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Spectrum Events

Spectrum Events: Connecting, Educating, and Celebrating Diversity

Recurring

REV UP Georgia Advocacy Meeting: Register, Educate, Vote and Use your Power!

Virtual

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.

Stockbridge Share Group

Chick-Fil-A Truett's Grill McDonough 1785 Jonesboro Road, McDonough, GA, United States

Support Groups also called Share Groups are the backbone of FOCUS, the first program ever offered. Share Groups meet monthly (September to May) in several different locations around metro Atlanta so parents can meet other parents and share tips, fears, and joys. Parent volunteers facilitate the groups, keeping them positive, constructive, and uplifting.

Eligibility:

Be a parent/caregiver of a child/young adult with a physical and/or developmental disabilities, including rare genetic syndromes, cerebral palsy, autism, and Down syndrome.
Parents will review and sign COVID-19 acknowledgements and the guidelines required by FOCUS for the Share Group Season before attending their first meeting.
If you would like to register for this share group, please email jaide@focus-ga.org

Recurring

Online “Closed” Support Group for Women (40-60)

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.

$100

Tea Party with High-Five Society

Southern Seasons 118 Broad St, Rome, GA, United States

Come join the High-five Society for some tea!

Thursday, January 2nd at Southern Seasons in Rome, GA

RSVP: https://www.highfivesociety.org/event-details/tea-party-with-high-five-society/form

Recurring

Online “Closed” Support Group for Women (50+)

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

$100
Recurring

Online “Closed” Support Group for Women (18-35)

Virtual

This “closed” support group is designed for Autistic women (18-35). Through this “closed” support group, women (18-35) can build an ongoing connection with a small group 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

$100

Online “Open” Support Group for Adults

Virtual

Description
Come join other post-high-school Autistic adults (ages 18+) or adults with a Neurodivergent profile in an atmosphere of support and understanding.

Audience
AANE Adult Support Groups, Social Groups, and events are intended for post-high school Autistic adults who are able to self-regulate AND independently participate in activities without the assistance of a dedicated caregiver.

Registration
Advanced registration is required. After you have registered, a confirmation email is sent with a link to attend the program. Registrants who do not receive the confirmation email should check their email spam folder. Registration closes 24 hours prior to the event. Early registration is highly recommended as many programs fill quickly.

$10
Recurring

Online “Closed” Support Group for Parents of Transition Age Youth

This 8-week AANE support group is for parents and caregivers of Autistic or similarly neurodivergent young adult children ages 18-22. This small group setting allows parents and caregivers to connect with each other, share experiences, celebrations and delivers a wealth of information.

Advanced registration is required. Financial assistance available.

$180
Recurring

Multi-Session Support Group for Parents of Adults (30+)

Virtual

This “closed” support group is for parents who have an Autistic adult child 30+ 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 work 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?
Dates
January 2
January 16
January 30
February 6
February 20
March 6
March 20
April 3

$180
Recurring

Support Group – Gender Identity for Adults

Virtual

This group always meets on the first Thursday of the month and is for post-high school Autistic adults who are interested in discussing and exploring their gender in a supportive setting. Most people who attend identify as transgender, nonbinary, and/or genderfluid, and some are questioning their gender identity or gender roles. Join us to share stories and perspectives, and to get support. No autism diagnosis or certainty about gender identity is required to attend. This is a safe place to explore intersecting identities.

Free

Teen & Young Adult Holiday Party

Embry Hills UMC 3304 Henderson Mill Road, Chamblee, GA

Make the holidays last longer. Find your favorite ugly Christmas sweater and Join us for a post-holiday, holiday party! The teens will play board games, make crafts, and sing festive karaoke songs.

When: Saturday, January 4th, 11AM-1PM

Where: Embry Hill United Methodist church | 3304 Henderson Mill Rd, Atlanta

Eligibility: 

Have physical and/or developmental disabilities, including Rare Genetic Syndromes, Cerebral Palsy, Autism, and Down Syndrome.
FOCUS Kid must be between ages 13 and 29
Willing to stay safe with a group and function in a 1:8 caregiver-to-participant ratio.
Stay with the group in a public place, with gentle reminders.
Not need medical care that requires a nurse.
Not need help toileting during 2 hours event.
What to expect:

There are always plenty of fun holiday board games, crafts, and holiday-themed karaoke
Wear an ugly Christmas sweater
Pizza and drinks will be available.
Registration is required in Family Portal to attend!
Questions? Email Peter@focus-ga.org

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