AANE offers social activities and events to give post-high school adults with Asperger/autism profiles the opportunity to connect in a welcoming environment, have fun, pursue special interests, and build relationships.
Click on the links below for more information, and be sure to review the guidelines and code of conduct for adult groups and events on the Adult Support Group and Event FAQ page.
FREE Social Activities & Events
- Book Club
- Boston Women's Events
- Game Nights
- Holidays and Special Events
- Halloween Party 2022
- Movie Discussion Group
- Meetup
- Knitting and Needlecraft Social Group for the AANE Community
- Social Group for Queer Adults
- Asperger's/Autism 101 for Adults
- Financial Literacy Workshops
Interest Groups
Interest Groups have been created so you can explore a shared special interest, such as music, gaming, trivia, creative writing, and more with equally avid peers. Fees vary for interest groups, but financial assistance is available through discounted options on the registration pages.
- Advanced Dungeons & Dragons
- Berklee School of Music Lessons
- Improv Workshop
- Maker Series
- Outdoor Enthusiasts Club
- Team Trivia
- Creative Writers' Group
- Building a Theatrical Character
- Creative Kitchen Workshop
- Journaling Workshop
To keep up with events and social activities at AANE, subscribe to the AANE Newsletter and bookmark the AANE Events Calendar.
Early Notification List
If the "Closed" group you are interested in states "There are no upcoming events at this time", or if the registration of a program is "FILLED", please sign up for early notification. Before a new round of your favorite closed interest group begins, we will send you an early notification email to give you a chance to register before we open up registration to the general public.
Early Notification Closed Interest GroupsBook Club
The AANE Virtual Book Club discusses a pre-selected book (fiction or nonfiction) and meets online via Zoom from 6-7 PM US Eastern Time on the second Tuesday of each month. Books for discussion are chosen by book club participants. (Click here to see the list of books that have been previously discussed and to propose a book for discussion at a future meeting.) Post-high school autistic adults (with or without a diagnosis) of any age are welcome to join. Young adults as well as people in their seventies and eighties join us virtually from all over the US and around the world. The book club is free, but advance registration is required for each meeting so we can send you the Zoom link to join the discussion. Once you’ve registered for a monthly meeting, you will receive an email confirmation with the Zoom link to that meeting. You do need to register for each monthly meeting. Note that registration closes one day before the scheduled meeting date. The AANE Virtual Book club is facilitated by Stephanie Goodner and Michele Cantara. Click here to download the AANE Book Club Flyer.Virtual Book Club
Online “Open” AANE Book Club for Adults, 2/14/23, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM ET
Boston Women's Events
The Boston Evening Clinic grant provides funding for a monthly women’s social event, open to women of any age on the spectrum. These in-person events throughout the LOCAL Greater Boston, MA area are on hold until restrictions are lifted. Contact Stephanie Birkdale (stephanie.birkdale@aane.org) for more details.Game Nights
The pandemic really messed up AANE Pizza & Game Nights everywhere. We can’t bring you pizza, but we can bring you games, camaraderie, and fun! We hope to see you at the next one! Click the event links below to register.
Virtual Game Night
Join us for an evening of entertainment, see your old friends, and make some new ones. Below is a sample of some games that may be played.
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- Quiplash from Jackbox Games – This game is a cross between Mad Libs and Apples to Apples. Players fill-in-the-blank in a phrase with the craziest answer and then the group votes to choose the best response.
- Fibbage from Jackbox Games – Bluff your way to victory playing Fibbage. Fill in the blank with your own creative, convincing answer. Everyone tests their skill voting on the real answer.
- Remote Insensitivity – An online version of Cards Against Humanity where making horrible statements isn’t only allowed it helps you win the game.
- Hosted by Olive Gallop
FILLED – Online “Open” Virtual Game Night for Adults, 2/13/23, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM ET
Social/Game Nights
These are the MA in-person Pizza & Game Nights that have transitioned online and are now open to adults living anywhere. Socialize and play games! This is a great opportunity to catch up with old friends and to welcome many new AANE members! Click the event links below to register.
- Hosted by Dave Duval
Online “Open” Social/Game Night for Adults (formerly Fitchburg, MA), 2/22/23, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM ET
- Hosted by Linda Manning
Online “Open” Social/Game Night for Adults (formerly Holyoke MA), 2/23/23, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM ET
- Hosted by Linda Manning
Online “Open” Social/Game Night for Adults (formerly Springfield, MA), 3/1/23, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM ET
- Hosted by Steve Nadel
Online “Open” Social/Game Night for Adults (formerly Westwood, MA), 3/6/23, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM ET
LOCAL Massachusetts Social/Game Nights
These are the LOCAL MA Pizza & Game Nights that have transitioned online and are intended for those that are within commuting distance from the locations below. Click the events links below to register.
- Framingham, MA - Hosted by Olive Gallop
Online LOCAL Framingham, MA “Open” Social/Game Night for Adults, 2/27/23, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM ET
Holidays and Special Events
We look forward to continuing these beloved seasonal events and traditions as circumstances allow. Check back for up to date information as it becomes available. We hope to see you at the next one!WINTER
- AANE Holiday Party - Join your AANE friends in Watertown, MA for holiday cheer and festivities.
- AANE at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston - Join us in MA on our trips to the MFA several times a year.
- AANE at the Holiday Pops - Join us in MA on our trips to the BSO Holiday Pops once a year.
There are no upcoming events at this time.
SPRING
- Autism Awareness Day at Citi Field - Join us in NY for some family fun celebrating Autism Awareness Day.
- AANE at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston - Join us in MA on our trips to the MFA several times a year.
- AANE at the Boston Symphony Orchestra - Join us in MA on our trips to the BSO several times a year.
SUMMER
- AANE Adult & Family Barbeque - Join us at Arsenal Park in Watertown, MA in for some summertime fun.
- Red Sox Games - Join us in MA for two Red Sox games in early and late summer.
- AANE at Tanglewood - Join us in MA for a trip to Tanglewood during the summer.
- AANE at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston - Join us in MA on our trips to the MFA several times a year.
- AANE at the Boston Symphony Orchestra - Join us in MA on our trips to the BSO several times a year.
FALL
- Rodman Ride for Kids 2022 - Become a virtual rider and join our team!
- AANE at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston - Join us in MA on our trips to the MFA several times a year.
- AANE at the Boston Symphony Orchestra - Join us in MA on our trips to the BSO several times a year.
There are no upcoming events at this time.
- ROCK 'N' BOWL for Autism - Join us in NY for some family fun, bowling, raffle prizes, and rock music.
- AANE Halloweek - Join us for the virtual social week of the year and show off your best ghoulish humor.
- PwC Financial Literacy Workshops for Adults - These two-hour classes run by PwC volunteers review topics related to financial literacy.
There are no upcoming events at this time.
AANE Halloween Party for Adults
AANE Halloween Party for Adults – Watertown MA – The AANE social event of the year. Time to show off your best cosplay and ghoulish humor.There are no upcoming events at this time.
Movie Discussion Group
Online “Open” Movie Discussion Group for Adults – Epic Night of Undeniable Awesomeness, 2/23/23, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM ET
Meetup Events
AANE has a Meetup for adults with an Asperger/autism profile to get together socially approximately once a month. Though originally intended to just offer in-person events in the Greater Boston area and still plan to do so at some point, we are currently offering Virtual Events until it is safe to resume. You are welcome to join the group no matter where you live. Learn more, view upcoming events, and join the group here.
Online “Open” Science and Technology Meetup Event for Adults, 2/9/23, 2:30 PM – 4:00 PM ET
Online “Open” Modern and Ancient Science, Philosophy and Consciousness Meetup Event for Adults, 2/9/23, 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM ET
In-Person LOCAL Greater Boston & Southeastern, MA “Open” Outdoor Enthusiasts Club for Adults, 2/18/23, 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM ET
Knitting and Needleworks Social Group for the AANE Community
Do you enjoy crafts such as knitting, crocheting, sewing, and embroidery? AANE has created a new online group for you! The group is open to everyone (adults on the spectrum, parents, and other adult family members) regardless of skill level or diagnosis. In addition to meeting online via Zoom, group members also have the option to participate in the AANE Knitting & Needlecrafts Online Discussion Forum, so that they can share tips, patterns, and positive encouragement in between meetings. (This forum is hosted on the Google Groups platform.) The group will meet every second Sunday of the month beginning in June 2021 on Zoom. Each meeting will cover craft-related topics that are determined by the members of the group as well as time to work on individual projects and get feedback from group members.Online “Open” Knitting and Needlecraft Social Group for the AANE Community, 2/12/23, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM ET
Social Group for Queer Adults (18-30)
This is an hour-long social group for queer folks on the spectrum ages 18-30. This is a safe space to socialize, share stories with, or gather support if needed from folks of similar experiences. This group hopes to provide community, comfort, and fun. The group is facilitated by a trans person on the spectrum. No autism (or related) diagnoses are required, nor is certainty about your queer identity. This is a safe space to explore all those things.
Online “Open” Social Group for Queer Adults (18-30), 2/9/23, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM ET
Asperger's/Autism 101 - A Workshop for Adults
A presentation and discussion for autistic adults to come and explore their understanding of autism through a neurological lens. We will discuss common misconceptions, the autistic identity, and common autistic traits, strengths, and challenges. This presentation is given by an autistic adult and a neurodivergent ally. You might enjoy this presentation and discussion if you are newly diagnosed (medically or self), or if you have only explored autism through a deficit lens in the past.
Online “Open” Workshop – Asperger’s/Autism 101 for Adults, 2/16/23, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM ET
Online “Open” Workshop – Asperger’s/Autism 101 for Adults, 3/23/23, 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM ET
PwC Financial Literacy - A Workshop for Adults
Come join us for Creating & Following a Budget, held virtually on Zoom. This two hour class, run by PwC volunteers, will review the process of making a budget and go over some tips and strategies on how to follow a budget. Come join us for Financial Responsibility & Decision Making: Preventing Financial Fraud, held virtually on zoom. The workshop will cover identifying fraud, identity theft, phishing and other scams and how to protect your personal information.There are no upcoming events at this time.