Adults

Social Activities, Events, and Interest Series Groups for Adults on the Spectrum

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Frequently asked Questions (FAQs) about who can attend AANE adult groups and events and AANE’s code of conduct guidelines.

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Interest Series & Makers Series Social Groups

Interest series groups are designed so that a limited number of members (typically 12 or less) meet for a series of 6 or 8 weekly meetings and participate in activities focused on a shared interest.  These interest series groups are designed to create a tight-knit community of interest that may flourish even after the interest series meetings end. Members register and pay in advance for all of the meetings and they should plan to attend all of the meetings in the series.  The cost of each series varies. Financial assistance is available for interest group series. Contact Stephanie Birkdale for more information.

AANE partners with Powderhouse Studios to offer Makers Series groups, a special type of interest series group designed for a small team of 5–6 people who want to design and build some sort of product. That product can take any form (e.g. high-tech wearables and apps or low-tech card games and jewelry), appropriate to participants’ time and experience. Members of an AANE Maker Series group get the opportunity to develop self-confidence, add to their list of accomplishments, hone problem-solving skills, collaborate, socialize, and experience the high that comes from creating something out of nothing. AANE Makers Series groups meet for 12 sessions, usually once per week. Sessions typically last 3 hours.

Register Now for:
AANE Design for Anxiety Makers Series – June-August 2019 $25 for all 12 sessions. Anxiety is frustrating and exhausting, and it can be hard to manage, especially when it feels like our thoughts and our breathing are the only tools we have. In this program, we’re going to make things to help us and others manage our anxiety. Registration Ends on May 22, 2019

Upcoming Series:

  • AANE Trivia Team Interest Series – September – October 2019
  • AANE Dungeons & Dragons Interest Series – September 2019  – January 2020 Register
  • AANE Dungeons & Dragons Pathfinder Interest Series – September 2019 – January 2020 Register
  • Berklee School of Music Lessons Interest Series – October 2019 – January 2020 Register

Women’s Social Events

 

The Boston Evening Clinic grant provides funding for a monthly women’s social event, open to women of any age on the spectrum.  Upcoming events include:

Contact Stephanie Birkdale (stephanie.birkdale@aane.org)  for more details.

 

Book Club for Adults on the Spectrum at the Boston Public Library

AANE and the Boston Public Library have partnered together to offer a free book club for adults on the spectrum.  The group meets for 90 minutes once every 6 to 8 weeks to discuss a book that they have all read and to pick a book to discuss at the next meeting.  Although this group is free and open to any adult on the spectrum, we recommend that you register in advance so that you know what book will be discussed and so that we can contact you in case the group needs to be rescheduled due to inclement weather.

Book for Discussion: Glass Houses by Louise Penny
When: Tuesday, August 27, 2019
Time: 6:00 – 7:00 PM
Location: Boston Public Library, Mezzanine Conference Room 3
Cost: Free
Hosts: Stephanie Birkdale & Katie Devine
Register

Book Club for Adults on the Spectrum at the Nashua Public Library

AANE and the Nashua Public Library have created a book discussion group for post-high adults with an Asperger/autism or related profile.

When: September 9, 2019 Time: 6:00 – 7:00 PM

Book for Discussion: The Color of Magic: A Novel of Discworld, by Terry Pratchett

Discussion Guide: Feel free to use this worksheet to guide you while you read The Color of Magic: A Novel of Discworld, by Terry Pratchett

Location: Nashua Public Library, 2 Court St., Nashua, NH 03060 (Large Meeting Room)

Cost: Free

Hosts: Kristen Gurciullo,Reference Librarian Nashua Public Library and Michele Cantara, Co-Director of Adult Services AANE

The group meets every month to discuss a specific book (fiction or nonfiction) selected by the group.   Post-high school adults on the spectrum are welcome to attend the meetings, whether or not they have finished the book selected for the meeting.  Here are the book selections for the next three book club meetings:

September 9: The Color of Magic: A Novel of Discworld, by Terry Pratchett

October 7: The Hate U Give, by Angie Thomas

November 4: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, by Mark Hadden

Each book can be borrowed from the library with a library card for the Nashua Public Library.  Library cards may be obtained free-of-charge at the information desk. Book club participants from other towns should make arrangements to borrow this book from their local library.

Although this group is free and open to any adult on the spectrum, we recommend that you register in advance so that you know what book will be discussed and so that we can contact you in case the group needs to be rescheduled due to inclement weather.

Register

by September 6 for the September 9 meeting.

Pizza & Game Nights

P&G Nights for Adults on the Autism Spectrum meet in person at various locations throughout Massachusetts. Socialize in a safe place, where you can be yourself, play your favorite board games, card games, or interactive computer games, and gorge on pizza. Please go to the events calendar to check on the latest date for P&G night and to register.

Cost: $12/event.  Advance registration for each meeting is encouraged, in case we need to cancel or reschedule a meeting due to inclement weather,  but newcomers are always welcome.  Online payment preferred, but you can also pay at the door. If financial assistance is required, please contact Stephanie Birkdale (stephanie.birkdale@aane.org).

For the best P&G night experience, we recommend that newcomers contact the group facilitator prior to the meeting to get a brief orientation. Orientations are typically done via phone.

Greater Boston – Watertown, MA —– Pizza and Game Night
2nd & 4th Thursdays, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Location: AANE office, 51 Water Street, Watetrown, MA
Cost: $12
Host: Nick Gallop

 

Metrowest- Framingham, MA — Pizza & Game Night
3rd Mondays, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Location: SMOC, 300 Howard Street, Framingham, MA
Cost: $12
Host: Nick Gallop

 

North Shore Danvers, MA — Pizza & Game Night
1st Thursdays, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Location: North Shore Elder Services; 300 Rosewood Drive, Second Floor, Danvers, MA
Cost: $12
Hosts: Gail Kastorf and Nick Gallop

 

South Area, MA — Westwood Pizza & Game Night
1st Mondays, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Location: Arc of South Norfolk, 789 Clapboardtree St., Westwood, MA
Cost: $12
Host: Stephen Nadel

 

Central Mass – Fitchburg, MA — Pizza & Game Night
4th Wednesdays, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Location: Fitchburg State University, McKay Art Academy, Room C192, 67 Rindge Road, Fitchburg, MA
Cost: $12
Host: David Duval
Contact Stephanie.Birkdale@aane.org for more information.

 

Central Mass – Worcester, MA — Pizza & Game Night
2nd Tuesdays, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Location: Worcester State University
Student Center Building, Room 204, 486 Chandler Street, Worcester, MA
Cost: $12
Host: Christian Tsetsos

 

Western Mass – Amherst, MA — Pizza & Game Night
1st Thursdays, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Location: UMASS Amherst, Campus Center, Room 917, 1 Campus Center Way, Amherst, MA
Cost: $12
Host: Cindy Wills
Contact Stephanie.Birkdale@aane.org for more information.

 

Western Mass – Holyoke, MA – Pizza & Game Night
4th Thursday, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Location: MCS (Multi-Cultural Services), 260 Westfield Street, Holyoke, MA
Cost: $12
Host: Linda Wynne
Contact Stephanie.Birkdale@aane.org for more information.

 

Western MA Greater Springfield — Pizza & Game Night
1st Wednesday, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Location: First Congregational Church of East Longmeadow, 7 Somers Street, East Longmeadow, MA
Cost: $12
Host: Linda Wynne
Contact Stephanie.Birkdale@aane.org for more information.

 

Social/Recreational Groups for Adults with Asperger Profiles – Keene NH

1st and 3rd Thursdays, 6:30-8:00 PM (subject to change due to holidays, vacations or weather)
Location: Varies– depending on the scheduled social event. Contact the facilitator, Joanna Andros <joannaandrosmsw@gmail.com> 603-852-8168, to find out where the next social/recreational event will be held.
Cost: Attending the group is free, but there may be fees for food or event registration. Newcomers are welcome, but they should contact Joanna Andros, 603-852-8168 to arrange an orientation and to find out what activities are scheduled.  Note: AANE does not handle registration for the Keene, NH group.

 

Annual Events and AANE Traditions

  • AANE Halloween Party – The AANE social event of the year. Time to show off your best cosplay and ghoulish humor.  (October 24, 2019)
  • AANE Holiday Party –  Holiday cheer, connect with your AANE friends, and be part of an AANE Yankee Swap. (Dec 12, 2019)
  • AANE Gala – Spring 2020
  • AANE Adult BBQ – Once a year. A get together at Watertown Arsenal Park for adults on the spectrum. Family and friends are also invited.
  • Red Sox Games – Twice a year
  • Museum of Fine Arts – Several times a year  – Sunday, September 15, 2019
  • Tanglewood – Once a year
  • Boston Symphony Orchestra –  Several times a year
  • Rodman Ride for Kids – Usually the 3rd Saturday in September.  Bike 25, 50, or 100 miles to raise money for AANE, sponsor a biker, and come cheer for Team AANE.