Summer 2024 Social Groups: $300

There is always a demand for social groups specifically designed for neurodivergent youth and adults. My favorite thing in the world is working and interacting with groups of people who share my neurotype, and I love facilitating these groups. I create and design groups based on a number of factors:

• Age: (this becomes less important as people enter adulthood, but in general, teenagers do not feel particularly excited about being in a social group with young children...which makes sense). Groups are created when a threshold of people seeking a spot in a certain age range is met.
• Passion/interests: We know that sharing friendship through shared interests works. It's not necessary that everyone likes the EXACT SAME THING, but it's a really helpful starting point if there are some commonalities across group members. That's why the google form asks for your passions/areas of strong interests, and groups are created with these in mind.
• Need/desired focus: some people are looking for low-key social groups to connect in an authentically autistic way with peers. Some are looking for others who share their lived experience to share frustrations, successes, and just be with others who 'get' them. Some are interested in learning more about what their diagnosis or new self-realization means in the wider context of their lives and relationships. Some are seeking accountability buddies and a group of people with whom they can try new things and take on challenges. The reason you show up matters, and I create groups with a primary intent or focus so that we begin with a common direction or purpose. If you are filling an interest form out for a loved one, please consult them on what they are hoping to gain from participating in a group.
• Neurodivergent status: Some of you are parents, some are partners, some are neurotypical, and some are neurodivergent. Neurodivergent people need affinity spaces where they can communicate and engage in authentic ways without fear of being judged or othered...and the neurotypical people in our lives also need some support to meet us halfway in this whole communication/life thing. I run groups for neurodivergent people, and I also run groups for parents and others who want to gain a better understanding of how to support their neurodivergent people and start meeting them halfway in communication and affirming practices.
• Identity: I am a straight, cis white woman in a monogamous relationship. I do not have the lived experience to authentically lead groups of individuals who are neurodivergent and experience significant intersectionality, but I can assist in the creation of groups with these identities in mind and make sure there is space for people to come together and connect. In these cases, I can act solely as a planner/developer, or I can participate in meetings. It is up to the group to decide what level of engagement they would like from me.