The Oasis - Shy and Neurodivergent Friendly Hangout

If you’ve spent a lifetime feeling misunderstood, overexplaining yourself, or trying to fit in, this space was built with you in mind.

This is a hangout built for shy, socially anxious, and neurodivergent adults: autism, ADHD, and similar. No scripts. No performing. No weird looks when you need a break or go off on a tangent.

Everyone belongs here regardless of who you vote for, what you believe, or how you identify.

This is The Oasis. Think of it like a desert oasis: a place where travelers from all walks of life set down their weapons and rest together. No politics, no debates, no recruiting for causes or religions. Not because those things don't matter. This is just the one place where none of that is the point.

This is not a mental health support group, but it is a safe place to practice making friends and being around people again.

Bring something to focus on if that helps you settle in. Coloring, Legos, a small craft, a book. Whatever makes it easier to be here.

What you'll find:

• Genuine acceptance, not just tolerance
• Conversations that go wherever they go
• Room to be exactly who you are

This group is for adults with low support needs who can attend independently. People who repeatedly disrupt the group or disrespect our boundaries will be asked to leave.

Attendance is free. Buying something from the venue is appreciated. Look for our Meetup sign when you arrive.

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TLDR: Calm, welcoming hangout for shy and neurodivergent adults. No politics, no pressure, no performing. Bring a small activity if it helps. Free to attend.

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Free leadership and communication skills classes: https://youtube.com/@friendmagnet?sub_confirmation=1

Brought to you by International Friend Connection Meetup Groups in partnership with The Octopus Movement. https://davidgood.org | https://www.theoctopusmovement.org/

We enforce the Meetup conduct policy: https://meetu.ps/3kzYxt

Attendance is free, but events like this still require many hours of planning, hosting, moderation, and follow-up, along with thousands of dollars each month in tools, platform costs, and support across the network. We keep them free because we believe people need places like this.

That only works if everyone respects the space.

If this group isn't the right fit, that's genuinely okay. Our YouTube channel has free community organizing classes if you'd like to start your own.

What we're building here has attracted international attention. In March, I spoke at a United Nations parallel event in New York City. This model has real potential to scale, and we're working on that.