Autism Toolkit of Georgia
Autism Toolkit of Georgia
To find in-person events in your area, first use the map below to find out which region you are in. Click on the drop-down menu for your region and click on “Find Events.” The calendar will show which events are near you!
Is there an autism-related event happening in your area? Please add it to our calendar to get the word out! You can also send us events that you would like to add to the calendar using our “Contact Us” page.
Part 1: Brainstorm and identify different ways to plan for ways to relax, feel restored, and enjoy free time.
Part 2: Debriefing session to discuss how it felt to implement concepts from last week’s topic, leisure, into your life. Come to share your experience and learn from others!
Advanced registration is required.
This community connections discussion session is for Autistic adults. Participate in this free online discussion to connect with other Neurodivergent adults. Online sessions are hosted on the Zoom platform and are facilitated by AANE’s Adult Services staff who have years of experience with autism and who understand the challenges that this pandemic can pose.
Advanced registration is required.
This 8-week AANE support group is for parents and caregivers of Autistic or similarly neurodivergent teen children. This small group setting allows parents and caregivers to connect with each other and delivers a wealth of information.
Advanced registration is required.
In this dynamic presentation, attendees will learn social media and internet safety best practices for online interactions, including topics such as how to spot a scammer, preferred communication and tone indicators, managing digital boundaries, and more. Izzie will walk through actual social media profiles on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and Hiki to enhance your web-surfing experiences. Register today to secure your spot!
Register now and watch this webinar live or later on demand.
Socialize, and play games! This is a great opportunity to catch up with old friends and to welcome many new AANE members!
Advanced registration is required.
Georgians with disabilities make up a powerful constituency. Together we can have our voices heard. And we need your help to POWER THE DISABILITY VOTE!
REV UP Georgia Coalition meets every 1st and 3rd Thursday at 10am EST on Zoom. All are invited to attend. Come ready to share about grassroots voter registration and education activities in your area. REV UP will also outline strategies for voter rights education in Georgia’s rural communities.
Register in advance for this meeting at the following link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwvduGqqDosG91a04XWrpcGBzIyK7bGGGDj
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
A closed support group has the same group members (up to 12) for a set number of sessions (8). Closed support groups are ideal for adults who are looking for deeper connections and more extensive peer support from group members. For the best support group experience, closed group members should plan on attending all 8 meetings in the series. This group offers a safe environment where Autistic men can talk with like-minded people, share issues and concerns, and celebrate successes. Common topics include: disclosure, self-advocacy, and relationships.
Advanced registration is required.
¡Nuestros especialistas en desarrollo infantil se alegran en ofrecerle a usted y a sus hijos una emocionante lectura de cuentos virtual!
Durante nuestras sesiones interactivas leeremos libros, cantaremos canciones, moveremos nuestros cuerpos y nos conectaremos con otros niños y cuidadores. Cada día leeremos una historia diferente que involucrará a los niños mientras exploran el mundo que los rodea.
Es necesario registrarse. ¡Complete el formulario de registro de participantes de Story Time para reservar su lugar!
Para obtener más información, envíe un correo electrónico a EveryoneRR@ccrcca.org
Join our Part 2 virtual webinar for a comprehensive review and guidance on gathering the necessary paperwork for the Katie Beckett Waiver application processEvent Timing: October 4th 8pm est Event Address: via Google MeetAny Questions Contact us at info@shineautism.org
Are you an Autistic or Neurodivergent adult, over age 50? This 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.
The social hour meets from 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM ET and the support group meets from 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM ET.
Advanced registration is required.
This training will provide basic information about parental rights under IDEA, including confidentiality, notice, consent, surrogate parents, free and appropriate public education (FAPE), least restrictive environment (LRE), evaluations and dispute resolution methods such as mediation and due process.
Part 1: Brainstorm and identify different ways to plan for ways to relax, feel restored, and enjoy free time.
Part 2: Debriefing session to discuss how it felt to implement concepts from last week’s topic, leisure, into your life. Come to share your experience and learn from others!
Advanced registration is required.
This is our open support group for Autistic people of color (18+). These spaces are peer-led and provide an opportunity for participants to explore how their multiple identities show up and address their specific needs, by sharing experiences and offering support to one another. We are running these meetings through the winter and then will determine the next steps for future programming based on interest and feedback.
Advanced registration is required.
Join us for a Live Webinar on October 9th with Guest Speaker Brandi Tanner. Google Meet Link: https://meet.google.com/ooq-odse-wap
Healthy Relationships on the Autism Spectrum (HEARTS) is a 8 session workshop for Autistic adults who would like to learn about, and talk about, healthy friendship and dating relationships. The workshop does not teach how to find new dating partners or friends. Rather, it provides education about what a healthy vs. unhealthy relationship feels like, how to notice warning signs that a relationship is becoming unhealthy, how to cope with a breakup or end of a friendship how to restart friendships with people when you have fallen out of touch, and how to stay motivated to meet new people.
Advanced registration is required.
This workshop will help parents learn about the purpose of paperwork, what needs to be kept and for how long, and everything they need to know about the Prior Written Notice (PWN).
This is an hour-long social group for Neurodivergent queer folks. This is a safe space to socialize, share stories with, or gather support if needed from others with 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.
Advanced registration is required.
A closed support group has the same group members (up to 12) for a set number of sessions (8). Closed support groups are ideal for adults who are looking for deeper connections and more extensive peer support from group members. For the best support group experience, closed group members should plan on attending all 8 meetings in the series. This group offers a safe environment where Autistic men can talk with like-minded people, share issues and concerns, and celebrate successes. Common topics include: disclosure, self-advocacy, and relationships.
Advanced registration is required.
Come join other adults age 50+ with autism or similar Neurodiverse profiles in an atmosphere of support and understanding. The group meets on the second Friday of every month.
Advanced registration is required.
¡Nuestros especialistas en desarrollo infantil se alegran en ofrecerle a usted y a sus hijos una emocionante lectura de cuentos virtual!
Durante nuestras sesiones interactivas leeremos libros, cantaremos canciones, moveremos nuestros cuerpos y nos conectaremos con otros niños y cuidadores. Cada día leeremos una historia diferente que involucrará a los niños mientras exploran el mundo que los rodea.
Es necesario registrarse. ¡Complete el formulario de registro de participantes de Story Time para reservar su lugar!
Para obtener más información, envíe un correo electrónico a EveryoneRR@ccrcca.org
This open group meets on the second Saturday of the month and is for individuals (ages 15-19) who are Autistic or who suspect they are. All AANE-facilitated support groups provide information, connection, and community where participants can share similar issues and concerns and celebrate successes. Groups are designed for the teens only – parents and other family members should not attend the groups.
Advanced registration is required.
This support group is for Autistic adults (18+) who are post k-12. Through this support group, members can connect with a variety of participants.
AANE support groups give members an opportunity to celebrate successes and support each other through difficulties. Common topics of discussion are:
Masking/camouflaging
Sensory sensitivities/overloads
Relationships
Self-care
Disclosure
Advanced registration is required.
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 Autistic adults 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 on Zoom. Each meeting will have time to work on individual projects and get feedback from group members.
Advanced registration is required.
Learn how to use effective communication skills to develop a partnership with your child's IEP/IFSP team. Get tips for preparing for school meetings and how to be an effective member of the team.
Join us to learn practical strategies for enhancing internship programs for students with intellectual disability. We’ll cover how to support internship sites in creating a positive and inclusive environment, the importance of continuous feedback, and ways to foster student self-advocacy.
We’ll begin with a presentation from former Think College intern Rachel Adams-Duffy, who will share her personal journey from college student to professional advocate. Rachel’s story highlights how internships can open doors to career success and foster self-advocacy.
This 8-week AANE support group is for parents and caregivers of Autistic or similarly neurodivergent teen children. This small group setting allows parents and caregivers to connect with each other and delivers a wealth of information.
Advanced registration is required.
This 8-week gender inclusive support group is for LGBTQIA+ women, femmes, and nonbinary people. In this group members can build an ongoing connection with a small community.
AANE support groups give members an opportunity to celebrate successes and support each other through difficulties. Common topics of discussion are:
– Masking/camouflaging
– Sensory sensitivities/overloads
– Relationships
– Self-care
– Disclosure
– Employment
– Intersectionality
Advanced registration is required.
Conflict with your friends and family can be challenging, emotional, and overwhelming. Come learn ways to approach difficult conversations in ways that make you and those around you feel safe and supported.
Advanced registration is required.
Healthy Relationships on the Autism Spectrum (HEARTS) is a 8 session workshop for Autistic adults who would like to learn about, and talk about, healthy friendship and dating relationships. The workshop does not teach how to find new dating partners or friends. Rather, it provides education about what a healthy vs. unhealthy relationship feels like, how to notice warning signs that a relationship is becoming unhealthy, how to cope with a breakup or end of a friendship how to restart friendships with people when you have fallen out of touch, and how to stay motivated to meet new people.
Advanced registration is required.
Join us as Art Cernosia provides his review and analysis of the implications of IDEA legal developments within the last year. Both new federal policy and judicial decisions with broad implications under the IDEA will be covered. Participant questions will be addressed throughout the webinar. This webinar will be archived on the CADRE website.
This is an hour-long support group for Autistic LGBTQIA+ adults. It is a safe space to find community, share stories with, or gather support if needed from folks of similar experiences. This group hopes to provide support and comfort. 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 space to explore all those things. It is also for all post-high school adults over 18 years old.
A closed support group has the same group members (up to 12) for a set number of sessions (8). Closed support groups are ideal for adults who are looking for deeper connections and more extensive peer support from group members. For the best support group experience, closed group members should plan on attending all 8 meetings in the series. This group offers a safe environment where Autistic men can talk with like-minded people, share issues and concerns, and celebrate successes. Common topics include: disclosure, self-advocacy, and relationships.
Advanced registration is required.
¡Nuestros especialistas en desarrollo infantil se alegran en ofrecerle a usted y a sus hijos una emocionante lectura de cuentos virtual!
Durante nuestras sesiones interactivas leeremos libros, cantaremos canciones, moveremos nuestros cuerpos y nos conectaremos con otros niños y cuidadores. Cada día leeremos una historia diferente que involucrará a los niños mientras exploran el mundo que los rodea.
Es necesario registrarse. ¡Complete el formulario de registro de participantes de Story Time para reservar su lugar!
Para obtener más información, envíe un correo electrónico a EveryoneRR@ccrcca.org
This 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.
This open group meets on the second Monday of the month and is for the neurotypical individual married to or in partnership with someone who is Neurodivergent.
Join us monthly for an open support group that offers Autistic women, age 50+ an opportunity to come together to explore issues such as:
Receiving a diagnosis later in life
Masking and Camouflaging
Finding Support; Building and Maintaining Relationships
Challenges Post Menopause; Decline of Executive Functioning
Mid-Life Identity
Managing Stress and Coping Strategies
Self-Care
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, considering whether you may be autistic, or if you have only explored autism through a deficit lens in the past.
This “closed” support group is designed for Autistic women (40-60) looking to build an ongoing connection with a small community of other women. This “closed” support group also gives women an opportunity to voice their concerns and frustrations and lets them acknowledge hard-won and unexpected victories. Common topics of discussion are:
Masking/camouflaging
Sensory sensitivities/overloads
Relationships
Self-care
Empathy
This “closed” support group is for parents who have an Autistic adult child 23+ years of age. Other adult family caregivers may also register for this group. “Closed” support groups are ideal for parents and other adult family caregivers who want to go beyond sharing their stories with newcomers each time at open support group meetings.
AANE support groups provide an opportunity for parents and family caregivers to voice their concerns and frustrations and celebrate hard-won and unexpected victories. Although each group will focus on different themes and questions, here are some of the most common ones:
Now that your child is an adult, how do you support and/or parent without power?
How do you keep the lines of communication open?
How can you help the Autistic adult find and sustain employment and live independently?
How do you motivate them to expand their social network?
What types of services have other families used and what were the results?
How have other members tapped into health, income, housing, and other benefits?
8 week series. Advanced registration is required.
This group offers a safe environment where men can talk with like-minded people, share issues and concerns, and celebrate successes.
This 8-week gender inclusive support group is for LGBTQIA+ women, femmes, and nonbinary people. In this group members can build an ongoing connection with a small community.
AANE support groups give members an opportunity to celebrate successes and support each other through difficulties. Common topics of discussion are:
– Masking/camouflaging
– Sensory sensitivities/overloads
– Relationships
– Self-care
– Disclosure
– Employment
– Intersectionality
Advanced registration is required.
Come to socialize, and play games! This event is open to anyone and is a great opportunity to catch up with old friends and welcome many new AANE members!
Healthy Relationships on the Autism Spectrum (HEARTS) is a 8 session workshop for Autistic adults who would like to learn about, and talk about, healthy friendship and dating relationships. The workshop does not teach how to find new dating partners or friends. Rather, it provides education about what a healthy vs. unhealthy relationship feels like, how to notice warning signs that a relationship is becoming unhealthy, how to cope with a breakup or end of a friendship how to restart friendships with people when you have fallen out of touch, and how to stay motivated to meet new people.
Advanced registration is required.
This “closed” support group is designed for Autistic women (40-60) looking to build an ongoing connection with a small community of other women. This “closed” support group also gives women an opportunity to voice their concerns and frustrations and lets them acknowledge hard-won and unexpected victories. Common topics of discussion are:
Masking/camouflaging
Sensory sensitivities/overloads
Relationships
Self-care
Empathy
8 sessions. Advanced registration is required.
This workshop will teach parents how to effectively collaborate with their child’s IEP team. Participants will learn how to have productive discussions at IEP meetings and engage in their child’s educational planning.
This “closed” support group is designed for women (35-50) who are Autistic. Through this “closed” support group, women (35-50) can build an ongoing connection with a small community of other women. AANE “closed” support groups for women also give women an opportunity to voice their concerns and frustrations. It also lets them acknowledge hard-won and unexpected victories. Common topics of discussion are:
Masking/camouflaging
Sensory sensitivities/overloads
Relationships
Self-care
Empathy
8 sessions. Advanced registration required.
¡Nuestros especialistas en desarrollo infantil se alegran en ofrecerle a usted y a sus hijos una emocionante lectura de cuentos virtual!
Durante nuestras sesiones interactivas leeremos libros, cantaremos canciones, moveremos nuestros cuerpos y nos conectaremos con otros niños y cuidadores. Cada día leeremos una historia diferente que involucrará a los niños mientras exploran el mundo que los rodea.
Es necesario registrarse. ¡Complete el formulario de registro de participantes de Story Time para reservar su lugar!
Para obtener más información, envíe un correo electrónico a EveryoneRR@ccrcca.org
This presentation will focus on studies validating social visual engagement, the moment-by-moment way children look at and learn about their social surroundings, as a quantitative biomarker for autism. Leveraging this science, we have now developed and validated an eye-tracking-based tool for the diagnosis and assessment of autism in 16-30-month-old toddlers. In two multisite, prospective, double-blind clinical trials involving >1,600 toddlers, including three independent cohorts and three replications, this tool showed accuracy of a quantitative diagnostic classifier and of three quantitative indices of severity: social disability proxying the total score of the ADOS-2, and verbal and nonverbal age equivalents proxying the verbal and nonverbal scales of the Mullen. This tool was cleared by the FDA in July 2023 and has been in clinical use in the United States since August 2023. Results of the trials appeared in simultaneous publications in JAMA and JAMA Network Open in September 2023.
A closed support group has the same group members (up to 12) for a set number of sessions (8). Closed support groups are ideal for adults who are looking for deeper connections and more extensive peer support from group members. For the best support group experience, closed group members should plan on attending all 8 meetings in the series. This group offers a safe environment where Autistic adults can talk with like-minded people, share issues and concerns, and celebrate successes. Common topics include: disclosure, self-advocacy, and relationships.
Join us monthly for an open support group that offers Autistic women, age 50+ an opportunity to come together to explore issues such as:
Receiving a diagnosis later in life
Masking and Camouflaging
Finding Support; Building and Maintaining Relationships
Challenges Post Menopause; Decline of Executive Functioning
Mid-Life Identity
Managing Stress and Coping Strategies
Self-Care
This 8-week AANE support group is for parents and caregivers of Autistic or similarly neurodivergent teen children. This small group setting allows parents and caregivers to connect with each other and delivers a wealth of information.
Advanced registration is required.
This group is designed for parents and other adult family members of young Autistic children under the age of 12. This group is limited to 16 participants or caregivers to connect with one another and share information. 8 sessions.
Advanced registration is required.
This is a new intimacy support group designed for Autistic men in relationships to discuss physical intimacy in a safe, non-judgmental space. Through open dialogue, discussions will include demystifying what a partner might be looking for in a sexual relationship and strategies to grow intimacy. Group members will be free to ask questions and speak candidly about a range of issues, including performance anxiety, sensory sensitivities, and the impact of media culture on sexual intimacy.
This 8-week gender inclusive support group is for LGBTQIA+ women, femmes, and nonbinary people. In this group members can build an ongoing connection with a small community.
AANE support groups give members an opportunity to celebrate successes and support each other through difficulties. Common topics of discussion are:
– Masking/camouflaging
– Sensory sensitivities/overloads
– Relationships
– Self-care
– Disclosure
– Employment
– Intersectionality
Advanced registration is required.
Sometimes, taking care of yourself can be the hardest task of the day. Come learn ways to take care of yourself even when life gets busy and overwhelming.
Fathers’ Group is a place where fathers can share their experiences, support one another, and build their toolbox to parent more confidently. We will be having a good conversation over Zoom.
Parenting can be demanding, frustrating, and at times stressful long after the child is grown. Autistic children can often have unique challenges. Parent Support Groups provide feedback, support, and perspective from peers on a variety of common issues. Groups are meant strictly for parents and do not include the Autistic child.
This “closed” support group is designed for women (35-50) who are Autistic. Through this “closed” support group, women (35-50) can build an ongoing connection with a small community of other women. AANE “closed” support groups for women also give women an opportunity to voice their concerns and frustrations. It also lets them acknowledge hard-won and unexpected victories. Common topics of discussion are:
Masking/camouflaging
Sensory sensitivities/overloads
Relationships
Self-care
Empathy
8 sessions. Advanced registration required.
This 8-week gender inclusive women’s support group is for Autistic women (50+). Through this support group, members can build an ongoing connection with a small community.
AANE support groups give members an opportunity to celebrate successes and support each other through difficulties. Common topics of discussion are:
Masking/camouflaging
Sensory sensitivities/overloads
Relationships
Self-care
Disclosure
Employment
Intersectionality
A closed support group has the same group members (up to 12) for a set number of sessions (8). Closed support groups are ideal for adults who are looking for deeper connections and more extensive peer support from group members. For the best support group experience, closed group members should plan on attending all 8 meetings in the series. This group offers a safe environment where Autistic men can talk with like-minded people, share issues and concerns, and celebrate successes. Common topics include: disclosure, self-advocacy, and relationships.
Advanced registration is required.
¡Nuestros especialistas en desarrollo infantil se alegran en ofrecerle a usted y a sus hijos una emocionante lectura de cuentos virtual!
Durante nuestras sesiones interactivas leeremos libros, cantaremos canciones, moveremos nuestros cuerpos y nos conectaremos con otros niños y cuidadores. Cada día leeremos una historia diferente que involucrará a los niños mientras exploran el mundo que los rodea.
Es necesario registrarse. ¡Complete el formulario de registro de participantes de Story Time para reservar su lugar!
Para obtener más información, envíe un correo electrónico a EveryoneRR@ccrcca.org
A closed support group has the same group members (up to 12) for a set number of sessions (8). Closed support groups are ideal for adults who are looking for deeper connections and more extensive peer support from group members. For the best support group experience, closed group members should plan on attending all 8 meetings in the series. This group offers a safe environment where Autistic adults can talk with like-minded people, share issues and concerns, and celebrate successes. Common topics include: disclosure, self-advocacy, and relationships.
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