Autistic Community Summit
2024-11-09 10:00 - 16:30 (America/Chicago) | Woodlake Lutheran Church, 2120 W 76th St, Richfield, MN, 55423
Created and curated by people with autism and for people with autism, the purpose of the Autistic Community Summit is to provide a space for community building and sharing the knowledge and perspectives of Minnesota’s autistic community. This year’s summit is dedicated to amplifying the voices of autistic individuals and fostering a supportive community that embraces diversity, inclusion, and empowerment.

AuSM Professional Networking Group
2024-11-14 12:00 - 13:00, 2024-12-12 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-01-09 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual Event
If you’re a professional who works with autistic clients – or are working towards your licensure so you can – AuSM’s Counseling and Consulting team has a resource to help you connect with therapists in our space. AuSM’s Professional Networking Group offers a chance for therapists to meet with other professionals who see clients with autism to ask questions, share cases, and build peer-to-peer relationships.
This group is meant for:

Therapists
Psychologists
Occupational therapists
Psychiatrists
Social workers
Case managers
Healthcare providers

As we meet, one member of AuSM’s staff will share an anonymized case study, then open the group for others to share relevant experiences that we can all learn from. This is a great opportunity to troubleshoot your problems and learn from the wisdom of other professionals as we work through challenging cases.
With increased diagnosis of autism, therapists are becoming aware that they need to increase competency in serving these clients; this group can help. We paused this networking group during the pandemic, but now it’s time we pick it back up. Like you, we’ve learned a lot since this group last met. Eager to likewise learn and share? Let’s talk it out – and then keep it going.

Free Family Movie Meetup (Sensory Friendly & Accessible Event)
2024-11-16 11:30 - 14:00 | Woodbury 10 Theater, 1470 Queens Dr, Woodbury, MN, 55125, United States
Join Family Achievement Foundation for a free family movie meetup! We will be watching Inside Out 2 and this is a sensory friendly & accessible event.
11:30 AM Check-In, 12:00 PM Movie Starts
Woodbury 10 Theater
Parents/Caregivers must accompany children to this event.
Email info@familyachieve.org to register

All Aboard For the Holidays: Neurodiversity Streetcar Ride
2024-11-29 11:00 - 14:00 | Como Harriet Streetcar Line, 4200 Queen Avenue, South, Minneapolis, MN, 55410, United States
Everyone welcome, accommodations available. We’ll be handing out candy canes and Chanukah gelt and Santa is scheduled to appear! Our Santa is an African American Minneapolis elder who is not rotund, but is very kind. Platform and Depot are wheelchair accessible but the streetcar has stairs. $3 per ride or $7 unlimited rides for the event. We do not operate in rain so check the website for cancellations.

Workshop: Executive Function Essentials
2024-12-05 09:00 - 12:00 | Virtual Event
This workshop will give you foundational skills to build self-regulation that will improve your executive function. We’ll delve into innovative concepts like spiral time, providing a fresh perspective on time management and organization. You will learn practical, actionable strategies to support and strengthen executive function skills, tailored specifically for autistic individuals.
The content is designed with neurodivergent brains in mind, offering approaches and strategies that respect and work with your natural tendencies rather than against them. Whether you’re looking to boost your own executive function or support someone else, this workshop offers tools that can be implemented right away, empowering you to navigate your own life and your own needs with the approaches that work for you.

Lionsgate Academy Prospective Families Information Session
2024-12-05 18:30 - 20:00 | Virtual Event
Lionsgate Academy is a free, public charter school open to students of all abilities and learning differences. We specialize in educating students on the autism spectrum. Join us for a virtual Prospective Families Information Session on Thursday, December 5th from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Learn more about Lionsgate and ask questions about our school at this virtual meeting or visit us online for more information. RSVP at the link.

Gammelgården Museum of Scandia Holiday Displays
2024-12-11 10:00 - 16:00, 2024-12-18 10:00 - 16:00, 2024-12-25 10:00 - 16:00, 2025-01-01 10:00 - 16:00 | Gammelgården Museum of Scandia, 20880 Olinda Trail North, Scandia, MN, 55073
Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays are quieter days at the museum, with fewer guests and noise. The museum has sensory kits for youth and adults available for use while at the museum. In addition, there are fidgets that can be checked out and used while at the museum. A social narrative is available on the museum’s website at https://gammelgardenmuseum.org/social-narrative-and-sensory-kits/ . Printed information is available about some of the exhibits and displays; and signs in English and Swedish are next to each of the historical buildings. Virtual tours are available for self-guided tours throughout the years at https://gammelgardenmuseum.org/virtual-tours/ .

How the Grinch Stole Christmas Sensory Friendly Performance
2024-12-13 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-01-03 19:00 - 21:00 | Children’s Theatre Company, Minneapolis, MN
A miserly and miserable, ever-so-cantankerous Grinch has observed the despicable Christmas joy of the Whos with disdain, from a distance, for decades. Enough! In this CTC holiday favorite, filled with music and Seussian rhymes, he plots the greatest heist imaginable—stealing the very thing they love the most! Until, that is, the smallest of the Whos, tiny Cindy Lou, extends a hand. Through the combination of kindness and community, we witness not only a change in the course of Who-History, but the size and capacity of the old green guy’s heart.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever - Relaxed Performance
2024-12-14 10:00 - 12:00 | Lakes International Language Academy Upper School, 19850 Fenway Ave, Forest Lake, MN, 55025
For every mainstage show in our season, Children’s Performing Arts hosts a relaxed performance. This allows patrons with sensory, social, physical, and cognitive needs to attend a production in a safe and welcoming environment. Modifications to this performance include lights remaining dim in the audience, elimination of intense lighting and sound effects, and audiences being free to move around the space and make any noises they need to make. Fidgets, noise-canceling headphones, and modified seating are also welcome into the space!
In this hilarious Christmas classic, a couple struggling to put on a church Christmas pageant is faced with casting the Herdman kids – probably the most inventively awful kids in history. You won’t believe the mayhem – and the fun – when the Herdmans collide head-on with the story of Christmas!
A social narrative and character guide will be sent to all ticket holders the week of the show.

Sensory Friendly Performance A Minnesota Nutcracker
2024-12-20 18:00 - 20:00 | Northrop Auditorium, 84 Church Street SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, United States
Twin Cities Ballet’s annual production of A Minnesota Nutcracker has been a beloved holiday tradition in the South Metro since its inaugural performances in 2003, and this year it comes to Northrop!
Experience the beloved holiday classic with a Minnesota twist, which maintains the essential traditions, story, and music beloved by so many, but adds Minnesota flair, brought to life by the powerful athleticism and artistry of TCB’s dancers.
Clara encounters iconic Minnesota characters and locations on her magical journey: the State Capitol’s Golden Horses, Cascading Waters, tiny Bluegill fish frolicking by a Mississippi River Paddleboat, and, new this year, Vikings, and Minnesota’s state bird and flower, the Loon and Ladyslipper.
Deemed one of the twelve essential holiday events by MPR, TCB’s A Minnesota Nutcracker is delightful entertainment for the whole family!
For this relaxed performance, house lights will remain at a glow, sound levels will be lowered, and the audience will be warned of any surprises. Attendees can come and go as needed, assisted by ushers trained to accommodate movement and sound. This performance is “Pick Your Price.”

MNProv Mixer Virtual
2025-01-08 18:30 - 20:00, 2025-01-15 18:30 - 20:00, 2025-01-22 18:30 - 20:00, 2025-01-29 18:30 - 20:00, 2025-02-05 18:30 - 20:00 | Virtual Event
The MNprov Mixers are a safe place for neurodivergent adults (18+) to have fun, meet new people, increase confidence, and decrease stress. No experience necessary. This event is FREE. Come every week, or only once, or somewhere in-between.
Improv is inherently inclusive. All participants are needed for a scene to succeed, and everyone’s suggestions are incorporated into the scene. The improv rule of “Yes, and . . .” allows participants to feel safe and supported and more willing to take risks. As players say “YES” to each other and add their own ideas, they build trust and create something brand new together.
This is a small group activity with fewer than 20 participants. Individuals are welcome to take breaks as needed. Participants are encouraged to let us know how we can best support them. Because this is on ZOOM, participants from greater Minnesota have an accessible way to attend.
A social narrative about the MNprov Mixers workshops and a registration link can be found on our website.

MNProv Mixer In-Person
2025-01-09 18:30 - 20:00, 2025-01-16 18:30 - 20:00, 2025-01-23 18:30 - 20:00, 2025-01-30 18:30 - 20:00, 2025-02-06 18:30 - 20:00 | Youth Performance Company, 641 Fairview Ave N Suite 191, Saint Paul, MN, 55104, United States

Maximizing Your Disability Services
2025-01-24 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:

Introduction to Person-Centered Planning: Learn the principles and practices of person-centered planning that prioritize individual goals, preferences, and aspirations, allowing you to create a tailored support plan.
Creative Solutions for Everyday Challenges: Discover unique strategies and resourceful ideas to overcome barriers in accessing services and achieving personal goals. Participants will share success stories and brainstorm creative solutions together.
Navigating the System: Gain insights into the array of available services—Including: housing, community supports, employment support and more—and how to effectively advocate for what best fits your needs.
Effective Communication with Service Providers: Develop tools to communicate your needs effectively, ensuring that your voice is heard and incorporated into service planning.
Empowerment and Self-Advocacy: Strengthen your self-advocacy skills to inspire confidence in navigating the disability services landscape.

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.

Uniquely Abled Academy Open House
2025-01-28 16:00 - 18:00 | Hennepin Technical College, 9000 Brooklyn Blvd, Brooklyn Park, MN, 55445, United States
Hennepin Technical College (HTC) would like to invite individuals you may be working with who are current seniors who are planning on graduating or completing their transition program to explore the Uniquely Abled Academy (UAA) that HTC will be launching in June 2025. The open house will be held on January 28, 2025, at 4 PM & 6 PM and February 4, 2025, at 6 PM at our Brooklyn Park Campus.
HTC is a Minnesota state college located in the Brooklyn Park and Eden Prairie area. Our mission is to provide quality technical education in an ever-changing work environment. With that focus, HTC is launching Uniquely Abled Academy (UAA) which is a program that provides education and hands-on training in Computer Numerical Control (CNC) operating within the manufacturing industry.
Uniquely Abled is an academy that trains young adults with a diagnosis of Level 1 autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The project will provide comprehensive support services, paid work-based learning opportunities, and placement and retention services. This will ensure meaningful, sustainable employment providing participants with income, dignity, and purpose while filling a major need for employers in high-demand industries.
Uniquely Abled Academy is a 10-week academy that teaches young adults with autism to be entry-level CNC operators and provides job placement support. Semester in duration and will include 300 hours of in-class instruction and 60 hours of job-readiness instruction.
The program will begin training the CNC Operator curriculum encompassing soft skill development and will include on-the-job training with wrap-around services. These services will include a Vocational Rehab Service Tech at the job site to help the individual acclimate to the job and help the business owner and staff learn how to work with the individual’s unique skill set.
UAA Open House Flyer

FREE Resource Series: A Guide for Parents of Neurodiverse Children & Adults
2025-02-04 18:30 - 19:30 | Virtual Event
Join Family Achievement Foundation in partnership with Jacyln Hunt, Board Certified Cognitive Specialist and owner of ASD Life Coaches, LLC for this free workshop.
Topics will include:
• Nuances of Autism such as sensory issues, executive functioning, gender differences, masking, burnout and mental health.
• How to Engage with your child/adult child
• How to best support your child/adult child
• Setting Healthy Boundaries
• Demand Avoidance
• Motivation
• Independent Living Skills
• Social and Communication Skills
• Parental Self-care
Tuesday, February 4, 2025, via Zoom from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. with additional time for those with more questions. Email info@familyachieve.org to register.

MNprov Live! Auditions
2025-02-08 14:00 - 18:00 | Youth Performance Company, 641 Fairview Ave N Suite 191, Saint Paul, MN, 55104, United States
MNprov Live! is an improv performance group for neurodivergent adults. This event is to audition for the performance troupe. All members of the selected performance group (8 total) will be paid for rehearsals and performances.
MNprov Live! brings neurodivergent voices and talents into the spotlight—giving performers the chance to share their creativity and connect with their community in meaningful ways.
Through paid weekly rehearsals and monthly performances, MNprov Live! performers cultivate independence, resilience, and a sense of belonging as they strengthen skills essential for success in work, relationships, and everyday life.
MNprov Live! members have the opportunity for social integration, fair compensation, and the satisfaction of knowing their talents and contributions are valued by the community.
Paid weekly rehearsals create a safe space for performers to grow their improvisation skills, deepen social connections, and experience genuine inclusion. In this supportive environment, participants gain confidence in taking reasonable risks and learn to accept mistakes as part of growth. They improve their communication and teamwork, actively listen, and expand their ability to consider different perspectives.
By amplifying voices that have historically been marginalized, MNprov Live not only uplifts its performers but also encourages a more inclusive and connected society.
MNprov Live! performers grow as artists and are celebrated for their unique perspectives. Troupe members are showcased as role models for neurodivergent individuals and as ambassadors for the disability community, helping to foster understanding and appreciation among the general public.
