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Spectrum Events

Spectrum Events: Connecting, Educating, and Celebrating Diversity

Recurring

Virtual Office Hours in English

Virtual

English Speaking

Meet 1:1 with a Care Parent Network Family Support Specialist and get your question answered

Register here for a 15 minute time slot

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwrcuupqj8sGdaA6YXsQxrypGI733p_Esxy

Recurring

Multi-Session Group Music Lessons for Teens from Berklee Institute for Accessible Arts Education Berklee School of Music

Virtual

Description
The Berklee Institute for Accessible Arts Education (BIAAE) is generously offering free group music lessons to Autistic teens. Traditional instrument options include: Alto Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute, Trombone, Trumpet, Violin, Viola, Guitar, Piano, Voice, or Percussion. If you do not have a physical instrument, we recommend visiting your local music store to source an instrument or use a virtual instrument through Bandlab for Education platform.
Explore and grow as independent and ensemble musicians using instruments or voice during practice and group lessons. Lessons will focus on note reading, technique, and recording as participants work to record and perform music with their peers. Participants will use Bandlab for Education (a free platform) to collaborate in an ensemble and to optionally use virtual/digital instruments. Click here to watch a video explaining how Berklee Staff will use Bandlab for Education during this interest series.
At the end of the session, students will participate in an online ensemble performance and receive a recording. The ensemble performance will also be featured on the BIAAE and AANE websites.
Click here to listen to “Embraceable You,” the ensemble performance of the Winter/Spring 2020 Berklee Music Lessons Interest Series.
Important Things to Know:
Rental instruments are not available from Berklee Institute for Accessible Arts Education. You have several options:
Use your own instrument
Use a digital instrument available from Bandlab for Education
Rent an instrument on your own. Click here to download a list of instrument rental companies in Greater Boston and across the US.
Students can choose to play one of those traditional instruments: Alto Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute, Trombone, Trumpet, or digital/virtual instruments available on Bandlab for Education
Note that a piano keyboard interface is used for all digital/virtual instruments (other than drums). You will be able to learn how to read music and development keyboarding skills that you can use for any MIDI instrument. However, you won’t learn how to play a physical instrument.
Technology requirements for zoom:
a computer or tablet device
an internet connection
a webcam so you can see and interact with others
audio capability and built-in or accessory microphone
You aren’t required to install anything on your computer or tablet in order to use Zoom, but some people do find it helpful to download the zoom client. If you have never used zoom, before the interest series, we strongly suggest that you visit: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us
Technology requirements for Bandlab for Education:
a computer or tablet device
an internet connection
audio capability and built-in or accessory microphone
Your registration confirmation email will include a zoom link to join your lessons and instructions for accessing Bandlab for Education.

Recurring

Multi-Session Support Group for Parents of Gender Diverse Adults & Teens (14+)

Virtual

This multi-session support group is designed for parents/family members of Autistic adults and teens with who are transgender or who are exploring or questioning their gender identity.

Gender identity is distinct from sexual orientation or preference. Gender identity is one’s innermost concept of self as male, female, a blend of both or neither–how individuals perceive themselves and what they call themselves. Autistic individuals may be more likely to identify with a gender/s that is different than the sex assigned at birth. The intersection of these two identities is common, but not often talked about in the same space. When an adult child questions their gender identity parents are often initially overwhelmed by questions and concerns, and more questions may surface as their child continues on their journey. This is not a therapeutic support group.

The group offers a combination of facilitated peer support and information for parents who are starting or continuing on this journey with their child. “Closed” support groups for parents have the same members (12) for a set number of sessions (8). These groups are ideal for parents who want to go beyond sharing their stories with newcomers each time at open support group meetings. Other adult family members, such as siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, or even close family friends can also join these groups. These closed support groups also let parents give voice to their concerns and frustrations and celebrate their victories. “Closed” support groups offer facilitated peer support for parents who are facing these and other challenges.

Dates
January 15
January 29
February 12
February 26
March 12
March 26
April 9
April 23

$180
Recurring

Multi-Session Support Group for Women (40-60)

Virtual

Description
This multi-session support group is designed for Autistic women (40-60) looking to build an ongoing connection with a small community of other women. This 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
Dates
March 13
March 27
April 10
April 24
May 8
May 22
June 12
June 26

$100
Recurring

Multi-Session Support Group for Women (18-35)

Virtual

Description
This multi-session support group is designed for Autistic women and femme people (18-35). Through this support group, members can build an ongoing connection with a small community. AANE multi-session 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
Gender expansive issues related to autism
Dates
March 13
March 27
April 10
April 24
May 8
May 22
June 5
July 3

$100
Recurring

Multi-Session Support Group for Parents of Adults (18-35)

Virtual

This 8-week AANE support group is for parents and caregivers of Autistic or similarly neurodivergent young adult children ages 18-35. This small group setting allows parents and caregivers to connect with each other, share experiences, celebrations and delivers a wealth of information.

$180
Recurring

Multi-Session Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Interest Group for Adults

Virtual

This interest group is intended for post-high school adults who fulfill the player pre-requisites outlined below:

Participants need to have played Dungeons and Dragons before either at AANE or elsewhere.
They must also be familiar with character creation, general rules of D&D Edition 5, cooperation within a team, and following campaign rules and storyline.
Each participant is expected to attend all 8 meetings in order to help his/her team advance as far as possible in the campaign.
This interest series will be using a campaign selected by the Dungeon Masters. Participants must agree to follow the rules of the campaign at all times.
Because this is an interactive/collaborative game. Participants need to be able to participate fully in each game session.
Please note that this is a two-step process (application and registration). If you are interested in this group, please submit the application above.

$100
Recurring

Support Group for Adults Over 50

Virtual

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.

$10
Recurring

Support Group for Teens (15-19)

Virtual

(formerly Plainview, NY) 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.

Free
Recurring

Multi-Session Support Group for Adults

Virtual

Description
This 8-week support group is for Autistic adults (18+) who are post k-12. Through 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
Work/jobs
Intersectionality
Dates
February 24
March 3
March 10
March 17
March 24
March 31
April 7
April 14

Recurring

Multi-Session Social/Support Group for Teens (17-19)

Virtual

Description
AANE is offering an 8-week virtual group for Autistic and Neurodivergent teens aged 17-19. This group is designed to provide teens with a safe space to feel connected to and engage with each other while practicing their social skills in a facilitated setting. The group will be developed based on the interests and needs of the members.

Dates
March 10
March 17
March 24
March 31
April 7
April 14
April 21
April 28

$180

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