

We are hosting 2 plant walks this month to accommodate as many members as we can! Please only register for either the Oct 6th walk or the Oct 26th walk.

This will be an early fall walk, please be prepared for fluctuating weather and late season insects or allergens.

Governors Island is a very popular attraction, residing roughly 800 yards from the southern Manhattan tip. It stands at 172 acres, once served the US military between 1776-1966, and currently repurposed as a public green space. Prior to European colonization, the island was called Paggank by the native Lepane (translated to Nut Island), the area once had a rich collection of hardwood trees, such as Oaks, Chestnuts, and Hickorys that served as a foraging and hunting grounds for Lepane people.

For full details, including the address, and to RSVP see: https://www.meetup.com/autistic-adults-nyc/events/303620801