The adult Asperger self help revolution is on! We meet to share experiences, support each other, find resources, interact in a safe environment, network with fellow Aspies, and take responsibility for our growth. One aim of this group is to connect people who are in the early stages of their AS realization journeys with those who have known they had AS for much of their lives. We have a lot to learn from each other about how to thrive in wider society as well as how to live in less conventional ways that are attuned to our uniqueness.

The only requirement for attending this group is that you are an Adult (18+) with Asperger Syndrome (or another condition nearby on the ASD spectrum like HFA, PDD-NOS, NVLD, or other forms of autism) and you won't disrupt the meeting. Self diagnosed (even if not sure), and professionally diagnosed are all welcome. 

To protect the privacy of our members, you need to join and log in to see the meetings and RSVP. Monthly meetings are typically on the third Sunday of the month from 2:30pm - 4:30pm in a library room near BART in San Francisco, and typically have 15 or so Adult Aspies. Afterwards many members walk to a nearby restaurant for dinner together.  As of July 2011 there have also been scheduled hikes, meal meetups, a second monthly meeting alternating between San Francisco and Berkeley, and some East Bay potluck outdoor meetings.  We have been meeting regularly since 4/2008, and meetings typically have a mix of regulars and some new people.  Many members have professional but informal diagnoses, for example where a therapist says "I think you have AS" but doesn't do any formal neuropsychological objective testing.   There are some with formal diagnoses, and a significant number who are self diagnosed.  Attendees come from all walks of life, including professionals, creatives, academics, and people who don't or can't work.  Adults of all ages attend: college aged, young adult, middle aged, retirees.

By group consensus this meetup is only for Adults with AS (or similar), to maintain focus, intimacy, and confidentiality.   If you are a parent, family member, friend, or caregiver of a person with AS, please do not join or attend this meetup yourself. You would be better served by other organizations which bring together adults with AS and those who care for them, such as AASCEND ( http://www.aascend.net/) in San Francisco, or the San Jose AS meetup ( http://www.meetup.com/aspergers-251/). 

About the famous Aspies in the picture: Clockwise from left to right they are:
Spock, who is considered by many to be Aspie with his reliance on logic over all else,
Heather Kuzmich, who achieved fame as a contestant on the TV show "America's next top model" as a person with AS
Bill Gates, software tycoon, who is widely considered to have AS although he doesn't admit it
Dr. Temple Grandin, famous author with AS