C.A.S.T. (Creative, Accepting, Sensory Friendly, Theatre) Winter Theatre Classes
2026-08-01 09:00 - 10:30, 2026-08-08 09:00 - 10:30, 2026-08-15 09:00 - 10:30, 2026-08-22 09:00 - 10:30, 2026-08-29 09:00 - 10:30, 2026-09-05 09:00 - 10:30, 2026-09-12 09:00 - 10:30 (America/Chicago) | Stages Theatre Company, Hopkins, MN
C.A.S.T. is a year-round educational theatre arts program dedicated to creating a safe, welcoming and comfortable environment for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other sensory sensitivities for Grades 2-12. The program is designed for youth with autism that would like to make new friends, explore deeper levels of communication and self-expression, creatively work on social skills, and develop acting skills and improvisation techniques.
STC teaching artists have direct experience teaching youth with autism, hold Direct Support Certification through AuSM, and are compassionate and flexible educators. Students are welcome to bring fidgets, headphones, and any other supports they may prefer to have with them in class. A designated take-a-break space will be provided for each class, as well.
Dates and Times:
Saturdays from 1/24/2026 through 3/14/2026 from 9-10:30 am (Grades 6-8), 11 am – 12:30 pm (Grades 9-12), and 1-2:30 pm (Grades 2-5)

Sensory Friendly Hours at the Minnesota Transportation Museum
2026-08-01 13:00 - 16:00, 2026-09-05 13:00 - 16:00 | Minnesota Transportation Museum, 193 Pennsylvania Ave, St Paul, MN, 55130
The Minnesota Transportation Museum is committed to welcoming all train enthusiasts! From 1-4pm on the first Saturday of the month, noises and lights in the museum will be minimized and sensory tools will be available to borrow. Sensory tools will also be available on our short caboose ride (included in admission). The admission cost for an adult is $15, student (6-16) is $10, and preschooler (3-5) is $5.

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.

Sensory Friendly Art Club
2026-08-06 16:30 - 18:00, 2026-08-13 16:30 - 18:00, 2026-08-20 16:30 - 18:00, 2026-08-27 16:30 - 18:00, 2026-09-03 16:30 - 18:00, 2026-09-10 16:30 - 18:00 | Mess Hall Arts, 906 Mainstreet, Hopkins, MN, 55343, United States
This Art club is being put on between the collaboration of Mess Hall Arts and the Down Syndrome Association of MN.
This curriculum is designed for 5th-9th graders focusing on Sensory Exploration. Each class is focused on 1 or more sensory experience through art and creation. We use Paint, Clay, Recycled Materials, Found Objects and more to create art pieces each class. We focus on Process not product so that each child feels accomplished and has something to take home at the end of each class.

AuSM Women's Support Group
2026-08-06 18:30 - 20:00, 2026-09-03 18:30 - 20:00 | Virtual Event
Women with Autism Spectrum Disorder gather to discuss challenges, strategies, and topics unique to being a woman on the spectrum. This group is held virtually only.

Understanding Autism
2026-08-10 12:00 - 13:00, 2026-09-14 18:00 - 19:00 | 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.

AuSM Adult Coffee Club
2026-08-11 15:00 - 17:00, 2026-09-08 15:00 - 17:00 | 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.

AuSM Professional Networking Group
2026-08-13 12:00 - 13:00, 2026-09-10 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.

AuSM LGBTQIA Support Group
2026-08-13 18:30 - 20:00, 2026-09-10 18:30 - 20:00 | Virtual Event
Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder who identify as LGBTQIA gather to discuss topics related to the intersection of autism and gender/sexuality. This group is held virtually only.

Sensory Friendly Saturday, Bell Museum
2026-08-15 08:00 - 10:00 | Bell Museum, St. Paul, Minnesota
Sensory Friendly Visits

The quietest time to visit the museum is late afternoon, when we have fewer visitors and our space is generally uncrowded. Be sure to check out the items you can borrow at the museum below!
Sensory friendly resources
Visitors are welcome to check out additional resources like our quiet spaces. You can borrow a sensory pack with tools such as visual timers, weighted lap pads, and hearing protection if it helps make the visit more enjoyable, and a social narrative is available for download to prepare for your visit. (Note, this is currently not accurate with COVID-19 procedures. Check out this general social narrative from the Autism Society of Minnesota). Read more about the museum’s other accessibility resources here.
Sensory Friendly Saturday
Prepare for your visit to Sensory Friendly Saturday with a short video – click here to watch.

bellinfo@umn.edu
612.626-9660

AuSM Family Members of Adults on the Spectrum Support Group
2026-08-20 18:30 - 20:00 | Virtual Event
Parents, caregivers, and other family members of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (18+) gather to discuss challenges, triumphs, and strategies for support. This group is held virtually only.

AuSM Independent Adults with ASD Support Group
2026-08-27 18:30 - 20:00 | Virtual Event
Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder gather in this typically larger group to support each other, socialize, and discuss common interests and concerns. This group is held virtually only.

A Realist's Guide to Employment Supports
2026-09-10 09:00 - 12:00 | Virtual Event
While various employment policies and programs in Minnesota have experienced cuts and shifts, autistic and disabled adults will always continue to seek opportunity, security, and purpose through work. In this session, career autism specialist and AuSM board leader Abbie Wells-Herzog will help participants understand the lay of the land in 2026, clarifying updates and misinformation related to Minnesota’s vocational rehab services and DHS employment services. Furthermore, Abbie will discuss strategies for attaining reasonable accommodations at work, offering a balanced approach to self-advocacy within employer policy and culture.
