About us
This group is for anyone on the autism spectrum who is looking for an accepting and inclusive community of friends for socializing and peer support. Whether you are diagnosed autistic, self-identify, or are questioning whether you might be on the spectrum, you are welcome to join us. Our group welcomes everyone, regardless of diagnostic status or support needs. Nonverbal members are welcome. If you need a friend or caretaker to accompany you to meetups to help you communicate and interact with the group, you are welcome to do so. Members are welcome to sit in and listen to the conversation without sharing. We will offer you an opportunity to share, and you always have the right to pass.
We meet 2-3 times per month for social skills practice, peer support, and fun activities like museum trips, games, movies, etc. Please note, we are currently meeting on the Zoom platform. To learn more about using Zoom, please consult this guide: https://www.goucher.edu/learn/graduate-programs/distance-learning-resources/documents/student_documents/HowtoParticipateInAZoomMeeting.pdf.
We also welcome you to join our other Meetup groups: Full Spectrum Agency - Massachusetts Chapter (Virtual and In-person events, open to all autistic adults everywhere! Full Spectrum Agency - Massachusetts Chapter | Meetup), and our Full Spectrum Agency Friends and Family Group (Our autistic-allistic alliance group, open to all neurotypes! Full Spectrum Agency Friends and Family Group | Meetup). Our group is led by autistic adults, for autistic adults, and we hope you will join us! To learn more about Full Spectrum Agency for Autistic Adults, visit Full Spectrum Agency for Autistic Adults. If you have any questions, please contact Katie Oswald at katie@FullSpectrumAutisticAdults.org.
Upcoming events
81
Asynchronous Companion Care/Body Doubling Wednesday
·OnlineOnlineLet's do body doubling together asynchronously! Many of us neurospicy folks have difficulty with starting and completing tasks, especially when energy levels are not ideal, or we're not in flow state or hyperfocus. We all have different schedules for work, school, and life and might benefit from asynchronous-style body doubling over synchronous in-person or virtual body doubling sessions. We might need accountability at different timelines than what might be offered for synchronous body doubling. Or in-person or virtual body doubling sessions may be stressful to get productive and get tasks completed.
There are no Zoom or virtual meetings or in-person meetings for this type of body doubling because this is body doubling on your own time!
Asynchronous body doubling is a productivity technique where individuals gain accountability by sharing task progress, intentions, or "co-working" vibes with others without being live or in the same space simultaneously. It involves recording start/end videos, sending "I'm starting" texts, or using pre-recorded focus videos to boost motivation.We all go about our day and when we are able, in the mood, disciplined/motivated, or focused and energized, we can complete a specific task or tasks and check in with each other via Meetup or on our Full Spectrum Virtual Village. We all "start" at the time, i.e. the set time of the event, and take different "paths" and timelines to getting tasks done by the end time of the event.
Feel free to use YouTube body double videos, music, or apps such as Dubbii for productivity, different time-based techniques such as the Pomodoro Technique, Flowtime Technique, Timeblocking or 10-Minute Hack, task-focused techniques such as Eat that Frog, Personal Kanban, or the 1-3-5 Rule, and prioritization techniques such as the Eisenhower Matrix, Rapid Planning Method or the 3/3/3 Method to get tasks done, or do whatever works for you!
Here are some key tips and tricks on how to do Asynchronous Body Doubling and tips for success!:
Key Ways to Do Asynchronous Body Doubling:- Video Accountability Partner: Record a short video stating your intention (e.g., "I'm going to clean my desk for 15 minutes") and send it to a friend. Send a follow-up video when done.
- "Study With Me" Videos: Watch recorded, long-form co-working videos on YouTube. These often use the Pomodoro Technique (25 minutes work/5 minutes break) to keep you on track.
- Delayed Check-ins: Use apps or text messages to log your tasks, then check in with a partner hours later to share what you accomplished.
- Co-working Platforms: Use platforms like Lofi.Town, Focusmate, or Flown that offer on-demand, scheduled, or recorded sessions, which sometimes act as a form of asynchronous support.
Tips for Success:
- Name Your Task: Vocalize or write down what
you are about to do to help your brain commit to it. - Set the Scene: Create a comfortable, "cozy" environment to help you focus.
- Keep it Flexible: If a live session is too high-pressure, asynchronous methods provide the same benefit of companionship without the immediate social obligation.
State in the chat and/or post pictures on Meetup or on the Full Spectrum Virtual Village your intentions with the group or privately with a partner and also state and/or post pictures when you are finished for accountability on both ends. Something to show the start and finish of a task. Or you may create a short video for the group or privately with someone and state your intentions and a short video on when you are finished!
If a task did not go as planned for you, perhaps state in the chat what you might do differently next time!
Happy Focusing! 😊
1 attendee
Companion Care/Body Doubling Using the Hybrid Flowtime Technique
·OnlineOnlineMany of us struggle with task initiation, prioritization, focus, or time management. Body doubling group helps us to get work done that we are struggling to do without support. Each member of the group can be there to support all the other members while also being supported by their peers.
Please come to group with a project or task you plan to work on. It can be a household chore/project, homework, work for your job, a personal project that you want to focus time on but maybe have struggled to prioritize, etc. Ideally, it should be something you can either complete or make measurable progress on in about 2.5 - 3 hours.
Please also come with the intent of being helpful for others by being present for them and listening to their goals and concerns.
We will use the Hybrid Flowtime Technique for this body doubling session. The Hybrid Flowtime Technique combines the uninterrupted, deep-focus "flow" sessions of the Flowtime technique (starting/stopping a timer based on energy) with structured, Pomodoro-style breaks (proportional to work time), and often incorporates a hybrid mix of analog/digital tracking to minimize distractions. This approach boosts productivity for complex tasks requiring deep thought without arbitrary interruptions.
Key Components of the Hybrid Flowtime Technique:
***Start & Focus: **Begin one task (unitasking) and note the start time, working until you feel natural fatigue or distraction, rather than stopping for a timer.
** *Record & Break: **Note the end time, calculate the work duration, and take a proportional break.
*** Proportional Breaks: A common rule is that a break should be roughly 1/5th or 20% of the work session (e.g., 90 minutes of work = 18-minute break).Proportional Break Guidelines (Work
Break):
<5 minutes: 1/5 of the work session break
5 - 25 minutes: 5-minute break
25–50 minutes: 8-minute break
50–90 minutes: 10-minute break
(>90 minutes: 15–20 minute break)- Hybrid Tracking: Use analog tools (a notebook) for writing down tasks and tracking times to avoid digital distractions, while using digital apps to track long-term goals.
*** Distraction Log: **Record interruptions to identify and mitigate them in the future.
We will do three to four cycles, with flexibility built in for those who want to work through the break or get done early.
The four-hour timeframe will go approximately like this as an example (typically, although we can allow for varied time blocks for work during the session)...
2:00 - check-in with each other and tell the group what you will be working on, either verbally or in chat.
2:15 - Get started on your task or project. If you need silence to focus, you can turn off your computer speakers. I will put a stopwatch clock on the screen that will count up to the specified time of the work session. First session is 25 minutes in length to get us started.
2:40 - Group check-in. If you want to check in and report your progress or ask the group for advice, we will have an eight-minute check-in. If you are "in the zone" and want to just keep working, you can skip this.
2:48 - 60 minutes of work on our tasks or projects.
3:48 - Group check-in. 10 minutes. If you are done with your work, you can offer someone else help. If no one needs help, you can socialize with others. I will set up breakout rooms as needed for group work and socializing or for complete quiet.
3:58 - Begin 90 minutes of work.
5:28 - 15-17-minute break to walk around, eat a snack, stretch, use the bathroom, etc.
5:45 - Group debrief. Did you complete what you set out to accomplish? Did you make progress? Did you have fun? Do you have any suggestions for improvements in the future for yourself or for this body doubling session, Etc.
6:00 End time
I am open to playing music to establish a "coffee shop-like" atmosphere during the working sessions.
You may join the body doubling session at any time and leave at any time necessary. Happy Focusing! 😊
6 attendees- Hybrid Tracking: Use analog tools (a notebook) for writing down tasks and tracking times to avoid digital distractions, while using digital apps to track long-term goals.
Asynchronous Companion Care/Body Doubling Thursday
·OnlineOnlineLet's do body doubling together asynchronously! Many of us neurospicy folks have difficulty with starting and completing tasks, especially when energy levels are not ideal, or we're not in flow state or hyperfocus. We all have different schedules for work, school, and life and might benefit from asynchronous-style body doubling over synchronous in-person or virtual body doubling sessions. We might need accountability at different timelines than what might be offered for synchronous body doubling. Or in-person or virtual body doubling sessions may be stressful to get productive and get tasks completed.
There are no Zoom or virtual meetings or in-person meetings for this type of body doubling because this is body doubling on your own time!
Asynchronous body doubling is a productivity technique where individuals gain accountability by sharing task progress, intentions, or "co-working" vibes with others without being live or in the same space simultaneously. It involves recording start/end videos, sending "I'm starting" texts, or using pre-recorded focus videos to boost motivation.We all go about our day and when we are able, in the mood, disciplined/motivated, or focused and energized, we can complete a specific task or tasks and check in with each other via Meetup or on our Full Spectrum Virtual Village. We all "start" at the time, i.e. the set time of the event, and take different "paths" and timelines to getting tasks done by the end time of the event.
Feel free to use YouTube body double videos, music, or apps such as Dubbii for productivity, different time-based techniques such as the Pomodoro Technique, Flowtime Technique, Timeblocking or 10-Minute Hack, task-focused techniques such as Eat that Frog, Personal Kanban, or the 1-3-5 Rule, and prioritization techniques such as the Eisenhower Matrix, Rapid Planning Method or the 3/3/3 Method to get tasks done, or do whatever works for you!
Here are some key tips and tricks on how to do Asynchronous Body Doubling and tips for success!:
Key Ways to Do Asynchronous Body Doubling:- Video Accountability Partner: Record a short video stating your intention (e.g., "I'm going to clean my desk for 15 minutes") and send it to a friend. Send a follow-up video when done.
- "Study With Me" Videos: Watch recorded, long-form co-working videos on YouTube. These often use the Pomodoro Technique (25 minutes work/5 minutes break) to keep you on track.
- Delayed Check-ins: Use apps or text messages to log your tasks, then check in with a partner hours later to share what you accomplished.
- Co-working Platforms: Use platforms like Lofi.Town, Focusmate, or Flown that offer on-demand, scheduled, or recorded sessions, which sometimes act as a form of asynchronous support.
Tips for Success:
- Name Your Task: Vocalize or write down what
you are about to do to help your brain commit to it. - Set the Scene: Create a comfortable, "cozy" environment to help you focus.
- Keep it Flexible: If a live session is too high-pressure, asynchronous methods provide the same benefit of companionship without the immediate social obligation.
State in the chat and/or post pictures on Meetup or on the Full Spectrum Virtual Village your intentions with the group or privately with a partner and also state and/or post pictures when you are finished for accountability on both ends. Something to show the start and finish of a task. Or you may create a short video for the group or privately with someone and state your intentions and a short video on when you are finished!
If a task did not go as planned for you, perhaps state in the chat what you might do differently next time!
Happy Focusing! 😊
1 attendeeAsynchronous Companion Care/Body Doubling Friday
·OnlineOnlineLet's do body doubling together asynchronously! Many of us neurospicy folks have difficulty with starting and completing tasks, especially when energy levels are not ideal, or we're not in flow state or hyperfocus. We all have different schedules for work, school, and life and might benefit from asynchronous-style body doubling over synchronous in-person or virtual body doubling sessions. We might need accountability at different timelines than what might be offered for synchronous body doubling. Or in-person or virtual body doubling sessions may be stressful to get productive and get tasks completed.
There are no Zoom or virtual meetings or in-person meetings for this type of body doubling because this is body doubling on your own time!
Asynchronous body doubling is a productivity technique where individuals gain accountability by sharing task progress, intentions, or "co-working" vibes with others without being live or in the same space simultaneously. It involves recording start/end videos, sending "I'm starting" texts, or using pre-recorded focus videos to boost motivation.We all go about our day and when we are able, in the mood, disciplined/motivated, or focused and energized, we can complete a specific task or tasks and check in with each other via Meetup or on our Full Spectrum Virtual Village. We all "start" at the time, i.e. the set time of the event, and take different "paths" and timelines to getting tasks done by the end time of the event.
Feel free to use YouTube body double videos, music, or apps such as Dubbii for productivity, different time-based techniques such as the Pomodoro Technique, Flowtime Technique, Timeblocking or 10-Minute Hack, task-focused techniques such as Eat that Frog, Personal Kanban, or the 1-3-5 Rule, and prioritization techniques such as the Eisenhower Matrix, Rapid Planning Method or the 3/3/3 Method to get tasks done, or do whatever works for you!
Here are some key tips and tricks on how to do Asynchronous Body Doubling and tips for success!:
Key Ways to Do Asynchronous Body Doubling:- Video Accountability Partner: Record a short video stating your intention (e.g., "I'm going to clean my desk for 15 minutes") and send it to a friend. Send a follow-up video when done.
- "Study With Me" Videos: Watch recorded, long-form co-working videos on YouTube. These often use the Pomodoro Technique (25 minutes work/5 minutes break) to keep you on track.
- Delayed Check-ins: Use apps or text messages to log your tasks, then check in with a partner hours later to share what you accomplished.
- Co-working Platforms: Use platforms like Lofi.Town, Focusmate, or Flown that offer on-demand, scheduled, or recorded sessions, which sometimes act as a form of asynchronous support.
Tips for Success:
- Name Your Task: Vocalize or write down what
you are about to do to help your brain commit to it. - Set the Scene: Create a comfortable, "cozy" environment to help you focus.
- Keep it Flexible: If a live session is too high-pressure, asynchronous methods provide the same benefit of companionship without the immediate social obligation.
State in the chat and/or post pictures on Meetup or on the Full Spectrum Virtual Village your intentions with the group or privately with a partner and also state and/or post pictures when you are finished for accountability on both ends. Something to show the start and finish of a task. Or you may create a short video for the group or privately with someone and state your intentions and a short video on when you are finished!
If a task did not go as planned for you, perhaps state in the chat what you might do differently next time!
Happy Focusing! 😊
1 attendee
Past events
549
