Autistic Adult Peer Social Group in Charlotte, NC

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Please sign up for services here.

The structure of the group is as follows:

4-4:15 pm - Arrivals, get comfy on the couches or floor, introductions (optional icebreaker question)

4:15 - 5:15 pm - Paired with another participant for 10-15 min to do art activity + fun questions and then switch to talk to another person

5:15 - 5:30 pm - Transition to leaving, sharing ideas for next month's group or events you may want to invite people to in the next couple weeks

This gathering is for any autistic adult looking to connect with other autistic people in the Mecklenburg, North Carolina area. We hope to help you feel welcomed, cozy, accommodated, and free to be unapologetically yourself. :) If you are wanting to just exist in the space (parallel play) and not speak with others, that is completely okay. You are welcome to bring sensory items, snacks, blankets, games, or anything else that makes you feel comfortable or that you want to share with others (no weapons allowed).

We meet once per month on the second Sunday at the same location.

Organizers: Ellis Ponds (they/them)

Website: Neurokin Community

Accessibility: it's in the Chantilly area of Charlotte and has ample free, accessible and private parking behind the building. There is wheelchair access to the specific room and a gender neutral single-stall bathroom near the room. There is low lighting, comfy couches, and plenty of space to spread out and do your own thing or have convos with others. Additionally, we will ensure there is water and you are welcome to bring your own non-alcoholic beverage or a snack too.

Notes:

This group is intentionally inclusive of the below marginalized people and always wanting to hear feedback if anything feels unsafe or not accessible:

1. PGOM and all cultural backgrounds and ethnicities
2. Queer
3. Trans, gender-divergent, agender, and two-spirit
4. Religious/spiritual
5. Non-religious/secular
6. Disabled/chronically ill
7. Undocumented people/immigrants (please do not note this anywhere in your sign up)

Below are the values/qualities this group is founded upon:

1. Kind, authentic connection
2. Trauma-informed leadership (both autistic adults organizing this group hold very strong values and commitment to consent-based interaction, empathy, and safety)
3. Structure and ground rules verbalized and agreed upon at the beginning of each meetup
4. Celebration and compassionate inclusion of differences/diversity (race/ethnicity, disability, religion/non-religion, support needs, 2SLGBTQIA+, citizenship status, class, etc.)
5. Accessibility and disability justice
6. If you have a request for an accommodation, please note and we will let you know if we can assist
7. Masks are highly recommended and encouraged in the space due to the high prevalence of dysautonomia among autistic people (if one person signing up needs others to wear a mask for safety, we will ask everyone to do so)
8. AAC devices and nonverbal communication welcomed
9. Openness to feedback, suggestions, and changes as needed
10. Relational accountability, safety, and repair
11. If harm occurs, we have steps we will take to ensure safety of those harmed. Abusive behavior from an attendee is not tolerated.
12. If disagreements occur, we hope that you will assume best intentions of each other and be respectful and kind.
13. Privacy (especially in our current political climate)
14. Please do not share stories or personal details of attendees outside of this space
15. Do not share the location of this meetup in any public space or on social media

We do not tolerate transphobia, racism, sexism, homophobia, ableism, etc.