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Spectrum Events

Spectrum Events: Connecting, Educating, and Celebrating Diversity

What, Wait! You Want Me to Talk About Sexuality?

Virtual

Healthy relationship boundaries are an important skill for us all. We are seeing more and more examples of those who have crossed lines in our culture. Even though people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are sexual beings, just like everyone, they also need the information and skills to navigate these waters and learn what's okay and not okay in various settings.

This webinar will explore tips and tools for addressing sexuality one-on-one with the individuals you work with. We will explore why this topic can be difficult to approach and useful tools that will help you become more comfortable and confident and communicate about this sensitive topic.

Learning Objectives:

Discuss the benefits of providing sexuality education.

Examine activities to teach healthy boundaries, such as different types of relationships, public vs. private, moving from friend to partner, body language, communication, and speaking up.

When: Tuesday, January 14, 2025, from 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm EASTERN time (please note your time zone)

This is a 60-minute online event for professionals, administrators, self-advocates, parents, etc. We use Zoom to deliver the workshop. There will be an opportunity for questions and live engagement with the presenter. We don't record this workshop.

Free
Recurring

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

Virtual

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
January 7
January 14
January 21
January 28
February 4
February 11
February 18
February 25

$180
Recurring

Multi-Session Social/Support Group for Trans, Non-Binary, and Gender Expansive Teens (14-19)

Virtual

AANE is offering a 8-week virtual group for trans, non-binary, and gender expansive Autistic or Neurodivergent teens aged 14-19. 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
January 7
January 14
January 21
January 28
February 4
February 11
February 18
February 25

$180

LifeMAP Clinical Hour

Virtual

These meetings have been established to create a group discussion where LifeMAP coaches, Intensive Autism Coach Training (IACT) graduates, and Autism Professional Coaches Association (APCA) members can share ideas and strategies on how to assist clients in various situations in coaching sessions. We also have the added guidance and expertise of coaches who have been with the program since its inception and these meetings have been designed to help coaches better meet a variety of needs with our clients. They are very informative sessions that have been well received by our coaching staff. We catch up on any new training ideas and/or workshops that address issues that are common topics of discussion.

How do we best serve our community?
When do we collaborate with therapists, family members, guardians, teachers, etc.?
When and where can we be present to advocate for our clients, such as on the job, school, counselors?

Free
Recurring

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

Virtual

The Berklee Institute for Accessible Arts Education (BIAAE) is generously offering free group music lessons to Autistic adults. Traditional instrument options include: Alto Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute, Trombone, Trumpet, Violin, Viola, Guitar, Piano, Voice, or Percussion. If you do not have a physical instruction, 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 will 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.

Check out the event's full description for important things to know.

Free
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

Care Parent Cafe-Transition Age

Virtual

Virtual
English Speaking
info@careparentnetwork.org
Support for families of kids ages 16-22+
Group meets virtually over zoom and is open to parents living in Contra Costa County

Recurring

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

Virtual

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
Dates
January 15
January 29
February 12
February 26
March 12
March 26
April 9
April 16

$100

Free Training Opportunity: Self-Determined Learning Model of Instruction

Virtual

This FREE Self-Determined Learning Model of Instruction (SDLMI) training hosted virtually on Wednesday, January 15, 2025 from 9:00am-5:00pm CST by the Kansas University Center on Disabilities! You will learn about about evidence-based practices to promote self-determination for people with and without disabilities, in education, job and career, and beyond!

Recurring

Multi-Session Support Group for Queer Women & Non-Binary Adults

Virtual

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
– Work/jobs
– Intersectionality

Dates
January 8
January 15
January 22
January 29
February 5
February 12
February 19
February 26

Virtual

This workshop will teach parents and others positive interventions to help youth who struggle with school avoidance. It will also cover anxiety, challenging behaviors, and special education.

Recurring

Multi-Session Social/Support Group for Teens (14-16)

Virtual

AANE is offering an 8-week virtual group for Autistic and similarly neurodivergent teens aged 14-16. This group provides a secure and inclusive environment where teens can foster connections and engage with one another in a facilitated setting

Dates
January 8
January 15
January 22
January 29
February 5
February 12
February 19
February 26

$180

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