Free Programs
Connect with AANE through our many free programs and services for Autistic adults, family members, and professionals.
From a free introductory call or online contact with AANE staff to answer questions, to online discussion forums, to online Zoom community connection and more AANE invites into our welcoming, supportive community.
Questions about autism or AANE’s services?
Schedule a call to speak with a member of AANE’s staff, or fill out a form to be contacted by email.
Call or Contact Us by Form
You can reach out to AANE staff for FREE! We are available to answer your questions & concerns via phone or email and provide information and resources. Click the links below to schedule a call or complete our contact form today!
CONNECT WITH US – SCHEDULE A FREE CALL
Parents + Family Members of Individuals Age 23+
FREE WorkMAP Employment Coaching
If you are a post-high school Autistic young adult (between the ages of 18 and 30) with employment-related goals living in Boston*, Brockton, Cambridge, Chelsea, Quincy, Randolph, or Somerville you may qualify for FREE WorkMAP coaching.
WorkMAP provides coaching targeted specifically to employment-related goals. This service is made free through a grant from the Liberty Mutual Foundation. Clients are enrolled on a “first come, first served” basis until the grant money is spent.
Schedule a call with a LifeMAP clinician to learn more about FREE WorkMAP.
Community Connections
Community Connections are online, 60-minute, single-session discussion groups and a great way to meet our staff and connect with the community for the first time.
Adults
Connect with other Autistic adults in a casual 60 minute online session facilitated by our experienced AANE staff. Ask questions, listen to others, join the community!
Parents of Adults
Join other parents in an online discussion facilitated by experienced AANE staff. Discuss topics such as keeping the lines of communication open, accessing services, facilitating independent living, and many more.
Parents of Children, Teens & Young Adults
Join our free online Community Connection Session to connect with other parents online. Sessions are facilitated by AANE' staff who know firsthand the need to maintain a balance for ourselves and our children when life brings the unexpected.
Discussion Forums
AANE’s FREE Online Google Group Discussion Forums are an opportunity to connect, share common experiences, and learn about valuable resources.
Click on the block to sign up for the online discussion forum you would like to join.
Parents of Adults (post high school)
Parents who are members of the discussion forum can gain feedback and perspective from peers on issues such as accessing services to help their adult child find employment, live independently, and connect socially.
Parents of Children
Join an active community of hundreds of parents across the U.S. in discussions about issues and concerns faced by many parents of Autistic children including dealing with schools, finding service providers, and facilitating your child's socialization.
Parents of Teens (through high school)
Parenting any teenager brings challenges but when autism is a part of the picture there are many concerns that only others facing the same situation can truly understand. Find support and suggestions from an active network of parents of teenagers on this forum.
Partners of Autistic Adults
This group, serving people from all over the world, is for individuals married to or in partnership with someone with an Autistic profile. Here you will have the opportunity to offer and receive support, to strategize, and to share experiences with others who might relate to your situation.
Ex-Partners of Autistic Adults
This group serves those who are divorced or separated from an autistic adult. Here you will have the opportunity to offer and receive support, to strategize, and to share experiences with others who might relate to your situation.
Support Groups
AANE offers several FREE Online Open, or single session, support groups for adults and family members of various ages and identities. Please click the button below to see all FREE groups that have space to register.
Adults
There are FREE LOCAL groups offered to Adults including the Online LOCAL Florence, MA Support Group for Adults; and the Online LOCAL Portland ME Support Group for Adults.
Women
There are FREE groups offered for Women – the Online LOCAL Watertown, MA Women's Support Group and the Open Women's Support Group
LGBTQ+
AANE offers this FREE support group for for the LGBTQ+ community – the Online Open Gender Identity Support Group for Adults.
BIPOC
A FREE monthly Online BIPOC Support Group for Adults is available.
Spanish Speaking Families
There are two weekly FREE online Support Groups for Parents of Children, Teens, and Young Adults. One at 12:00 PM ET and one at 6:30 PM ET.
Grandparents
We are sad to announce the death of Marcia Robinson, the facilitator and founder of AANE’s grandparent groups, a long time AANE volunteer, LifeMAP coach, and IACT presenter. She was passionate about helping others and loved AANE. All grandparent support groups have been suspended until further notice.
Teen Group
A monthly FREE Online Open Support Group for Teens (15-19) meets the second Saturday of every month.
Adults over 50
A monthly FREE online group is a place for those over 50, to discuss a previously agreed to topic and share the unique concerns and issues that come with later awareness, in an atmosphere of support and understanding.
Families of Autistic Adults
This FREE open group meets one Sunday a month and is for parents, family members, and friends of Autistic individuals. Guest speakers are hosted every other month.
Workshops
These 90-minute, single-session workshops are a great way to learn some basics, meet our staff, and connect with the community for the first time.
Through a grant, these four workshops will be FREE beginning in November 2023.
Intro to Autism for Adults
This workshop is for Autistic adults to explore their understanding of autism through a neurological lens. We will discuss common misconceptions, the Autistic identity, and common Autistic traits, strengths, and challenges.
Intro to Autism for Caregivers
This workshop will address common misconceptions, investigate Autistic identity, and explore Autistic traits, strengths, and challenges and will provide insights into your child's neurotype, preparing you with an informed mindset for raising an Autistic child.
Hacks & Strategies for Adults
As a follow-up to our Intro to Autism for Adults, this workshop will go through practical ways Autistic adults can find the support that they need. We will discuss how to determine what you need, and then some practical ideas on how to meet those needs.
Strategies & Support for Caregivers
As a follow-up to our Intro to Autism for Caregivers, this workshop will go through practical ways parents and caregivers of Autistic children and teens can find the support that they need. We will discuss how to determine what your family needs, and then some practical ideas on how to meet those needs.
Online & Social Media Safety from TAPS
A FREE 6 session closed workshop for adults discussing online and social media safety funded by TAPS (https://triangle-inc.org/taps/). Get answers to your questions about online dating, interacting on social media, setting boundaries, avoiding scammers, and staying safe.
Artist Collaborative
The Artist Collaborative is an Autistic lead community who comes together once a month to create art, plan art shows, share latest creations, discuss artistic opportunities, art techniques, and share our experiences as Autistic artists. Over time, this group has become a community and many members are now good friends.
Audience: Autistic Adults
Frequency: No online registration, monthly virtual meetings (Third Monday of each month). Periodic virtual and in-person “Art Meet Ups” to come together for an entire day of art making and socializing.
Cost: Free
Livestream: Infinity & Beyond
YouTube Livestream
Infinity & Beyond is AANE’s monthly YouTube livestream event hosted by Autistic AANE staff members Liv Gallop and Ryan Walsh. With a new discussion topic each month, the livestream is a chance to engage and ask questions on issues relevant to the Autistic adult community. Subscribe to AANE’s YouTube Channel below to be notified of coming livestream events.
Audience: Autistic Adults
Group Type & Frequency: Open or single session, no sign up needed, monthly
Cost: FREE
Music
Berklee School of Music Lessons
The Berklee Institute for Accessible Art Education is generously offering free group music lessons to Autistic adults. 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.
Audience: Autistic Adults
Group Type & Frequency: Closed or multi-session, 8 weekly sessions, twice a year
Cost: FREE
Boston Symphony Orchestra
AANE at the Boston Symphony Orchestra - Join us in MA on our in-person trips to the BSO. Sign up to receive regular AANE email communication so you don’t miss an opportunity to attend. Subscribe to AANE communications.
Audience: Autistic Adults
Group Type & Frequency: Open or single-session, held three or four times a year
Cost: FREE
Outdoors
Local Boston and Southeastern, MA Outdoor Enthusiast Club
The AANE Outdoor Enthusiasts Club brings together Autisti adults 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.
Audience: Autistic Adults
Group Type & Frequency: Open or single-session, once a month
Cost: FREE
Science
Science and Technology Meetup
Are you interested in science or technology and looking for other people to discuss these topics with? Come join us for an AANE Virtual Monthly Meetup Event! More details and RSVP can be found on the AANE Meetup Group: AANE Adults
Audience: Autistic Adults
Group Type & Frequency: Open or single-session, twice a month
Cost: FREE
Modern and Ancient Science, Philosophy and Consciousness Meetup
Are you interested in contemplating deep questions about life, nature, and the universe? Join us for AANE Virtual Monthly Meetup Event! We explore the answers given by modern and ancient science, philosophy and consciousness. More details and RSVP can be found on the AANE Meetup Group: AANE Adults
Audience: Autistic Adults
Group Type & Frequency: Open or single-session, twice a month
Cost: FREE
Related Programs
If these programs don’t seem right for you, check out other ways to connect to AANE.
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