AuSM

See Me Neurodiverse support meeting
2025-01-02 19:00 - 20:30, 2025-02-06 19:00 - 20:30 (America/Chicago) | See Me Neurodiverse, 6000 McColl Drive, Savage, MN, 55378
This is a support meeting for the parents and caregivers of the neurodiverse to share our journeys together and help spread our wealth of resources to the community!
These meetings provide a safe space for parents/guardians/anyone who needs additional support while caring for neurodiverse children. Our mission for this support group is to connect, share, and support one another on our journey.
First Thursday of month 7-8:30pm and Every third Wednesday from 7-8:30pm

How the Grinch Stole Christmas Sensory Friendly Performance
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.

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.

AuSM Professional Networking Group
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.

AuSM LGBTQIA Support Group
2025-01-09 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.

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

Saturday Fun/Respite Day
2025-01-11 13:00 - 17:00, 2025-02-08 13:00 - 17:00 | Laura Baker Services Association, 211 Oak Street, Northfield, MN, 55053
TIME FOR RESPITE AND SOCIAL INTERACTION
A monthly program for families who care for individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. Adults and children ages 5 and above with special needs who live at home with their families are welcome to join LBSA on the second Saturday of the month for crafts, games, outdoor activities, and snacks. Sign-up on the LBSA website, https://www.laurabaker.org/services/family-support/
The events are designed to provide a few hours of respite for caregivers and social interaction for participants. Pre-registration is required. Families must complete an enrollment medical form prior to the event. $20 per person fee is charged for each event; fee waivers are available for those that qualify.

Sensory Friendly Sunday at the Walker Art Center
2025-01-12 08:00 - 11:00, 2025-02-09 08:00 - 11:00 | Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Sensory Friendly Sunday is a monthly event is designed for kids, teens, and adults with sensory processing differences, autism spectrum disorder or developmental disabilities. From 8 am to 11 am on the second Sunday of the month, the galleries will be closed to the general public, and sound and light levels will be adjusted, allowing visitors to enjoy the museum in a calm environment with accommodations such as quiet spaces, fidgets, and sunglasses available. Experience select Walker exhibitions, make art, watch a short film, or just hang out in a different setting. Featured exhibitions and activities change each month. Visit https://walkerart.org/visit/sensory-friendly-sundays/ for more information or to register.
Sensory Friendly Sunday was developed in consultation with the Autism Society of Minnesota (AuSM) and the University of Minnesota’s Occupational Therapy Program.
For more information about accessibility at the Walker, visit our Access page: https://walkerart.org/visit/accessibility.

See Me Neurodiverse support meeting
2025-01-15 19:00 - 20:30 | See Me Neurodiverse, 6000 McColl Drive, Savage, MN, 55378
This is a support meeting for the parents and caregivers of the neurodiverse to share our journeys together and help spread our wealth of resources to the community!
See Me’s main event that we host is a Family/Caregiver Support Meeting. We meet for an in-person support group on the first Thursday and the third Wednesday of every month.
These meetings provide a safe space for parents/guardians/anyone who needs additional support while caring for neurodiverse children. Our mission for this support group is to connect, share, and support one another on our journey.

AuSM Family Members of Adults on the Spectrum Support Group
2025-01-16 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.

Sensory Friendly Saturday, Bell Museum
2025-01-18 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 Independent Adults with ASD Support Group
2025-01-23 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.

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.

AuSM Women's Support Group
2025-02-06 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.

MNprov Live! Auditions
2025-02-08 14:00 - 18:00, 2025-02-09 12:00 - 16:00 | 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.

Understanding Autism
2025-02-10 12:00 - 13:00 | 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.
