AuSM LGBTQIA Support Group
2024-12-12 18:30 - 20:00, 2025-01-09 18:30 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | 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.

Winter MNprov Mixers -- In-Person
2024-12-12 18:30 - 20:00, 2024-12-19 18:30 - 20:00, 2024-12-26 18:30 - 20:00 | Eagan Community Center
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. We have sensory items (created by AUSM) that are available at our workshops. Individuals are welcome to take breaks as needed. Lighting can be adjusted to meet needs. Participants are encouraged to let us know how we can best support them.
A social narrative about the MNprov Mixers workshops and a registration link can be found on our website.
952.649.9699, catherine@mnprov.org

MNprov Mixers
2024-12-13 18:30 - 20:00, 2024-12-20 18:30 - 20:00, 2024-12-27 18:30 - 20:00 | Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 2561 Victoria Street North, Roseville, MN, 55113
Free Workshops for Neurodivergent Adults
ND adults benefit from these free applied improvisation workshops as they develop social connections, build relationships, and feel belonging. Within this safe and trusting environment, participants learn to become comfortable taking reasonable risks & making mistakes, increase their resilience and ability to tolerate uncertainty, improve their communication and collaboration skills, learn to listen and accept new ideas, and become more flexible and able to consider different perspectives. https://mnprov.org/fall-mnprov-mixers

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.

Saturday Fun/Respite Day
2024-12-14 13:00 - 17:00, 2025-01-11 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.

Gammelgården Museum of Scandia Holiday Displays
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/ .

MNprov Mixers - Virtual
2024-12-18 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.
952.649.9699, catherine@mnprov.org

See Me Neurodiverse support meeting
2024-12-18 19:00 - 20:30, 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
2024-12-19 18:30 - 20:00, 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 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.”

Sensory Friendly Saturday, Bell Museum
2024-12-21 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 Women's Support Group
2025-01-02 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.

See Me Neurodiverse support meeting
2025-01-02 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!
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

MNProv Mixer Virtual
2025-01-08 18:30 - 20:00, 2025-01-15 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.

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

Sensory Friendly Sunday at the Walker Art Center
2025-01-12 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.
