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.
Featured event
Saturday Morning Coffee at Gather + Grounds!
We will meet at Gather + Grounds which is on Van Dyke Avenue south of I-696 and next door to Ed Rinke Chevrolet Buick GMC CO in Center Line, Michigan. The Coffeehouse features various beverages including tea and coffee, bagels, sandwiches, pastries, soups and a relaxed ambience. This business was also featured on a WXYZ-TV newscast back on April 2023! They were even featured again on the same news station in Ferndale, Michigan before they closed. Gather + Grounds supports adults with disabilities with employment and to find a place of belonging, community, purpose, and hope. The coffeehouse supports the community with a relaxing and enjoyable environment and lower sensory stimulation than many smaller busy coffeeshops. The purpose of meeting there is to enjoy a time of conversation and fellowship over coffee or other beverages and treats!
This can also be a time for parallel play where we gather and spend time together engaging in a special interest, craft, or most anything else without interaction for a period of time and then organically, it may lead into conversation together. Feel free to bring your favorite items such as a laptop, tablet, book, journal, or anything you enjoy or want to work on. Or come as you are.
Most meetings will have a starting topic, idea, or icebreaker to begin the conversation, but the conversation can and will meander freely toward tangents and may "double back" to the starting topic at any time. We are looking to create a safe space to get together and have discussions that will evolve organically.
Though it starts at 10:00 A.M., you can drop in and/or leave whenever it’s convenient. We’d rather have your company for a little time than not at all.
It’s claimed that autistics don’t have the same trouble connecting with each other as they do with neurotypicals. The longer I organize this, the more I believe it. In fact, I've found that socializing and connecting is easier with others on the spectrum than I've ever encountered in my life.
This is a place for people on the spectrum to meet and make friends. Allies and those curious about neurodiversity are welcome. The venue serves food such as pastries, coffee and a variety of beverages. The structure of these meetings aims to remain casual and supportive. Talk about your nerdiest interest or just come to be around other people. No pressure to talk. You're welcome regardless.
The shop has ample space to move around and have an enjoyable time. There are a few clusters of seating around the store. There are tables and chairs, armchairs, and benches to sit on, or you are welcome to stand and/or walk around the space. There is also a wheelchair accessible ramp to the coffeehouse's entrance.
ALSO please consider supporting our venue by purchasing something. It can be as little as a coffee or a pastry. We want them to keep welcoming us back.
NOTE There are no electrical outlets in the center of the floor FYI, so make sure to have a charging block or arrive with laptops, tablets, and phones charged for the event.
Please feel free to reach out with any questions or suggestions, and I look forward to seeing you there!
Upcoming events
77
Asynchronous Companion Care/Body Doubling Saturday
·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 Sunday
·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! 😊
2 attendeesAsynchronous Companion Care/Body Doubling Monday
·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
600
