AuSM

AuSM Adult Coffee Club
2025-10-14 16:00 - 18:00, 2025-12-09 16:00 - 18:00, 2026-01-13 15:00 - 17:00, 2026-02-10 15:00 - 17:00, 2026-03-10 15:00 - 17:00, 2026-05-12 15:00 - 17:00, 2026-06-09 15:00 - 17:00, 2026-07-14 15:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Dogwood Coffee, 2700 University Ave W Suite 100, Saint Paul, MN, 55114, United States
Coffee Club is a space where autistic and neurodiverse adults can connect with each other, foster friendships, and build community while enjoying a favorite beverage and/or snack. Adults are welcome to bring items that make them feel comfortable, can stay as long as they’d like, stim, and parallel play. We ask that participants purchase something from our venues.
AuSM will provide a concierge staff person to help assist with questions, check-in, help with ordering, and manage any issues that arise during the club. AuSM will provide a number of resources, including a social narrative providing club details, parking info, menus, and more. Due to staffing, AuSM is unable to provide one-to-one support, however it is encouraged to bring your own PCA or support person if needed.

Understanding Autism Through an Intersectional Lens
2025-10-20 18:00 - 19:00 | Virtual Event
Join AuSM’s Understanding Autism class: a free, one-hour session that will give you the essential tools to recognize, respect, and support autistic experiences. Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, professional, or exploring your own identity, this class will help you shift from confusion to clarity with a neurodiversity-affirming mindset.
You’ll learn what autism really means, what it often looks like, and how sensory differences can shape behavior. Most importantly, you’ll walk away with practical, evidence-based strategies to make your support more effective and affirming. Every session includes time for your questions, so you’ll get personalized insights to help you take the next step—whatever that may be.
In this special BIPOC session we will also focus on differentials in statistics, common challenges faced by this community and culturally competent resources.

School Seclusion, Suspension, and Expulsion: What Families Need to Know
2025-11-05 18:00 - 19:00 | Virtual Event
Join us for a conversation on exclusionary discipline in schools with parent and advocate Maren Christenson Hofer, Executive Director of the Multicultural Autism Action Network. Learn about the history of these practices, how they are defined, what the data tells us about who is most affected, parent and student rights, and the current discussions going on at the legislature about their use.

Understanding Autism
2025-11-10 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-12-08 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-01-12 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-02-09 12:00 - 13:00, 2026-03-09 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-04-13 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-05-11 12:00 - 13:00, 2026-06-08 18:00 - 19:00 and 1 more date | Virtual Event
Understanding Autism is AuSM’s introductory class. You’ll learn all about the diagnosis, common characteristics, and some basic evidenced-based best practices to support autistic individuals and sensory processing sensitivities. Each session lasts one hour with time for you to ask specific questions.
Who Should Participate
Caregivers, parents, grandparents, group home and day program staff, Personal Care Attendants, and health care staff will benefit from this class. *Note, this is a single-session class. Content is the same for all sessions. AuSM offers these sessions at different times to accommodate as many schedules as possible. When registering, select the session that works best for you.

Know Your Rights
2025-11-12 19:00 - 20:30 | Virtual Event
Disability rights are applicable to every area of life, from housing, to education, from employment to public access. Join Jillian Nelson, Policy Director for the Autism Society of Minnesota to learn more about the rights that protect people with autism, how to access those rights and how to seek support if those rights are violated. This session will provide key information and resources and is not meant to provide legal advice or situation specific guidance.

AuSM Workshop - Eating Disorders and Autism: Understanding the Overlap and Supporting Recovery
2025-12-04 09:00 - 12:00 | Virtual Event
Autistic individuals are at significantly higher risk for certain eating disorders—especially anorexia and ARFID—yet their experiences are often misunderstood or overlooked in traditional treatment models. This workshop, co-presented by the Autism Society of Minnesota (AuSM) and Melrose Center, explores the intersection of autism and eating disorders through research, lived experience, and clinical insight.
We’ll examine why eating disorders and autism frequently co-occur, how autistic traits can shape the presentation of eating disorders, and why many conventional treatment models fall short for this population. Attendees will gain practical tools for providing or advocating for more affirming, individualized care—whether you’re a provider, caregiver, or autistic person navigating recovery.

Growing up Confident: Shame-Free, Affirming Strategies for Raising Neurodivergent Kids
2026-01-15 09:00 - 12:00 | Virtual Event
Many autistic and neurodivergent children grow up carrying deep shame about their differences—shame that can limit confidence, contribute to anxiety and depression, and prevent them from reaching their full potential. This workshop provides tools and strategies for navigating day-to-day challenges while fostering confidence and self-acceptance in children. We’ll explore how internalized and societal ableism can shape a child’s self-perception, and how adults can counter these messages through affirming, everyday interactions. Topics include understanding what a child’s behavior is trying to communicate, responding in balanced and supportive ways, navigating demand avoidance, and developing individualized approaches that meet each child’s unique needs. We’ll also explore ways to talk with children about neurodiversity, the role of diagnosis in identity development, identifying affirming providers, and using practical tools to build confidence and self-understanding. Designed for parents, caregivers, educators, and professionals who support neurodivergent children, this session offers grounded, evidence-based strategies to help children grow up confident and resilient.
Objectives

Identify how internalized and societal ableism influence a child’s self-perception and describe strategies adults can use to counter shame-based messages through everyday affirming interactions.

Interpret the underlying communication behind common behaviors and apply balanced, supportive responses that reduce stress and strengthen connection.

Develop individualized approaches for navigating demand avoidance and daily challenges that honor a child’s sensory, emotional, and cognitive needs.

Practice ways to talk with children about neurodiversity and identity, including how to use diagnosis as a tool for self-understanding, choose affirming providers, and support confidence and resilience over time.

AuSM Workshop - PTSD and ASD: Double Neurodivergence
2026-02-05 09:00 - 12:00 | Virtual Event
Autistic people are likely to experience trauma at a higher rate compared to neurotypicals. Sometimes these traumatic experiences turn into Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD. There has been more research regarding the combination of ASD and PTSD, including how PTSD affects autistic people. PTSD has also been explored as a form of acquired neurodivergence, or how some brains are re-wired after birth. What does it mean to have two forms of neurodivergence? This workshop will go over the intersection of PTSD and ASD, the basics of EMDR (a common trauma therapy), and PTSD as acquired neurodivergence.

Family Fun Day at We Rock the Spectrum
2026-02-28 09:00 - 12:00 | We Rock the Spectrum Eagan, 1020 Discovery Rd #170, Eagan, MN, 55121, United States
Join the Autism Society of Minnesota for a Family Fun Day at We Rock the Spectrum, a sensory-safe indoor gym designed for kids and families of all abilities. On Saturday, February 28, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., AuSM is inviting our community to come together for play, connection, and joy in a judgment-free environment.
This is an open-house style event, meaning families can arrive when it works best for them and leave when it feels right. There’s no pressure to stay the full time—follow your child’s needs and rhythms. Adults are welcome to participate, but please note that some equipment has a weight limit. Socks are required on the gym floor.
Parents and caregivers may attend at no cost if they are not planning to participate in play.
What to Expect
We Rock the Spectrum Eagan will be open exclusively to our community during this event. Families can enjoy:

Sensory-friendly play equipment

A welcoming, judgment-free space

A parent resource fair

Snacks and beverages provided

Opportunities to connect with other families

We’ll also be collecting non-perishable food items to donate to a local food pantry, for those who wish to participate.
All participants will be required to complete a waiver prior to entering the gym.
Whether your family comes for 20 minutes or the whole morning, we hope you’ll join us for a day centered on fun, flexibility, and belonging.

Understanding the Medical and Biological Aspects of Autism
2026-03-19 09:30 - 12:00 | Virtual Event
This interdisciplinary learning session brings together clinicians and researchers from Children’s Hospital Minnesota to offer a clear, evidence-based overview of the medical and biological aspects of autism. Designed for both professionals and individuals with a personal interest, the session will review accepted and emerging research on causes and genetic heritability, common co-occurring conditions, neurology, sleep, and relevant approaches to medical management. Grounded in respect and curiosity, the core purpose of the session is to address and reduce misinformation about autism—without judgment—by sharing what is known, what is still being studied, and how this knowledge can support informed understanding, care, and conversation.

Autistic House to Home: A Guide to Affirming Home Space
2026-05-07 18:30 - 20:30 | Virtual Event
For autistic people and those who support us, our homes are often where we are most able to customize and innovate the environment for access, enjoyment, and rest. How can we effectively and creatively design our home spaces to maximize our well-being? One of our community’s greatest autistic integrators, Joyner Emerick, will share concepts and strategies for building an affirming home, offering tools for sensory accommodation, executive function support, routine, and regulation. This session will provide inspiration for autistic adults, children, and families, as well as providers supporting in-home services.

Ellie Wilson's Goodbye Celebration
2026-06-04 16:00 - 19:00 | Urban Growler Brewing Company, 2325 Endicott St, St Paul, MN, 55114, United States
After nearly ten years with the Autism Society of Minnesota (AuSM), Ellie is stepping down as Executive Director. You are invited to come celebrate and honor her leadership with AuSM.
Join us on June 4, 2026, from 4-7 p.m. at the Urban Growler Brewing Company (2325 Endicott St, St Paul, MN 55114).
This is a casual, drop-in event. Come and go as you please. Food and drinks are available for purchase. Come say goodbye, celebrate her time with us, and stay in touch as she moves on to her next endeavor.
RSVP requested to help us ensure we have enough space – but please feel free to come even if you didn’t register. We hope to see you there!

Supporting Autistic People With Higher Support Needs: Tools for Communication, Choice, and Quality of Life
2026-06-11 09:00 - 12:00 | Virtual Event
Autism is a spectrum, and autistic people have a wide range of support needs. Individuals with higher support needs may use limited or non-speaking forms of communication and may have difficulty understanding how their actions affect others. When appropriate supports are missing or mismatched, these challenges can lead to behaviors that do not effectively communicate needs, restrict autonomy, or limit opportunities for choice and participation. Participants will explore evidence-based tools and strategies, including visual supports, social narratives, and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), that can strengthen communication, expand choice, and improve quality of life. In addition, the session will examine how ableism is often embedded within support systems and how lowered expectations can unintentionally limit autonomy and growth.

Maximizing Your Disability Services in Minnesota: Person-Centered Planning and Creative Solutions
2026-07-09 09:00 - 12:00 | Virtual Event
Join us for a workshop focused on empowering individuals with disabilities and their families in Minnesota through person-centered planning and innovative approaches. This session will guide participants on how to leverage available disability services effectively while fostering a personalized, strengths-based approach to support and services.
Key topics include person-centered planning, creative solutions to everyday challenges, navigating the system, effective communication with service providers, and self-advocacy.This workshop aims to equip you with practical knowledge, skills, and creative ideas to navigate disability services in Minnesota successfully. Together, we’ll explore new avenues for achieving independence, fulfillment, and personal growth.

Finding Yourself Beneath the Mask: Tools, Experiments and Everyday Strategies for Unmasking
2026-08-06 09:00 - 12:00 | Virtual Event
In the autism community, the term masking refers to the way that many autistic people (consciously to unconsciously) try to blend in and appear less autistic. It’s often a way to stay safe, fit in, or meet expectations in a neurotypical world. While masking can be an important survival strategy, doing it long-term can take a significant toll on mental health, energy, identity, and connection to self.
This interactive workshop offers autistic adults a supportive, practical space to explore what masking looks like in their own lives and begin the process of unmasking in ways that feel intentional, flexible, and safe. Participants will be guided through reflection, discussion, and hands-on exercises help them better understand why they mask, how it impacts them, and what unmasking could look like for them — if and when they choose it.
Unmasking is never presented as all-or-nothing, mandatory, or universally safe. This workshop centers choice, consent, and self-determination, recognizing that masking may still be necessary in some environments and that unmasking looks different for everyone.
While this workshop is designed primarily for autistic adults, it also includes content that may be helpful for providers, partners, family members, and supporters who want to better understand unmasking and learn how to create safer, more affirming environments. Guidance is included on how to support someone who is unmasking without judgment, punishment, or pressure.
Led by two autistic adults, these strategies are drawn from actual life experience. Participants will leave with increased self-understanding, concrete tools they can return to over time, and reassurance that there is no “right” way to be autistic — only the ongoing process of learning what helps them feel more like themselves.
Note: While there will be plenty of opportunities for engagement, we recognize that many autistic people are uncomfortable speaking or sharing in a group: all participants will be welcomed to engage in the ways that feel most comfortable to them.
