Beginner Dungeons & Dragons
No experience required! Come learn the basics of tabletop roleplaying from an experienced Dungeon Master. During this 8 week campaign of Dungeons and Dragons 5th edition you will be guided through an adventure that will introduce you to the gameplay and storytelling of the world’s most popular roleplaying game! This is a great way to get involved in a new hobby that will give you the skills and confidence to join games with more experienced players and open the doors to a huge community.- Jasper LaFleur, BA (They/He) is a neurodivergent self advocate, passionate nerd, and potentially three goblins in a trenchcoat. They have been playing and facilitating D&D games since 2016 and specialize in introducing new players to both the game itself and the norms of the structured play community. They were also a founding member of the Mount Holyoke College Neurodiverse Students Association where they fostered peer to peer networks for Neurodiverse students and advocated for accessibility on campus. Jasper's other interests include geology, Lego, social justice advocacy, and whatever this week’s hyperfixation happens to be.
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons
This interest group is intended for post-high school adults who have played Dungeons & Dragons before at AANE or elsewhere and will be led by two seasoned Dungeon Masters:
- Olive Gallop has been playing D&D for 8 years. She hopes to facilitate a fun and fair time for everyone! As a player character, her usual build is a two-handed, weapon-wielding barbarian.
- Nick Haslam was first introduced to D&D over 20 years ago but has been campaigning for the last 5. He’s looking forward to running a great campaign! As a player, he favors gish characters.
- Shea Belsky
- Brian Eckelman
Creative Writers' Group
In this online creative writers group, participants will have an opportunity to flex their creative muscles, connect with fellow writers, and receive feedback on their work. We welcome writers of all creative genres—from short stories to poetry, screenplays, fan fiction, and more.
In the first session, participants will get to know each other through discussion of their writing and related interests. At subsequent meetings, participants will give each other feedback on the work they have shared prior to each session. The series will also feature two professional guest writers.
There are no upcoming events at this time.
Add your name to the Early Notification LIst if this group is full, or if registration is complete.
Transportation Interest Group
This is a group to discuss anything and everything related to mass transit. Whether it be trains, buses, planes, subways, or anything in between, there are a variety of ways to facilitate the movement of people without cars, and a plethora of perspectives about how mass transit should function.There are no upcoming events at this time.
Add your name to the Early Notification List if this group is full, or if registration is complete.Berklee School of Music Lessons
The Berklee Institute for Accessible Art Education is generously offering free group music lessons to adults on the autism spectrum.
This group lets up to 15 participants explore and grow as independent and ensemble musicians using traditional instruments or digital instruments during practice and group lessons. Lessons will focus on note reading, technique, and recording as participants work to record music with their peers. Learn more here or click the link below.
There are no upcoming events at this time.
Add your name to the Early Notification LIst if this group is full, or if registration is complete.
In-Person and Virtual Team Trivia
AANE Team Trivia is back. Please join us for a one-time event. We will be playing trivia together by joining an existing in-person or virtual trivia night. We have historically done very well and no matter what, we have a good time!There are no upcoming events at this time.
LOCAL Greater Boston and Southeastern, MA Outdoor Enthusiast Club
Please note: When in person, some activities will take place in the Greater Boston area, and some in Southeastern, MA, including Cape Cod.
The AANE Outdoor Enthusiasts Club brings together adults on the autism spectrum in the Greater Boston and Southeastern, MA areas, who share a love of the outdoors and are looking for opportunities to socialize and participate in fun outdoor adventures. Facilitated by Katie McClean, Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, the group will organize fun and interesting outdoor activities.
A generous grant for the Garth Family Foundation helps fund the Local Greater Boston and Southeastern, MA Outdoor Enthusiast Club.
Information and registration for the AANE Outdoor Enthusiasts Meetup Group
There are no upcoming events at this time.
Improv Fundamentals Workshop for New and Returning Participants - An 8 Session Workshop
This improv workshop is intended for post-high school adults who are interested in improv and theater arts! This workshop is facilitated by Chet Harding, a co-founder of Improv Asylum, an internationally acclaimed comedy theater for over 20 years. Chet is an active actor, writer, producer, and director. He created and produced hundreds of live shows for Improv Asylum, and he was also a head writer for the Emmy-nominated Improv Asylum’s Vanity Project TV show. He also created, wrote, and starred in a pilot for Comedy Central and can be seen in the movie SuperTroopers 2. Chet also teaches teams and individuals improvisation and acting, and leads corporate training sessions.There are no upcoming events at this time.
Building a Theatrical Character to Enhance Communication Skills
Looking for a fun way to relax, reduce anxiety, improve focus, and communication skills, while enhancing self-esteem? This 8 session workshop series will feature relaxation and breathing exercises, movement activities, and voice and speech techniques. Participants will choose a character from a selection of short theatrical monologues and will research, interpret, and build the character, culminating in a presentation to the group.
There are no upcoming events at this time.
The Creative Kitchen - A 6 Session Workshop for Adults
Whether the thought of cooking a whole meal fills you with excitement, dread or something in between, this workshop is for you! The Creative Kitchen is designed to make success in the kitchen fun and attainable while building confidence and exploring new foods.
Join chef Kate Libby, founder of the Creative Kitchen, for a virtual six-week cooking series to learn how to add simple cooking techniques to your daily life and brighten up your meals! In this workshop, we will explore:
- what goes into creating a balanced meal
- tips for navigating recipes
- how to make sure you have the right ingredients on hand (and what to do if you don't!)
- cooking techniques and shortcuts
- what tools make meal preparation easier -ideas for leftovers
Sessions will include meal planning as a group, live virtual cooking demonstrations and opportunities for you to "cook along" from your home kitchen. So dust off your apron and join Kate in the Creative Kitchen.
There are no upcoming events at this time.
Journeys of Self-Expression
Journeys of Self Expression is a 12-week online workshop for autistic adults that offers opportunities for creative self expression and exploration. Designed by and for autistic individuals, the workshop will make space for participants to share thoughts, beliefs, impressions, and insights into their unique ways of being in the world. Each week of the workshop will feature: - Exploration and discussion of the works of well-known autistic creators - Consideration of questions inspired by the selected works - Time to create personal responses to the material, through writing, art, movement, music, mathematical formulae, or any other medium that resonates - Time, as a group, to share responses in a safe and supportive way Note: For primarily visual learners, each week's material will include pictures for inspiration. For auditory learners, music and vibration will be explored. The workshop will try to accommodate all styles, as all autistic voices are important.There are no upcoming events at this time.
