• Support Group for Adults

    This support group is for Autistic adults (18+) who are post k-12. Through this support group, members can connect with a variety of participants.

    AANE support groups give members an opportunity to celebrate successes and support each other through difficulties. Common topics of discussion are:

    Masking/camouflaging
    Sensory sensitivities/overloads
    Relationships
    Self-care
    Disclosure
    Advanced registration is required.

    $10
  • Support Group for Parents of Adults (30+)

    This multi-session support group is for parents who have an Autistic adult child 30+ years of age. Other adult family caregivers may also register for this group. Multi-session support groups are ideal for parents and other adult family caregivers who want to go beyond sharing their stories with newcomers each time at single-session support group meetings.

    AANE support groups provide an opportunity for parents and family caregivers to voice their concerns and frustrations and celebrate hard-won and unexpected victories. Although each group will focus on different themes and questions, here are some of the most common ones:

    Now that your child is an adult, how do you support and/or parent without power?
    How do you keep the lines of communication open?
    How can you help the Autistic adult find and sustain work and live independently?
    How do you motivate them to expand their social network?
    What types of services have other families used and what were the results?
    How have other members tapped into health, income, housing, and other benefits?
    Dates

    January 15
    January 29
    February 12
    February 26
    March 12
    March 26
    April 9
    April 23

    Advanced registration is required.

    $180
  • Support Group for Parents of Gender Diverse Adults & Teens (14+)

    This multi-session support group is designed for parents/family members of Autistic adults and teens with who are transgender or who are exploring or questioning their gender identity.

    Gender identity is distinct from sexual orientation or preference. Gender identity is one’s innermost concept of self as male, female, a blend of both or neither–how individuals perceive themselves and what they call themselves. Autistic individuals may be more likely to identify with a gender/s that is different than the sex assigned at birth. The intersection of these two identities is common, but not often talked about in the same space. When an adult child questions their gender identity parents are often initially overwhelmed by questions and concerns, and more questions may surface as their child continues on their journey. This is not a therapeutic support group.

    The group offers a combination of facilitated peer support and information for parents who are starting or continuing on this journey with their child. These groups are ideal for parents who want to go beyond sharing their stories with newcomers each time at open support group meetings. Other adult family members, such as siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, or even close family friends can also join these groups. These support groups also let parents give voice to their concerns and frustrations and celebrate their victories.

    Dates

    January 15
    January 29
    February 12
    February 26
    March 12
    March 26
    April 9
    April 23

    Advanced registration is required.

    $180
  • Support Group for LGBTQIA+ Adults

    This is an hour-long support group for Autistic LGBTQIA+ adults. It is a safe space to find community, share stories with, or gather support if needed from folks of similar experiences. This group hopes to provide support and comfort. The group is facilitated by a trans person on the spectrum. No autism (or related) diagnoses are required, nor is certainty about your queer identity. This is a space to explore all those things. It is also for all post-high school adults over 18 years old.

    $10
  • Multi-Session Support Group for Women (40-60)

    Recurring

    This support group is designed for Autistic women (40-60) looking to build an ongoing connection with a small community of other women. This multi-session support group also gives women an opportunity to voice their concerns and frustrations and lets them acknowledge hard-won and unexpected victories. Common topics of discussion are:

    Masking/camouflaging
    Sensory sensitivities/overloads
    Relationships
    Self-care
    Empathy
    Advanced registration is required.

    $100
  • Autism Parent Coffee Tuesday

    Recurring
    Autism Hope Center 2000 Hamilton Road Ste B, Columbus, GA, United States

    Meet with other parents for resources and support! First and third Tuesday of every month.

    Free
  • Support Group for Women (18+)

    This bi-weekly multi-session support group is designed for autistic and similarly neurodivergent adult women (18+) who are looking to build an ongoing connection with other women. The group is primarily a space to learn about and discuss neurodivergence, and to explore related topics chosen by the group. Topics may include:

    Masking/camouflaging
    Sensory Sensitivities and Sensory Overload
    Relationships
    Self Care
    Empathy

    The group is structured to encourage everyone to share and participate in the discussion, with respect for all members prioritized.

    Dates

    January 20
    February 3
    February 17
    March 3
    March 17
    March 31
    April 14
    April 28

    Advanced registration is required.

    $100
  • Neurodiverse Partners Support Group

    Recurring

    The Partner Support Group is for those in neurodiverse relationships with a spouse/partner who has a confirmed or suspected autism spectrum profile. The group meeting is a positive and supportive time to share experiences, gain information and understanding about how neurodiversity affects couple relationships.

    This open group meets on the third Wednesday of the month. Participants can join at any time. There is $10 cost to participants to attend any session. Advanced registration is required.

    $10
  • Support Group for Women (35-50)

    Recurring

    This multi-session support group is designed for women (35-50) who are Autistic. Through this support group, women (35-50) can build an ongoing connection with a small community of other women. AANE multi-session support groups for women also give women an opportunity to voice their concerns and frustrations. It also lets them acknowledge hard-won and unexpected victories. Common topics of discussion are:

    Masking/camouflaging
    Sensory sensitivities/overloads
    Relationships
    Self-care
    Empathy
    Advanced registration is required.

    $100
  • Neurodiverse Partners Support Group

    Recurring

    The Partner Support Group is for those in neurodiverse relationships with a spouse/partner who has a confirmed or suspected autism spectrum profile. The group meeting is a positive and supportive time to share experiences, gain information and understanding about how neurodiversity affects couple relationships.

    This open group meets on the third Wednesday of the month. Participants can join at any time. There is $10 cost to participants to attend any session. Advanced registration is required.

    $10
  • Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Interest Group for Adults

    Recurring

    This interest group is intended for post-high school adults who fulfill the player pre-requisites outlined below:

    Participants need to have played Dungeons and Dragons before either at AANE or elsewhere.
    They must also be familiar with character creation, general rules of D&D Edition 5, cooperation within a team, and following campaign rules and storyline.
    Each participant is expected to attend all 8 meetings in order to help his/her team advance as far as possible in the campaign.
    This interest series will be using a campaign selected by the Dungeon Masters. Participants must agree to follow the rules of the campaign at all times.
    Because this is an interactive/collaborative game. Participants need to be able to participate fully in each game session.

    Please note that this is a two-step process (application and registration). If you are interested in this group, please submit the application above.

    $100